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Post by thewizard13 on Sept 3, 2013 19:40:42 GMT -5
So I got a Lintex scooter back last October and have had nothing but problems since getting it. So I am looking to get something that hasn't been previously owned and am torn between 2 scooters and brands.
I want to get opinions and comments on what I should get. Looking at Puma, or pcc scooters, Speedy150 and GMW v-150.
What I know about them both...
PCC - Comes from China? I thought that these were Japanese. Dealer said very comparable to Kymco, which I understand is a better brand in the chinese scooter world.
GMW - Apparently comes from China also? Dealer told me that there is a manufacturing plant in Clearwater Florida that he's visited and swears by this brand.
Both dealers said I'll get a 1 year warranty. The guy with the PCC says he has a 1 year warranty on them for parts AND labor. The other dealer said the warranty covered internal engine parts for a year.
Price is a HUGE difference too. PCC is going for$1599- $1999, and the GMW is going for $2450 ($2250 if paid cash). Should I put cost into the equation? I just want to see what everyone thinks. The PCC dealer has my current bike and I think that one is gonna need a new motor, or at least a re-build, but I don't want to waste my money on a new motor or re-build if it's going to be pointless.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. I have been trying to get some reviews to look over and figure it would be easier to get real opinions from real people, instead of those that might post things just to make their brand sound better. Thanks!!
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Post by scootnwinn on Sept 3, 2013 20:18:46 GMT -5
For that kind of money have a look at Sym or Kymco. I wouldn't buy either of those for those prices...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2013 21:12:42 GMT -5
Chosing any scoot is a crap shoot. Some have good experiences with a model while others dont. The problem with these imports is consistency. Same as dealers. Some say thay are terrible while others say they are great. Its not like buying a car where you can expect a reasonable amount of consistancy. I would suggest buying what attracts you and hope you are the one who reports it was a positive experience. I myself have just ordered a BMS Apache. Money wasnt an object. I researched BMS and ZNEN and made an imformed decision. I like the styling of the Chinese scoots over the Vespas, Hondas andYamahas and bought what I wanted. My first scoot was a cheap TaoTao for 589.00 and have never had a problem with it and I will still ride it. Just get what you want and dont rely on others to tell you what you should buy. To each his own.
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Post by thewizard13 on Sept 5, 2013 12:58:19 GMT -5
[replyingto=redroush00]redroush00[/replyingto]Yah I had a cheap 50cc I got for $500 and it ran great and never had any issues with it, other than going real slow. That's when I got my gator scooter and it ran great for a while and then completely died, along with almost being stolen twice. Then I got this scooter from someone selling it in town and was good for a couple of weeks and then the problems started happening. I have replaced the fuel filter, starter, battery, fuel petcock, had carb cleaned and did my own oils changes. It still boggs down and the last time it happened I could smell something burnt. When I checked the oil there was literally a drop on the dipstick. So have the guy that worked on it last checking it out and I am supposed to hear something today, or tomorrow, on if it needs a head, re-build or if I should just get a new motor. I am torn because if I get a new motor or a re-built one and it craps out again.....what am I supposed to do about it then? Just wanted to see what everyone had to say. Still thinking that I may just look at a new one. I will also research kymco also. Thanks!!!
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Post by spandi on Sept 5, 2013 13:28:18 GMT -5
Both are actually a Znen product. Both are from China. (I would tend to discount any claims made by salesmen) I don't know about Gorilla, but every time I have dealt with the folks at Puma they have bent over backwards to help me when I really needed it. (to the point of cannibalizing a scoot on the showroom floor to get me a part I needed.) Znen company information. www.carolinafunmachines.com/Pages/whomakes.aspxBut for the kind of money they are asking (for a 150?) a look at SYM or Kymco would not be a bad idea. |
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Post by cravenscoot on Sept 5, 2013 13:50:56 GMT -5
[replyingto=thewizard13]thewizard13[/replyingto]I just got my first scoot about a month ago(2009 jinlun JLQT50-4) It didnt drive when I got it, but would start and somewheat run. I figured "theres not much to the thing, and im good fixin are cars i'll take it" What I found out is that these chinese scoots are really simple to work on. I can disamble my scoot to the point I can get to every aspect of the motor in about 20 min. As well as the reverse. Diagnostics on these scoots is a different story. The are so delicatly made with cheap parts that the smallest quirk upsets every aspect. As I said, I don't have any experiance working on these scoots myself. Parts are cheap online, and normaly u can get a good guess what the problem is but putting the pieces together on how its running. I myself just diagnose my problem to what would normaly cause an engine to run like this? Then narrow it down piece by piece. I bought my scoot for 200$, the previous owner told me he had recently cleaned the carb after a long sit and he didn't get it clean enough, so im thinking, well at worst i'll buy a new carb (39.99) To date I have 370$ in it and she still is haveing some problems starting (CDI) I have purcased New 20mm carb, new high performance ignition coil, new battery. Not to bad... I just need a new CDI (20$) I think thats the last piece of the puzzle. Point being is get ur hands dirty, nose around that thing, its a breeze to turn a wrench on. YOUTUBE is always a good friend on How-To-Do's, as well as alot of bright people on this form that have gone through some of the same problems.  |
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Post by scooter12 on Sept 7, 2013 22:40:43 GMT -5
Ya, Chinese scooters also don't really come with a warranty, unless bought through a local dealer. Most are ordered online, so they if they say there is a 1 year warranty, well the warranty cost you money. Say a major part goes out- you might have to ship the entire scooter back to them for repairs. If you work on it yourself, it voids any warranty. They don't tell you any of this stuff. My Chinese scooter is a good one. Has 7100 miles on it and runs great. Some maintenance is expected but all scooters are this way. Mine is a Roketa Bali 250.. Most scooters in general will last 1 year, problem free. Mine is going on 6 years old. My Bali 250 made a 300 round trip last November and made a trip from Jefferson City MO to Quincy IL this August. It is great riding on highways and expressways.
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Post by tarkus on Sept 8, 2013 5:25:18 GMT -5
Just a couple of thoughts on all the above. Buying a scooter should not be a crap-shoot , particularly at those prices. I'd love to see this "manufacturing plant" in Clearwater. At best it's a warehouse. I would bet the farm nothing is manufactured there.Listen closely to guys like spandi. He knows china made scoots as well as any and what their value is/isn't. If he and others tell you those prices are more Kymco or SYM I would take that advice. I would add the SYM made Lance scooters. I like the PCH 150. Also available in a solid 125 for under 2k. Both come with a 24 month warrantee. lancepowersports.com/models/pch150.htmlOr nothing wrong with a china scooter for the right money. Two grand plus is out of hand for a 150. Best of luck in your search. |
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Post by spandi on Sept 8, 2013 8:41:14 GMT -5
Well Tarkus, thank you for the endorsement. If I remember correctly the only actual manufacturer in the U.S. is California Scooters and to a certain extent Vento. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventowww.vento.com/web/pub/usa/about_vento.asp?zone=EUAIt may be that the plant is more is more of a setup and modification facility. But I think if I was paying 2k for a 150cc, I'd be looking seriously at the Taiwanese product. |
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Post by spandi on Sept 8, 2013 9:02:36 GMT -5
Come to think of it Vento does make some nice scoots at reasonable prices. |
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Post by Kwagga on Sept 8, 2013 15:11:32 GMT -5
Been there - Done that with the Chinese scooters. Never again, as it is usually your scooter that gives problems, and the odd Chinese scooter owner might never have problems. Chines is cheap for a reason, but you end up paying big on maintenance.
Check your warranty as well, as in most cases it is a limited warranty, usually for the motor, but other things only have a 3 - 6 month warranty. Usually everything packs up a day after the warranty expires.
I suggest going for a SYM or a Kymco, but can also suggest a Honda PCX150.
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Post by spandi on Sept 8, 2013 15:56:23 GMT -5
Been there - Done that with the Chinese scooters. Never again, as it is usually your scooter that gives problems, and the odd Chinese scooter owner might never have problems. Chines is cheap for a reason, but you end up paying big on maintenance. Check your warranty as well, as in most cases it is a limited warranty, usually for the motor, but other things only have a 3 - 6 month warranty. Usually everything packs up a day after the warranty expires. I suggest going for a SYM or a Kymco, but can also suggest a Honda PCX150. Yes I can understand your feelings, some get lucky and a lot of us learn to tame the Chinese tiger. As I have said before I see my mechanic every morning.....In the bathroom mirror!  |
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