New Scooter(er) from TX  By  pkmffl (Read 1,049 times)

pkmffl,

Hello, and WELCOME to the best site on the Net (Along with our sister site, ScooterRebels)!

I live in Grapevine, right at the north end of D/FW Airport. I'm an old (67) biker from the "old-school" 1960's chopper scene. After 30 years away from bikes, I discovered the "Chinese Invasion" of affordable scooters. Your 150 should be a good ride when you get the Chinese bugs worked out. I rode my '07 Xingyue 150 for seven years, and only recently traded it on a "well-used" Kymco 250, because the 150 simply would no longer safely keep up with local traffic since the area's roads have been redone and you must be able to run 65mph+ just to "survive"... LOL!  Living in Texas, I'm sure you've noticed the habit of traffic running 50 in the 35mph zones, and 65 to 70 in the 45mph zones.

Yes, Texas law considers anything on two wheels a "motorcycle". No "mopeds" here...  You need a motorcycle drivers' license, and liability insurance. Also, as mentioned, except for certain circumstances, a helmet.

I got my MC license in 1977, so I'm sure it's changed since then, but getting your MC license can't be very difficult. As for insurance, I checked around and found basic liability insurance ran about $100 to $150 per year from numerous carriers. I went with GEICO since they were the cheapest at $100. Seven years later, they now give me full-coverage with fire, theft and collision on my 250 for only $112. Like with a car or truck, you also must have a state inspection yearly, but that's only $14 if I recall.

License, inspection and insurance are pretty affordable considering the savings in gas, and enjoyment a scooter provides.  I ride mine for most everything.

Your Shenke is almost identical to my old Xingyue. Typical things I encountered may be similar to your experience. My starter went bad. I disassemble it and was able to fix a broken wire (but THAT is unusual...). Starters are not too expensive, and VERY easy to replace with only hand-tools. See if you're getting juice to the starter, and if the starter IS bad, it should be replaced. The kickers on these are "marginal" at best... LOL! They won't hold up to daily starting.

The other things I ran into was the CDI going bad (I replaced it with a "red" version from eBay). The coil went bad, and I replaced it with an "orange" Bando coil from eBay. These parts are quite inexpensive, and change out in minutes.

The worst problem I had was the carburetor. They are almost ALWAYS too lean on the main jet from the factory. And my scooter would not run right with the factory air-filter no matter what. I ended up richening the main jet by a few numbers, and installing a UNI "sock" filter. If your scoot will tune, and run OK with the stock air-filter, it will be much easier to get it just right.

The carb-jets are VERY easy to change out with only hand-tools.

The electrics on these scooters are not, I repeat NOT waterproof. Not even "water-resistant" so hand-washing the bike is best, and if it's so dirty it needs a spray-wash, be SURE not to direct the wand into the under-seat area where it can hit the CDI, or into the cooling-fan intake to wet the stator and such, OR into the dash area. The wiring on these is OK for gentle, daily use, but will not take any abuse, or wetness. Keep any spray-washing to the body-panels, wheels, tires, and exterior places. Even with those precautions, I leave the engine running during any spray-washing, and am very careful where I aim the wand...

I doubt anything can go wrong with your new ride that can't be easily fixed with advice from the members on this forum. And just MAYBE, you got one of the trouble-free Chinese scoots.  Though "rare" the DO exist!  Many of us have been riding quite a while, and may be able to steer you around the little annoyances these scooters exhibit.

Ride safe, and enjoy the ride!

Leo in Texas

PS:  Take note:  Grapevine (and I imagine most TX towns now) have scanners on their police cars which scan many license plates per second.  The officer INSTANTLY knows if your ride has current license, inspection, insurance, and if it's stolen, or if there are any warrants or issues with its registration.  Sneaky, but VERY effective!

Jun 2, 2014 8:09:41 GMT -5 ftwkirby said:

Hey there I'm Kirby from Fort Worth got my 2010 150cc Meiduo (chinese i know right) back in November. i enjoy riding it. I'm amazed on how i can get to placed just taking the back roads. looking forward to learning all i can from experienced riders. 

Hey, THAT is how most of us got hooked on scooters too!

In my case, I rode motorcycles for decades, and THAT was decades ago... LOL!  Nothing wrong with Chinese.  Only expect to do more corrective wrenching than with the more expensive rides.  However, Italian, Japanese, Taiwanese, etc. scoots can act up too.

For six years, I learned all the back roads too.  Makes for some VERY enjoyable riding.  I only went with a bigger scooter when local Grapevine roads were totally re-done, and speeds got crazy.  Most everywhere I went, the street traffic was accelerating faster than my 150 would accelerate, and running faster than my 150 would go.

Having my old Xingyue 150 finally fixed, tweaked and adjusted to the best it was ever going to be, I decided to let someone else enjoy it...  I am on a VERY tight fixed budget, so I test-rode EVERYTHING I could get my hands on.  Finally, I decided I wanted at least a 250, but with a platform similar to my old 150... Flat-floor, step-through and not excessively heavy.

The old Kymco Grandvista 250 filled the bill.  It's a short, lightweight scooter similar to the Chinese 150's but a WHOLE LOT faster...  I got it from MOXIE SCOOTERS in Colleyville.  If you ever decide to "upgrade" and want to work with a B&M store, I can HIGHLY recommend Moxie!  First-class dealer with first-class service.

Granted, a used 250 from ANYWHERE but China will cost more than a new Chinese model.  After six months riding "Minnie Mouse" as I call her, I can understand why.  The entire scooter is "automotive-grade" heavy duty.  The construction does seem to justify the price, at least in my opinion.

In the mean time, enjoy those back roads!

Ride safe,

Leo