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Post by hyrb on May 8, 2013 9:43:12 GMT -5
I really need some advice on selection of the right scooter. I've read articles, reviews and lurked here for a couple of weeks trying to do research on the right scooter. I bought my wife a 2002 Vespa et4 hardly ridden because she does Not like to tinker. With two 70's Rancheros to keep running I do. I'm also fairly heavy so I'm thinking that if I want to keep up with her on rides I need a 250cc + scoot?
I've looked at the Linhai Aeolus 260 Majesty clone, the Roketa 250B and the JCL 250A with the idea that the 257cc Linhai engine looked like one I'd be able to find parts for in years to come. I don't know yet what I don't know and I'm at the point where I don't know what the best available choice is. I'm hoping for suggestions, advice and opinions! There seem to be a ton of options for 150cc scooters but many fewer for larger ones.
I've looked at several dealers and in talking to them have experienced the Good (Valley Scooters), the Bad (ScooterDepot) and the Ugly (PowersportsMax, who sold me a JCL they didn't have and refuses to release to funds from my card after cancellation). So not only would I welcome help with the type of ride but also with the dealer. Valley was great but doesn't have scoots over 150cc now. So what I need is a Scooter that is a good buy, somewhere around $3000 delivered (the less the better) and available for purchase. I'm OK with doing my own PDI and OK with maintaining the ride but I do want decent quality & long term reliability. Yes, I'm OK with a good used model but can't seem to find anything.
I'm located 3 hours and 30 years South of Atlanta and there are no dealers other than Honda/Yamaha near me and they have nothing in stock but 50cc. No other B&M stores to buy from and nothing on CL either... Opinions on a decent first larger scooter are welcome!
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Post by pcdj64 on May 8, 2013 9:56:14 GMT -5
I have had good luck with my Motofino scooter, the company works with castrol oil company for the design of their GY6 engines which puts them at the top as far as longevity and reliability.
they also use high impact ABS plastic parts that are resistant to damage moreso than the other chinese made scooters.
i compared my Motofino side by side to a roketa and mine is much better built all around, the roketa is a 2012 like mine and has engine problems and suspension problems at under 1000 miles.
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Post by prodigit on May 8, 2013 11:16:39 GMT -5
Have you checked Roketa? They need some wrenching, but many people that know how to do their own work love them! Also the price! The cheapest Roketa you can get delivered in a crate on your front door for ~$1850 (costs $1599, + $240 ship). It does take 2 to uncrate and mount, but if you're strong, you could uncrate it easily with a teenager's help. On this website you can find 3 scooters and 2 motorcycles (250cc) delivered at your door for under $3k! www.superiorpowersports.com/category_s/55.htmI would not go with the BMS, too much trouble in the long run (like excessive vibration, loosening screws, hard to reach and maintain parts), but at least the engine is reliable on that one. On the same website, you can get 150cc scooters from $950 and up delivered at your door. The 150cc's if you're 200-300LBS, are ok for 45-50MPH rides of about 20 minutes. I'm 170LBS, and take my EVO150 out on the highway (60MPH) for just a few exits. Never ran the thing longer than 5-7 full minutes at WOT. I don't know what engine the vespa has, but generally a 150cc Vespa is about as good as a 250cc chinese bike. A 50cc vespa is about as good as a 150cc chinese bike; (IOW: you'll keep up with her). |
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Post by jeffery5568 on May 8, 2013 11:39:47 GMT -5
The best scooter is the cheapest one you can find.
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Post by rockynv on May 8, 2013 11:53:49 GMT -5
If your wife has the ET4 Vespa with the Piaggio 150cc then you may want to keep it in the family and look for another Piaggio product from Vespa, Piaggio or Aprilia. A lot of the tools and methodologies you will employ working on the Vespa will also be valid for a number of other Piaggio powered bikes.
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Post by hyrb on May 8, 2013 12:45:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions so far! At 250lbs I'm thinking a 150cc going up a hill would be a lost cause. Not many hills around here but with my luck... I saw a guy on CL that has an 06 Yamaha 400cc for $2400 but I can't get ahold of him. Time is the enemy as I don't want her riding off into the sunset without me.  I've seen several dealers that are setting up networks for chinascoots where they are trying to deliver a quality scooter but all of them seem to stay with 150cc or less. Is that because of quality or cost? Maybe just focusing on the best price point. |
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Post by JR on May 8, 2013 12:54:11 GMT -5
I think you'll want to stay with the 250cc class scooter. The cn 250 should be on your list as well. I dothink given that you have a local Honda and Yamaha dealer you should try and find a used one of those, the Helix, Reflex, Big Ruckus would be good to consider and you won't have to worry about it breaking down much. I would even drive to another city to see or get one
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Post by urbanmadness on May 8, 2013 16:47:53 GMT -5
The big Ruckous is a bit rare... Awesome and beastly looking scoot. The Helix is the grand mac daddy of scoots.
The cn250 (honda cloned engines) are well built.. any of the 250 class scooters are a bit more complex then the 150's as they are a liquid cooled motor. It's one of the reasons alot of the dealers shy clear of em i my area. They know how to work on the air cooled one's and aren't up on the quirks of the water cooled ones. Like burbing the cooling system for example.
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Post by rollbar57 on May 8, 2013 18:41:53 GMT -5
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Post by rockynv on May 8, 2013 20:45:30 GMT -5
The Chinese 250's at local dealers also come too close to being the same price as the Italian 250's when the Italian bikes are on factory special so it can also be hard to compete. For instance when I bought my Aprilia Sport City fuel injected 250 it was $2,999 while the carbuerated Chinese 250's available locally were only a few hundred dollars less. With the full parts and labor warranty, fuel injection, 15 inch wheels, twin disk brakes up front (single disk in back) and much higher HP along with fuel economy from the Aprilia it was a no-brainer so I got the Aprilia. So I am now stuck with a 20+ hp 250 that competes well with some of the 400 to 600 cc bikes out there and is capable of  + mph on the interstate. I rarely have to do any work on the bike and it is expected when the need comes up as in the past 15,000+ miles it has only been scheduled maintenance which is at 6,250 mile incriments not 500 or 1,000. |
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Post by skyrider on May 8, 2013 20:51:29 GMT -5
I agree with Doug. A good used Honda/Yamaha is a wise choice.
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Post by hyrb on May 8, 2013 22:40:47 GMT -5
Thanks folks, I appreciate the advice and the wisdom. I'm looking pretty far afield now and figure a couple 3 hour drive will be required if I want a deal in the area. I can get a 250 drop shipped for about 3k less than anything new around here but less than a grand difference from some of the used ones I'm seeing. I'll let y'all know what I end up with!
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Post by prodigit on May 8, 2013 23:39:33 GMT -5
You could take a look at a used burgman, more than enough power, and good for the long rides, but usually they go for just over $4k.
I'm 170 LBS, and my 150cc china scoot takes me up a bridge ~45MPH; I suspect it could get you up ~40MPH. A 250 is indeed recommended.
The 260 EFI i had before could take me up the same bridge @60mph. I presume a Roketa 250 (has carburetor) could take you up a bridge @~50MPH. More than enough, as most cars slow down up a bridge. If you need faster, then WOT right before riding uphill the bridge, so you can gain some speed. The 250cc could get you to 70 or 75MPH, then slow down about 10MPH until you're at the top of the bridge.
Factory deals on Italian scoots are no longer. most people getting good deals, got them in the economic depression. Right now, the economy goes well, so prices stay up.
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+ mph on the interstate. I rarely have to do any work on the bike and it is expected when the need comes up as in the past 15,000+ miles it has only been scheduled maintenance which is at 6,250 mile incriments not 500 or 1,000.