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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 4, 2013 12:38:26 GMT -5
I hope anyone reading posts like this see them for the uninformed drivel that they are... You sir, are much too kind  I had originally typed something quite a bit different... |
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Post by gitsum on Jun 4, 2013 13:00:54 GMT -5
I had originally typed something quite a bit different... You're teasing me, I sure wish you would have ;D |
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Post by prodigit on Jun 4, 2013 17:16:22 GMT -5
I'm sorry you don't agree with my assessments.
Still, I don't think I'm wrong at all.
I wouldn't trust a chinese bike all day regardless. I've ran my TaoTao ATM50, for 6 hours WOT, but doing it once does not guarantee it will do it every time.
For instance, a 300cc sports bike won't keep up all day neither at wot, or near wot. For that reason, the dino bikers that use cruisers, and have years of experience, unlike some teenagers on this forum that bought their 50cc scoots yesterday; bikers tell you that you'll really need a 500+cc to ride all day, unless you won't mind riding at 40MPH or below all day, or don't mind riding in syberia.
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Post by gitsum on Jun 4, 2013 18:03:34 GMT -5
For instance, a 300cc sports bike won't keep up all day neither at wot, or near wot. For that reason, the dino bikers that use cruisers, and have years of experience, unlike some teenagers on this forum that bought their 50cc scoots yesterday; bikers tell you that you'll really need a 500+cc to ride all day, unless you won't mind riding at 40MPH or below all day, or don't mind riding in syberia. Keep up with what? A Kymco People GT 300i, Piaggio Beverly 350 or my Honda CBR250R will cruise over the posted speed limit with some throttle in reserve. This means when you go up a steep grade or against a strong headwind, you are still maintaining or exceeding the speed limit if that's what you want. I guess if you want to ride at  + mph all day you may need something bigger. If you're basing this theory on a 250 - 300cc Chinese scooter that tops out at an actual 75 mph on a good day, then you're probably right. And no, when the China speedo reads 80+ mph, you aren't going that fast. And yes, if you insist on riding a Chinese scooter close to the performance limits it isn't going to be reliable or dependable by anyone's definition. And yes, if you ride a Taiwanese or Japanese machine close to the limits all the time, it will just keep running forever, provided you change the oil and adjust the valves when needed. And no, that isn't every 1000 - 1500 miles for a valve job like a Chinese motor made out of pot metal. And no, proper maintenance on a Taiwanese or Japanese machine does not mean having to replace a lot of basic parts first. I have taken my Honda Elite 110 and Yamaha C3 scooters on longer trips, WOT 100% of the time. They were bulletproof and reliable, not one mechanical failure of any kind. And yes, the little 49cc four-stroke water-cooled Yamaha could hold 40-47 mph forever. So I'm not sure where the 40 mph or below everyday is coming from? Perhaps your experiences with 50 and 150cc Chinese scooters? And no, it wasn't expensive, I bought a used 2007 model with 750 miles in 2010 for $1000. And yes, I have owned two Chinese scooters. A $1000 cheapo and a "better" $1500 QJ. And yes, they both stranded me more than once. And no, I will never ride one again. I have no problems with people riding and enjoying (let's not forget fixing) Chinese made scooters. I have a problem with people saying the are as good, or better for the money spent than a Taiwanese or Japanese scooter, that's total bullsh!t! I also have a problem with people saying a small displacement Taiwanese or Japanese machine can't get the job done, basing it on their experiences with Chinese made machines that aren't unreliable and can't. And yes, I'm basing this opinion on the almost 20 motorcycles and scooters I have owned and ridden for more than 30 years. Not on research or someone else's opinion. It's amazing how people on the internet can give an educated opinion and become a self proclaimed expert on things they read about without ever having experienced it firsthand. Why don't we all just stay home and cruise the internet and become knowledgeable based on other people that are doing the exact same thing? , why bother with the hassle of experiencing it yourself? You can become all knowing by sitting in your underwear in front of your computer, laptop or tablet... |
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Post by Jarlaxle on Jun 4, 2013 18:19:11 GMT -5
I'm sorry you don't agree with my assessments. Still, I don't think I'm wrong at all. I wouldn't trust a chinese bike all day regardless. I've ran my TaoTao ATM50, for 6 hours WOT, but doing it once does not guarantee it will do it every time. For instance, a 300cc sports bike won't keep up all day neither at wot, or near wot. For that reason, the dino bikers that use cruisers, and have years of experience, unlike some teenagers on this forum that bought their 50cc scoots yesterday; bikers tell you that you'll really need a 500+cc to ride all day, unless you won't mind riding at 40MPH or below all day, or don't mind riding in syberia. And yet...dude I work with has a V-star 250 and loves it. He got it in lieu of a debt a guy owed him a couple years ago. He planned to clean it up & flip it, wanted to ride it a few times to make sure everything worked OK. He likes it so much that he sold his Vulcan 900. He reports it will run 80+MPH with no strain and will hold 65 for hours. His longest ride so far was Fall River, MA to Albany. (About 200 miles each way, all highway.) But wait, that's UN-POSSIBLE for a little 250!  |
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Post by prodigit on Jun 4, 2013 18:44:06 GMT -5
Well, if you read up on the article of a vespa rider doing cross continent, riding on a 90cc scooter, you'd believe everything is possible.
Sure it's possible, but you're just increasing the risk unnecessarily by lowering cc's.
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Post by kingkaymo on Jun 4, 2013 18:44:56 GMT -5
I would have to go with a rebel. if its not exactly how you want seat wise, you should have plenty of cash leftover to modify it to your tastes since most 250s run in the sub 2k range. seems it doesnt matter the year, 86 or 96 or 06, rebels seem to be worth 1-2k depending on visual condition
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Post by Jarlaxle on Jun 4, 2013 18:53:16 GMT -5
Well, if you read up on the article of a vespa rider doing cross continent, riding on a 90cc scooter, you'd believe everything is possible. Sure it's possible, but you're just increasing the risk unnecessarily by lowering cc's. Explain, in detail, how riding a V-star 250 (again: fully highway capable, plenty left at 70 and still pulling at 80+) instead of a Vulcan 900 increases risk in any way. Be specific. |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 4, 2013 19:15:53 GMT -5
Well, if you read up on the article of a vespa rider doing cross continent, riding on a 90cc scooter, you'd believe everything is possible. Sure it's possible, but you're just increasing the risk unnecessarily by lowering cc's. Sorry Prodigit this is why I pick at you sometimes. If you actually read the article or even look at the pictures you will see it is a P200E Vespa which is 200cc's of Vespa power. I wonder about what you report having read because you miss easy things like that. There is no additional risk riding a well built machine at or near its top speed. That's what they were made for. Vespa has only made a 90cc scooter for a few years in the 60's and they aren't all that common... to the informed the is quite different |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 4, 2013 19:20:11 GMT -5
Sorry pic didn't work try this Attachments:
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Post by gitsum on Jun 4, 2013 19:21:02 GMT -5
Well, if you read up on the article of a vespa rider doing cross continent, riding on a 90cc scooter, you'd believe everything is possible. Sure it's possible, but you're just increasing the risk unnecessarily by lowering cc's. Risk of what? Wouldn't this depend on where and how you ride? Let me enlighten you based on actual experience My wife and I ride all over southern Arizona and New Mexico on a scooter. We have ridden on dozens of trips 250-350 miles in a day. We hate the interstate, if we wanna drone along at 75 mph flashing by everything, might as well be more comfortable in a car. We were riding a SYM HD200 that was fully capable of holding 75 mph with both of us, and did a few times. But we much preferred riding two land highways with posted speed limits of 55-65 mph. We maintained the posted speed limits and always had cars passing us. We tried an experiment one time and limited our top speed to 50 mph. The same amount of cars passed us, but we noticed a lot less tailgating. That's right, when cruising a two lane roads at 65 mph, cagers would impatiently wait for an opportunity to pass us. At 50 mph, the could easily overtake us and not spend a lot if time crowding us from behind. So for this type of riding, slower is actually safer and less stressful. Consequently we sold the HD200 and got a smaller 150cc air-cooled (made by SYM) scooter. We still take the same long rides, exploring the southwest desert and mountains, at a slightly slower pace that allows us to take in the scenery even better. That's anywhere up to 300+ miles in a day, cruising 50-55 mph for hours on end. And no, we don't have to try to keep the mileage down so the scooter lasts longer like certain Chinese scooter owners mentioned  |
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Post by bwader on Jun 4, 2013 22:15:08 GMT -5
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Post by gitsum on Jun 4, 2013 22:20:54 GMT -5
There is no additional risk riding a well built machine at or near its top speed. That's what they were made for. You hit the nail right on the head! The operative words here are "well built machine". This would include scooters and motorcycles that are over engineered so that they can hold up to continuous maximum output and then some, with rigorous testing bordering on prolonged abuse. I'm sorry, but that's just not the philosophy of Chinese scooter manufacturers. It's more like make it as cheap as possible without falling apart, and sell a bunch based on a low price point, not quality, reliability, durability or reputation... |
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Post by kevinharrell on Jun 5, 2013 5:24:39 GMT -5
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Post by rockynv on Jun 5, 2013 22:23:00 GMT -5
That Suzuki is the prefered bike the local MSF has for the more burley riders. Strudy and dependable. They were afraid that big guys would damage the more frail shifter on the 250cc Honda's. Rode the Suzuki for 3 days in 112 to 115 degree heat and it was fine. Nicely balanced and got up to 45+ on the confined course without really wailing on it. Brakes front and rear were a good pairing and matched well.
Only drawback compared to a scooter is that the engine heat is not directed away from the rider and just beats you to death when stopped in temps over 100 degrees.
Fitted with an aerodynamice windshield it would make a decent all around economy bike that I would have no problems taking out on the interstate.
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+ mph all day you may need something bigger.
