Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 2, 2013 10:25:52 GMT -5
Like you, I have done most of the common improvements to my own 150, and, like you, 53 mph is all she wrote. Increasing the displacement would add some, along with experimentation with sliders in lieu of rollers, etc. But in all honesty, the Chinese 150 is not really meant to cruise 55 with some throttle left over.
Before putting any more money and time into it, I would SERIOUSLY consider "upgrading" to a larger ride. There are good, used Vespa 150's that actually WILL run 65 mph on the highway (if you don't mind the 10 and 11-inch wheels) and clean used, or even new Taiwan scoots in the 200cc class (really more like 160-170cc) that will touch a shade over 55 WOT. As the car-boyz will attest: "There's no replacement for displacement".
After five years riding the Chinese 150, I firmly believe many of us literally beat ourselves to death trying to make them run like a 250... It might be SO much more practical to just get a 250, or, a good used Italian 150 scoot that GOES like a 250... LOL!
If you can get the 150 engine to put out enough power to handle taller gears, you could gain a few mph, but a little headwind, a slight up-hill, adding a passenger, etc. will quickly remind you you're still 100+cc short of where you'd REALLY like to be.
Just my own observances, but for the cost of REALLY modding the 150, I think you can simply upgrade to something you'll be happier with. I stick with my 150 because 99% of my riding is in-town, and my zero-to-45 mph performance is fine there. I can hit just over 50 when I have to, but to get honest 55+ mph strong enough for some serious travel, a larger (or non-Chinese) scooter (or mid-size motorcycle) is probably the best solution.
Chinese 150's "are what they are" and no more... fine for what they're intended (once the factory bugs are worked out) but fight like the devil against being pushed into the role of highway cruisers. It's sort of like spending a lot of time and money trying to get a Yugo to run on the Autobahn.
Just my opinion,
Leo in Texas
Before putting any more money and time into it, I would SERIOUSLY consider "upgrading" to a larger ride. There are good, used Vespa 150's that actually WILL run 65 mph on the highway (if you don't mind the 10 and 11-inch wheels) and clean used, or even new Taiwan scoots in the 200cc class (really more like 160-170cc) that will touch a shade over 55 WOT. As the car-boyz will attest: "There's no replacement for displacement".
After five years riding the Chinese 150, I firmly believe many of us literally beat ourselves to death trying to make them run like a 250... It might be SO much more practical to just get a 250, or, a good used Italian 150 scoot that GOES like a 250... LOL!
If you can get the 150 engine to put out enough power to handle taller gears, you could gain a few mph, but a little headwind, a slight up-hill, adding a passenger, etc. will quickly remind you you're still 100+cc short of where you'd REALLY like to be.
Just my own observances, but for the cost of REALLY modding the 150, I think you can simply upgrade to something you'll be happier with. I stick with my 150 because 99% of my riding is in-town, and my zero-to-45 mph performance is fine there. I can hit just over 50 when I have to, but to get honest 55+ mph strong enough for some serious travel, a larger (or non-Chinese) scooter (or mid-size motorcycle) is probably the best solution.
Chinese 150's "are what they are" and no more... fine for what they're intended (once the factory bugs are worked out) but fight like the devil against being pushed into the role of highway cruisers. It's sort of like spending a lot of time and money trying to get a Yugo to run on the Autobahn.
Just my opinion,
Leo in Texas
jet
Katana that are both on the road right now. But I also like having something that I don't need to FULLY gear up for to ride. heh
