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Post by spandi on Jul 20, 2013 16:37:54 GMT -5
I have the 244 CF Moto engine and out here in the SoCal desert you can have overheating issues with it. Thats why I swapped out the stock fan for a much better one from Spal. (made in Italy) It has many more sickle-like blades and makes the OEM fan look like something off a hair dryer. (BTW, dump the Chinese "Koolaid" as soon as possible.)
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Post by keltex78 on Jul 20, 2013 17:29:55 GMT -5
Back to the OP topic. The older model 250 clone with the helix clone engine had the radiator mounted behind the gas tank and this caused over heating in real hot areas but it's my understanding that the newer models have put the radiator up in front of the tank? Is this so, I have not seen one of the new models? JR Yes! That was a big concern I had with the high temps here in NE Texas. I was happy to see that this bike has the radiator forward behind the front wheel, where it should be. I'll try to get a picture posted here when I get a chance. |
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2008 Roketa MC54B 257 (10,000 miles and climbing)
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Post by bhinch on Jul 20, 2013 19:40:20 GMT -5
I hope my post on my scoot is ok...I have had a great ride with this model and will continue to enjoy the ride....
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Post by JR on Jul 20, 2013 20:08:23 GMT -5
No problem bhinch, very informative and trying to help as always and appreciated. Both model scooters have a sound track record and both have the same setup bolt for bolt, switch for switch, just the engine is different.
JR
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Post by scooter12 on Jul 20, 2013 20:42:53 GMT -5
Yes, same engine on my Roketa Bali 250.. It has been running 5+ years great..
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Post by keltex78 on Jul 20, 2013 21:15:10 GMT -5
Two big things skipped on mine: first, the fuel line wasn't connected to the carb. I hit the starter and the motor turned over with fue pouring out on the ground. I checked and the line wasn't even connected to the carb inlet. I finally got it cranked and started working on burping the coolant system. I got it burped, the thermostat opened, the cooling fan was running, but the temp gauge was dead. Got under and looked at the wiring and the sensor lead was unplugged. Connected it and it immediately started working. Finally got it cranked and took it for a run around the neighborhood, looping for about a mile with no issues. Headlights are horrible though. I can't imagine driving this thing over 45 at night...
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Post by JR on Jul 20, 2013 21:44:18 GMT -5
Most of the time they leave the fuel line off and send a little cup with a hose on it so you can prime the carb like that, then hook up the fuel line from the tank and put fuel in.
More than likely they headlight bulbs are 25W and if you do ride at night a lot then you'll need to put in brighter bulbs.
JR
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Post by keltex78 on Jul 20, 2013 23:46:37 GMT -5
Most of the time they leave the fuel line off and send a little cup with a hose on it so you can prime the carb like that, then hook up the fuel line from the tank and put fuel in. More than likely they headlight bulbs are 25W and if you do ride at night a lot then you'll need to put in brighter bulbs. JR That is actually pretty inconvenient since you have to remove body panels just to attach the fuel line. Fortunately, I'm not planning on anu night riding so I'll save the charging circuit the extra load for now. I'm definitely looking into LED light bulbs for the brake/signal lights though... |
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Post by keltex78 on Jul 22, 2013 9:57:02 GMT -5
I put the first 10 miles on the scooter over the weekend, just cruising around the neighborhood and in the high school parking lot. I was making what I thought was a moderate turn while cruising the parking lot and just barely dragged the center stand on the pavement... it's a lot lower than I had expected...
Right now, I need to adjust the idle speed on the carb as it is idling way too low. You have to give it a little throttle until the motor is at the full operating temp or it will die. While idling, the idle is so low that it can't power the headlights and they dim (almost completely). It doesn't take much throttle to get the motor speed up to where it can power the headlights without engaing the clutch...
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Post by keltex78 on Jul 22, 2013 20:02:40 GMT -5
Put another 16 miles on the scooter this evening. I was able to get the idle set properly so it doesn't die when stopped any longer. I took it out on a secluded bit of highway just outside of the neighborhood and got up to about 60 mph (as per the spedometer) and it handled that speed fine. I'd never ridden on the highway before, and it's.a.secluded area, so I didn't have any traffic to deal with. I'm still having some trouble estimating cornering, but as long as I remember to look where I want to go instead of where I am at the time, I do better. The bike handled the speed well but I could feel some buffeting at the highway speed but it was manageable. It was a quiet evening, so I'll have to use caution on windy days until I've gotten a better feel for the bike. A big difference was when I turn my head at speed; as long as I'm looking straight ahead, it's fine. I can feel significant wind resistance trying to push me to the side when I turn my head.
Overall, the bike ran fine this evening; I think it will work out well as a work commuter vehicle for me.
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Post by barnie on Jul 23, 2013 6:25:06 GMT -5
Keltex, I have a JCL MP250a with the linhai 257 engine and I put a 3" extension tip on my windshield and I wear a full face helmet and notice no buffeting unless its real windy hitting me from the side and then it really only wants to move the whole scooter but my head will remain nice and steady. Congrats on new scooter, I'm sure you will enjoy it. Been riding mine for 5 yrs and it runs better every year. They just need a steady eye watching ovr them and steady maintenance and you shuld see miles of fun. Barnie
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Post by keltex78 on Aug 1, 2013 9:21:37 GMT -5
I made my first commute to work this morning on the scooter! No issues at all on the way in. I got the biker wave on my way in... I guess he just didn't see what I was driving in time... ;D
I took the long way in this morning to stay off the highways and keep to lower speeds. I did get on a short stretch of highway, and on my way down a hill, the spedometer bumped 80mph, but I don't have a gps so no way to verify my actual speed, but I'm assuming a 10% error... Trip in was about 20 miles. Normal commute should be about 15 each way
A few observations I'm making:
Look ahead, keep eyes forward. I'm spotting loose patches of gravel and dirt on turns and other hazardous places. Keeping the bike upright and slowing before blind turns. (Low traffic county roads)
That turn signal! I keep forgetting to turn it off. I'm getting much better, but I suspect it will take a while to become second nature.
Maintaining my lane position: I'm still intimidated by oncoming traffic and tend to drift toward the center when they pass.
Buzzards? I've already been past a couple of places were buzzards were eating something on the side of the road. Buzzard+bike=no good.
Look into turns and where you want to go!!! Every time! I'm starting a turn and want to go wide every time until I look where I want to go and the bike just goes there.
And those cheap tires? I now have a total of about 60 miles of road time so I don't know how things compare, but at low speed on smooth surfaces, there is a lot of vibration and roar from the aggressive tread on the factory tires.
I just saved an estimated $3 on fuel expenses over my pickup. I'll be monitoring my fuel economy closely over the next few fuel-ups.
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Post by scootnwinn on Aug 1, 2013 11:51:54 GMT -5
Cool now ride that thing daily. One of the best upgrades you can make with these bikes is to get decent well balanced tires. It will make your riding experience vastly better and you will feel less nervousness from the bike when cornering. Glad to see you on the road be careful and think ahead when you are riding. Look at the road and not the obstacles , like oncoming traffic, and you will do well...
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Post by spandi on Aug 1, 2013 13:40:29 GMT -5
Yes tires,(good point SnW) Pirelli or Michelin are great (there is NO comparison between them and Chinese OEM stuff) BTW, since you're driving at higher speeds I strongly urge you to replace the tire valves with the bolt-through-the-rim variety.
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Post by keltex78 on Aug 2, 2013 9:32:37 GMT -5
My commute went well yesterday but I had to drive the truck into work today. Biggest problem I'm seeing is left-hand curves with oncoming traffic. I keep wanting to swing wide to the outside; I'm sure hitting the gravel/dirt/grass/ditch at 50+ wouldn't be a good experience.
I put maybe 75 miles on the scooter yesterday, should be close to $12 in fuel savings... I don't have any hard fuel economy numbers yet though. I'm still on the first tank of gas, so I'll be checking the numbers at my next fuel up.
Leaving my last stop of the day, and heading home, I had about a 20-mile drive to go. I started seeing clouds on the horizon and then some lightening. One of the freak pop-up summer showers was ahead of me on my way. I don't have any Frog-Togs yet so no rain gear and I was getting worried. All of about 100 miles of riding experience and rain... I get closer to home and it kept getting darker with more lightning on the horizon. I finally get to about a mile outside of town and I start getting drops of rain on my vizor. It was starting to sprinkle on me by the time I get home. I was able to run in, open the garage door and roll the bike inside as the rain started picking up. We ended up with a nice little unexpected shower that I JUST missed...
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