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Post by spandi on Jul 19, 2013 18:54:22 GMT -5
I completely understand about looking at reviews. They're all over the place. Unfortunately the big target market for scoots is younger and inexperienced so it's hard to get solid information. Solid information: Chinese chrome totally sucks and doesn't hold up well at all. Stay far far away. Also Chinese ABS isn't. Don't be fooled. Personal opinion, I'm liking the Interceptor. Modern styling. Longer lines. Better protection from the elements. Going to have a bigger storage box under the seat. That same Benneng motor has been cloned a zillion times and uses mostly common parts. Handlebars are totally bu-tugly though. The Motorino, (It's a ZNEN too, why not just call it that?), with less body work will probably be lighter and quicker off the line and maybe a little easier to work on and modify because you can get to things, but you sacrifice some comfort and some storage space. The Aeolus isn't appealing at all. Quasi retro style but watered down. Certainly other choices around if you're after the classic look. --> www.scootersus.com/MOTORINORIVIERA150.html --> www.scootersus.com/bmsv9.htmlNo matter what you choose, you're the one that's going to be stuck with it. So, don't just take our word for it. Continue to use the time you have to do your homework before you plunk your money down. Good advice. I think it comes down to what fits a particular rider the best, and getting the scoot from the most reputable dealer you can find. P.S. I'll bet a lot of those negative "reviews" come from people who never did a pdi or proper setup and/or pushed it too far, too fast. |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 19, 2013 20:08:39 GMT -5
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Post by djscootz on Jul 19, 2013 23:07:28 GMT -5
I know that Linhai's have a pretty good reputation now for quality scooters. I bought a Znen from Valley Scooters awhile ago and it had some shipping and mechanical mishaps but I really liked it. I would go with the Znen Interceptor out of those choices.
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Post by pmatulew on Jul 20, 2013 7:16:14 GMT -5
Price point: In that $300 difference lies the $64,000 question. It's basically the same scoot. Came from the same factory. What is the difference? Other than the paint job, what upgrades has BMS specified that make it worth more? The name stenciled on the seat? The stainless hardware? The alarm system? Maybe that adds up. Not a lot of detail in the listing for the Interceptor. Would be worth a phone call to ask. Or a visit to a showroom if there was one.
Upgrading to a 250: It all depends on the needs (and stature) (and experience) of the rider. A 150 is perfect for tooling around in town. It has a little more oomph for keeping up with traffic than a 50 but is still light enough to toss around and stuff in small parking spots. Once you leave the city limits though it's a different story. A stock 150 will be struggling to keep from getting run over. If you're going to spend any amount of time on county or state roads then a 250 would be better suited to those speeds. The trade off being that it's heavier like a motorcycle and feels less "scoot-y"
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Post by gitsum on Jul 20, 2013 11:19:48 GMT -5
If your willing to spend up to $1500, why not spend a few extra hundred and get something that you won't have to wonder "if it will hold up".
Tomos Nitro 150 (made by SYM) $1899 shipped
Kymco Agility 125 $1899 from a dealer
Lance Cali Classic 125 (made by SYM) $1999 plus $200 shipping
Lance PCH 125 (made by SYM) $1899 plus $200 shipping
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Post by gitsum on Jul 20, 2013 11:34:26 GMT -5
A 150 is perfect for tooling around in town. It has a little more oomph for keeping up with traffic than a 50 but is still light enough to toss around and stuff in small parking spots. Once you leave the city limits though it's a different story. A stock 150 will be struggling to keep from getting run over. If you're going to spend any amount of time on county or state roads then a 250 would be better suited to those speeds. The trade off being that it's heavier like a motorcycle and feels less "scoot-y" I would not advise riding a 150cc scooter on the interstate. But a quality 150cc can handle state highways no problem. I have a stock Tomos Nitro 150 (made by SYM) that can hit 65 mph (verified) and we cruise two-up 50-55 mph for hundreds of miles at a time. Before that we rode a SYM HD200 cruising 65-70 mph, and there is no difference with cars still wanting to pass you. Any quality Taiwanese or Japanese 125cc or 150cc machine should be able to cruise near top speed all day long. There are several Taiwanese scooters that cost less than $2000 new. |
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Post by scott on Jul 20, 2013 11:53:31 GMT -5
[replyingto=prodigit]prodigit[/replyingto]What's your opinion of Roketa? I've gotten the impression that they and Tao Tao aren't very good and have a lot of problems. Are they as good as Znen?
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Post by scott on Jul 20, 2013 12:02:14 GMT -5
[replyingto=pmatulew]pmatulew[/replyingto]I live in town, so a 150 is fine, although it would be nice to know I could go out of town if I want to. New Orleans isn't too far down the road and it sure would be nice to scoot on over there once in a while.
My only issue with a bigger scooter would be storage. I can't keep it outside where I live. I'm afraid it might get stolen or messed with. I want to put my scooter downstairs in my apartment, but I don't have much room down there. If they made a 250 that didn't have such a bulky body, I'd love to have one. I plan to modify my 150, though, so I hope to get enough extra speed out of it to take it on some highways.
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Post by scott on Jul 20, 2013 12:06:45 GMT -5
[replyingto=gitsum]gitsum[/replyingto]I would if it didn't take me so long to save up. I have very limited income right now, so it would take me another 6 months to save up that much money. I want to go ahead and start looking for a job now, so I have to do the best I can with what I have. After I get a job (I've been out of work without transportation for a long time), I'll save up more money and get myself a better scooter.
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Post by pmatulew on Jul 20, 2013 13:46:02 GMT -5
The topology of your riding area also makes a difference in your power requirements. in a relatively flat area it's easy to run at near max speed. Whee!  In a hilly area that 50-55 cruising speed can quickly become 25-30 chugging up the hill with a line of anxious cars piling up behind you. Not fun. Not safe either  But, you work with what you have. Sometimes a little creative navigation is all that's necessary to get you where you want to go without risking the big roads. Leave a little earlier, take the back road. Enjoy the ride. Coming to you live from the "Endless Mountains" region of North East Pennsylvania with a rear view mirror full of tanker truck!  |
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Post by spandi on Jul 20, 2013 13:52:53 GMT -5
I didn't want to say anything before, but I think that Motorino looks really sharp!  |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 20, 2013 14:25:16 GMT -5
My experience with TaoTao and Roketa is TaoTao is cheaper, uses cheaper materials (like cheaper handles, cheaper plastics, cheaper 'chrome' (= non-inox, polished steel) etc...) But it's by no means not upto the task!
If you take care for the scoot (eg park it inside) I see no reason why the TaoTao won't be upto the task of riding for tens of thousands of miles. Believe me, before the time the scoot is only halfway it's lifetime, you've already sold it, and bought another toy.
My TaoTao is only a year old, but if I can get another year and a half of fun out of it, it has paid itself back over 5x!
My Roketa is slightly better; but on my particular bike (the MC-05-127) I have sometimes a slipping clutch, which is not a minor issue, but a major issue!
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Post by scott on Jul 20, 2013 18:43:44 GMT -5
[replyingto=pmatulew]pmatulew[/replyingto]I live on the Mississippi coast. It's flat as a pancake here. Not a hill for miles. I guess I'll see how fast I can go! |
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Post by scott on Jul 20, 2013 18:47:16 GMT -5
[replyingto=prodigit]prodigit[/replyingto]Thanks for the reviews. I'll keep them in mind, especially the Roketas.
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Post by scott on Jul 20, 2013 18:51:36 GMT -5
[replyingto=spandi]spandi[/replyingto]It's going to be hard for me to choose between the SSR and the Motorino. I've got another month to decide, so I'll take my time and find out as much as I can about them before I choose. I think it's good to make as much of an informed choice as possible for something like this.
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