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Post by jetjock79 on Aug 8, 2013 16:38:44 GMT -5
Hey everyone......I used to belong to the old site, and did quite a bit of work to the 150cc scooter I had then. I'm now looking to get my girlfriend's feet wet in the two wheeled world. I'd like to get a 250cc, a 2008 Roketa 250B in particular, so she can see what motorcycle riding is about, and hopefully, get her to ride herself, and even get her license. My Ducati, doesn't have a comfortable passenger seat, nor is it made to ride two up for a long time. I've been looking on Craig's list, and found one with nearly 9,000 miles. I've turned a wrench on these things while I was on furlough from my current job, so I'm no stranger to even the largest of jobs on these things. I'm just looking to get some advise on whether or not it's a good idea to purchase a "high" mile 250, and whether it would be enough for my girlfriend and I to ride around town and run errands with. I'm 195lbs, and she is 125lbs. My last scooter was a 150cc, and I hopped that thing up!! Thanks ya'll!!
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Post by domindart on Aug 8, 2013 19:40:05 GMT -5
250 scooter is more than enough for a beginner rider. I'm not a beginner and my 150 is fine for town, traffic, back roads. A 250 is even highway worthy.  |
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Post by jetjock79 on Aug 8, 2013 20:34:44 GMT -5
Thanks dart! I'm not a beginner by any means. I was just wondering if the power was enough to carry myself and my girlfriend around town, up some hills, highway runs, etc. not looking to go as fast as my Ducati, but keeping up with traffic with the two of us is what I'm wondering. I know the scoot will be fine with just me, but the additional west is what I'm wondering about. Anyone have experience with two up riding on the 250B?
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Post by domindart on Aug 8, 2013 21:03:40 GMT -5
I haven't had any experience but I think you will fair just fine ^)
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Post by rockynv on Aug 8, 2013 21:54:06 GMT -5
That 250B bike I believe is rated for something like 330 lbs so you would have a little capacity left to pack a lunch and for the extra weight of your gear. It all depends on your expectations are for errands but around town it should be ok.
Since you are on a Ducati as your main ride you may want to consider a used Aprilia, Piaggio or Vespa 250. The Aprilia would be the most economical of the three with the 2008 and newer 250's using the same fuel injection system as your Ducati and having a 460lb rider capacity allowing more reserve to carry packages and such while running errands. The added plus on the Aprilia's is that they can use some Metric Cruiser tires from Pirelli. Metzler, Dunlop, etc also having better highway capabilities due to the 15" and 16" wheel sizes.
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Post by prodigit on Aug 9, 2013 1:51:43 GMT -5
The 250 is perfectly fine. You could get upto 70-75MPH on those; a great buy!
One thing though,
Women usually get scared of the unknown. When you take her on a 75MPH ride she might not want to ride anymore.
Also, she might think that the 50cc (which is a beginners bike), is totally not at all a 250cc, and give up. But a small rider on a 150cc doesn't notice a lot of difference with a 250cc with 2 riders. Perhaps 15MPH slower.
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Post by rockynv on Aug 9, 2013 9:11:17 GMT -5
The other consideration is curb weight. The number specified online for the 250B are all over the place however it seems that it might be close to a 385 to 400 lb bike while the Sport City 250 is around 325 lbs despite the 460+ lb capacity. A 400 lb bike for a petite woman may be a bit intimidating at first.
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Post by spandi on Aug 9, 2013 15:24:45 GMT -5
Well the new "Roketa" (Znen Roar) is 341 lb. dry weight. |
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Post by jetjock79 on Aug 10, 2013 9:34:37 GMT -5
All great advice everyone......thanks so much! I've had the girlfriend on the Ducati at highway speeds and she was fine with it. Problem is,.....that bike is great fun for me, even on long rides.....but to bring a passenger, on that tiny little seat........it's no bueno. I just want to make sure I can show my girl how fun riding can be, this way, I can do it for the rest of my life and not have to limit my time on two wheels. I'm going to look at the 250B today, and make a solid offer if it looks right. Thanks again everyone!
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Post by domindart on Aug 10, 2013 11:48:34 GMT -5
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Post by jetjock79 on Aug 10, 2013 16:06:09 GMT -5
So I looked at her today, and had a few questions. I can't seem to remember some of these things from when I worked at the shop years ago. Is the rim on the 250, the same as on the 150? I'm looking to replace the rear rim and rotor. It is miscolored, making me think that it was replaced at one point. Also, if you turn it by hand,...it catches at one point,...making think it's not true, or the rotor isn't true. Any suggestions or thoughts about where I should be getting these parts? This scoot will need a full service of ALL fluids, since she hasn't been touched since 2008 (except oil of course). Also need a new belt, and some cleaning up. Around 9,000 miles
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Post by barnie on Aug 10, 2013 19:10:51 GMT -5
Jetcock, most of the 150's that I have seen have a drum brake on it, so watch that. Also if it catch's when you turn the wheel it may have gear problems. Unless you get a real steal on it, it sounds as tho it's not had the best of care and at 9000 miles personally myself I would keep looking especially if your girlfriend may ride it. There are a lot of good ones out there. Barnie
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Post by barnie on Aug 10, 2013 19:15:52 GMT -5
Jetcock, also I have a JCL MP250A and it seems to pull and have more power with 2 on it than 1. It will roll at hiway speeds no problem. Will slow a little on long grades but they are no Harley. A 250 (preferably the linhai257 engine) should be more than enough for what you want. Barnie
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Post by jetjock79 on Aug 10, 2013 21:28:15 GMT -5
Hey Barnie!! Thanks for the input.......you are totally right.....I think I do remember the 150's having drum in the rear! Yeah....she catches as if the brake is dragging.......almost like the rotor is warped or something........it'll push through and keep turning......but catches again at the same point in the rotor. That's why I'm thinking of replacing the entire wheel and rotor if I get this thing. The motor mount had to be replaced too......I'm thinking it must have had something major happen in the back end. Engine does fire right up though. Is it normal for the fan to kick on when the water temp gauge is in the middle indication? I remember these things having their own way of operating.....but it's been a while since I've had to deal with the quirkiness,....so I'm a little unsure
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Post by domindart on Aug 10, 2013 23:06:46 GMT -5
jetcock  I think the catching may mean the rotor isn't true, it may be warped or something not right. Get it checked by a mechanic if you can and you are serious about buying that one. Are 250 rims like 150? Every bike is different so I'm not quite sure of this question. You can get scooters with bigger rims, mine are the smaller diameter. How much do they want for this one your talking about?? *) |
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