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Post by krylon80 on Oct 21, 2013 21:15:14 GMT -5
OK, I feel like I've been doing nothing but reading about this stuff for the past few days now.  Based on what's available from dealers in my area and what I've read and been told, I've made some decisions about what I'm looking to get and some models I'm considering (but I am still open to suggestions given it fits my criteria). I'm getting a 50cc. I intend to mod it so I'd need a scooter that can be modded fairly easily (i.e. availability and cost of mod parts). I'm not interested in getting a Chinese brand. I will consider non-Chinese brands that sometimes partner with Chinese manufacturers if they have a good reputation (i.e. Sym, PGO). I'm only interested in modern-styled scooters (that means no buddys, stellas, lance classics, vespas, vinos etc). The scooter has to have a weight capacity of at least 300lb. 12"+ wheel(s) a bonus, but not absolutely necessary. There has to be enough under-seat storage for at least a 3/4-full face helmet and a chain+lock. Has to be $2k MSRP or less. (my budget is more like $1,500 tops, but I think I can talk the price down a bit from MSRP, paying cash) I'll consider buying a used scooter from the owner if it's a reliable brand (Yamaha, Honda, etc). Here are the models I've been looking at so far. Thoughts? Aprilia SR Motard 50 Aprilia Sportcity 50 Genuine Roughhouse R50/PGO PMX Sport 50 Hyosung Sense SD50 Hyosung Rally SF50R Hyosung Prima SF50B Lance (SYM) PCH 50 SYM Jet EuroX/SYM Jet 50 Evo (these seem like the same bike with two names) Tomos Twister 50 Yamaha Zuma 50F (2013 $1,000 used 300mi) |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 22, 2013 13:28:28 GMT -5
I test rode the Roughhouse R50, Lance (SYM) PCH50 and the SYM Jet 50 Evo this morning. The PCH50 is definitely a step down from the other two in terms of build quality, bells & whistles and pickup, and the price reflects that ($1,500 vs $2,000). It's also the only 4-stroke of the bunch and the most expensive to derestrict. Between the Roughhouse R50 and the SYM Jet 50 Evo (both I confirmed were made in Taiwan, not China), I'm leaning towards the Roughhouse. The salesman told me it'll ultimately have more power off the line and a higher top speed once derestricted (really only a concern for some expected 2-up riding), plus there were multiple smaller characteristics that I liked better (bigger seat for 2-up, gas tank up high instead of down low, etc).
Generally speaking, how does the RH rate in terms of modding? Like if I wanted to install a BBK, for example. What about general reliability, availability and price of replacement parts, etc?
I am still considering the used Zuma 50 just because I've heard it's a better bike overall than most of these others I've been testing which are a bit cheaper and not made in Japan. But I've also heard that now the Zuma isn't even made in Japan (or at least certain models aren't). Is this accurate? How would you compare a Zuma 50 to the RH (both unrestricted) in terms of general quality and performance?
Also, I can test drive a Tomos Twister 50 on Saturday, but it's a little out of my way. If it is a significant downgrade from either the RH or the Zuma, I don't think I'll be happy with it. Should I even bother?
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 22, 2013 14:52:39 GMT -5
Just read that if you want solid acceleration or are riding 2-up on a 50cc, you really want a 2 stroke. Looks like that eliminates the Zuma (at least the 2013 model I found). I would need to find a pre-2012 to get a 2 stroke.
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Post by scootnwinn on Oct 22, 2013 15:40:45 GMT -5
Chose wisely. A 2-Stroke scooter is not necessarily as simple to maintain as a 4-stroke. The power is nice but they can be a little more "fun" to tune. Remember that being caught with an unregistered modded scoot that no longer meets the requirement of "no bureaucracy" can set you up for serious expenses/losses and stick you right in the middle of some bureaucracy. That bureaucracy will be far more unpleasant than a visit to the MVD, insurance company, and an enjoyable riders course... That's all you'll get going with a 150 4-stroke. Oh and then you'll know how to ride a scooter which is priceless...
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Post by sailracer on Oct 22, 2013 16:08:47 GMT -5
Chinese scooters are like anything else, There is DECENT quality, and there is POOR quality. I had(and still do) a BAJAsc50 which is the same as a vento r3i. I put 16000 miles on that little machine. I never modified it in any way. Of course I only had a passenger on it a handfull of times. It NEVER gave me any major problems. The main reason I retired it is because it had a quingjang motor.(basically a 2 stroke case with a 4 stroke top end.)It became impossible to get parts for. I then by chance came upon my current scooter, The Jonway. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of it.Dual shocks ,Dual disc brakes,Hoses were decent, Body panels secured well etc. In fact, I was afraid I would ruin it by modding it, So I bought a new qmb139, Modded that and swapped engines. This way, I still have the original intact motor. I am very happy with it so far, and altogether, I have around $12-$1500.00 total invested.Not all chinese scooters are total junk. So far, I've had good luck. If you take care of anything, It lasts longer.
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Post by pmatulew on Oct 22, 2013 18:03:43 GMT -5
I must have missed something?  This thread started out as "we need a small scoot to save money" and in three pages turned in to "I'm going to get the fastest thing that falls under the legal limit and then mod the heck out of it so it performs like a bigger machine" Someone I used to know called that "stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime". Just saying.... |
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Post by sailracer on Oct 22, 2013 21:20:28 GMT -5
I must have missed something? This thread started out as "we need a small scoot to save money" and in three pages turned in to "I'm going to get the fastest thing that falls under the legal limit and then mod the heck out of it so it performs like a bigger machine" Someone I used to know called that "stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime". Just saying....  IT's A YANKEE THING  |
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Post by skuttadawg on Oct 22, 2013 21:39:58 GMT -5
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 22, 2013 22:39:36 GMT -5
Remember that being caught with an unregistered modded scoot that no longer meets the requirement of "no bureaucracy" can set you up for serious expenses/losses and stick you right in the middle of some bureaucracy. people do this constantly in Boston. cops couldn't care less unless you're driving like a maniac (which in all honesty, tends to go pretty unnoticed here too). and how exactly would one "get caught" having a modded scoot? |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 22, 2013 22:44:16 GMT -5
Chinese scooters are like anything else, There is DECENT quality, and there is POOR quality. I had(and still do) a BAJAsc50 which is the same as a vento r3i. I put 16000 miles on that little machine. I never modified it in any way. Of course I only had a passenger on it a handfull of times. It NEVER gave me any major problems. The main reason I retired it is because it had a quingjang motor.(basically a 2 stroke case with a 4 stroke top end.)It became impossible to get parts for. I then by chance came upon my current scooter, The Jonway. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of it.Dual shocks ,Dual disc brakes,Hoses were decent, Body panels secured well etc. In fact, I was afraid I would ruin it by modding it, So I bought a new qmb139, Modded that and swapped engines. This way, I still have the original intact motor. I am very happy with it so far, and altogether, I have around $12-$1500.00 total invested.Not all chinese scooters are total junk. So far, I've had good luck. If you take care of anything, It lasts longer. While this is likely true, the hit-miss-nature of the Chinese scoots just scares me off. Plus, if I'm willing to spend somewhere in the ballpark of $1,500-$2,000, why not try to go for Taiwanese, Japanese or even Italian? |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 22, 2013 22:53:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, skuttadawg. The 10" wheels is the single thing I like least about the Roughhouse, but when I took it for a spin they felt good and stable. They're wide at least. I just came across a used '09 Zuma 50 2-stroke with 500mi for $1,500. I really hope I can go test it out. May go for that over the brand new Roughhouse. There's just a certain piece of mind you get with a new vehicle though that you just don't get with used. I'm also going to test the Motard in the next day or two, though I've been told parts and mods will really hit your wallet hard with the Aprilias. LOL, that first Honda reminds me of the little robot server dude from Flight of the Navigator  ...  |
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Post by skuttadawg on Oct 22, 2013 22:56:18 GMT -5
Every Honda I ever had from moped , motorcycles to cars and lawnmowers loved me as was very reliable .
If you go beyond moped speeds which vary state to state you could get pulled for going too fast . I doubt any cops could tell if you had a BBK but I have read where people got their scoot impounded and the cops sent it to a scooter shop to see if it is 49cc .
A buddy got 1,700 in fines for riding a 150cc with a moped tag , no license or insurance and failing to register it .
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 22, 2013 22:58:39 GMT -5
I must have missed something? This thread started out as "we need a small scoot to save money" and in three pages turned in to "I'm going to get the fastest thing that falls under the legal limit and then mod the heck out of it so it performs like a bigger machine" Someone I used to know called that "stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime". Just saying.... I must have missed saying those things ... "Hey All, I'm new to the world of scooters and this forum and I was hoping there were some out there who could help a guy out with some advice. My girlfriend and I live in Boston and after not having any motorized vehicles for years, we're contemplating getting a scooter. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has created two vehicle classes for scooters: up to 50cc engine, up to 30mph top speed="Moped"; over 50cc, over 30mph="Limited Use Vehicle (LUV)". Many people prefer to get Moped-classified scooters because you don't have to pay for insurance, license plates, titles or inspections, and you can ride in bicycle lanes. An LUV-classified scooter requires all of this and you cannot ride in bicycle lanes. We would prefer a Moped-classified scooter as we'd rather not deal with any of the additional bureaucracy or costs of operating an LUV-classified scooter. Our concern is that while most of the time there will be one rider, we would like to get a scooter that could also accommodate two riders and we weren't sure if there are any 50cc scooters that were capable. We are both smaller than average, mind you (I'm 5'8" 150lbs, she's 5'0" 120lbs). Thanks!" |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 22, 2013 23:07:07 GMT -5
Every Honda I ever had from moped , motorcycles to cars and lawnmowers loved me as was very reliable . If you go beyond moped speeds which vary state to state you could get pulled for going too fast . I doubt any cops could tell if you had a BBK but I have read where people got their scoot impounded and the cops sent it to a scooter shop to see if it is 49cc . A buddy got 1,700 in fines for riding a 150cc with a moped tag , no license or insurance and failing to register it . Yeah, Honda builds a good machine, that's for sure. Riding a 150cc with a moped tag is just stupid. That's like trying to rob a bank with a plastic gun...painted orange. Committing a robbery with a plastic gun that looks real though? People pull that off all the time. For the record, I don't intend to create some monster. I'll pop the restrictors off and if that seems to be good enough, I'll stop there. If not, maybe BBK it to 70cc. That's about it. |
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Post by skuttadawg on Oct 22, 2013 23:10:54 GMT -5
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Main Jet, #46 Pilot Jet, Needle 1-Rich, Airbox De-snorkeled, Throttle Mod, Dual-Headlight Mod, Rear Fender Delete, JDM Integrated Tail Light & Turn Signal Mod
jet
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