New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
Joined: May 14, 2014 4:56:34 GMT -5
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Post by bnc on Jun 2, 2014 22:21:55 GMT -5
I grew up next to a shop and know there is truth to this but at the same time those shop guys and gals treated us kids well. When I have a few extra bucks I sometimes just let them do the job even if I can do it myself because I don't think they are getting rich more like getting by.
There are several used Honda motors on ebay right now for less than $300 and as long as you pay US labor rates the cost to put it in will about the same.
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Post by alleyoop on Jun 2, 2014 22:37:04 GMT -5
We are talking about 300 for a BRAND NEW MOTOR not used BRO. And putting in a motor is pretty simple and straight forward. The hardest thing is slapping on the rear wheel PITA but the rest is simple dimple.
They may be good guys and gals but they do not have to take people that may not have a lot to the cleaners and overcharge. After all they probably have a scooter for their main transportation and its not a toy to them. They are taking money out of your pocket to fill theirs NICE BUNCH OF GUYS AND GALS(YEA RIGHT). I don't mind them making a living after all we all HAD to work and make a living(speaking for myself I am retired now THANK YOU VERY MUCH..(HAHA).
Alleyoop
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Post by bandito2 on Jun 2, 2014 22:48:27 GMT -5
Seems like the folks that get Chinese bikes like to wrench on their bikes. And the ones that know what they are getting in a Chinese product and what is required to keep their Chinese bikes running by doing things like the extensive PDI, parts exchanges, etc seem to do OK with their bikes. It is the folks that don't have much of a clue as to what they are getting into, are not willing to do the work or don't have the skills, tools or knowledge to do what must be done are the ones ending up with the most frustration and grief. In other words, If you know what it takes and are willing and able to do that to keep a Chinese bike in running order, then fine, go for it. Otherwise you would be well advised to stay away from getting a Chinese bike.....at any price IMO.
Non-Chinese bikes have their problems too, but they are less frequent and are much more likely to be reliable for a good long while right off the showroom floor. Sure they're more costly, but that is just the cost for premium product. Even used non-Chinese have a lower frequency of needing chronic repairs and still have a higher chance of being reliable over new Chinese bikes. Do I have those statistics? No, but there is almost overwhelming anecdotal evidence. Just look in several scooter forums and it becomes readily apparent of that being the case.
Even so, those that have the skills, tools, time etc. to do their own wrenching on their scooters fare the best regardless of where the bike was manufactured. If you can't for what ever reason do your own work, then avoid the trouble prone Chinese bikes, Otherwise it's players choice.
Just one man's opinion
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 2, 2014 23:44:23 GMT -5
Wow. I know this is a mostly-Chinese forum, but the non-Chinese hate is kind of leaving me cold right now.
Some folks would call it reverse-discrimination. Me, I just lump them all together as discrimination and hate-spewing. Doesn't matter if it's spewed against Chinese scooters or "brand-name" scooters.
Btb, I'm no more rich than I am mechanical. I chose my scoot mostly 'cause I went all girly and fell in love with its look, besides that it's a reliable brand. I knew when I bought it that I would be spending more money for mechanics to maintain it than for me to (if I could). But then again, I say the same thing about my car.
But being told that basically I'm stupid for choosing a non-Chinese scooter 'cause I'm just allowing myself to get totally ripped off? Thanks. Really makes me feel wanted here. Are you SURE it's all about the ride? Or is it all about how cheap you can fix your bike, while making me feel like a stupid idiot girl for not being able to?
I still stand by "choose what's best for you." Forget if you'll be practically called stupid for getting a brand-name and supposedly allowing yourself to get ripped off on parts. Forget the discrimination being thrown both ways in this thread. Decide if you can or want to work on your bike. And go from there.
>K
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Post by spandi on Jun 3, 2014 1:31:18 GMT -5
Don't worry about it Kat, we love you and your Piggy just fine. I think it's just a (dare I use the word?) "Reflex" action on the part of Chinese scooter folks for being jumped on so much. (remember the Vespa snobs at the Piaggio dealer?) I used to have a Honda scooter anyways so who cares? Perhaps it's time to get back to the OP's original question, advice on picking out a new scooter with enough electrical power for the addition of a police light array.  |
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Post by JR on Jun 3, 2014 22:37:56 GMT -5
Looking to purchase my first scooter looking at a 250cc sized scooter. What are some recommendations my budget is about $2000. Looking at a Roketa/Jonway 250cc mc54 model scooter it fits my budget and most of my needs. I am somewhat mechanically inclined so not afraid to work on a Chinese scooter if needed. Also I am a Cop so I may want to put Police lights on it so i can use it for local police escorts in my free time. I am located in Houston so any help with a local or online dealer would be great as well.
Let's all read this "one" post again.
Wants a 250 size scooter Budget is about $2000 Looking at a 250cc MC54 model Fits my needs and budget Located in Houston wants help with a online or local dealer.
Did I miss anything? Did anyone answer this member's questions?
www.apolloscooters.com/
www.killermotorsports.com/250cc_Cruiser_Gas_Scooter_w_Trunk_Alarm_p/r1-mc-54-250.htm
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Post by spandi on Jun 4, 2014 12:13:56 GMT -5
How about directing him to the 257cc (Linhai clone engine) Roketa? As the charging system puts out more juice than the 244cc Honda copy and would be a better choice for the additional lighting, along with an upgraded R/R unit.
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Post by JR on Jun 4, 2014 12:53:58 GMT -5
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Post by spandi on Jun 4, 2014 13:57:06 GMT -5
Great! JR, any ideas to upgrade the electrical system for more lighting? (as I assume police lighting would require a lot of power.) |
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Post by richardthescooter1 on Jun 4, 2014 14:30:43 GMT -5
Hey Kat, I glad your here  and I have the respect for the non-Chinese scooters, I've done all my own work on Mc-54-250b Roketa scooter, and I do love her. but I thought too if I had the money I too would upgrade to probably Japanese scooter, I have a 1983 Yamaha XS650 Heritage Special motorcycle (Japanese) and love it, you can tell the quality is there  |
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Post by jerseyboy on Jun 4, 2014 14:36:39 GMT -5
IDK man,, I have had my china scooter for 2 years and don't wrench on it at all unless Im changing the oil or upgrading. I expected more wrenching to be honest,,but I guess if you do all your wrenching properly in the beginning(PDI upgrades)you really wont be doing much more for a while,,unless you abuse( dont know how to ride or treat the motor harshly  |
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Post by alleyoop on Jun 4, 2014 16:55:10 GMT -5
Same here Trike is now 5 years old, Starts on a dime and just do oil changes every 1000 miles just changed the battery which lasted 4 1/2 years. CHINA SCOOT ARE REALLY BAD  Alleyoop |
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Post by jerseyboy on Jun 4, 2014 19:41:10 GMT -5
I had my battery on a tender all Winter,,Im gonna see how many years I can get out of it,,I read most get between one to two years,,bet I get more...lol Hey Alley,, How does your oil look after 1000 miles,I was changing mine every 1000km and its just getting brown,,prolly overkill huh? Its so cheap I figure what the heck ya know,,plus it gives me something to buy when the ole lady is shopping at Wally |
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Post by JR on Jun 4, 2014 22:11:19 GMT -5
Great! JR, any ideas to upgrade the electrical system for more lighting? (as I assume police lighting would require a lot of power.) The linhai system easily supports a HID headlight system and I would think some police lighting would be of the LED type which wouldn't overload the system?
JR
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 4, 2014 22:28:20 GMT -5
JR, I dunno about killermotorsports. Have you actually dealt with them or know someone who has?
There's just little details in that page that set off my retail-warning system. Things like a 3% discount for money order/wire transfer (iow, they're not listing those sales as income, it goes under the table). Like there's a $15 discount if you choose not to accept the "free" (meaning it's really not free) helmet (and I won't even go into Grammar-Nazi mode about the "scotter"). And another one if you don't choose the other 2 "free" (ditto) gifts. Like showing a white bike, but it's not a color option yellow is, until you get to the specs where yellow isn't (nor white) but "silvery" is (and the artist in me is cringing at this).
Now, they might be totally honest and upfront and all. I'm just pointing out what's squirrelly on that web-page, that would make me stop and think before jumping aboard as a customer.
>'Kat
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..BAD TO THE BONE..
