Tao-Tao 150  By  Jarlaxle (Read 2,340 times)

you can buy it new for cheaper then that www.provenpowersports.com/category/0/49/150cc-Scooters

I definitely agree with the responses saying you can get a new one cheaper! You can find many Chinese 150's new, for $1,000 or less, delivered.

Even with a new one, be prepared to do some "adjusting"... LOL! And, most Chinese 150's will not cruise at highway speeds. A rare example like Terrilee's might, but unless you weigh not much over 100 pounds, typically a stock (or even mildly tweaked one) is going to top out around 52 to 55 mph at wide-open, that's all she's got full-throttle. And THAT'S on a flat, level road with NO headwind at all. Add a slight hill, or a 15 mph headwind, and you're down to 45 mph at best.

If you really do need 60+mph speeds, you'll need to get at least a 250 or bigger Chinese scoot. Some of the Taiwan-made scoots like the Genuine Buddy, or Kymco 160 to 175's with fuel-injection may nudge 58 mph or more (WIDE-OPEN) but they'll cost well over $3,000. However, I'm beginning to believe they're WELL worth the price.

When it comes to performance, "there's no replacent for displacement"...

I've found Chinese 150's are fine around town, and great up to 45 mph. MAYBE 50, but THAT is absolutely ALL you can ever count on.

9-10 hp can ONLY do just so much. These ARE glorified lawnmower engines... I've ridden mine for five years now, and found I seldom ever need to go over 50 mph. These are NOT meant for the highway. Recently, I installed a Prodigy variator which gave me about a 59 mph top speed from my original 50-52, but again, THAT'S only at wide-open throttle on FLAT road with absolutely NO headwind.

Think of a 150 as a 50 mph max vehicle, and you won't be disappointed. If you regularly need more speed, you'll need a MUCH more expensive 150 class, or at least a 250 Chinese scooter.

Recently I test-rode a Kymco 200 "Like" which is really NOT a 200, but something like 165 cc. It was nice (quality and "feel" were not even on the same planet with my Chinese Xingyue) and it would run right up to slightly over 55 WOT. You probably could sneak on the freeway for short distances with it. It's fuel-injected, and costs around $3,500 out the door. But... you can ALSO expect NOT to spend more time working on it than riding it.

That has been my experience, and I think it's fairly typical.

Hope it may help some,

Leo in Texas

Doug,

I hadn't heard that. My local B&M store (MOXIE SCOOTERS) has a showroom full... And they are FABULOUS! The smallest they have is a 50cc (2-stroke no less!) but 2-strokes will be gone when supplies run out.

The latest Kymco brochure shows a "plethora" LOL... of 50, 125 and bigger scoots. They offer them in both Asian (crotch-rocket wannabes) and Italian styles. Every doggone one has FLAWLESS styling and cosmetics you just gotta love. Italy and Japan, EAT YER' HEARTS OUT!

I really fell for the Italian-styled "Like" 200 which is NOT a 200... 163 cc I believe. They also offer BEAUTIFUL scoots up to around 350 with TRUE scooter, FLAT FLOOR designs. Bigger sizes have a "backbone" frame to step over, but I really like the flat floors!

When I say they're a lot nicer than my Chinese ride, I mean getting off my Chinese scoot and onto the Kymco is like getting out of a 200K-mile 1970's Pinto, and into a new Mercedes. Yeah, there IS that much difference.

Texas in KNOWN for being out of touch with the rest of the country, and the Kymcos available here may not be available everywhere else. You'd have to check.

I believe all the ones I looked at were fuel-injected, and CA legal. (Except for the 2-stroke).

Back to the grease and wrenching for me today... BOTH cages AND the scoot are down! I'm down to riding the Schwinn bicycle! Cheesh... There's ALWAYS something... LOL!

Ride safe, if not cheap!

Leo

PS: I rode the Kymco, and went straight to the missus' doc's office and rode his new Vespa 150 for comparison. VERY similar, but though they LOOK similar, the Kymco is bigger, with more room for a passenger, AND has bigger wheels. I honestly prefer the Kymco, but the Vespa was much faster (75+) which AMAZED me from a 150! The Vespa is TINY!!! But handles fine, even at 70+ but DANG, it's EXPENSIVE! And S-M-A-L-L... It reminds me of the teensiest 50 cc scoots! But handles fine anyway.

I have a taotao atm150-a, I love it got it in September 2012 from GS motorworks.

I did how ever pay 1200.00 but thats with shipping, everywhere else I did research on had really bad reviews so I stuck with them.

Pleasant experience I must say and not one problem, I will post pics of my ride sooner or later.

I posted pics on scootdawg, I just have to get around to doing it here. I can do around 55 with my fat butt, 60 going down a slight hill.

I have around 1000 miles on it, didn't really do any winter riding, still being broke in. I plan on putting a ton of miles on when it warms up.

Brother, I'm with you there! FLAT floors are a BIGGIE to me. If I wanted to climb over it, I'd have snagged a motorcycle. I've ridden nothing but big cycles all my life, and I LOVE the flat-floor scooters! That floor is perfect for my arthritic feet, and to carry bags of cat food... LOL!

In all honesty, Tao Tao is one brand I'm not familiar with. From what you say, they appear to be about equal to the Kymco in performance. It that's the case, You'd REALLY be getting your money's worth, AND MORE!

I spent the first year with my Xingyue working out the typical irritations... carb, CDI, starter, coil, lines, air-filter and more. Then, I had 4 full years of trouble-free riding. I paid $697 for mine, delivered to my door and it had all the bells and whistles.

I knew not to expect much, so I wasn't surprised when the first season brought nothing but total grief. I was surprised though to then get 4 years of trouble-free service.

For what I paid, I got WAY more than my money's worth. I just didn't pay much... LOL!

I recently installed the Prodigy variator, and was super-happy with my new-found 55+ mph capability... Then, in one week, the CDI and coil both went bad again. I replaced them and immediately the rear disk-brake went out, then the muffler (no surprise there...).

"Lil' Bubba" is now dismantled all over the drive, awaiting new exhaust and brake parts. When I get it put back together, I'll probably be a happy camper once again... I'll STILL hate that "Chinese feel" but I'll STILL love that "Chinese price"...

That Tao Tao may well be a great scoot for a super-low price. Stranger things have happened! I personally believe that NO $1,000 scooter is so bad it can't be made serviceable, and NO $8,000 scooter is so good that it's worth the price of a minty, used 1,000 cc motorcycle... Just my own thoughts.

One thing for sure: I'll be hoping for the very BEST ride you can get, no matter the price!

Ride safe, AND enjoy that ride!

Sincerely,

Leo in Texas