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Post by artman26 on Apr 20, 2015 17:13:37 GMT -5
Hi All,
Haven't bought one yet but am considering a Taotao CY150E 150cc from Family GoKarts. What motor is in that? Any thoughts that you might have on it? I like the retro look of it. I considered a 50cc but that seems too under powered to me.
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Post by bandito2 on Apr 20, 2015 18:09:05 GMT -5
Welcome to It is the ride. Honestly I'm not real familiar with these Chinese scooters, but there a whole bunch of folks here who are and should be able to tell you what they know. (I'm more of a Honda guy myself)
As to the size of the scooter, it depends a lot on what type of riding you intend to do and the kinds of roads you would be riding on (speed limits) and traffic you would be encountering. Examples; a 50cc scooter is just not going to be enough safety wise for a road with traffic & a 50 mph speed limit. Nor would trying to ride a 150cc in 70+ mph freeway traffic be a good idea. Better recommendations can be given with a little bit more information on what you intend to do. Good that you are asking for advice. There are plenty here that are glad to give it in the interest of safety.
BTW, where in Michigan are you? I'm here in SE Michigan.
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Post by artman26 on Apr 20, 2015 18:25:32 GMT -5
I live in Manistee, MI. Kind of in between Ludington and Traverse City. As to the potential riding....mainly around town (25-30 mph) and out to the Lake Michigan beaches. At 64 years old I'm not looking for anything too fast!
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Post by ramblinman on Apr 20, 2015 21:19:54 GMT -5
I live in Manistee, MI. Kind of in between Ludington and Traverse City. As to the potential riding....mainly around town (25-30 mph) and out to the Lake Michigan beaches. At 64 years old I'm not looking for anything too fast! i'm originally from michigan. i've traveled through 32 states, visited canada and jamica. out of all the places i have been Traverse City is by far the best place on earth. sleeping bear dunes was incredible. if 30mph max is all you need then basically any 50cc scooter should be fine. the 150cc are capable of cruising all day long at 45mph with top speeds of 55+mph if properly tuned/maintained. i looked up the scoot on that site but didn't see the engine code listed. most-likely it is 157QMJ or similar. parts are available everywhere for that engine. |
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Post by dmartin95 on Apr 20, 2015 21:44:21 GMT -5
I live in Manistee, MI. Kind of in between Ludington and Traverse City. As to the potential riding....mainly around town (25-30 mph) and out to the Lake Michigan beaches. At 64 years old I'm not looking for anything too fast! Hello and welcome to the forum... I too live in Michigan... I'm about 2.5hrs south of you down between GR and K'zoo.... I started out with a 50cc and it only took a couple weeks to realize it was way too slow for my liking... A 150cc isn't anything very fast at all... You get an avg speed 50~60MPH depending on rider, rd conditions, wheel size, etc etc... But, it takes a while to get up to that full speed.. Even if you don't want to go 50, it's nice to have throttle left to get out of the way of a car.... I strongly advise a 150cc.... |
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Post by shalomdawg on Apr 20, 2015 22:16:40 GMT -5
howdy and welcome---go ahead and come in out of the cold---
i think you will not be happy with a 50cc. i started with an hd200 sym and soon found myself over the mountain pass and struggling to keep up with the traffic so upped to 250 and found it too cramped and went to a 500 and have now settled on a 350 piaggio which is small enough to be nimble and solid enough to travel the interstate. i reccomend not starting waaaay to small.
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by oldchopperguy on May 7, 2015 12:34:38 GMT -5
Artman26,
I'm 68 years old, and have been riding for more than a half-century, so... I guess I have a little experience on two wheels... LOL!
Even if you've NEVER ridden anything on two wheels, I STRONGLY agree with the replies recommending you start with AT LEAST a 150. Most 150's are similar to most 50's in size and feel (though there ARE truly tiny 50's and extra-long 150's out there). But, most Chinese 150's are about "ideal" for general-purpose around-town riding, and even going from town to town on surface streets.
The air-cooled GY6 type Chinese 150s like the Taotao you're thinking of are good scooters to start with. Severe arthritis keeps me from easily climbing onto large motorcycles these days, so around eight years ago, I "rediscovered" step-through scooters, with a Chinese Xingyue 150 similar to the Taotao. It gave a few typically Chinese problems, but once I worked them out it gave me great service for nearly seven years. Whomever bought "Lil' Bubba" from the dealer I traded it to got THE best-running Chinese 150 on the planet... (only MY opinion of course)... I only "upsized" to a used Kymco 250 because local roads have changed, and I really, REALLY need 70 mph capability for safety, to avoid becoming road-kill. However, I like the 150 types so well that I searched out a vintage Kymco Grandvista which closely approximates the Chinese 150s in size, handling and cosmetics.
In my personal opinion, if you go with a 50, it will cost nearly as much as the 150 but be sadly lacking in ability to accelerate and keep up with traffic, even in 35 mph zones. The only good reason I see for riding a 50 is in jurisdictions where they are considered "mopeds" and do not require a motorcycle drivers' license, and sometimes not even plates or insurance. In such jurisdictions, THAT is a BIGGIE, making them as economical as a bicycle, such jurisdictions are not too common. Here in Texas, a 50, or even a motorized bicycle requires a motorcycle driver's license, it must be titled and insured, leaving little incentive to be restricted to such limited performance.
I found my 150 "adequate" up to 45 mph traffic. Though it WOULD hit just over 60 mph wide-open, considering hills, headwinds, etc. a 50 mph "cruise" was absolute max. There simply is "no replacement for displacement"... LOL! Don't make the common mistake of confusing all-out, wide-open top-speed under ideal conditions with useable cruising speed. Useable cruising speed while encountering wind, hills, etc. will usually be more than 10 mph slower than "potential top-speed".
The major appeal of the Chinese air-cooled GY6 150 is that they are AFFORDABLE, they are UNIVERSAL with parts available everywhere and they are so doggone PRACTICAL and easy to work on... Just good, all-round transportation, and hard to beat for value for the buck... Not to mention they are a HOOT to ride. Even after 50 years of Harley choppers and baggers, I truly loved to ride my little 150.
While Chinese scooters have a spotty reputation for giving trouble, they have improved a LOT over the years and offer EXCELLENT value for their price. If you do buy one, and it acts up, you'll find all the help you need right here on this site to make it right. There's very little that can go wrong that can't be fixed easily and affordably, and the low initial cost of the Chinese 150s make them a perennial favorite ride around the world.
Welcome to the site! And, enjoy the ride, no matter what scoot you decide on!
Leo in Texas
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Post by artman26 on May 18, 2015 17:58:09 GMT -5
Well! I did it. I bought a Tao Tao 150cc Roman from Killermotorsports. It was $929 delivered. I inspected it upon arrival and 2 holes we're punched through the cardboard crating. No damage inside though. The battery was filled and fully charged and the tires have sturdy looking stems. I changed the oil but still need to put the iridium spark plug in as an upgrade. Haven't changed the gear box lube yet. Can't seem to find the drain and fill plugs. Also, it looks as though I'll have to remove the outer plastics to get to the spark plug. I've been riding it for practice in the church parking lot across the street. Still waiting for the paper showing the country of origin so that I can get a title for it, then insurance, then a plate, then take the riding and written test to get my motorcycle endorsement. I had no idea it would be this involved! It is, indeed, a thrill and hoot to ride though. No regrets on my part. The price was right too.
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Post by ramblinman on May 18, 2015 20:37:11 GMT -5
. Still waiting for the paper showing the country of origin so that I can get a title for it, I had no idea it would be this involved! . i ordered mine from from superiorpowersports. it took nearly 5 weeks to get the proper paperwork. they originally sent a mco with a different vin. at the time i was living in a gated community that did not allow unregistered vehicles so i had to keep it in the garage. i was renting a corner in the garage and their was no room to put this scoot any where so i had to stand my bed against the wall and parked my scooter where my bed use to be. in the meantime i was sleeping in my office chair for 5 weeks. i was pissed! good luck getting your scoot on the road. hope it goes quickly. |
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Post by murkyapricot on May 25, 2015 17:43:03 GMT -5
Well! I did it. I bought a Tao Tao 150cc Roman from Killermotorsports. It was $929 delivered. I inspected it upon arrival and 2 holes we're punched through the cardboard crating. No damage inside though. The battery was filled and fully charged and the tires have sturdy looking stems. I changed the oil but still need to put the iridium spark plug in as an upgrade. Haven't changed the gear box lube yet. Can't seem to find the drain and fill plugs. Also, it looks as though I'll have to remove the outer plastics to get to the spark plug. I've been riding it for practice in the church parking lot across the street. Still waiting for the paper showing the country of origin so that I can get a title for it, then insurance, then a plate, then take the riding and written test to get my motorcycle endorsement. I had no idea it would be this involved! It is, indeed, a thrill and hoot to ride though. No regrets on my part. The price was right too. Your gear oil should have a fill and drain screw near the cvt on the back left as for the spark plug you should be able to access it by removing the seat bucket i have a Tao tao powermax, looks a bit different than yours but I'd imagine the layout is mostly the same I'm happy with my taotao,only real problem I've had is the exhaust mounting brackets breaking off and exhaust needing to be replaced but for the most part you csnt beat the price,just keep up with maintenence welcome to the forums and good luck with your new scooter! forgot to mention i also had to replace the vacuum lines after about 6 months they were pretty poor quality, deteriorating |
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Post by blue on Jun 13, 2015 21:44:13 GMT -5
Good luck with the new scoot.im also in michigan sw.grandrapids.I ride a betelli 50 cc.goes 40 to 45 .
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Post by cyborg on Jun 14, 2015 10:28:31 GMT -5
i hate to break it to you Blue but there's a giant constrictor snake on your bike
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Post by dmartin95 on Jun 14, 2015 11:43:09 GMT -5
i hate to break it to you Blue but there's a giant constrictor snake on your bike That his Anti-theft system!  |
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Post by blue on Jun 17, 2015 14:09:42 GMT -5
i hate to break it to you Blue but there's a giant constrictor snake on your bike That his Anti-theft system! got that right all 8.5 feet of him. |
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Post by sunny on Jun 29, 2015 4:04:49 GMT -5
Congrats on getting your scooter. I am also from Michigan and new to scooters. I live in central michigan near mount pleasant.
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