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Post by lovespicyfood on Sept 13, 2015 23:03:59 GMT -5
Hello Everyone,
First time poster...
I'm considering getting a Chinese GY6 150cc scooter... I think it would be a practical and inexpensive option to cruise around town. I used to have a "real" motorcycle and as much as I'd like to get a new one, they're a lot pricier...
I've been scouring these forums and the internet to get up to speed. I understand I'll have to do a PDI and be willing to work on a Chinese scooter. I understand that and it does not scare me away as I'm pretty mechanically inclined.
I've been looking at the various brands and was thinking the Taotao Quantum would be pretty neat, but I don't see a lot of them for sale...
Now that I know enough to be dangerous (haha), I realize I need to ensure that if I do get a scooter, I need to make sure it is California legal for registration. I'm not entirely sure what is required to register a scooter in CA, but it's my interpretation that I have to have the proper CARB equipped scooter to be able to do it.
Can anyone recommend a CA legal scooter and/or place to purchase online? I do live in a suburb outside of Los Angeles and I believe Taotao USA is headquartered only ~1 1/2 hours away from me but either way, I think I'd need to get anything I buy shipped because I don't have a truck to transport.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
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Post by cyborg on Sept 14, 2015 1:10:21 GMT -5
There's a few ca legal carb approved scoots,,the vendor/dealer will have a list of the ones that are approved for road use on ca streets,,they mail you the origination papers and carb approval certs,,,that you take to the dmv,,,,where in la are you I'm in thousand oaks?
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Post by JerryScript on Sept 14, 2015 8:05:29 GMT -5
Since you are a former motorcycle rider, I highly recommend the Znen SSR Pacifica ZN150T-18 with 16" wheels (the blue one in my sig pics below). It handles more like a motorcycle thanks to the larger wheels, and has enough power to keep you at the front of the pack, and even take the occasional ride on the freeway, while getting 60-70mpg. It is Cali Carb approved, and I purchased mine from a Cali online dealer www.powerrideoutlet.com (they have recently reduced the price to $1329, I paid $1400 back in Jan). I have owned motorcycles as well as scooters with 10" and 13" wheels, and I find this 16" wheeled scooter to be the perfect answer for someone who wants to ride on two wheels without the typically jarring scooter experience. |
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Post by Paladin on Sept 14, 2015 18:59:25 GMT -5
... I do live in a suburb outside of Los Angeles .... Doesn't say much, Las Vegas is a suburb of Los Angeles. City was built from money from Angelos. I am in LaLaLand also, the South Bay. I am insane and ride the freeways on a Vespa LX150. We have licensed dealers that sell Chinese Scoots, and will do the DMV crap for you. |
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Post by retrobrian on Sept 14, 2015 21:48:50 GMT -5
 mine in San Diego |
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Post by lovespicyfood on Sept 14, 2015 23:41:58 GMT -5
There's a few ca legal carb approved scoots,,the vendor/dealer will have a list of the ones that are approved for road use on ca streets,,they mail you the origination papers and carb approval certs,,,that you take to the dmv,,,,where in la are you I'm in thousand oaks? I am right next to you in Newbury Park! |
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Post by lovespicyfood on Sept 14, 2015 23:50:49 GMT -5
Since you are a former motorcycle rider, I highly recommend the Znen SSR Pacifica ZN150T-18 with 16" wheels (the blue one in my sig pics below). It handles more like a motorcycle thanks to the larger wheels, and has enough power to keep you at the front of the pack, and even take the occasional ride on the freeway, while getting 60-70mpg. It is Cali Carb approved, and I purchased mine from a Cali online dealer www.powerrideoutlet.com (they have recently reduced the price to $1329, I paid $1400 back in Jan). I have owned motorcycles as well as scooters with 10" and 13" wheels, and I find this 16" wheeled scooter to be the perfect answer for someone who wants to ride on two wheels without the typically jarring scooter experience. Interesting! I would not have considered that model but what you say makes sense! It's a little above what I wanted to spend though... I saw a TaoTao Powermax 150 from a scooter dealer in City of Industry (~1.5 hr drive) that piqued my interest and it was only $650! I don't know....I had been eyeing a KTM Duke 390 which are ~$5K. I know, way more expensive than a scooter but quite a versatile machine I could use on the freeway. Good power but not too much power that might get me into trouble. The interest in a scooter was appealing to me because they are dirt cheap I could use it around town for grocery runs and such. I have never had a scooter and typically have justified the power of a motorcycle as a safety feature: they accelerate fast and can stop quite quickly in emergency situations. Of course, this also leads to single vehicle accidents when people are reckless. Lastly, the ability and really need to wrench on a Chinese scooter sounds like fun to me... hmmm... |
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Post by JerryScript on Sept 15, 2015 0:42:11 GMT -5
The Powermax will be fine on surface streets, but to get it above 55 you'll have to spend the difference in price on upgrades. To match what my Pacifica can do stock, you'll probably have to spend a bit more. So it really boils down to where/how you want to ride, if 50 is fast enough, stick with the Powermax.
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Post by cyborg on Sept 15, 2015 8:43:09 GMT -5
Hey spicey,,,if you don't get that scooter (i recommend it too being a long time motorcyclist) and go for the duke,,(i've been looking at it myself,,,,t/o powersports wants $6500+,,,geez,,,i found a couple in santa barbara for $500 over list otd,,,whichever you get look me up,,i ride the white stella or the white dr350,,,i'll buy you breakfast at the rockstore,,,pm me if your interested in riding
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Post by cyborg on Sept 15, 2015 8:43:20 GMT -5
Hey spicey,,,if you don't get that scooter (i recommend it too being a long time motorcyclist) and go for the duke,,(i've been looking at it myself,,,,t/o powersports wants $6500+,,,geez,,,i found a couple in santa barbara for $500 over list otd,,,whichever you get look me up,,i ride the white stella or the white dr350,,,i'll buy you breakfast at the rockstore,,,pm me if your interested in riding
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Post by lovespicyfood on Sept 15, 2015 21:41:30 GMT -5
The Powermax will be fine on surface streets, but to get it above 55 you'll have to spend the difference in price on upgrades. To match what my Pacifica can do stock, you'll probably have to spend a bit more. So it really boils down to where/how you want to ride, if 50 is fast enough, stick with the Powermax. Thanks so much for your advice! I much appreciate it! |
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Post by lovespicyfood on Sept 15, 2015 21:48:06 GMT -5
Hey spicey,,,if you don't get that scooter (i recommend it too being a long time motorcyclist) and go for the duke,,(i've been looking at it myself,,,,t/o powersports wants $6500+,,,geez,,,i found a couple in santa barbara for $500 over list otd,,,whichever you get look me up,,i ride the white stella or the white dr350,,,i'll buy you breakfast at the rockstore,,,pm me if your interested in riding Ha, it's a small world, ain't it? My last bike was a GSXR1000 and that was a KICK IN THE PANTS to ride, but I gave it up shortly after my daughter was born. I never had an incident with it nor did I even get a ticket, but the speed and acceleration was intoxicating. I'm lucky I never got thrown into jail at the speeds I would ride that thing! I LOVE the KTM because it is so simple and so light. It's quick from what I've read/seen but not ridiculous. I did hear that they are going to update the bike this coming year...I hear the current version runs a little hot... I also like the new Kawasaki Versys. Have you seen that one? Previous to this year, they were pretty UGLY. This year they look FANTASTIC and w/ the LT version, you get matching side luggage... Thank you for the offer to ride and eat at the Rock Store. I haven't been there in forever... Odds are I will probably get a cheap scooter in the near future and figure on a KTM or something similar down the road. I did just get some great news of a promotion at work, but it will probably make me extraordinarily busy through the end of the year...I'm hoping it works out and I at least get a scooter to play around with in my free time... I'll keep this thread updated if I buy a scooter, and if so, which one! Thanks again for the all the advice! |
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