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Post by spandi on Nov 15, 2015 11:11:30 GMT -5
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Post by wheelbender6 on Nov 15, 2015 15:04:27 GMT -5
At $3900, still priced below Japanese Naked 250cc bikes, and comes with plenty of wind protection and storage capacity.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 15, 2015 18:28:38 GMT -5
Sure looks nice!
And I love the name... Pronounced "Kinky Grandpas" I assume... LOL!
Only negative I see is the top speed of 108 km/hr. THAT is only 67 mph or so, making a realistic cruise (up/down hill and with wind) of around 60-62 mph. Even my aging Kymco Grandvista 2-valve carbureted 250 will top that by at least 5, or even 10 mph. For the price, I think you could find "new generation" 175-200 cc scoots from Japan or Taiwan that would equal or better that performance.
A diligent search might even turn up an Italian ride with MUCH more performance for a similar price. Before plunking down my hard-earned 4-grand, I'd have to first check out what's available from Japan, Italy and Taiwan in that price range. I believe for instance, you could find a Kymco People 300 or maybe a SYM, or one from the Italian makers which would be even better for the bucks... Just me.
Ride safe,
Leo in Texas
That being said, it still looks like a VERY nice, large, comfortable scoot for the money.
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Post by Jarlaxle on Nov 15, 2015 19:12:46 GMT -5
$500 more than a CSC Cyclone RX-3...
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Post by wheelbender6 on Nov 15, 2015 20:53:18 GMT -5
The Yamaha SMAX 155cc is faster and slightly less expensive MSRP. However, The SMAX, out the door will cost more.
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Post by Paladin on Nov 15, 2015 21:35:36 GMT -5
... Only negative I see is the top speed of 108 km/hr... 67 mph .... The math doesn't match. Top speed is roughly square root of horsepower. My LX150 is 11.7 bhp and I can do 65 mph sitting straight up. Grandpa cites 13KW, 17.4 bhp, and the math says it should be able to hit 79 mph. A bit slower if it blocks more wind, but not much. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 16, 2015 14:47:50 GMT -5
... Only negative I see is the top speed of 108 km/hr... 67 mph .... The math doesn't match. Top speed is roughly square root of horsepower. My LX150 is 11.7 bhp and I can do 65 mph sitting straight up. Grandpa cites 13KW, 17.4 bhp, and the math says it should be able to hit 79 mph. A bit slower if it blocks more wind, but not much.
Paladin,
I was only quoting the speed described in the video... what I don't know about actual scientific figures would fill a library... To me, it just seemed a little slow for a modern-day watercooled 250. I think there are a lot of "differences" between CVT-tranny scooters/motorcycles than with "traditional" bikes with geared transmissions... And they don't seem to fit any pattern... LOL!
For instance, your Vespa will easily outperform a Chinese scooter with similar listed horsepower. My old Kymco 250 will outperform most modern Chinese 250's, etc. even though she's a tad "heavy". Just too many variables involved. Heck, way back in the seventies I had a Suzuki 250 two-stroke "X-6 Hustler" with six gears that would do 0-60 in 4 seconds and top out over 120 mph! If I recall, it was only rated at around 25 hp, but good grief, would it GO! No torque, but kept "on the pipe" around 12K rpm, it was a barn-burner...
After 9 years riding them, I'm about convinced that the performance of "twist-n'-go" CVT scooters is largely a "crap-shoot". Some are FAST, some are "OK" and some are downright turtle-slow... And most can be improved considerably with roller/slider-weight tweaking.
However, the Italian makers seem to get it "right" from the factory more often than most others.
Then there's that new-breed of "200" cc class scoots that outrun many 250's and probably a few bigger scoots... There's just no figgerin' out what's the "real deal"... Ya gotta ride 'em all, and pick the one you like best... LOL!
And I'm with you about not being quite "agile" enough to climb aboard a regular motorcycle anymore. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! I'm SO glad they make FLAT-FLOOR, STEP-THROUGH scooters today that we can climb on and off like a kitchen-chair, and still get us seniors down the road with "knuckles in the wind"... They just didn't make such marvelous toys back when we were young and limber...  Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by wheelbender6 on Nov 16, 2015 19:15:29 GMT -5
I didn't realize that the CSC Cyclone RX-3 was such a good alternative to a maxi scoot until I read this thread. The RX-3 provides wind protection and storage, but you still must shift and swing a leg over the seat to mount it.
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Post by urbanmadness on Nov 16, 2015 19:44:39 GMT -5
3900 bucks will buy can buy alot of bike. Especially on the used market. I have less invested in my whole motorcycle/scoot collection. 1500 bucks for one goldwing, gl1500, 500 for gl1100 and 500 for the 250 I have....
3900 bucks is just a lot of money.
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Post by rockynv on Nov 17, 2015 1:21:02 GMT -5
I checked their web site and the spec there is only 13 killowatts of power which is about 4 to 7 kw below modern standards for a 250 cc bike. It is very heavy for a 250cc bike with a curb weight of 177kg/390lbs and with a gross vehicle weight of 337kg/742lbs it gives you a max carrying capacity of only 352lbs compared to 465lbs on the Italian scooters. The Italian 250cc scooters weight in at around 325lbs while the Japanese 200/250cc scooters are about 350lbs.
I do not see the ooh's and ah's about a near to 400lb 250cc scooter that is rated to carry about 352lbs safely at only 57 mph and sells for about $4,000 dollars. Maybe the plastic is better but its still by the specs it appears to be the same old overweight under powered fair we have been seeing for years now.
The Piaggio BV350 new is $2,000 dollars more however dealers having left over 2015 bikes with the 2016 now coming their way may be willing to give some attractive discounts on a bike with over double the power and 110 lbs greater capacity, real ABS brakes, Traction Control and closer to a 100 mph top speed.
My Sport City 250 which will run circles around the Grampus was a comparative bargain at only $2,999. Used Sport City 250's can be found in good condition with low miles on them for around $2,000 now and Scarabeo 500's for about $2,500.
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Post by falstaff on Nov 17, 2015 13:50:06 GMT -5
For that price around here (AZ), I could get a used 600cc Silverwing, 400cc Bergman or Majesty. Used for sure but still with lots of life in them and I would have cash left over to address any issues.....just saying...
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 17, 2015 20:10:06 GMT -5
3900 bucks will buy can buy alot of bike. Especially on the used market. I have less invested in my whole motorcycle/scoot collection. 1500 bucks for one goldwing, gl1500, 500 for gl1100 and 500 for the 250 I have.... 3900 bucks is just a lot of money.
As the old TV commercial's "Ambien beaver" used to say to Abe Lincoln and the astronaut... AB-SO-LOOT-LEE!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 17, 2015 20:11:25 GMT -5
I checked their web site and the spec there is only 13 killowatts of power which is about 4 to 7 kw below modern standards for a 250 cc bike. It is very heavy for a 250cc bike with a curb weight of 177kg/390lbs and with a gross vehicle weight of 337kg/742lbs it gives you a max carrying capacity of only 352lbs compared to 465lbs on the Italian scooters. The Italian 250cc scooters weight in at around 325lbs while the Japanese 200/250cc scooters are about 350lbs. I do not see the ooh's and ah's about a near to 400lb 250cc scooter that is rated to carry about 352lbs safely at only 57 mph and sells for about $4,000 dollars. Maybe the plastic is better but its still by the specs it appears to be the same old overweight under powered fair we have been seeing for years now. The Piaggio BV350 new is $2,000 dollars more however dealers having left over 2015 bikes with the 2016 now coming their way may be willing to give some attractive discounts on a bike with over double the power and 110 lbs greater capacity, real ABS brakes, Traction Control and closer to a 100 mph top speed. My Sport City 250 which will run circles around the Grampus was a comparative bargain at only $2,999. Used Sport City 250's can be found in good condition with low miles on them for around $2,000 now and Scarabeo 500's for about $2,500.
That's the same feeling I got... Nice-looking, but heavy and S-L-O-W...
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Post by ghcoe on Nov 17, 2015 20:42:24 GMT -5
I didn't realize that the CSC Cyclone RX-3 was such a good alternative to a maxi scoot until I read this thread. The RX-3 provides wind protection and storage, but you still must shift and swing a leg over the seat to mount it. Its a Zongshen. Well liked in other parts of the world. All the information you could want on it here.
chinariders.net/forumdisplay.php?f=136
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Post by spandi on Nov 19, 2015 1:53:16 GMT -5
Well I can tell you my 250 is rated at 65mph, having already gone on "The 10" at well over 70mph, the listed speed is probably a little conservative. Also the posting is not so much about performance as it is about the constantly evolving quality of the Chinese product. Since the Chinese government is outlawing scooters and motorcycles in major cities, manufactures must turn to the export market, where they have to compete with the already well established Japanese brands. In order to succeed they will have to bring the quality levels to Japan standards, this I am convinced the Chinese will do, just at a lower price. The era of the super cheap Chinese scoot may be at an end, but that of the of the good quality intermediate scoot is just beginning.  |
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