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Post by prodigit on Jul 10, 2013 19:46:04 GMT -5
Smelling exhaust can be lethal (if you inhale too much).
Unless you're an exhaust junkie, lol.
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Oil Change?
by: prodigit - Jul 10, 2013 19:45:02 GMT -5
Post by prodigit on Jul 10, 2013 19:45:02 GMT -5
Oil rather goes bad from particles like metallic flakes, and carbon, than from time. Most oils work fine for several tens of years if kept in storage. In a scooter, I suppose if you have one in a barn for 2 or 3 years, it might be good to do the oil change; but one year is nothing. Ride it around for a bit, like 500 miles, and then change, I'd say...
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Post by prodigit on Jul 10, 2013 5:20:50 GMT -5
I've met a few fuel pumps of unknown brand that also seemed to have a 10% better performance, much like BP Premium gasoline. But most use about the same mixture.
I find Chevron is the worst offender, it's fuel holds A LOT less energy per gallon than any other brand. Shell is slightly better than Mobil. Citgo I tried once, I think it's between Mobil and Chevron.
Those are my experiences with their gasoline in South Florida. That being said, fuel composure changes with the seasons, and sometimes from week to week (depends on the temperature too). So it's very hard to track which one is better.
On average BP has the best value, and it's not only in Florida, but in Belgium too. So I suspect it's more like worldwide.
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Post by prodigit on Jul 10, 2013 0:46:07 GMT -5
Scootnwinn, 1- You can say the same thing in a nice way. and I like you to respect your fellow people on this site! 2- I'm addressing the substance they put into BP Premium fuel, which is not related to gasoline's octane values. They only put it in their premium fuels, and it IS more flammable. If you're unsure of what you're reading, then you can always ask, but that attitude from you towards forum members needs to change! CopperDeer: On my ATM50 it makes very little difference to choose between regular, mid grade, or premium fuel. BP Premium is about the only one that has a higher energy ratio than the other fuels. I suppose there's more to their fuel than just higher octane. |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 10, 2013 0:36:37 GMT -5
Too bad I'm working nightshifts nowadays, until the 16th, which does not allow me to ride around on it.
So it'll be a few more weeks until the new MPG numbers will start rolling in.
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 21:37:17 GMT -5
I know that BP Premium gasoline has a product in that allows my bike to have 10% better performance. Some guy called it 'paint thinner', or if not that, some kind of substance that cleans the engine that also burns better than fuel.
I also know that using that fuel on scoots running lean, could give them a performance edge; I guess because the product is more flammable (and more expensive too) than fuel, that the perfect AF ratio will change too.
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 18:31:14 GMT -5
yeah, I never saw a trike on the highway, neither a quad.
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 18:21:43 GMT -5
There you go, price also plays a big role. How fast do you want to go with it?
The taller the gearing, the slower it'll accelerate, and the more susceptible the top speed becomes to winds and hills (meaning top speed will lower significantly with a tall gearing if you're going uphill a lot).
So you got to balance the two a bit. That being said, I think an 18/46 is a good gearing. 16/50 is still somewhat short, meaning you will probably still go WOT, and be stuck at 45-50MPH. The 18/46 could get you higher top speed on level ground if you're not too heavy, or too tall, and there's not too much wind.
On my motorcycle I always aim for a gear ratio close to 16/38 (which is like a 18/42 should that ever exist). But that's for a chain drive, not a CVT belt drive. Seeing that my motorcycle is larger in cc's too, I can only estimate that you'll need something closer to the 18/46 they mention).
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 18:06:01 GMT -5
I've never had any issues with Taotao!
In fact, my ATM has 3,5k miles on it, and only recently needed a new blinker switch box. That was all!
The EVO I have is large, bulky, but it works, Almost have 1000km's on it too.
Just make sure you do a proper PDI. Most of the time there's only 1 bolt loose, and hose clips need to be adjusted, and the exhaust nuts need to be double nutted.
Aside from that, TaoTao's are great bikes!
If I had ever bought another I would have gone for the powermax rather than the EVO, as it looks like easier to maintain.
All you really got to do aside from a PDI, is adjust the idle, after about 100kms, and do your oil changes, (CVT and engine) very easy to do!
And every now and then check the tire pressure. I had no issues with my EVO, but my ATM had a leaking valve stem, and I had to pump up the tires every 2 weeks.
Also, get them from Superiorpowersports, way cheaper!
Just make sure you know your local laws concerning scooters that are >50cc. These type of scooters are looked at as motorcycles, and in certain states require you to have a special license to operate them!
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 17:31:33 GMT -5
I LOVE how China makes some GOOD products nowadays!
Makes me want to save up, and buy one!
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 17:28:36 GMT -5
We all know about the chinese cars not being very crash dummy safe, however they are safer than the 1960's volkswagens, or most other cars built in the 60's and 70's.
Also, they're meant to go 30MPH, which even if you where running a scooter, dune buggy, or golf cart, would be hard to get yourself killed in at those speeds.
I've seen a lot of those hayabusa mods on Smart cars. Seems all very nice, but with the gas tank that car has, your range will be just over 50 miles. Hayabusa is a high revving racing engine, not very eco friendly :-)
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 17:23:21 GMT -5
I think that exhaust will not fit mine, as I have a rocker arm in the way (rear wheel fork). Also, I'm not too fond of naked metal, as it'll rust quite fast. But nice that it works for you! Have you noticed any MPG differences changing the pipe? |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 17:14:58 GMT -5
The speed limit on the interstate in FL is 60-65MPH, on the highway 50MPH.
You need to be able to have a sustained speed of 50MPH or more on the interstate, and 40MPH on the highway.
I can go on the highway with my 50cc ATM50, though not legally.
The 150cc is about the smallest bike I'd get on the interstate.
I don't believe you need more throttle 'to get out of harms way', I hear a lot of people say that, but in my 25 years of riding on a 2 wheeler, I've never 'needed more throttle to get out of harms way'. There are plenty of ways to get out of harms way, one of them being to pull over to the side if necessary.
The only way when you need to have extra throttle IMHO, is when you see a zigzagging car/van with drunks approaching you at high speed; but in my 25 years, again, I've never encountered a single one.
Anyway, 150cc is really the minimum recommended. I have a 127cc motorcycle, and it can barely keep 55-60MPH on the highway (that is depending on the wind and bridges).
A 250cc gives you more headroom, and will have more power to sustain those speeds, regardless of wind or hills.
For a trike or quad, you'll have to start with a 250cc, or higher. A 150cc trike/quad, will not be able to sustain speeds over 45MPH, and perhaps top out between 50-55MPH at best.
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 17:06:13 GMT -5
It really depends on what kind of performance you're expecting from it.
I'd always suggest to go with the largest gearing, meaning highest top speed, but if acceleration or hillclimbing is more important to you, you could stick with the stock gears.
You could also put taller gears on, and decrease roller weights, that way you also will accelerate faster, but still have a faster top speed.
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 8:38:06 GMT -5
I suppose you need to know what engine you're running?
In theory, the formula is pretty simple:
multiply your top speed by 51 and 16, and divide by 50 and 15, as the top speed is pretty linear with gear tooth increases.
A speed of 40MPH should become 43.5 MPH
A speed of 60MPH should become 65 MPH
in practice it depends on all kinds of factors, like cc's, engine type, wind/hills, etc...
And the formula is much more complex. But the above fmla should do just fine for approximation.
Like, if you would go with the 18/46, 40MPH becomes 52MPH, and 60MPH becomes 78MPH.
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