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Post by danno on Aug 31, 2013 6:09:38 GMT -5
I'm really new at this but prior to deciding on the Burgman I eventually purchased the Chinese Scoots and their prices is what initially got me interested in the idea of buying a scooter.
After asking lots of questions and doing my research, I discovered that the Chinese bikes aren't so much built from a manufacturer
who has their own designers and engineers like other known companies rather, they're cloned bikes. What that meant to me is the Chinese were of the character of ripping off the designs of their competition, but they used substandard parts.
Here in America, the practice of ripping off the competition is not tolerated. However, in China ripping off the competition is a way of life.
Not only do they rip off the designs but they try name a bike that doesn't sound like its made in the People's Republic of China.
Tank, Geely, Xtreme, Motofino, Strada, and Verucci, don't sound like they're made in the People's Republic of China...and that's not by accident. They're trying to fool the public. The name Schwinn here in the US meant quality....Schwinn can now be found on cheap Chinese imitation scooters. It's all designed to trick an uneducated buyer.
I just couldn't allow myself to do business with companies that have such a manipulative philosophy with doing business. If those sort of things don't bother you, that's entirely your business.
I'm out.
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Post by danno on Aug 31, 2013 5:38:49 GMT -5
Nice research. The problem is if you were to have read the thread, you would have discovered the issue wasn't because of manufacturing specs, but because the previous owner of the bike screwed it up. "Smitty, you are genius! I've reassembled the clutch according to your instructions and now it is evident there no way the world these metal pieces can get out of place. The previous owner(s) must have assembled it wrong at one point or another. Thanks for your help again!" |
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Post by danno on Aug 30, 2013 4:28:42 GMT -5
Most of the people here have Chinese scoots and overall are happy with them. If you wish to add constructive imput you're more than welcome, otherwise there are other places (such as the SYMforum) where you views will be much more appreciated.  I thought we were here to share opinions and experiences? I didn't realize the idea was to chase away those that have a different opinion than yours.  |
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Post by danno on Aug 29, 2013 4:15:26 GMT -5
I don't mind cheap underwear from the Chinese, but I personally don't want to trust them with my life with their inferior parts as i head down the highway at 65mph. I've ran my 50cc @ 50MPH, my 127cc @60mph, my 150cc@63MPH, and my 260cc @ 80MPH for a few 1 hour trips, and more, without problems. Each one of them I've ridden at least once on a 4 hour trip, some even doing 5 or 6 hour trips on, with varying speeds. Even chinese products make noises or give hints when something is not right. They don't just simply explode while you're riding 60 on the highway! Call me insecure then, I'm fine with that. Knowing that the Chinese produce bikes with inferior parts makes me that way, especially if I'm moving at 65mph. I wish you more success and happiness. |
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Post by danno on Aug 28, 2013 12:39:09 GMT -5
Actually it's about 7 1/2 cents PER DOLLAR of product sold. (that's why Exxon pulls in roughly 9 billion per quarter.) Greetings consumers I suppose. |
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Post by danno on Aug 28, 2013 12:38:03 GMT -5
Whoo, A lot of politics, and ethnic talk here!  Still, we can be grateful that the chinese are making these things. If it wasn't for them, we'd all be stuck with either 2/3rd more expensive Korean models, or double to quadruple priced Japanese or USA bikes. I don't mind cheap underwear from the Chinese, but I personally don't want to trust them with my life with their inferior parts as i head down the highway at 65mph. |
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Post by danno on Aug 28, 2013 11:47:35 GMT -5
The trouble is when American companies switch to Chinese workers (at much less cost to themselves) the price of a given item STAYS THE SAME. So where is the "competitive pricing"? Are they Chinese employees of American companies or are American companies mostly out sourcing their products to the Chinese companies? I don't know the profit margins for individual scooter manufactures. Do you? There is a percentage of the population that seems to think many businesses make too much money. They have this opinion without having all the facts. For example, BIG OIL. For every gallon of gasoline and other products refined and sold in the United States, oil companies earned about 7 cents. Now compare that to the 40 to 60 cents per gallon that went from gasoline consumers to the government (state and federal) in gasoline taxes. Why do people call these companies greedy and not the US Government? Just asking.... |
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Post by danno on Aug 28, 2013 10:18:16 GMT -5
Speaking of Burgmans, one of the issues I have with mine is the seat. It's not that comfortable....for me anyway.
Cheeks may vary ;D
Anyone have a cheap/good solutions? I know there are those Gel pads that sell for $150.00+...I'm sure they're good, but I'm not looking to spend that much.
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Post by danno on Aug 28, 2013 10:12:08 GMT -5
There is little doubt that China engages is human right abuses. Where I disagree is in whether or not the parts from my scooter were made by the (apocryphal) exploited children as such. But this is a monster created when American Business in search of even greater profits and "opportunity" that decided to think short term, gut the manufacturing capability of the U.S. and ship it to China. With the after effects of an eviscerated middle class that we've been living with ever since. It's my opinion that most American companies would rather use American parts if it made economic sense. When your competition is paying a fraction of what you would pay for American parts, you have little choice. Companies are forced to be competitive if they're going to survive. They're forced to go oversees to remain competitive. |
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Post by danno on Aug 27, 2013 8:37:36 GMT -5
They are slowely improving however it will be some time before the average laborer will be truely benefited. I worked with Chinese Citizens who 10 years ago on Chinese Government Sponsorship were assigned to attend Ohio State University to learn technology in the US. It was decided for them which courses they had to take. Because they got good grades they were allowed to select brides from a higher level pool and lived with a higher level of freedom than most. There was expectation as to what careers they would choose after college and the timeline path already set for when they would be allowed to marry and when they had to finish their on the job training in the US and return to the occupation selected for them in China. I would chat with Xiaou who I worked closest with and he would tell me about life in China for people on his level and those on lower tiers. Life was pretty rough with much fewer personal choices for those beneath where he was. Xiaou contended that for some at the lowest tiers, at the time we last spoke 10 years ago, life as a homeless person in the US would have been a big improvement. Working in the more modern factories like in the video would be comparable to winning the lottery to some of them so bleak was their situation before that however many people here in the US would be consulting an attourney versed in labor law if we worked even in those modern factories in China. After reading Rocky's post, I couldn't help but be thankful that I was born and raised in America. Thank you all who sacrificed so much in order to keep us all free. |
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Post by danno on Aug 26, 2013 17:13:01 GMT -5
Yes, Chinese CEO's and business men know how to extort their employee wages, but don't tell me that not the same thing is happening in USA, where the average CEO earns over 300x the wage as their lowest earning employee! How many of those low earning employes are capable of operating their company and keeping it in the black? Just asking. We have in this country freedom of choice. If you don't like the methods of how the Chinese are able to produce a less expensive bike, then don't buy one. Wow....blaming Nixon? It's been years since I've heard that one!  |
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Post by danno on Aug 26, 2013 5:40:50 GMT -5
Hello fellow scooter riders. I don't know if this will work or not, but I'm willing to give it a try.Are you ready for some football? I'm a big fan of NFL football and I thought I'd attempt to start a football pick em contest which only includes members of this site... "It's in the Ride" It's all for fun....no point spreads just pick the winner of each game played. The winner I suppose gets bragging rights. Go ahead and sign up at the link below. www.funofficepools.com/joinpool.php?Passed_Pool_Key=9a1a85a29a2THE PASSWORD IS "Scooters" PLEASE DO NOT give this password out to anyone who is not a member of this site....Thank you. I'd like to see at least 7 or 8 of us here join up...but the more the merrier! |
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Post by danno on Aug 18, 2013 16:07:11 GMT -5
Thank you all for your responses. I've done a little surfing on this topic and found this solution... It's called Light Night $13.  isn't a bad price at all. During my surfing i also came across [url=American Motorcyclist Association ]this site.[/url] It was new to me, perhaps not to many of you long time riders. It's a guide to state by state laws regarding motorcycles. If you're going on a long trip or just want to know the laws in your own state, it might be worth checking out. American Motorcyclist Association
State by State laws |
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Post by danno on Aug 18, 2013 7:20:30 GMT -5
Is it just here where I live or do others also experience this? When I'm in a turn lane only lane, it doesn't turn green. Apparently it's activated by the weight of a car. No weight of car, it will remain red. I suppose between me and the bike we ain't heavy enough to make it turn green...Has anyone else experienced this? What have you done?  |
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Post by danno on Aug 12, 2013 17:39:01 GMT -5
I purchased a 2008 400 earlier this year with many extra's for $2400. It had 8,000 miles on it when I purchased it. I think you very well might be able to offer him lower than what he's asking.
I've had two issues which are very likely rare ones. First, the collar on the rear axle was stuck. I was not able to remove the rear tire. Took it to a mechanic and they too had lots of trouble. But somehow they finally got it off. Second, I have a leak with the overflow coolant tank.
I've poured coolant in and it runs right out onto the ground. Two possibilities...1-it has cracked or 2-the hose has come off, which I think is less likely. I have not experienced any over heating despite the problem.
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isn't a bad price at all.