|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 3, 2014 15:35:57 GMT -5
I was watching some scooter ride vids on the Tube when I saw this video of the new Tao Tao Quantum. Boy is that one sexy scooter... Then did a Google photo search for these and saw some pics... www.solanocycle.com/New-Inventory-2014-TaoTao-Scooter-Quantum-Tour-150-St.-Augustine-Florida-617371It has: The similar agressive styling of a Kymco Super 8 (from the side). DIGITAL Speedometer and Fuel Guage WITH a tachometer.  LED turn signals and headlights. (What appears to be) Very good storage. And now, I want one more than I want more than the BWS 150 or Genuine Hooligan. I think I've found my next scooter! By far and away the RED one! |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 3, 2014 7:43:04 GMT -5
Nice looking machine. (surprise-surprise) I keep telling folks the Chinese are moving ahead, and are out to eat Japan's lunch!  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 3, 2014 7:26:09 GMT -5
Rocky is Right. But when you DO upgrade make sure the scoot you want to buy has a long wheelbase, as you are quite tall and will need the extra room so everyone is comfortable.  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 3, 2014 1:31:18 GMT -5
Don't worry about it Kat, we love you and your Piggy just fine. I think it's just a (dare I use the word?) "Reflex" action on the part of Chinese scooter folks for being jumped on so much. (remember the Vespa snobs at the Piaggio dealer?) I used to have a Honda scooter anyways so who cares? Perhaps it's time to get back to the OP's original question, advice on picking out a new scooter with enough electrical power for the addition of a police light array.  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 2, 2014 19:50:53 GMT -5
hhmmm... my 50cc was also a 2008... so maybe my feelings from my main experiences with China scoots are biased. Well........... I still stand by my point that even compared to a good China scooter that behaves itself, I feel like you can get so much more for just a little more money in a used non-Chinese, if you can find one for sale. I was actually tossing around the idea of one of those 250cc Roketa clones... then this Reflex popped up outside the dealer like an omen . I often wonder how I would have done hitting that deer on the Roketa, between braking ability and how it handled the impact... I did pay for 1 1/4 Roketas in buying the Reflex (it had really low miles) but you bet your arse I'm glad I did. Also, Holy crap! I just looked at some prices on the first 4 scooter wholesale sites Google gave me. $1,900 for a 2014 Roketa 250??? There are two Reflexes near me on CL for $1,600...!! I would be ape- mad if I shelled out $1,900 to get a lemon (IF it was a lemon... better? ) Yep, it's a start. (I kind of figured the China product wasn't doing you any favors  ) I remember a rider (250 Znen) who had the main bearing blow out in something like 2200 miles. Another rider (same model) put the time and effort ( Pirelli tires, Mukuni fuel pump, regular oil changes etc.) to make his scoot right, only to have the main crank blow out at 1500 miles as well. What did both scoots have in common besides model and make? You guessed it, BOTH were made in 2008. Now the funny thing is I've seen ads from owners selling this very model with some pretty high mileage on them, the difference? they were built a few years later, and one had almost 25,000 miles on it and was still being used as a daily driver at the time of sale. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 2, 2014 15:36:04 GMT -5
Yup... denial  1) just because there are a few 'good' ones, doesn't make the rest any better. 2)yeah, most of the evidence here shows that China scoots are problematic, some to a nightmarish level. 3), no, the same money. I'm talking about USED Jap scoots, for the same/close to same price as its new china clone (plus PDI and China to Japan parts upgrade list.) and still being better off. 4)did I ever say ALL China scoots are clones? nope. 5)you coulda fooled me! maybe by strength in numbers... lol In checking things over I think I've gotten to the crux of the matter. You bought a QMJ scooter and had less than stellar performance from it right? Well I hate to be the bearer of belated bad news, but 2008 is INFAMOUS as being the worst in production quality of almost any year to date. (it was when gas prices shot up to near record levels and the Chinese were turning them out as fast as possible) I've heard more horror stories from that year than any other, so I can well understand your bitterness, but that doesn't mean everyone has had the same experience as you. (it's pretty common knowledge that the 10-11-12 model year scooters were more carefully built.) But if you find Honda suits your needs, all the better, just as long as you enjoy the ride. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 1, 2014 22:42:17 GMT -5
Don't apologize. Like finding your way around a computer, everyone has to go through the stage of learning and finding out. Keeping working on it, you'll get the hang of it soon enough. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 1, 2014 22:34:24 GMT -5
How is it insulting to state that Chinese scooters are vastly inferior to Japanese and even Taiwanese scooters? These are facts, and people insulted by truth are often the ones in denial and it's impossible to debate with people clouding their own judgement, so I don't even try. I'm sorry if me stating my feelings about different scooters offends you, but the OP asked for advice, and that's what I'm giving him, based on my personal experiences with several examples of each. Some people don't even realize that you can get good looking, low mileage used quality ORIGINALS to the inferior clones people are buying for almost the same money. This to me is tragic, so I make a point to let them know. Well let's see... 1) Vastly Inferior. Many Chinese scoot owners have put THOUSANDS of miles on their scoots with just regular maintenance (AFTER proper pdi) We have riders who think nothing of taking their machines out for hundreds of miles at a clip. 2) "Clouding their own judgement?" sounds like someone is obsessed and and falling back on pseudo certainty rather than looking at the evidence that can be found in this very forum. 3) "inferior" clones people are buying for almost the same money. (there's that word again) Try one half to one third of said money. 4) Quality "ORIGINALS" My scoot isn't a copy of anything, and in fact is as "original" as any, and has beautiful lines to prove it. 5) You also fail to take into account that the Chinese are continually improving, both in manufacturing ability and quality of the finished product. (the very same road the Japanese once took.) There is no doubt that the machines you favor are well made, beautiful, and reliable scooters. But to discount ALL of the Chinese product is simply unrealistic and not reflective of the evolving trends. The future of scooting belongs to the Chinese.  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 1, 2014 17:31:51 GMT -5
I used to belong to the Yahoo Honda Reflex group, but there is a significant difference between the posts there and here. It's rare to see a post over there about broken switches, cables, etc. especially on newer bikes. Here it seems much more frequent. I do recall a guy blew up his motor, but most posts are more like I bought a used Reflex and it idles poorly, etc. or how do I change my belt, or my water pump is leaking (the most common response being that if a silicate based coolant was used, the mechanical seal will be destroyed). I thought about buying a Chinese made bike first but I wanted true ABS. There were a lot of stories on the Internet that ABS on Chinese bikes was not really ABS but just a pressure limiter to prevent maximum brake pressure from ever being applied. The Reflex ABS works just like on cars with sensors that measure the speed of the front and rear wheel and a separate computer to prevent traction loss. I'm not saying that Japanese aren't well made and will have fewer problems than a comparable Chinese scoot. (I'm also happy not to have the pseudo "ABS" on my machine) But to tar with the same brush, ALL Chinese scooters is silly. Remember, there is no dealer set up or prep on a crate scooter (that's your job) but after the "bugs" are worked out, you can find yourself on a very nice ride (and more in keeping with a modest budget) It comes down to what fits you, the Reflex is a very nice machine, but not the only option for everyone. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 1, 2014 14:32:21 GMT -5
I ride to enjoy not being in a cage protecting me from nature. So long as it is safe, I ride. This means snow and ice are the only things keeping me off my scooter. The rest I enjoy! BTW- that 110f in the shade is a pleasant afternoon in Vegas!  How much snow and ice do you get in Vegas?  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 1, 2014 13:45:05 GMT -5
exaggerate much? while we're tossing numbers around i'll say 1.5X better off with a name brand scoot... i don't know much about the 250's. i have a 150cc jonway that i am very happy with. only problems i have had so far is carb need rejet and front brake light switch broke. 2,500km with no other problems so i don't mind a chinese scoot but i would buy a new honda if i had the cash. from what i have read the roketa 250cc 54 is a good choice on a 2k budget. ok ok, 10,000x is a bit much. More like 5,000x Just take a look around at all the nightmare threads regarding Chinese scooters, specifically the Reflex clones. This forum is only a year old, and It is full of them. Sure, I guess some people have good luck with them, or know enough to nurse them along and claim 'no troubles'... and there are also people with severe cases of denial that their scooter is a rattle-over-every-bump piece . Maybe they just have never ridden a Jap scoot and don't know that they aren't supposed to sound like they are going to fall apart over every manhole. I've ridden at least 6 China scoots and they ALL did. But how many nightmare clones DON'T get posted about? It take balls to admit you bought a piece of junk and ask for help on the internet. I could go on and on and on... HANDS DOWN - the quality, assembly, and longevity of a China scoot is pale in comparison to a Jap scoot. This is indisputable fact. The clone versions of scooters have less options/features (replacing good brakes with a shitty cheap stereo doesn't make up for it). Like I've said before, there's nothing wrong with buying/riding a China scoot, but you better like to, want to learn how, or have a buddy that can turn a wrench, because your gonna need to. Guaranteed. I know my rants may sound like I'm poo-pooing on China scoots, but I fee like its tragic that people are buying these things when there is something USED that is so much better just around the corner for just a little more money. One of my buddies bought a used Yamaha Vino 50cc for $1,100 - almost twice the price of a crate China 50cc, but in 3 years he has had to do NOTHING to it, besides get me to clean out the jets after he let it sit one winter. His buddy bought a China scoot at the same time, it would barely take him up a hill. He is now on his THIRD China scoot currently. "severe case of denial?.....OH PHULEEEZE! I have a Chinese scoot, but of course I did a proper pdi (what those without ability pay a dealer to do for them.) and can guarantee the only way you are going to hear rattles is if you have a can of marbles taped to your helmet. As far as turning a wrench, well, most folks here are GOOD at it, AND IF YOU CAN"T COOK STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN. oh btw, if you go to the blogs of some of those brand name machines you are so enamored with you'll find they of their share of "Horror stories" as well. Your rants don't "sound like" you are poo-pooing Chinese scoots YOU ARE and on a mostly China scoot forum it is insulting and amounts to Trolling. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 1, 2014 12:54:34 GMT -5
I had a young gal walk right into the side of my stake body truck while it was parked in a home improvement center parking lot last year while she was texting. She hit it hard enough that she suffered a concussion which required an ambulance and can you believe this? She hired an attorney to bring a law suit against me. The judge just laughed at her and gave her attorney a good 15 minute chewing out for bringing such a frivolous case into his courtroom. She had to pay my attorney's fees and that pissed her off enough that she started telling the judge he was not competent. The courtroom erupted in laughter. as he told her to close her mouth before she was charged with contempt.  Pity you couldn't countersue. A whole generation with less in their heads than the tires on my scoot. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Jun 1, 2014 0:39:47 GMT -5
I find this attachment gets a scooter noticed and really cuts down on tailgating.  BTW, in all seriousness I ordered the XP modulator from Backoff. (they still might do something stupid but at least they'll know I'm there.) |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on May 31, 2014 18:48:37 GMT -5
It depends, for all out reliability it's hard to beat a Japanese made scooter. On the other hand if you're mechanically inclined, a Chinese scoot with the proper setup (pdi) can serve you well as any. As one rather knowledgeable poster pointed out "frankly, whats wrong with most Chinese scooters is their owners" Good luck with whatever you choose. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on May 30, 2014 15:57:10 GMT -5
It may be an ad, but the scoots are nice anyway.
|
|
