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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 25, 2017 18:09:39 GMT -5
I prefer to not strain the motor and lower the rpm to rum at speed.(Better for longevity) Always puzzling why NOT initially selecting a scooter with sufficient engine cc's to CRUISE at desired speed preference appears to be a "denial issue"? The 50cc 4-stroke crowd seems to expect their 35mph scoots should go 50mph . . and 150cc 55mph scoots should go 70mph!
Tortoise... GOOD post! Have a bone on the Old Chopper Guy!When old age and arthritis made it too difficult to get on and off the big bikes, I remembered how much I liked scooters in my youth. So... I got a Chinese Xingyue 150 off the Internet, expecting it to be a 45 to 50-mph ride like the scooters in the sixties.
Once I worked out all the typical Chinese bugs, that is exactly what it was. No surprises.As local streets got redesigned, and speed limits went from 35 to 45-mph, and traffic went to 50-55-mph, I tried like so many others to get that elusive "extra 10-mph". The engine had plenty of rpm, and the only mods I made were to improve running and tuning. These included a good CDI, coil, plug and full-diameter exhaust. The engine ran great, with just a teensy bit more power. The real performance increase came from playing with the roller weights. I finally got the 150 to retain decent acceleration and hill-climbing, and top out at an honest 62-mph. BUT... THAT speed was on the flat, with no wind. "Realistic" WOT "cruise" up and down hill and with some wind was slightly over 55-mph. Excellent for a Chinese 150 GY6, but still worthless on a freeway or even on 50-mph speed-limit surface streets where traffic regularly runs 60 to 70-mph. I traded that Xingyue 150 (whomever bought it got the best running Chinese 150 in Texas... LOL!) on a used Kymco Grandvista 250. It's a totally outdated 2007, carbureted and water-cooled with the old "workhorse" water-cooled 250 motor still found in ATV's.
The performance increase over the 150 is nearly unbelievable. On local streets, from a red-light, it actually has "frisky" acceleration up to 50, making it a real pleasure on normal surface streets. Top end (again, on the flat with no wind) is an honest 80+. "Realistic" cruise up and down hills and with some wind is 65 to 70-mph. Unfortunately still NOT NEARLY fast enough for safe freeway use around here, where traffic often exceeds  -mph, BUT fast enough for the occasional shot down the Interstate when necessary to get from one town to another. I just have to be VERY careful and "watch my six" to avoid being rear-ended by a soccer-mom in an Escalade going 100+...
Moral of the story is, Tortoise is RIGHT. Scooters are in general, 45 to 55-mph (or less) city transportation at best. If you need to regularly ride the freeways, and still prefer a semi-step-through "twist n' go" ride over a motorcycle, then you need to get some SERIOUS displacement. And, when scooters grow to 600-800cc they get as large and heavy as touring motorcycles, losing that great nimble city handling.
For riders like me, who just want to be safe (not a "rolling road-block") on surface streets, most any 250 or 300cc ride is fine. Some of the newest smaller-displacement scoots are even adequate, but pricey. Also, the mid-sized ITALIAN scooters are F-A-S-T and affordable too! If you live in an area where 65-mph will actually work on the highway, most any 250 will do. And, you can get them used, in mint condition VERY affordably.
You can never have too much power, only not enough. So I strongly suggest test-riding MANY possible choices before buying, AND always consider used scooters. The 250 class is disappearing, and truly mint rides can be had for very little money. Once you ride even a modest, old larger-displacement scoot, you will probably be mighty pleased to see it run much more capably than even a highly-modified typical low-tech 150. "There's no replacement for displacement"...
Whatever you ride, do ride SAFE!Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 23, 2017 13:10:37 GMT -5
As a scooter owner that may be true for you. Out in the world there are numerous bikes zipping through standing traffic and carrying goods in their luggage. People who ride either are loyal. They both serve a purpose. I have both.
I rode big bikes for a half-century and loved them. Now I ride scooters and love them... If I had more money, and less arthritis I'd have both also! Whether a motorcycle, scooter, van, sedan, sportscar, truck, boat or whatever, you just have to appreciate it for what it is, and ignore what it is not... Or something like that... LOL!Scooters and motorcycles really ARE totally different critters. After a lifetime of riding, I have to admit BOTH genres have their own advantages and disadvantages. For me, the 250cc class of scooters seems to offer the best all around mix of both. I find my old 250 Kymco to be nearly as handy in traffic as a 150, and I love the lack of clutch and gears. So long as 65-mph is enough, it even cruises as well (or better) than my old 1970 Harley bagger, and holds more stuff when shopping. Scooters and cycles are different, but for general purpose riding, midsized scoots are a pretty good compromise. Most riders will lean toward one or the other, but can still be happy on either. Whatever you ride, ride safe!Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 21, 2017 21:52:25 GMT -5
Upping the front tire pressure by 2 to 3 psi will usually mitigate the head shake as will going with a tire that does not have a alternating chevron tread pattern such as the Michelin Pilot Power Pure. Motorcycles using the same tread alternating chevron tread patterns will also have head shake as many race track videos will prove out. Heavy fisted front braking will cause the chevron tire treads to squirm more and wear on the leading edge of the tread blocks further magnifying the head shake. Of course that is assuming that the bike is not overloaded and the preload on the rear shocks is set to match the weight being loaded on the scooter.
OK, I do know not ALL techniques will work on ALL bikes, but... That being said, My first scooter, a Chinese Xingyue 150, exhibited terrible wobble ANY time I "tested" it by letting go of the bars at ANY speed above a walk. In fairness, grabbing even one bar would stop it, but that wobble sucks. I upped the front tire pressure from "recommended" 32 psi to 36 psi (max. psi on the crappy low-end factory Kenda tires) and the wobble almost went away! Almost, but not completely: but SO much improved that I was ecstatic considering the super-cheap factory tires. When I got "Minnie Mouse", my current well-used Kymco Grandvista 250 she wore brand-new Kenda cheapie "J" speed rated tires (62-mph). They were AWFUL! My front end wobbled and shimmied at most any speed, ESPECIALLY when decelerating from say, 60 down to 20. At 20 I could hardly hang onto the bars! I was DIS-FREAKIN'-SGUSTED...  I immediately changed out the tires to "P" rated ( -mph) better quality tires (Michelin Power Pure rear, and Shinko front). The brand-mix was due to my wanting whitewalls, and Shinko was the only P-rated whitewall I could find to fit the front, and nobody makes a whitewall to fit the rear... The Michelin had a good sidewall profile for painting a fake... Just me! The mix works fine, and ALL shimmy went away (as long as both tires are fully inflated). It was like a NEW scooter!!!
Even today, if I let the front tire get below 28 psi, I get a teensy bit of wobble when decelerating, but very little. I find my particular scoot handles it's very BEST at all speeds from walking-speed to top-end of 80-  on the flat with no wind with both tires inflated to 36 psi.
That's probably a tad hard for some riders, but "the Mouse" is at her best at 36 psi fore and aft.Since MANY scooters exhibit wobble, I'd bet the farm that often it's due to the common "build practice" of the front fork downtubes ONLY being attached to the BOTTOM triple-tree, and made WORSE with a step-through frame... Cheesh... Can't they at least run the dang fork tubes through BOTH triple-trees like a MOTORCYCLE? That surely would stiffen up the front fork! And reduce wobble tendency... Hooray for the 1950's Cushman Eagle... LOL!
So, to make a long story shorter, Rockynv's advice DID work on my 150, and, going to major-brand J-rated tires, fully inflated did WONDERS for my 250. Regardless of tire pressure, the style of tire MUST make a real difference and if possible, it's good to try different types. However that is probably unrealistic for most casual riders like myself. These ARE scooters... Not crotch-rockets. I'm a "grocery-getter" rider who just loves getting my knuckles in the wind with occasional romps on the interstate, so as long as the old Mouse is fairly safe, I'm happy.When I feel "the need for speed" I now have the luxury of wringing out my "new" 2004 Honda Accord with a Type-R motor and drive-train... Woo-HOO! Does that frisky little hamster go, or WHAT? She's about as quick, and as fast as my beloved "Old Blue" chopper... Durned clever them Japanese!We all know even the best racing motorcycles CAN exhibit fork wobble. Many have little hydraulic dampers from the frame to a fork-leg. Even my old 1957 Hog had a screw-down friction damper on the fork that worked GREAT... I'd LIKE something like that on a scooter!
Ride safe, and save the wobbles for the "Weebles"... LOL!Leo ("we scooter-jockeys wobble, but we don't fall down...") HOPEFULLY... in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 18, 2017 22:02:38 GMT -5
Gosh, I really like both guys... Abe was really "macho" in the Godfather, and even as "Detective Fish"... But I think Boris' long-term portrayal of rough movie creatures gives him the edge as most macho. Just me. Kat, I love fishies too... They're DELICIOUS... LOL! Sorry, I just couldn't resist...  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 18, 2017 21:42:05 GMT -5
Cheesh... I guess some of these creations from Asia arise from the incredible variety of "stuff" manufactured by Asian companies... You know, "The Hungdong Industries" makers of motorcycles, scooters, tractors, kitchen stoves, cattle gates, ditch diggers, birth control devices, etc. Look at Honda's "fill your dream garage" ads on TV. That plethora of devices from one manufacturer doesn't exactly blow my dress up, but with folks like Honda, at least you can count on the stuff being great quality, even if not beautiful... Sorta like Glock pistols I suppose. They don't exactly melt my butter either, but they shoot great.
I know, I'm SO old-school picky... LOL!  I guess if a builder makes a great car or bike, it figgers that they can probably make a good mousetrap, or execution machine or whatever too...  Leo (glad Kymco makes scooters, Harley makes motorcycles and HONDA makes ACCORDS) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 14, 2017 22:53:56 GMT -5
Gotta go with BOWLING...
At least with BOWLERS it's OK to have a beer-gut... LOL! That's macho enough for me...
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Cursed?
by: oldchopperguy - Apr 14, 2017 19:57:09 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 14, 2017 19:57:09 GMT -5
I think the older you get trikes are the best my wife and I have no problem with our body's since the trike is all gas and go LOL
TRIKES are indeed wonderful bridges between two wheels and four... Probably I'm not too far away from needing to go to three wheels myself. I'm just prolonging the transition for as long as I can safely ride on two wheels... I just love the sweeping turns and maneuverability of a bike. But when the old sense of balance gives out, a trike looks mighty fine! Some of my pals have gone to trikes in their "golden years" but usually pricey Harleys, Can Am Spyders and such. TOO expensive to buy and maintain for my blood. If I go to three wheels, it will likely be some sort of scooter... Maybe even a sidecar added to my beloved "Minnie Mouse". Who knows? Ride safe!Leo in Texas |
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Cursed?
by: oldchopperguy - Apr 14, 2017 19:48:43 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 14, 2017 19:48:43 GMT -5
Unca Viejo Rapido, you really DO have ALL the bestest stories! Did the missus know you were out street-racing Rhonda? You bad boy you. Yeah, never mind chaining up Minnie, you better start chaining up Rhonda. Except they probably all respect you now. I doubt that group will steal her. And if she does ever come up missing, just tell Flaco and he'll put out the word. Rhonda'll be back on your drive by nightfall. You are SUCH a bad Viejo! >'Kat
Ah... The missus knows, and INSISTS Rhonda II be immediately retired, undefeated... LOL! And put back on duty to and from the docs, Wally World, etc... You are most likely right about the local tribes... I get along great with them, and they do look out for their pals. Rhonda is probably safer here than most older Hondas. (With her electronic programmed keys, she's harder to steal, too). Now I realize why the Mexican fellows at the dealer wanted THIS car themselves! They were a tad unhappy she sold within minutes of being prepped!If you snooze, you lose... LOL! Some days you're the dog, and some days you're the hydrant... THIS time, I got to be the lucky dog! Ride safe... Leo |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 13, 2017 23:05:10 GMT -5
Kat,
I surely hope you can get back on Peej by riding season! Just around the corner... In the mean time, here's a funny story to cheer you up...
I mentioned in a post that my "new" car, "Rhonda II" an '04 Accord with a "lucky accidental motor" combination containing mostly "Type R" components surprised me when I tried keeping up with a local tuner kid. Incredibly, Rhonda (with AC still on) not only kept up, but blew by him, and his car is a local money-maker on the street... Who knew?The local kid who happened to witness the feat has been bugging me to race him just to see if that "performance" was a fluke. So I finally relented, followed him and a posse of local Batos and a scantily-clad muchacha with a well-worn Mexican flag to a secluded strip by the airport. I insisted Rhonda is my grocery-getter, and was NOT having a career street-racing, and no money would be bet. This was a one-time test against "Flaco's" tuner Civic just to see how they compared... So... I turned off the AC, engaged the traction-control, locked the brakes and took out the slack in the drive train. Our intrepid starter girl dropped the flag and Flaco's Civic and Rhonda had at it. The manual-tranny Civic broke loose the front wheels, and Rhonda spun a turn or two and dug-in with SERIOUS grunt. She jumped 4 cars ahead and kept widening the gap all the way to the "marked-off" quarter-mile, her speedo showing 124-mph. Whew!!! Dang! No funky graphics, no coffee-can mufflers, but... Baby Rhonda IS one frisky little hamster!THAT was her first and last official street-race, but it earned me my street creds... I now have a street rep, and a street "handle"... Yup... I now (Get this...) officially am "El Viejo Rapido"! That roughly translates to "the fast old geezer"... NOT something to enhance an old Gringo's resume, but definitely big stuff around the trailer park...  Our nubile starter-girl (probably all of 13...) summed it up perfectly in broken English... "Theeze carro, I like! The leather, she smell so GOOD, not like those blankets in Flaco's carro... (ouch!) And, she don't even make no noise! She eez no show, she eez all go!
I think I have a groupie... The missus would NOT be impressed... LOL!  Now, if only I can keep Rhonda from getting stolen... Cheesh! If it's not one thing, it's another... 
Have a good chuckle on my 12-second grocery-getter! And, get well fast!Leo "El Viejo Rapido" (now retired from racing for good..) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 12, 2017 21:15:32 GMT -5
Kat, BUMMER!
As a long-term serious Christian, I can assure you that both cursing and blessing are real, but I don't think Peej is infested with demons... I've never heard of an inanimate object being "possessed" although most folks who had anything to do with James Dean's "Lil' Bastard" Porsche might totally disagree... All a matter of personal opinion.
Could be your physical ailments came about from not riding Peej enough... Suffering from no-riding withdrawal... LOL! Probably not...
I've noticed that I tend to have more physical problems during periods of no riding, but it's most likely just old age... Riding regularly keeps the blood flowing and the joints moving.
I know you're a regular church-going believer, so, if in doubt... Lay hands on Peej, bless the little scoot in the Lord's name, curse any devilish stuff that might be attached and get on down the road. It certainly can't hurt, and just might help! Stranger things have happened!
In the mean time, be happy that the brakes on these things are usually easier on the hands (and thumbs) than clutches and brakes on big motorcycles! Now THAT is a blessing... Yup!
Occasionally, I've had to ride with a messed-up thumb. You CAN use the throttle and brakes with a "monkey-grip" leaving your thumb on top of the grip. It feels strange at first, but it works...
Ride safe,
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 9, 2017 23:03:57 GMT -5
Sounds like you're gonna be OK after all... Some days you're the DOG, and some days you're the HYDRANT... LOL! Looks like you're the lucky dog this time!
Ride safe, and enjoy that vintage Honda! I just lucked out with a vintage Honda myself for a good price, but it's a car... An '04 Accord in genuinely NEW condition! Love them Hondas...
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 9, 2017 22:54:11 GMT -5
I prefer Ozzie's music, but prefer Alice's showmanship. Alice carried that big snake around onstage too. I know you like Chuck better Leo, but you must admit that "School's Out" was a great tune. "We can't even think of a word that rhymes!" Actually, every generation of rockers has their own greats... I just was born too early to fully appreciate some of them, and still prefer the REALLY old-school stuff. Just age I suppose... I still love the sound of music recorded with just one old ribbon-mike, off-key singing, out-of-tune pawn-shop guitars, etc. I guess it goes hand-in-hand with flathead motors, bobby-socks and propeller-beanies... Every now and then, a "modern" (well, modern to me at least) tune gets to me though. I just love "We Will Rock You" and "Sharp-Dressed Man". Of course, I also like Bluegrass and Southern Gospel... Go figger...
Whatever you like, CRANK IT UP... and RIDE SAFE!Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 8, 2017 11:16:00 GMT -5
A youngster looking for something 300-650cc will find a motorcycle is more affordable than a maxi scooter. -The maxi scooter still provides big advantages like no hand clutch, wind/weather protection, cargo capacity and low leg swing over height.
The consideration here is, do I want a clutch n' gears MOTORCYCLE, or a twist n' go SCOOTER?Most younger riders are going to prefer a motorcycle, and a LOT of acceleration. Nowadays, you can get that in a bike as small as 600cc... and for an affordable price. As stated in other replies, the larger displacement SCOOTERS are a breed all their own, and have a loyal, but VERY small following. They appeal to riders who do not care for a true motorcycle, and prefer a simpler ride. I'm now in that category even though I have a lifetime of riding big bikes. At 70, arthritis keeps me from getting on and off the big bikes, so I deliberately searched out a step-through scooter that could still reach 70-mph for highway use when needed. In addition, since I use the scooter for shopping and general transportation instead of the family car, I like the cargo capacity offered by a scooter with a trunk. For me, a scooter is the perfect alternative to a motorcycle. While a carbureted 250 is certainly is not exactly "exciting" in performance, it will keep up with all but the most frisky traffic, gives over 80-mpg and is as easy to operate as the family sedan with auto-trans. It's nimble as a bicycle in traffic, and honestly as comfortable at 65-mph as my old Harley baggers of the 1970's (the Givi windshield on mine is far better than the old Hog windshields).So... In my case, I'm an old geezer who loves bikes, but nowadays wants a compact car on two wheels. The step-through 250 is exactly that... And it's a dying breed. There are still a few new models out there mostly upped to 300cc, and there are a lot of great used ones at affordable prices like my '07 Kymco Grandvista 250. If the 250 class scooter is your cup of tea, I'd highly recommend you consider USED models from Japan, Taiwan and Italy in addition to new ones. I did test-ride a few Chinese used 250's 3 years back before settling on the Kymco. They were "mint" condition, but did not stack up well to the non-Chinese makes in feel, handling or performance. They were CHEAP, but to me, not that much of an improvement over an air-cooled 150. The kind of ride you're looking for IS out there, both new and used, but you have to really search them out. If I was looking today for a 250-300cc scooter, I would definitely lean toward Taiwanese, or Italian models. They seem to give the most value for the money, and are very well made.
If you can afford a new one, that Piaggio 350 has GOT to be a top-choice!
Hope you find just the right one!Ride safe!Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 4, 2017 22:33:46 GMT -5
This is more like Creepy Monday. And I'm not sure which one's creepier. Yeah, Kat... Both are sorta creepy. Sorta like "Which one is more macho: Kim Jong Un or Joseph Stalin?" EEEWWWW! I went with Cooper... Just seems more macho for a hard-case weirdo to suffer with the name: "Alice" on top of everything else... LOL! The "Boy named Sue" syndrome in real life.
I'm not a big fan of either one. Gimme Chuck Berry any day... Gonna miss him! |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 4, 2017 22:21:15 GMT -5
I've always been of the opinion that there have been three problems with Chinese scooters. First, selling them in a crate to just anybody is not wise. Too many people don't understand that they need a good prep and blame the scooter when they fall apart. Two, Unscrupulous importers were more interested in selling the cheapest built lump they could so they ordered the scooters with the cheapest parts they could order. Chinese built bikes from REAL companies like Piaggio, Benelli, Suzuki, SYM and Kymco have shown that they are world class despite where they were built. Third, Too many people have expected a $1000 scooter to be up for the abuse you can give a $4000 one. There's a reason a Chinese scooter costs that little. It isn't made from aircraft spec metals. Ridden sensibly they will last. Beat on them and they'll crumble.
I think you're right on the money... And, the quality/longevity of various bits and pieces seems to vary monumentally from one scooter to another... Too much really good stuff comes from China to make me think great quality is not obtainable. I even see complex diagnostic equipment from China in hospitals... And of course, China does build rides for major "name brand" makers. The lower cost of "made in China" items to some extent must be attributed to their "questionable" business practices, blatant patent infringements, manipulation of their money and atrocious "starvation-pay" treatment of virtual slave laborers. I suppose the next years will bring a lot of changes as our new administration attempts to level the trade field with China, and pressures China to engage in managing the out-of-control leadership of North Korea. There are bound to be MAJOR changes in that area of the world coming VERY soon. I hope they may be attained without using things made in USA "that go bang". Only time will tell, but it's likely to get VERY ugly. The whole business only reinforces my personal choice to go with clean USED rides from Japan, Europe and especially Taiwan. Just me, largely because I wanted a really reliable mid-sized scooter for much less than $3,000. Now in my 3rd season on "Minnie Mouse", my trusty old Kymco 250, I feel like she was a good choice over a new Chinese 250, even if the Chinese scoot might have cost a little less brand-new. The old Kymco has been 100% reliable, with GOOD performance up to over 70-mph... And, always giving OVER 80 mpg with most riding being city. Again, just me... There are SO many alternatives when choosing a ride that each buyer simply has to make up his/her own mind. As Humphrey Bogart said in "The African Queen": "Ya pays yer' money and takes yer' choice..."
Whatever you choose, ride safe!Leo in Texas |
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-mph, BUT fast enough for the occasional shot down the Interstate when necessary to get from one town to another. I just have to be VERY careful and "watch my six" to avoid being rear-ended by a soccer-mom in an Escalade going 100+...
-mph) better quality tires (Michelin Power Pure rear, and Shinko front). The brand-mix was due to my wanting whitewalls, and Shinko was the only P-rated whitewall I could find to fit the front, and nobody makes a whitewall to fit the rear... The Michelin had a good sidewall profile for painting a fake... Just me!
on the flat with no wind with both tires inflated to 36 psi.
