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Post by newtoscoots on Apr 2, 2013 11:55:43 GMT -5
I'd go with the Honda. Even with 8,000 miles on it, it is still the best value at $800 IMO.
I've had two of the Chinese scooters over the past few years. Bought a brand new Jonway Robot from scooter depot drop shipped to my door from the factory. Had to do some assembly, and minor maintenance right of the bat.
After about 6 months, the transmission belt broke and left me stranded. (which I should've changed with a good belt before I ever rode it I learned later)
All in all, it wasn't a terrible buy because it was so cheap, but I just got tired of nickel and diming it all the time. Plus, after it left me stranded a few times, I lost confidence in it on pretty much any ride. It's not fun to go out for a ride and be worried the whole time that you're not gonna make it back home without problems.
After about 2,000 miles on it, and many carb cleanings, fuel filter and line changes, etc., I bought a used Keeway 2t F-act. It is still chinese made but was supposed to be better than the other Chinese scooters.
The oil injection went out within about 3 months, causing me to crack a piston during a ride. Looking back, I honestly believe the seller sold it to me like that and knew that it would be a while before I ran the tank of gas out and he would be long gone.
Other than that, the Keeway has been pretty reliable. I seem to have a lot of problems keeping the carb cleaned out, so I'm constantly taking it off to clean it, even though I use Sea-foam, which is frustrating.
So, I'm now looking at a couple of brand new "name brand" scooters. As someone posted earlier, I just want to "put gas in it and ride" at this point.
The silver lining in owning the two Chinese scoots, is that I learned a LOT about how to service/trouble shoot scooters. I knew nothing about them when I bought my first one. But now, I can confidently clean/replace/re-jet the carb, change the variator and sliders, replace the drive belt, and all the other regular scheduled maintenance.
So, after writing this novel, yeah, I'd go with the $800 Honda without batting and eye.
Good Luck whatever you decide!
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Post by newtoscoots on Mar 31, 2013 21:21:04 GMT -5
[replyingto=marshalldillion]marshalldillion[/replyingto]Thanks for that link. Some info there.
I'd give you some kudos, not sure if they do that on this site or not.?
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Post by newtoscoots on Mar 31, 2013 19:58:49 GMT -5
Out of all the scooters you listed my vote goes to the Aprilia Mojito Yeah, I keep going back to that one too! LOL I didn't want to buy used but that thing has been well kept. I've been emailing the seller for two days now, grilling him on every aspect of the scoot I can think of. He's probably wishing I would just buy it or shut up at this point! LOL. Thanks for your vote though! |
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Post by newtoscoots on Mar 31, 2013 19:56:02 GMT -5
That cheapest scooter costs about the same as 350-400 gallons of gasoline. Now my old junk 4x4 gets about 10mpg in town so it would pay for that scooter in a couple of years if I did not use the truck at all. But if you car gets 25mpg you will never save the cost before scooter wears out. Even in my case, I am driving about 5K miles a year at a gas price of $  /month. Now if I got a loan on a nice new scoot for $ a month, I would not save anything at all. Worse, because I would not be riding the scoot in Dec, Jan, Feb, and probably Mar, but would still have to pay out that $ payment. I am always amazed that people can not use simple arithmetic to figure out things that affect their life. On the other hand, if you simply want a scooter, that is all that has to be said. To actually save money you are going to have to go with something in the $699 price range. On the other hand, when I was young I would simply have walked if it was only 4 miles to work. I'll bet you walked up hill both ways and in the snow as well. I've played the $600 scooter game. I didn't like it. I'm still driving it, but it can be a pain in the neck sometimes. And I have done the math. I'm an engineer for a billion dollar/year company, so I can assure you that I can "use simple arithmetic figure out things that affect my life". I'm 34 and on a plan to retire when I'm 50. A plan that I developed and started saving for when I was 19. I know where every cent I make goes and when it goes and I never deviate from said plan. I'll save you all the details of the spreadsheet that I've created that breaks down each model I'm considering and when they would pay for themselves. But for an example, I'm leaning towards the Kymco agility 125. Spoke at length to a authorized Kymco dealer/service tech about the average longevity on a stock engine for that model. Using the averages he gave me that has seen through his 15 year career, that model would pay for itself in 8.96 years at current gas prices.(which are probably gonna go up) That number is derived using a formula that is reached vs. the cost of driving my Rav4 instead which gets 25mpg easily. If I include the money I'll get from selling my current scooter, that number goes down to 7.86 years. Why drive a scooter instead of the Rav4? I like to keep 3 options on transportation on-hand at all times. My company offers a sizable bonus at the end of the year for perfect attendance. So I make sure that the flat tire/ dead battery fairy's never pay me a visit without at least 2 backup vehicles. So why not have my 3rd option be a scooter that is capable of getting anywhere from 70-100 mpg's? I feel like you're trying to talk me out of buying a nice scooter, and this is a scooter forum, no less. But thank you for your insight. |
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Post by newtoscoots on Mar 31, 2013 15:36:00 GMT -5
Wow, that is really good info. Thanks so much.
Yeah, I'm in NC, this place seems to be just what I've been looking for. They were right under my nose but did not come up on my searches for dealers in my state/area. I live closer to the coast, but the only "nearby" dealers I was finding were all in the western part of the state.
Thanks again. I'm gonna give them a call and see what I can find out.
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Post by newtoscoots on Mar 31, 2013 15:21:27 GMT -5
I only listed one model that wasn't a 50 because it seems to be the only one in my price range I've found so far. From my research, Kymco seems to be the best bang for the buck.
I don't have a mc license but I'm not above getting one if the right deal presents itself. I was just trying to avoid more insurance, more tags to keep up with, and any day away from the DMV is a good day.
In NC you don't have to have tags, insurance, or a MC endorsement for 50cc. But like I said, if I find a bike I think is the perfect option, I'll take the extra step.
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Post by newtoscoots on Mar 31, 2013 15:12:53 GMT -5
Hi, thanks for the reply. Bicycle is out. Even though it's only 4 miles, summer is coming. And 4 miles on a bike in the south eastern North Carolina summer heat would leave me soaking wet from sweat in that humidity. I don't like starting the work day already sweating like I've ran a marathon.  The other catch is the last mile or so is on a very busy major highway. Not crazy about having to traverse those waters on a bicycle.  |
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Post by newtoscoots on Mar 31, 2013 11:25:21 GMT -5
Ok, so after battling the Chinese scooter models for years now, I've decided it would be worth the money to invest in a more reliable brand. I need some help from you experts to help me decide which scooter is best for my situation or if you have any other suggestions, I'm willing to listen to those. Me: I'm 5' 11" 200lbs I use the scoot as alternate transportation to work to save money on gas.(plus they're just fun on nice days .) It's about 4 miles one way. I also want something that I can easily add modifications and upgrades to after the warranty has ran out. BB kits, pipes, performance parts etc. What I'm considering: BRAND NEWKymco Agility 2t 50 for $1,399 + shipping Kymco People 50 for $1, 999 + shipping Kymco Agility 125 for $1, 999 + shipping Kymco Super 8 50 2t for $2,099 + shipping These are prices I found from a dealer in Chicago. They are one of the only places I've found that will ship brands like Kymco. If you know of another site where I can shop and buy name brands like Kymco, etc., please send me the link. USED2004 Aprilia Mojito 2t 7,600 miles New Leo Vince Pipe New Dellorto Carb and 70cc BB Kit All gauges work, paint and body like new. Price: TBD....Seller asking $1,300, I've offered $800. 2007 Kymco agility 50 5,000 miles Cosmetic Issues with body, but nothing major $550 I really didn't want to go used again, but these are better brands than anything I've ever bought, and they seemed like really good deals. Thoughts? Please take a look and let me know what you would choose and why. I included shipping on the new models because the only Kymco dealers remotely close to me only carry one or two at a time so my color/style options are limited. That's why I'm trying to find and online dealer that will ship to me. If you know of a better deal or have any suggestions I"m open to them. You are the experts. I was given a $2,500 allowance for this purchase(by my wife  , but I wanted to keep it no higher that $2k to leave room for accessories such as a stereo etc. If anyone has bought any of the scooter radios for sale out there now I'd love to hear your experience. Thanks for reading. --Newtoscoots |
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/month. Now if I got a loan on a nice new scoot for $