1,000 mile update ATM 150-A Chinese Scooter

[ikillbugs]

I have not been to the forum in a while so I thought I would post an update on how my $750 Chinese scooter is doing.

Bought new on Feb.1 2012. I had numerous issues with the exhaust bolts loosening up at the manifold and finally resolved it with lock washers. Then 2 weeks ago suddenly it broke off. Literally, snapped right at the place where it attaches to the engine.

I ordered a replacement from the local dealer and the next day it started becoming harder to start, and within a couple days if I did not keep it running it would stall and not start again.

This was a welded-on float bowl carb so there was no repairing it so I picked up a new (OEM) carb from the same dealer and had the same issues. This one, however, has screws on it so I could take it apart. After 2 days I returned it for another carb. I spent $50 on the carb originally then I saw they had an upgraded carb, which I paid the difference on ($40 more). No problems after that, ran beautifully on first try. Installed the new exhaust and I am back in business after about a week.

The upgraded carb I thought was a Japanese model but research said otherwise, but it looked better made than the OEM and it did work flawlessly. The stamping on it was HC - IC Standard of Japan. Japanese or not, it works so I am not complaining.

So, to recap, 3 months of use, just over 1,000 miles (1,700 km) had to replace the carb and exhaust. The exhaust is one piece... pipe, muffler, etc all in one. $100 + tax.

Just shy of $100 in gas in the 3 months and 1,000 miles I have had it, plus a bit over $200 in repairs, $950 purchase price incl. TT&L. $75 for the saddlebags and $40 for the new (used) top box. Less than $1400 in ownership cost to date.



Photo is an old pic. I have since replaced the top box with an older, used Givi box. You see the bungee holding the original box in place. Durn thing broke within 2 weeks.

[Rebel]

Well you have a good looking scooter, it has a good owner who seems able to handle what happens to the scooter.

Glad to have you back.

[ikillbugs]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I am "capable" of handling hiccups along the way but it sure is frustrating. I knew this going in so I am not complaining.

I have had my eyes on Craigslist and will be upgrading to a regular motorcycle as soon as I can afford it. Still up in the air, Honda Rebel 250 or a Kawasaki Ninja 250. I am not into racing or abusing a bike but the Ninja 250 gets nothing but thumbs up regarding beginners ease of use and ridability. Just because it's a crotch rocket doesn't mean it has to be ridden like one (fast and carelessly). On the other hand, a clean, simple cruiser would look nice in my driveway as well.

Until then I honestly can't say I regret my purchase of this Chinese scoot. It is fulfilling a need, doing what it was intended to do, even with the expected quirks everybody warns about.

Tomorrow morning I will be riding it to work for the first time in a week and a half, all fixed and ready to roll :-)

[Rebel]

Regarding the motorcycles choice. I have a '86 450 rebel and am on a Honda Rebel forum, those guys love their 250 rebels but the seat is known to be uncomfortable without modifying it. They are a bit small for a six foot tall guy.

[ikillbugs]

May 21, 2012 2:12:24 GMT -5 Rebel said:

They are a bit small for a six foot tall guy.

I have ridden the Rebel 250. I like the looks and overall simplicity of the bike. I am only 5'7" so the size will not be as much of a factor to me. I have test ridden a V-Star 250 as well, and for the right price, heck anything in that size range will do. I even saw a nice Nighthawk 250 for only $1750 but dang... didn't have the money.

I primarily only ride to the grocery store and to work. It's only a 12 minute, 5.2 mile commute to work so comfort has not been an issue. I did ride my scoot 16 miles across town several days in a row and I did get a little rattled over that distance. If I had to make that commute on a regular basis I would certainly look into upgrading sooner. It certainly isn't a Cadillac.

[bullet]

IMO a Rebel is easier for a newbie. The Ninja is great and will blow the saddlebags off a Rebel but its engine is peakier (?) than the Rebel requiring more shifting in every day traffic. The 250 Rebels have been known to go 80,000+ miles with care and will run 65 MPH all day long. BTW our 250 Rebel averages 75 MPG in mixed riding up to 50 MPH. Visit a Rebel forum. People are doing some amazing things to and on these motorcycles.

[Rebel]

Here is the rebel forum I'm a member of.

www.rebel250.com/rebelforum/index.php

I have not been on there much at all for the last year or so, just because I have been busy with a lot of other stuff, but the guys there are great, they do love the Rebels and some of them go on thousand mile rides on them.

I'm a cruiser fan and the little rebel just fits the styling very well and being a Honda it runs forever. The guys there will tell you that the Nighthawk is a more comfortable ride though.

[ikillbugs]

$1,000+/- investment, $200 in gas, 2017 miles. the Chinese scooter is history.

I have been having issues lately with it not running correctly and my top speed has been slowly decreasing. Half way to work this morning it was spitting and sputtering like "usual" and suddenly it died. Nothing. Just quit.

I was finally faced with the walk of shame.... 1/2 mile to the next light where a co-worker picked me up with his truck.

Maybe it's a simple fix but I decided to let somebody else deal with it. I posted it on Craigslist this morning for $100 and it was sold in 5 minutes.

7 months in the world Chinese Scooterdom as my primary mode of transport. Did it frustrate me? Yup. Did it worry me on occasion whether or not it would get me to work? Lately, yes. Would I buy another one? Absolutely.

It is what it is, and I knew the problems I was getting into, but for a fun little put-around errand runner, it's OK.

I was tempted to buy another one this morning, even after all the issues. This time I would be aware of some of the little things and take preemptive steps, even those that didn't occur to me before. Yes I did the PDI but not with a fine tooth comb. I could have been a bit more thorough but all in all I think I did stave off some bigger problems.

After contemplating buying another one like this (a RED one this time!) I made phone call and was able to get some money to add to what little I have now and get a real bike instead. Tomorrow I am picking up a 2001 Honda Shadow VLX.

Thanks for the input these past several months and thanks for the fellowship. I'll chime in once in a while and if I pick up another Chinese scoot, I'll let y'all know.

Ciao for now!


Ready to be loaded up for the new owner.


So long, Piglet.

[Rebel]

Hey, we like other two wheeled transportation too. Feel free to let us know about your new ride.

[ikillbugs]

2002 Honda Shadow VLX 600cc. All stock except the pipes.

Previously I mentioned it was a 2001 but the guy I got it from was mistaken. VIN says it's an '02. 10k miles on it. It appears to have been stored outside. Much of the chrome is oxidized and the rear turn signal housings are peeling. I'm not complaining though. $2200 price tag.

[Deleted]

Aug 23, 2012 21:11:42 GMT -5 ikillbugs said:

2002 Honda Shadow VLX 600cc. All stock except the pipes.

Previously I mentioned it was a 2001 but the guy I got it from was mistaken. VIN says it's an '02. 10k miles on it. It appears to have been stored outside. Much of the chrome is oxidized and the rear turn signal housings are peeling. I'm not complaining though. $2200 price tag.

CONGRATS NICE RIDE

thats my fav kind of bike, Asian with a oil cooler, some folks put unbelievable amounts of miles on those, my friend is selling his harly for a big honda just for the extra miles they put out.

[Rebel]

very nice looking.

FYI the stock exhaust is usually a double wall pipe and it keeps the outside pipe cooler so the chrome does not blue as much. I noticed the rear pipe has more bluing, you might just make sure it isn't running hot on that back cylinder, it could be a problem in the long run if it is, as in a burnt valve.

[ikillbugs]

Aug 23, 2012 22:30:37 GMT -5 @terranuvo said:

CONGRATS NICE RIDE

thats my fav kind of bike, Asian with a oil cooler, some folks put unbelievable amounts of miles on those, my friend is selling his harly for a big honda just for the extra miles they put out.

Yeah, it's not uncommon to see these water cooled Hondas go 50k trouble free without blinking an eye, and the Goldwings... pffft there's a GW here locally on craigslist w/ 95k miles and it's still $6,000.

[ikillbugs]

Aug 24, 2012 0:11:55 GMT -5 Rebel said:

very nice looking.

FYI the stock exhaust is usually a double wall pipe and it keeps the outside pipe cooler so the chrome does not blue as much. I noticed the rear pipe has more bluing, you might just make sure it isn't running hot on that back cylinder, it could be a problem in the long run if it is, as in a burnt valve.

Thanks, and yes the blueing I was concerned about, and I did notice the stock exhaust you mentioned on all VLX's I've seen, therefore concluded this is aftermarket. It's loud, too but watching YouTube vids I noticed even the stock pipes are loud on this bike.

I asked my brother about the blueing and he didn't seem to be to concerned about it. His '06 Vulcan 900 has blueing and he bought it new.

My pipes are single wall, and have no markings so they may just be cheap pipes.

[Rebel]

Well, I only mentioned it because I have aftermarket pipes on my Honda and noticed one side bluing more than the other and then i found a vacuum line for that side was missing.