Chines Scooters.

[kwaidonjin]

Hi,
Anyone drive a Chinese scooter??? If so where did you buy from? and, would you do it again??? Thanks.

[DOB012]

I did own a chinese scooter a 2007 TANK 250, bought it off Craigslist and NO I would not do it again ! I know a guy that sells chinese scooters and he offered me one hell of a deal on a 2010 CF Moto 250 Helix clone and I went with a 1998 Honda Helix, he offered it to me for $100 more that I paid for the Helix and I drove 350 miles to get the Helix, and I feel much better about having the 12 year old Honda than a brand new chinese scooter.

[Daboo]

I almost bought a mainland Chinese scooter for my first scooter. Later, I found a support forum for owners of these scooters. I read reports there of things like the windshield breaking off when owners took their bikes down the freeway. The windshield looked pretty, but wasn't designed for those speeds. Another owner wanted to ditch hers. She didn't trust it for anything more than a few miles from home.

The initial price is low, but you will spend a lot over time just keeping it going.

My brother-in-law and I were looking at my Burgman tonight. As I told him, I have almost 47,000 miles on it and about all I do is change the oil, and once a year, change the tires. Since I've bought it, I've saved money, not spent it. Over those 47,000 miles, I've saved over $5800 in gas...almost what I paid for it. I doubt I could say the same of any of the mainland Chinese scooters.

Chris

[Rattan]

We had a Chinese 250cc clone of a Burgman 400 come into the shop last summer for repair. It looked like the biggest POS I or anyone else in the shop have ever seen. Even the paint on the tupperware (black complete with orange-peel) looked cheap and unprofessional. I don't know if it was ever repaired or not but it sat for some time while it was waiting for parts from the manufacturer.

[Chet_Benson]

I owned a Roketa 250. You get what you pay for, it helps to be mechanical to own one. Where in the world are you located?

[kwaidonjin]

Just south of Detroit, Mi.

[sc00ter]

I had a Qlink Commuter 250, the thread is still on this site. Long story short-DON'T GET ONE! Find a used "brand name" scoot instead if purchase price is a issue. Most all China scoots (and bikes) have poor backing from the manufacturer and terrible dealer support, and think how bad it could be if you get a used one! Learn from my mistake and dont even think about it.

[kwaidonjin]

I had a Qlink Commuter 250, the thread is still on this site. Long story short-DON'T GET ONE! Find a used "brand name" scoot instead if purchase price is a issue. Most all China scoots (and bikes) have poor backing from the manufacturer and terrible dealer support, and think how bad it could be if you get a used one! Learn from my mistake and dont even think about it.

O.K. Thanks for the response. I guess other than the attractive (initial) price. They are not worth the headache.

[Chet_Benson]

They might be a good deal IF you did not have a Burgman 400 you can buy. That was why I asked you where you live. I paid about $2000 for my Roketa and it is one of the better ones.

The prices on a used 400 are anywhere from $2000 to $3000 for 400 that would be far better. You will pay a little more for a Burgman, but it will start easy, run great up and down hills, keep on running better, have more stowage area resell easier at a better price.

My 400 has been outside in a cold shed out of the weather for a month now. I can go out there and not wounder if it will start.

I would spent my money on the Burgman as long as I got the money.

[DanteG]

Hi,
Anyone drive a Chinese scooter???

No, but I've pushed a few .

Out of those chinascoot riders whom I've met, exactly one has been happy with his ride ... and he was someone who went through and modified each part of his bike that he felt was less than optimal.

A few of the major scoot manufacturers (Kymco in particular) has sent work to the PROC. The bikes coming from the mainland for said manufacturers are unspectacular but of better quality than the used-car-lot specials being sold. The Kymco Agility, in particular, is fairly good for what it is ( see the latest issue of Scoot for a review).

As a rule, avoid mainland Chinese bikes and go with something made in Taiwan.

[kwaidonjin]

Are the Kymco and Sym both Taiwan made?

[papaburger]

Are the Kymco and Sym both Taiwan made?

The Sym certainly is . I have a RV250 which is great for around town. Granddaughter rides it and wants it in Halifax this Spring for college. I believe the Kymco also is but I am not sure.

[tomfelock]

I briefly had a baja scooter sold by pep boys. I would have to say that other than a bolt coming loose and the fuel gauge not working properly when I first got it - it wasn't that bad a deal considering the price of it.

[kwaidonjin]

I briefly had a baja scooter sold by pep boys. I would have to say that other than a bolt coming loose and the fuel gauge not working properly when I first got it - it wasn't that bad a deal considering the price of it.

The roketa 250's I have been looking at are around 1500$. I can get a Kymco xciting 250 for $3800 plus tax or a new 2008 Burgman for around 4500.

[DOB012]

The roketa 250's I have been looking at are around 1500$. I can get a Kymco xciting 250 for $3800 plus tax or a new 2008 Burgman for around 4500.

Well the Burgman will out last at least 3 Roketa's, Kymco's are decent but for just a bit more money you're back to the Burgman and we all know here you can't go wrong with a BURGMAN.

[kwaidonjin]

I am thinking that is my option, I would get the Roketa over the Kymco, and if I am going to to get a kymco I would spend the extra on the Burgman.

[DanteG]

Not a bad plan. The big two in Taiwan are Kymco & SYM, with PGO being a not-close third. SYM's USA distributors have had a few problems this year(warehouse burning down, prior criticism by SYM, etc), so of the two, Kymco might be the better bet for the immediate future, PGO makes great scoots ( distributed in the USA by Genuine), put the largest bike imported is a 220cc fuel-injected scoot ... quite nice, but not a highway beast.

I statred with a PGO (Genuine Buddy) and wanted a larger bike for longer-distance riding. I've test-ridden some of the larger scoots from the Taiwanese manufacturers ... and bough a Burgman. The other scoots weren't bad _ although a few felt to me like stretched-out smaller-framed scoots), but they didn't have the solid feel for the Burgman.

I'd have to ask afew questions before making any epic pronouncements, though ... what's your riding experience level ? The smaller scoots are much easier to handle. What kind of riding do you intend to do with the scoot ? Do you have a budget in mind ? Are you OK with a used scoot of better initial build quality ?

Sorry to ask as many questions as I've answered, but as good as a Burgman can be, it's overkill for urban commuting or grocery-getting ... just want to see you on the right ride.

[kwaidonjin]

I had a Ninja 250 in college, then a Zx 750 ninja when I was in my late 20's. I had 2 Honda Spree's when I was 13 to 16 yrs old.Budget is good, I can buy a new Burgman(with wife approval) I am just a cheap s.o.b. I am not sure I would get the riding time to make the Burgman worth the purchase. I am a Locomotive Engineer and tend to be working a lot of the time. I would just like something I can hop on after a stressful 12 hr day and ride for a few miles.

[DanteG]

With that array of bikes, you should have no problem with a Burgman. That leaves open the question of the type of riding that you intend to do, and the speeds that you'll need to reach. If you're doing quiet back roads, something as samll as a Buddy might just do it for you. If you intend to hit any highways or ride any didstance, hold out for the Burgman ... if you start smaller, you may just end up wanting to make the upgrade. The Burgman also offers a much more comfortable ride.

If you, like I, are a cheapskate, start with a good used Burgman. The 400 series are reasonable and should be all the scoot that you need to blow off some steam. The classified on this site are a good source (that's how I found mine),

[clava]

A 10 year old Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kymco would be a much better buy than a brand new Chinese scooter.
Parts will always be available for the name brand scooters. You will spend 99% of your time riding with only about 1% of your time on troubles.
On a Chinese scooter you wil spend 99% of your time fretting about a problem and 1% riding.

The Chinese scooters are not a good buy at ANY price.

[sc00ter]

My girl and I are going to replace the Zuma 125 this spring, as its no 2-up scoot. I'm looking at a Kymco Grandvista 250, maybe a used Honda Helix or if we decide to go big a Burgman 400. I know we wont be going on any long rides so Im still leaning toward the 250cc class. Now whatever we pick for the Zuma 125 replacement I will always hang onto my 07 Genuine Buddy 125. A little rough around the edges but it has never left me stranded. Just a cracked frame mount for the rear rack is what caused its early retirement and a rather pricey Yamaha Zuma 125 to take its place.

[G-Bo]

I kinda sway in the middle here. My first scooter was a Jonway YY250T aka Honda Reflex clone. Was fortunate enough to buy it over a year ago from a dealership- MishiPowersports - that warrantied it and is still in business and has been for a few years.

My dilemma was I didn't want to buy a name brand scooter first because I didn't want to have buyer's remorse before the payments ran out. Figured I would spend the $1700 on a fully decked out clone scoot (with a warranty) and if it didn't work out well, then I'd only lost $1700. Well, to my surprise, not only did I take to scootering but my wife did too. So, I got the Burgman since it's my primary transportation and the wife took over the Jonway which is perfect for her since she's an occasional rider around the town. The Jonway has almost 4,000 miles on it and with maintenance being done, it might just make it to 5,000 miles.

Yes, it does take someone who's handy with tools and knows where to order parts should they own a Chinese scooter and not be close to a dealer or a shop that can work on it. It's hit and miss as some scooters can come from the same batch, yet have a 50/50 chance of being excellent or a piece of crap. I think I got lucky with mine.

[kwaidonjin]

I am glad you had a good experience, It just seems like to much a roll of the dice.

[clava]

I kinda sway in the middle here. My first scooter was a Jonway YY250T aka Honda Reflex clone. Was fortunate enough to buy it over a year ago from a dealership- MishiPowersports - that warrantied it and is still in business and has been for a few years.

My dilemma was I didn't want to buy a name brand scooter first because I didn't want to have buyer's remorse before the payments ran out. Figured I would spend the $1700 on a fully decked out clone scoot (with a warranty) and if it didn't work out well, then I'd only lost $1700. Well, to my surprise, not only did I take to scootering but my wife did too. So, I got the Burgman since it's my primary transportation and the wife took over the Jonway which is perfect for her since she's an occasional rider around the town. The Jonway has almost 4,000 miles on it and with maintenance being done, it might just make it to 5,000 miles.

Yes, it does take someone who's handy with tools and knows where to order parts should they own a Chinese scooter and not be close to a dealer or a shop that can work on it. It's hit and miss as some scooters can come from the same batch, yet have a 50/50 chance of being excellent or a piece of crap. I think I got lucky with mine.

Glad you have had good luck with your Jonway. Yours is better than most who have a Chinese scooter. If you surf the internet for Chinese scooter reviews, most folks real life experience has been bad. Kind of like rolling dice, with a name brand scooter, you win most every time. With a Chinese scooter most people lose. Most will not be running 10 years from now. I almost bought one myself when gas last got to $4.00 gallon. But instead I bought a 2005 Yamaha Zuma. Now I have a 650 Burgman. Haven't had a moments trouble with either.

[kwaidonjin]

I think I will pay more for piece of mind.