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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: ShuttleBug on July 30, 2013, 05:34:23 PM

Title: China Scooters?
Post by: ShuttleBug on July 30, 2013, 05:34:23 PM
Are there any scooters made in china of equal or close quality to a Kymco or SYM?  Those that have owned both give your opinion.   From what I have heard and been reading on other forums there quality control has gotten alot better since 2011???   

If you were going to buy a scooter other than a Kymco what would it be?

I have only ridden 2 scooters both Kymcos a 50 2t and a people 150 both were impressive and of high quality.  :)
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: ginger cat on July 30, 2013, 05:58:00 PM
Lexmoto or pulse here in uk are cheap , they arent good but they if you are mechanically good you can maintain it properly so it can last about 3-4 years.

We got some guys at work with Pulse and Lexmoto , in 2 years they only had to change exhaust from the main things cause it fell apart due to poor metal quality that they use.

I would consider buying chinese product only if i would definite that ill ride only for a year or less not as long term transport , generally its cheaper and safer to buy Kymco/Sym or any other brand among them or higher.

I would personally buy Honda pcx or piaggio , but my mind was messed up when i was buying 1st bike so i ended up with Kymco which i regret sort of.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on July 30, 2013, 09:17:28 PM
Other than a Kymco ?- for the price and quality it would be a SYM. If i had more $ to spend it would be a Honda.
Take a look at the SYM's, read the forums and reviews, etc.
It is another very impressive Taiwan scooter.
{Putzing around the neighborhood - as a plaything while not expecting to ride it more than a very few hundred miles - then I'd look at a Chinese scoot. My son and his buddies went together and bought a 50cc Chinese scoot  a few months ago - after 3 rides they had to order new starter parts. After a 1/2hour more of riding it quit again. Now sitting in my garage gathering dust. They got maybe 2 hours riding out of it.  I have spoken with 2 riders who have Chinese 250's --they like them, and have 2,500 & 10,000 miles on them}
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: ShuttleBug on July 30, 2013, 09:37:09 PM
What brand of Chinese scooter are you talking about the bad one and the other 2 good ones.  Is there any that are proven to be better than others?  I have seen the Taotao mentioned a few times as being one of the better ones????

I agree I have heard a lot of good things about SYM, they are expensive equal to Honda in price, Kymco seems to bridge the price gap between the Chinese and Japanese scooters.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on July 30, 2013, 09:44:16 PM
Please take a look at this post on Chinese scooters.

My son's scoot had no name on it, some decals in a box that they never put on.

http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=9420.0 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=9420.0)
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: tortoise on July 30, 2013, 09:56:26 PM
Are there any scooters made in china of equal or close quality to a Kymco or SYM?
Lance (http://lancepowersports.com/models/index.html) and Tomos (http://www.tomosusa.com/pages/model/nitro150).  Znen (http://scootersus.com/motorinosupremo-150cc.html) and Linhai (http://scootersus.com/aeolusscooters.html) may also be worth consideration.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: bleys on July 30, 2013, 11:12:07 PM
Lance (http://lancepowersports.com/models/index.html) and Tomos (http://www.tomosusa.com/pages/model/nitro150).  Znen (http://scootersus.com/motorinosupremo-150cc.html) and Linhai (http://scootersus.com/aeolusscooters.html) may also be worth consideration.

I would also consider CF Moto.  If you are looking for cheaper than  Kymco with some quality, you may also want to consider Hyosung - they are Korean.  None of these match Kymco or Sym quality - but they may be acceptable.  Just remember you get what you pay for and these will all lack something - build quality, reliability, safety, or dealer network.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: ophelia on July 30, 2013, 11:54:37 PM
Some of the Kymcos are made in China now. My dealer prefers the Taiwanese models, saying he has fewer problems and notices higher quality parts.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Vivo on July 31, 2013, 01:40:50 AM
(http://www.ibike.com.hk/02_mc/aeon/ban01.jpg)
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: blue on July 31, 2013, 02:47:48 AM
hell ya there is my motofino is stell runing and my kymco is in the middle of a gy6 swap.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Pimpy1 on July 31, 2013, 02:55:05 AM
(http://www.ibike.com.hk/02_mc/aeon/ban01.jpg)

I would ride that. :P
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: ShuttleBug on July 31, 2013, 06:16:11 PM
Vivo, you live in a perfect place to answer my questions, are there any quality Chinese scooters running around Luzon or Cebu or Mindanao?   Adding that hot babe picture completely made my day!   I agree I would ride that...scooter also.  ;)
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: kingkymco125 on August 01, 2013, 09:43:20 PM
My very first scooter I every purchased was a Jon Way scooter for about $600.00 in change. Little did I know I was in for a rude awakening. This 50cc lasted some seven months before I sold it for $400.00. It had all types of problems and it was lemon. I was happy to get rid of it. My second scooter I brought was a 50cc Roketa which was a bit better. It lasted for about 2 years until it broke down.
 
I could never go back to riding any Chinese scooter. The quality is horrible and many of the bikes here in Vegas are throw away bikes. Since I purchased my Kymco Agility 125cc last year, I could never go back to riding a Chinese scooter. The quality of the Kymcos are so much better. I have noticed in Vegas how everyone that rides the 50cc Chinese ones have put 80cc big bore kits in them.

My dealer told my SYM purchased the Lance brand. I would think this makes the Lance quality better since they are no longer dealing with Chinese standards, but those of the Lance company standards.

If money was no object, of course I would purchase a Vespa just for the name. Everyone knows who they are.  I would consider a Honda Silverwing, or Honda 150 scooter. Of course these bikes will last a very long time.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Vivo on August 02, 2013, 01:36:00 AM
My previous Chinese ride was a Chunlan 100cc... rode trouble free for seven years... broke a speedo cable and a carb gasket... it was engulfed by a 15 foot mud flood back in 2009... left under a tree for three years... I swapped it with a neighbor's  puppy... the new owner just cleaned it, replaced the stator, spark plug and carburetor...changed the oil.. and fired it up... still runs up to this day... with more than 50,000 miles on the odometer... I wanted to buy it back but he will not sell... ;D
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: jprestonian on August 02, 2013, 01:49:26 AM
My dealer told my SYM purchased the Lance brand.

That's not far from right, but actually, the company now known as Alliance Motorsports contracted with SYM to produce one scooter a few years ago, badged as the Lance Cali Classic 125. It was essentially a SYM Fiddle 125 with a different skin, and a few other changes (like the naked handlebars). After Lance severed ties with mainland Chinese manufacturers, this was the only bike they offered in the U.S. (while still a mainland Chinese product, but with SYM quality controls). Not sure what, if any changes to to Lance line-up include.
.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: GLV55 on August 03, 2013, 04:59:05 AM
That's not far from right, but actually, the company now known as Alliance Motorsports contracted with SYM to produce one scooter a few years ago, badged as the Lance Cali Classic 125. It was essentially a SYM Fiddle 125 with a different skin, and a few other changes (like the naked handlebars). After Lance severed ties with mainland Chinese manufacturers, this was the only bike they offered in the U.S. (while still a mainland Chinese product, but with SYM quality controls). Not sure what, if any changes to to Lance line-up include.
.
Lance now puts out a more retro looking "sister" to the Cali, called the Havana Classic - my wife just bought one and loves it. Same as the Cali, it is basically a Fiddle II with different body design. Great little scooter.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Vivo on August 03, 2013, 05:18:37 AM
Lance now puts out a more retro looking "sister" to the Cali, called the Havana Classic - my wife just bought one and loves it. Same as the Cali, it is basically a Fiddle II with different body design. Great little scooter.

I like the "tail" of the Cali... similar to the Honda Joker....
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: ShuttleBug on August 03, 2013, 12:17:15 PM
Vivo, are Taotao, puma, TGBs sold in the PIs?  Kawasaki sells a pretty cool scooter there.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Vivo on August 05, 2013, 01:35:00 AM
Vivo, are Taotao, puma, TGBs sold in the PIs?  Kawasaki sells a pretty cool scooter there.

Nope, we have Lifan, Jonway, Sinski, and lot others.. There are also local private brands like Motorstar, Rusi, etc.  If you really are considering a Chinese scoot, it's better to own one and judge.  Different strokes for different folks... some may like it, some may not... 
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: MassScoot on August 06, 2013, 06:32:07 PM
Lance (http://lancepowersports.com/models/index.html) and Tomos (http://www.tomosusa.com/pages/model/nitro150).  Znen (http://scootersus.com/motorinosupremo-150cc.html) and Linhai (http://scootersus.com/aeolusscooters.html) may also be worth consideration.

I agree with Tortoise: Lance scooters are made by SYM & they are very solid. I really like their new PCH125 as well.

http://lancepowersports.com/models/pch125.html (http://lancepowersports.com/models/pch125.html)

Znen made scooters can be some of the best made by a total Chinese group. The best Znen I think are the ones they make for Bintelli. I love the Havoc 150 here:

http://www.bintelli.com/150cc/havoc-150cc (http://www.bintelli.com/150cc/havoc-150cc)

They can last way more them another poster mentioned then 3-4 years. If taken care of they can last just as long as a Kymco. CF Moto has pulled away from the US Shores (for scooters), so I wouldn't touch them. The problem is there are still a lot of shoddy Chinese manufacturers out there. Stick with Znen & you'll have a fighting chance.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: RUGreasy2 on August 06, 2013, 07:05:55 PM
I can agree with all I've read here. I have probably bought a half dozen China scoots, one from a dealer, that they never could get started. Every time it was the same problem, restricted carb jets.
The good thing about the China GY6 Honda clones is that Honda parts will fit. They are perfect copies. I rejetted them all with genuine Honda jets, one or two sizes larger and they all started and ran great. As stated above, the China materials are inferior to what the Japanese and Taiwanese use. There is not a Mainland China scooter made that comes very close to the others mentioned, but some are much better than others and their names are mentioned above.
If you are on a tight budget, and who isn't now-a-days, one of the Chinese bikes listed above might meet your needs. It helps greatly if you are mechanically inclined and do the routine maintenance
faithfully. Read everything you can about these bikes and treat them as if they were fragile, because they are.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on August 06, 2013, 07:33:57 PM
Stick with Znen & you'll have a fighting chance.
[/quote]

I must agree...
Met a fellow in Florida a few weeks ago. He rode up on an abviously Chinese scooter. He got his fishing gear off and sat to fish while I looked over his scooter. It was a Znen...I also noticed that it had over 10,000 miles on it! (not KM)
I spoke with him about it, he said it was the best of several scooters he'd owned. It was a 250 I think. Just a bit of pitting on it from the salt air, but a pretty nice looking scooter. This was big news to me after hearing so much neg. stuff about Chinese scoots!
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: ShuttleBug on August 06, 2013, 09:26:07 PM
I looked at several Chinese scooters today in fla, taotao, vip and peace. Some of them were pretty crappy, the new taotao thunder 50 seemed to be a step up in quality and was pretty cool, large storage under seat and another pouch under the bars.  1300 OTD seemed a bit high.  They had 1 used super 8, were asking 1299 for for it.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: tortoise on August 06, 2013, 10:42:14 PM
The best Znen I think are the ones they make for Bintelli.
18,000 (unknown if miles or KM) on this Scorch 49cc (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=598470500203888&set=a.372621972788743.101648.348036721913935&type=1&theater).
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: JOB on August 07, 2013, 12:15:46 AM
Shuttlebug, I own a Chinese made Kymco Like 200i that I think for its size is great. I also just bought a new 2008 Diamo Turista 300 by Linhai/Yamaha. I have put on over 5000 miles on the Kymco with no problems and I did a few mods for performance and longevity.  I have put on 500 miles on the Diamo in 3 weeks and I am pleased to say that it is a fine performing 275cc scoot. I have had over 80 bikes and scooters in my 52 years of riding and every one made me smile. I believe that scooters are more a product of how you treat them and the service you give then where they were made. Like any tool you would be wise to buy the best you can afford, but down' t think you can' t get the job done just as well for less. Jeff
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: AMAC1680 on August 07, 2013, 09:31:22 AM
I looked at several Chinese scooters today in fla, taotao, vip and peace. Some of them were pretty crappy, the new taotao thunder 50 seemed to be a step up in quality and was pretty cool, large storage under seat and another pouch under the bars.  1300 OTD seemed a bit high.  They had 1 used super 8, were asking 1299 for for it.

No question you can have the same scoots dropped shipped to you for much less. But then you need to do the PDI and have little recourse if thing thing is a POS. the bricks and mortar guy assumes some of that risk.

My bet is the same dealer that sells the china scoots also sells kymco, sym and or lance. The higher prices on the china scoots closes the gap.

Are you in NE Florida ?

Be Big,
AMAC
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: ShuttleBug on August 07, 2013, 11:42:32 AM
Amac, in south central fl. I was in St Pete yesterday.

JOB, you got me by about 30 bikes, I think im on 51 right now.....just getting into the scooter scene.  I bought a used 150 Kymco trying to get the bugs worked out now, has more than expected....in due time.  I have rebuilt many bikes through the years and the fun is going out of it....so my next one will be new..of some kind.

I wish Honda would bring the super cub here its a really cool bike!!!  They are in Mexico now??   The SYM Symba is looking good also, my old bod needs lightweight and easy to push around.... :o
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: MassScoot on August 07, 2013, 02:42:40 PM
18,000 (unknown if miles or KM) on this Scorch 49cc (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=598470500203888&set=a.372621972788743.101648.348036721913935&type=1&theater).

Znen will built any scooter @ the request of the company selling them. Meaning...Znen has so many different options. In the case of Bintelli, they requested stainless steel outer hardware, Mottobatt batteries, shipped fully assembled, Gates belts, halogen lights, NGK plugs, Deni carbs & Duro tires. This costs Bintelli more money to have Znen manufacturer their scooters. Still...A Havoc 150 will run you around $1600.00. That's a pretty solid deal IMHO.

Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on August 07, 2013, 10:17:27 PM
OK, we're talking a lot of Chinese scooters.
Can we add pictures of what we're talking about.
Liven things up a bit.
Here's the Znen belonging to the fishing scooter rider in Florida.  It had over 10,000 miles on it and he said he loved it.
I think he said it was a 250cc , but maybe it was a 150cc.
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: AMAC1680 on August 07, 2013, 11:49:30 PM
OK, we're talking a lot of Chinese scooters.
Can we add pictures of what we're talking about.
Liven things up a bit.
Here's the Znen belonging to the fishing scooter rider in Florida.  It had over 10,000 miles on it and he said he loved it.
I think he said it was a 250cc , but maybe it was a 150cc.


That's a Znen 150. As far as in what state of "dress" is hard to tell. As stated above Znen will build to spec so the product varies from importer to importer.

As an example these are both from the same Znen factory sold by the same dealer. The Motorino is an upgraded version.

http://www.scootersus.com/bmsv9.html (http://www.scootersus.com/bmsv9.html)

http://www.scootersus.com/MOTORINORIVIERA150.html (http://www.scootersus.com/MOTORINORIVIERA150.html)

Confused yet ? Once you do some digging you can figure out who made what where........sort of.

I've actually had good luck with a couple of Motorinos we gave to out nieces to get around at school. Both have close to 10,000 miles on them. It took some PM and wrench turning but not anything out of hand.

Be Big,
AMAC
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Vivo on August 08, 2013, 08:17:44 AM
Pictures....



Jonway R3 150cc

(http://cdn.sulitstatic.com/images/2011/0315/102401377_05jonwayr3150cc13.jpg)


Sinski Big Boy 150

(http://images03.olx.com.ph/ui/3/38/74/56473474_1.jpg)


Blaze Grace 150

(http://st4.sulitstatic.com/images/2010/0708/072524493_grace150cc.jpg)

Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: CROSSBOLT on August 11, 2013, 08:16:20 PM
Vivo, that first picture you posted, ya know, the one with the girl sitting on, ahh, I guess it was a scooter, just melted my lecherous heart.......where's my nitroglycerine?....?

Karl
Title: Re: China Scooters?
Post by: Vivo on August 12, 2013, 05:26:20 AM
Nice girl...I mean, scooter...