Better to order scooter components sooner than later ?

[scooterfan]

Good day everyone ,

Since the tariffs started kicking in I started wondering whether it might be better to start ordering components like tires, cvt belts, some electric components etc. sooner than later ?
I could be wrong but I think chances that suitable scooter tires, CVT belts, etc. will ever be manufactred in the US are very slim. The reason being - I think the demand for scooters and scooter parts in the US is way to low to insure that manufacturers in the US will get involved in manufacturing scooter parts.

Also - I did some reading elsewhere which indicated that Chinese supplyers are currently dumping shipments which were on it's way to the US in the sea - and they have stopped loading shipments to the US because they recon their components will be so expensive, nobody will buy it.
I am not sure if this is true but if so - I started wondering whether there might be a shortage of tires, CVT belts, etc somewhere in future.

Maybe it might be better to order some components now before suppliers start running out of stock ?

[randyo]

so far, all I'm seeing is media hype, dumping cargo at sea, don't believe memes on Facebook

no, I would no buy parts in anticipation of future failure

[Neil955i]

I suspect any dumping will be into non-US markets rather than the sea!

[Stig / Major Tom]

As soon as I buy a scooter I start collecting consumable parts.
Tires and a belt - ?
I would.
not a closet full - but a set.
KYMCO/USA has looked Shakey for a decade.

Stig

[JJJoseph]

Most Kymcos are made in Taiwan, so tariffs are in a reasonable range, 5% to 30%.  For reasons I can't explain, Kymco parts on Amazon are still cheap - with free shipping in many cases.  Many small Kymcos and ATVs use Kawasaki-brand parts made by Kymco. Still manageable. I don't think you need to trade in your Kymco on a Tesla just yet!

[Iahawk]

slightly off topic as not tariff based..but I do buy parts to stock away for my vintage bike. I have an idea of what may wear or leak so I'll compare sites that sell new, OEM parts ( chapmoto, partzilla, revzilla, etc.) and see what parts are no longer available for my 84 Nighthawk. I'll then compare with CMSNL.com (consolidated motor spares, Netherlands) and look at what parts they stock for my bike. When I find that they have key parts that are no longer available from new parts sellers I'll order them.

A few examples are O rings and gaskets. I placed an order yesterday for a clutch cover gasket, oil cooler gasket, starter motor o ring and some rubber bits that go between aluminum trim pieces. I have in stock an o ring for a motor side cover and a few other bits.  I'm doing this because these parts will soon be completely unavailable. At some point they will leak and I want to have the parts ready!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Wonder what a new Chinese made Like200i would cost after the tariff - if they were still in production in China.

Being Chinese assembled the LIKE200I always held a price advantage over other, similar, big four scooter brandss. Supposedly the kymcos made in Taiwan were superior. But I don't think many found the to be an inferior product, in any manner.
Stig

[Iahawk]

well, the good news is that they may only come with an 80% tariff, down from the original 145%! (sarcastic eye roll...)

[scooterfan]

More good news is that there might still be a couple of brand new Agility 125’s left at the old price. The Agility 125’s are known for being the cheapest 125’s on the market and people looking for great quality at a low price should still be able to jump at one of these in the shorter term.

My previous as well as my current Agility came from China and the quality on both are brilliant.
I’ve already ordered and received spare extra parts like CDI, voltage regulator, Dr Pulley sliders, CVT belt and extra  tires for my Agility. So I am quite ready for any possibility at the moment.

I think further good news is that the tariffs will ensure that our current scooters should hold it’s value for a longer term. We can actually see our scooters as an investment and who knows - we might even be able to sell at a profit in future…..

[scooterfan]

Oh, I forgot !
I also mounted a top box, spot lights, a lowish high screen, bigger mirrors, mirror extention brackets, cross bar for a phone holder, phone holder, and a smallish bag between my feet on the Agility.
I've also bought a light kit for the top box but the kit still needs to get installed.
I think these components will also get more expensive and some items might not even be available locally in the near future.
I haven't made calculations, but I think the total costs of all assesories on my Agility probably matches the initially price I've paid for the Agility. This does not bother me - I've bought the Agility at a very good price. Should I decide to sell, I think I should still get my money back.