Because gas is so high I've been checking specs on motor scooters online. Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha all have small scooters around $2500-3500, but I found some imports (150 cc engines) for $1000-1500. Are these garbage or will they last me a few years. I have been surprised before by buying a cheap lawn tractor that lasted 17 years and cost me almost nothing in repairs while friends bought more expensive ones with well known names that always needed repairs and lasted about half as long as my cheap one.
2006-08-28 14:49:18 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
My 49cc scooter was $1100 and has lasted me 2+ years, and still running strong. It is NOT reliable, tho- it is a cheap import (Quingi) and I have pushed it at least 4 times for various reasons. Be sure to have someone you can rely on yo help you/give you a ride when needed.
My other new bike is a Vento 150cc-- it's only 2 months old so I dont know how reliable it is.... but, it IS a lovely strong ride.
Gas is 2$ per tank on my 49cc and 3$ per tank on my 150cc. I go about 110 miles per week, usually more, on each tank. :) That's using 93 or higher gas which costs the most!
Here's more info from an asnwer I previously posted:
A typical price range is 1,100-3,000 depending on the seller. Merchants have large markups, though, so buying onlne and having it delivered (often FREE!) us not a bad idea.
A 49 cc doesnt require a motorcycle license (here in FL) and there isn't a requirement for insurance for any size engine. Of course, you can do what i did and take a safety course anyway and get a motorcycle endorsement for you own good and peace of mind.
I recommend Vento or Vespa. These are by far the better made and longer lasting, and shopworker dont 'cringe' when you mention their name like they do when you say 'Quinqi' or Verucci....
Yes, theyre ALL made in China/Japan/Beijing/Hong Kong/Bangladesh with the exception of Vespa-- Vento is ASSEMBLED in the US tho the parts come from China, however- it's WAYYY better made than the rest.
Kymco makes better quality bikes than the typical selection of Geely/Verucci etc.
You can get service at any motorcycle shop, not name affiliated- as in, you can take you import to "Maddog Motorscooters" for example, but not to Yamaha. They wont service you... so find a mom and pop shop. :)
I keep mine secure by parking it in my yard, by my bedroom window, tied to a BIG ENOUGH tree with 11 feet of 3 inch link steel chain (and something like 3/4" width). It's the highest strength and size chain that home depot sells! AND, I use the biggest lock I can buy. The lock itself is about 15 dollars.
I loop the chain around the tree, and through either the chassy of the motor (underbelly of the bike) or around the middle of the bike (where you put your feet to ride) without enough slack to pull the bike out. When I take it out, I have a smaller chain to take with me under the seat, which I loop around the middle of the bike and through the wheel of the fornt tire. Plus, my new bike has an alarm, too, so I turn it on. If I'm home, I usually dont to spare the battery becuase I can hear whats going on outside. Often, you can park the scooter in a bike rack and loop the chain through that. Depends on the place.
They are incerdibly practical for travel, consideirg you buy above 49cc-- that means you get 40+ miles per hour, up to 60-65 mph. And it's a strong enough ride, to keep up with traffic, and merge when necessary (forget merging with a 49cc!! You're stuck where you are around 35 mph!)
I buy a crate, a plastic organization crate with slots, and attach it to the back of the bike with bungees. Its more stoagre than the typical trunks that supply you with (if at all). I also buy a medium (15x15") cargo net to keep thing inside the crate when I go over bumps! That's ~7$ on amazon.com just type in cargo net and pick that size.
The only weakness I can think of is being in the sun/heat more than in a car. I am in FL, and I suffer sometimes if I ahev to travel in broad sunlight- cover up witha light jacket. Always wear a helmet- get a tinted visor if you can or just wear sunglesses underneath.
Also groceries- there is little space and also it is not kept in an air conditioned trunk like in a car. That's okay, though, if you make short trips or just goa bit more often and buy little at a time. Works just fine. (Esp if your going overseas, its actually normal to buy only what you can carry or bicycle back home)
BUY INSURANCE, even tho it isnt needed- people DO try to steal them or will if they can, also, if someone hits you or the bike, you are covered.
....errrr.... any more questions... ask me!
Oh and I love to decorate by basket with reflectors, or, the bike itself I apply reflective pinstripting/decals liek you get at streetglo.net or similar shops, it comes in any size or color or design (even a custom design and size) and you can put it anywhere you like. It blends in during the day, and when a light shines on it at night, it's like a fireman's coat or the reflectors on the street! Really glows! It's cool and it's a good safety measure! You can do your helmet that way too!
Cheers and happy moped-hunting, and enjoy the ride!!
2006-08-28 15:00:04 · answer #1 · answered by Yentl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cheap Gas Motor Scooters
2016-11-15 09:44:13 · answer #2 · answered by riedinger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not listen to the advise here...buy a new cheap model and drive it civilised...and check the manual and know as much about the machine as possible....most of these new machines are ok..but dont abuse it.
I wish I could import a Honda 125 Wave from the Philippines...they only cost $890 but the DOT, Department of Transport here in Canada wont allow them to be registered...another scam by the government and the dealers themselves...they are charging way too much for these small machines....go to Hondas website and look at models for other countries...it makes you sick at what we are not able to bring into Canada or the US....
2006-08-30 15:03:44 · answer #3 · answered by cbmaclean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be prepared to fix it yourself... No professional shop will touch it. You might find a guy that works from home...
If you do get the cheaper one, the best you can do is find out who makes the engine and how good that manufacturers parts distribution is. The more 'mainstream' or 'common' off brand makers use the same motors... 50cc and 150cc motors and parts are interchangable on a lot of them.
One more thought is that in most cases these vehicles are not 'primary' transportation. They are secondary or toys. If your handy and know that you can get parts.... I find that the risk of owning these off brand 'toys'... or secondary transport is minimal.
2006-08-28 15:53:28 · answer #4 · answered by Chuck C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most, not all, of the imported from China scooters are total junk. On top of that, you can't get parts or service anywhere. Look at a well known brand like Schwinn to help out, or go with a major manufacturer.
2006-08-28 14:55:50 · answer #5 · answered by Toyman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our friends have a cheap 149cc scooter it runs great for over 2 years only down side i could see was the plastic and outer chasse was very cheap i have borrowed it several times
2006-08-28 14:54:11 · answer #6 · answered by jst 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought one about a year ago runs great, it came in a crate so you have to check every bolt on the scooter because ther will be plenty of loose ones. Have fun!!
2006-08-29 06:08:52 · answer #7 · answered by sadawell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-0- There is no such thing, Unless you are talking about a razor or something like that. Even the chinese super garbage scooters aren't that cheap, not even used.
2016-03-26 23:32:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy cheap 50cc and run the hell out of it for years
2006-08-28 17:00:39 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋