american road trip By tdi (Read 2,624 times)

[tdi]

American road trip summer 2015

A little introduction first:
In the last year and a half I drove more than 25.000 kms in 2 Chinese scooters.
I have been using them daily.
The united states is always a fascinating destination for everybody because of movies, literature, tv and music.
So what better way to visit it than at slow pace in about 2 months by scooter?

I plan to start in Dallas because I have a friend’s brother that can help me there with the paperwork to register and insure the scooter and its easy to get flights from Europe to there.
I am by no means a mechanic but I learned the basics to change oil, adjust brake pads, clean and change spark plug, repair tire punctures….
I am used to travel light and don’t mind to camp or use roadside motels all along
My main doubt so far is to choose the scooter.
I would like to buy a Chinese gy6 125cc because they are cheap, I know them a bit and I have with me variator, rollers, spark plugs, gaskets, belts…..
But I know there are good Chinese products and cheap Chinese products, I would be afraid of buying a lemon and remain stranded on the desert.
I am a great fan of the Honda Ruckus but its just 50 cc, I know that it had been done before but I would like to have a bit more juice.
One used big ruckus would be great but they are too expensive for me.
The Honda PCX it seems a good sensible choice, specially because I can by a low mileage one for about 2.500 usd
I would like to do it on this dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcd/4630713239.html, do you think it can take around 10.000 miles without major problems?

[kz1000st]

It would be quite an epic to do it on a 150cc China scoot but even I have to admit that a PCX is a fabulous all around scooter. You could buy a 250cc China scoot for $2500 and have a solid ride. In America there is no substitute for cubic inches.

[richardv]

But the Chinese use cubic centimeters. How do they compare?

[jct842]

16.38 cc to 1 cubic inch

[JR]

Sept 14, 2014 4:54:30 GMT -6 tdi said:

American road trip summer 2015

A little introduction first:
In the last year and a half I drove more than 25.000 kms in 2 Chinese scooters.
I have been using them daily.
The united states is always a fascinating destination for everybody because of movies, literature, tv and music.
So what better way to visit it than at slow pace in about 2 months by scooter?

I plan to start in Dallas because I have a friend’s brother that can help me there with the paperwork to register and insure the scooter and its easy to get flights from Europe to there.
I am by no means a mechanic but I learned the basics to change oil, adjust brake pads, clean and change spark plug, repair tire punctures….
I am used to travel light and don’t mind to camp or use roadside motels all along
My main doubt so far is to choose the scooter.
I would like to buy a Chinese gy6 125cc because they are cheap, I know them a bit and I have with me variator, rollers, spark plugs, gaskets, belts…..
But I know there are good Chinese products and cheap Chinese products, I would be afraid of buying a lemon and remain stranded on the desert.
I am a great fan of the Honda Ruckus but its just 50 cc, I know that it had been done before but I would like to have a bit more juice.
One used big ruckus would be great but they are too expensive for me.
The Honda PCX it seems a good sensible choice, specially because I can by a low mileage one for about 2.500 usd
I would like to do it on this dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcd/4630713239.html, do you think it can take around 10.000 miles without major problems?

So by what you're saying if you start in Dallas and don't want to break down in the desert then you're headed west toward California which includes desert area along the way and also when you get there. Taking it slow indicates to me you're traveling state highways that may not be very smooth and comfortable to ride on. Why you would want to ride that type of scooter that IMO will beat your brains and back side out as far as comfort is said is beyond me that's you're cup of tea and this is who and what I would buy if I landed in Dallas:

www.killermotorsports.com/BWS_150cc_Gas_Scooter_Moped_p/tt1-bws-150.htm

But if I wanted a more comfortable ride and water cooled which is better for the deserts then here's what I would jump on immediately when I arrived.

www.killermotorsports.com/250cc_Cruiser_Gas_Scooter_w_Trunk_Alarm_p/r1-mc-54-250.htm

JR

[cookees]

10,000 miles...2 months. I'd do it on a SYM or a KYMCO

[tdi]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback.
kz1000st. I trust your judgment and i know that for American Roads a 250 cc water cooled scooter would be much better but i truly want to do it on a small displacement scooter ( the exception would be a big Ruckus but they cost too much)

@jr. Thanks for the link for killermotoersports, they are placed in Dallas that's a great help. The Tao Tao BWS looks rugged and should be ok right? On the site they don't mention what the warranty covers.

cookees you are also right for such high mileage in only 2 months a kymko or Sym would be better options, just like the Honda would. I am not saying i will buy chinese and not a major brand but i drive daily a chinese scooter and it works fine. The difference is that i drive less than 100 miles a day and in this trip i would drive more than that everyday.

Edit: In fact although the Kymko Agility 125 wasn't my first choice it may be a solid option. It uses the GY6 engine i am familiar with and i have all the parts that i need in my garage: Belts, Rollers, Variator, CDI, Clutch... So i will really save a lot of money on spare parts

[JR]

Sept 15, 2014 3:07:57 GMT -6 tdi said:

Thanks to all of you for your feedback.
kz1000st. I trust your judgment and i know that for American Roads a 250 cc water cooled scooter would be much better but i truly want to do it on a small displacement scooter ( the exception would be a big Ruckus but they cost too much)

@jr. Thanks for the link for killermotoersports, they are placed in Dallas that's a great help. The Tao Tao BWS looks rugged and should be ok right? On the site they don't mention what the warranty covers.

cookees you are also right for such high mileage in only 2 months a kymko or Sym would be better options, just like the Honda would. I am not saying i will buy chinese and not a major brand but i drive daily a chinese scooter and it works fine. The difference is that i drive less than 100 miles a day and in this trip i would drive more than that everyday.

Edit: In fact although the Kymko Agility 125 wasn't my first choice it may be a solid option. It uses the GY6 engine i am familiar with and i have all the parts that i need in my garage: Belts, Rollers, Variator, CDI, Clutch... So i will really save a lot of money on spare parts

Yes they are in Dallas, if you contact them and talk you can pick your scooter up at their shop. Where they go pick up their scooters is also in Dallas only 20 minutes away at the warehouse. If you do a little negotiating as in I'll pick it up and you don't need to ship it and have cash you can generally cut maybe $100 off of it which can pay for the good PDI you'll need to do.

Yes they do state their warranty:

All Vehicles come with a 3 Month Limited Manufacture Warranty provided by the Manufacture. Click here for full details! Optional Extended Warranties Available.
In short - the manufacture covers any manufacture defect part for the first 30 days that are not damaged or broken while riding nor wear and tear. The manufacture will cover motor parts for 3 Month (or unless an extended warranty is purchased) from the date of purchase, the warranty only covers motor internal parts and the parts must be sent in for replacement as required by the manufacture. The manufacture does NOT cover wear and tear parts OR LABOR. It is up to the customer to diagnose any issues or to work with our techs to diagnose the problem. This is why you save so much money buying online. The part must be shipped to us and we will ship the new part to you and handle the defective part exchange with the manufacture for you. This ensures quick turn around time for parts exchange and is required by the manufacture. To file a claim or Speak with a tech you MUST go to our left hand menu, Click on Warranty and then Click on file a Claim. To speak with a tech you must have first visited our maintenance section.

For ANY unit you choose to Assemble yourself, a PDI - Pre-Delivery Inspection and FULL maintenance MUST be done by a licensed mechanic, This is required for ALL units and dealerships in the USA. By Saving the cost of the Assembly charge you accept the responsibility to do this. This is a REQUIRED step in the Assembly Process. By not doing this step you will be VOIDING your warranty.

Do remember they are a online shipper but again you can go to their shop, I have myself on two occasions, good people. If you are going to take off cross country on "any" scooter you need to do a PDI unless you do decide to buy a name brand B&M scooter where a dealer does it for you.

Don't get caught up in the idea that a online dealer does any PDI that is worth a flip. Not going to get into the debate of who or what is best, I'll just say the water cooled scooter link I gave you is just like two of my scooters, I did a end to end PDI on both and I wouldn't be afraid of riding mine any where and if you're taking a cross country trip you better do the same, warranty of any kind isn't worth a flip stranded in the desert, when this happens the only thing you can rely on is your feet and have plenty of water.

JR

[kz1000st]

The Agility is a perfect choice. It's reasonably priced, it's built in China to Kymco's specifications and it moves along at a decent pace without stressing itself. Motorcycle-USA tested it alongside some high priced European brand scooters a few months ago and was very impressed. The Lance PCH 125 is also a good choice but for your trip the Kymco makes a lot of sense.

[JR]

If he's leaving Dallas heading to desert then I've got a dang good idea of his route and I wouldn't take this trip on any air cooled scooter. Made the southern run this past summer to Twenty Nine Palms California which runs you through some hot states, got there at 5 p.m. on a Sunday and it was still 110F in the shade. High was 117F and California is under a heat wave currently and a major drought and literally burning to the ground as I type. It is so bad the state is giving rebates to people who are pulling up their lawns and replacing them with plants that can live in drought and heat. Some places if you get caught washing a car or watering your lawn you'll go to jail. It is so hot that my daughter who was there with her Marine husband left the baby's rattle in the seat of the car, went back 2 hours later to get it and it was a melted puddle of plastic.

His best option if he's headed this way is to ride at night.

JR

[tdi]

@jr I am not afraid of the heat myself ( I have been living in Africa for the last 14 years). Bring with me a big jug of water and keep drinking all the time. But for sure I will not take lightly the dangers of the heat in the desert
I know that a little air cooled engine can’t cope with extreme heat that good.
Its still a long way to go but my plan in days of extreme heat to start riding at 05:00 am and stop around 10:00 am or when the heat becomes too high. Get a extra gas tank to assure I can ride until opening hours of the gas station. change the oil around 700 or 1000 miles always with a good synthetic oil. drive at 3/4 throtle most of the time and never use full speed

[richardv]

Sept 14, 2014 20:44:07 GMT -6 cookees said:

10,000 miles...2 months. I'd do it on a SYM or a KYMCO

I think I'd want one of Hondas mega-scooters. I believe they are called Gold Wings.

[Bashan]

I wish I could uncork Jay's Journey....yes, I still have it hidden in the dark recesses of Doc. For those that don't know of this epic journey, a guy named Jay tried to take a Chinese scooter from Maine to the Florida keys. He spent most of his time broke down and waiting for parts. Let's not rehash all of the reasons people think the bike failed, the fact is it blew up several times. Do yourself a favor and do NOT try to take a Tao Tao or any budget scooter across the desert or 10K miles anywhere. I don't care how used to the heat you are or how big of a jug of water you carry, that would be lunacy. Plus you state you have limited mechanical skills which further exposes you to being stranded. Cookees is right, if you can't pony up the bucks for a SYM, forget it, you'll end up stranded in some of the harshest envinronment on the planet.

[cyborg]

You don't want to be caught in the Mohave desert,,, today it will be 120 easy,,,,

[fugaziiv]

Sept 16, 2014 6:16:43 GMT -6 Bashan said:

I wish I could uncork Jay's Journey....yes, I still have it hidden in the dark recesses of Doc. For those that don't know of this epic journey, a guy named Jay tried to take a Chinese scooter from Maine to the Florida keys. He spent most of his time broke down and waiting for parts. Let's not rehash all of the reasons people think the bike failed, the fact is it blew up several times. Do yourself a favor and do NOT try to take a Tao Tao or any budget scooter across the desert or 10K miles anywhere. I don't care how used to the heat you are or how big of a jug of water you carry, that would be lunacy. Plus you state you have limited mechanical skills which further exposes you to being stranded. Cookees is right, if you can't pony up the bucks for a SYM, forget it, you'll end up stranded in some of the harshest envinronment on the planet.

Ugh... Jay. I made the mistake of sponsoring him for that trip. While I'm not discounting the advice of getting a SYM, KYMCO, HONDA or some other bike that has a proven track record of long distance reliability, Jay's biggest issue was that he really had no idea what he was doing, mechanically or from a rider's perspective. I firmly believe that a well built GY6 can do amazing things and run well over long distances, but you need to have an awareness of when to call it quits and do some maintenance in the process, and realize that a GY6 can't run WFO for a full tank after full tank of fuel. Jay did not unfortunately, and then blamed everyone and everything else for his bike's failings. The key here to me would be the admission of limited mechanical skills, which I agree would negate the GY6 or similar engine architecture from consideration.

I also agree that the GY6 might not the the best choice for a desert run regardless of the above statement. Since Jay was running down the east coast, I will maintain that I think with the proper knowledge and experience the GY6 can make that trip.

If you really want to run small reliable displacement, take a hard look at the Honda Elite 110 (Lead 110 overseas). The Scooter Cannonball this year was from Hyder Alaska to New Orleans. The guy who won it was on a Honda Elite 110. He beat out SYM 250s, KYMCOs, Honda Helix 250s, Vespa P(X), GT and GTS's ranging from 150-350cc. Everything, and on one of the smallest displacement bikes that was entered. This guy rode that bad boy wide open from Southern CA to Hyder, from Hyder to New Orleans, and then back to his home in South CA again. He had to change his oil a bunch of times. Now THAT my friends is quality of engineering.


Matt