Can anyone comment on owning/using an Ice Bear Mini Cruzzer? By windmaker (Read 3,041 times)

[windmaker]

I would deeply appreciate hearing from anyone who could relay their comments about owning and/or operating a 50cc Ice Bear Mini Cruzzer.

I'm an older dude (70) who has owned a "fast" trike mobility scooter (15mph) for the past two years and thoroughly enjoy(ed) riding right off the street and into stores. Unfortunately my scooter has been down for a while now with an unsolved electrical problem and I have yet to find anyone who can provide service for me, including my dealer who is located on the opposite coast of the country from me.. but even if he was just down the street it probably wouldn't help.

In considering another purchase I've been trying to decide on whether to get another like kind electric scooter, or instead get a 50cc gas trike. In my state (Delaware) I only need my regular driver's license and also need to register or tag a 50cc, but they are allowed to use the shoulder lanes (bus, turns). Thus far it seems that the Ice Bear Mini Cruzzer would suit my needs best for local shopping and the like with it's sizeable front basket, fairly large rear trunk and a hitch that would allow me to use a good quality bike/scooter trailer that I coincidentally already own.

Unfortunately I know absolutely nothing about the current generation of gas scooters (I owned a Lambretta 175cc in the 60's) so it would be very helpful for me to hear from anyone who has owned and/or operated one of these Ice Bear Mini Cruzzers, or any other recommended brand and model that you may suggest.

I did see a reply comment by one of this forum's administrators to another thread that Ice Bears seemed to be the most approved trikes....that was good to hear, and I do have an Ice Bear dealer (with service garage and experience) within 15 miles, but it would be even better to hear some more first hand commentary and specifics.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my concerns in any case...

Good scootin' to ya ....

[Alleyoop]

All the 50cc trikes you see are all the same it is just the SKIN and lights that are different but they all have the same motor and everything is sameo sameo. There are quite a few that have a 50cc trike and they like them some have modded them to actually get more top end speed. Some just modded them and dressed them up some.

But you do realize you will NOT be able to drive one of those INTO a store they are gas motors and not a mobility scooter. So if you can walk and if there is a shop that will work on them near you by all means go for it.
Alleyoop

[windmaker]

Thanks for your comments Alleyoop (great username).

Yes, I am quite aware that I wouldn't be able to drive a gas engine trike into a store. That would be the major tradeoff for me, along with with the fact that I can load my electric scooter onto what is called a "Paratransit" shuttle bus (a state operated service for seniors and the medically disabled) for transport to anywhere in my state. The fact of the matter is that I haven't used that option very much, but it's nice to have in any case. As useful as both of the above features are, it all comes to naught when you can't get one of these things repaired when it needs it......that's a real game changer.

I do have to admit it was a bit of a mind blower to me to learn that all 50cc trikes are basically the same......I had no idea....but that's great for when it comes time for parts and service, which is where I am now...and don't really want to be again.

Once again....thanks so much for you reply. And just as an added thought on your signature phrase....I think it was Will Rogers who was supposed to have said something close to the following when talking about politicians, "It ain't those who don't know what they're talking about that concern me, it's the ones who think they know when it ain't so that scare me!"
Adios for now...

[Alleyoop]

HAHAHAHA, yes that also is a great saying and so true.

I was going to ask are you a little mechanically inclined and do you have some basic tools, socket set, pliers, screwdrivers etcc.. Just to do minor adjustments to the trike if and when it needs it, oil changes, valve adjustment, carb adjustment etc...

And remember if you do go and buy one If something is not working ALWAYS ask on the forum first it may be something that you can fix and or replace. The shops usually charge anywhere from 50-100 dollars an hour in addition they will charge you more for a part which you can get a lot cheaper yourself on-line.
Alleyoop

[windmaker]

Thanks once again Alleyoop ~

Yes, I do have some decent and basic mechanical skills and tools, but I'm at the age and have physical issues where it's not so easy any more, but I appreciate your thought and have no doubt you're totally on target.

I was talking to a local scooter rental mechanic the other day on the phone and he commented on how expensive these trikes are to repair and also that the reason they don't rent them any more is that they're too unstable, especially as the speed increases. I think the reverse trikes are probably better at stability, but they are generally higher in cost and there seems to be a lot less of them, but that's a superficial opinion and may not be totally accurate.

Sooner or later I've got to make a decision on which type I'm going to get, but I definitely enjoy biking, even at my age....or perhaps I should say, "especially" at my age. And I think my pet dog misses riding even more than I do....ha!

Thanks to folks such as yourself, it may very possibly make the difference whether my buddy and I get to keep riding. Keep up the good work and be certain that your are appreciated....

My best to you,

[Alleyoop]

Just a warning STAY AWAY from the REVERSE TRIKES, nothing but trouble in river city you talk about unstable and actually dangerous they are not ready for prime time. Don't let some shop guy talk you into one of those. If you do get some kind of 3 wheeler get one with the wheels on the back.
Alleyoop

[royldoc]

Agree with alley, The reverse trikes (two wheels in front) are unstable if they are not properly set up and maintained and they are more expensive to do so. The traditional trikes should not be any more expensive to maintain. They do however have a rear differential and axle. As far as the trikes being unstable at higher speeds, not true. only if ya go around turns or swerve to fast(true with any vehicle).

Roy

[davec]

I really enjoy my Icebear 300cc trike.
No significant issues to date, a couple small ones, (exhaust collar and coolant hose) but nuttun significant.

[richardv]

They're great chick magnets to.

[rapidjim]

I would like to throw some comments in here from a Dealer's stand point.

As far as stability is concerned, the Chinese reverse (2 wheels in the front) trikes have issues, as already pointed out. The company that made them, tryed to copy the look and feel of the Cam Am and failed big time. They are hard to get in alignment and keep that way. Severe front shimmy at riding speed and that makes them hard to control. I have heard rumor that the manufacturer has fixed that issue on the 150s but have yet to hear it from owners or see a newer one myself. Also, getting parts for them is a nightmare, been there done that LOL. Case in point, a few years back, the Ice Bear Distributor offered the reverse trike and quit doing so due to customer/dealer complaints, warranty issues and the fact that even they could not get parts from the supplier. If they couldn't get parts, what chance did the customers have? The conventional trike ( 2 wheels in the back) made by Ice Bear, is a far superior machine. they are stabil and Ice Bear does stand behind them. One thing to keep in mind, a trike does not handle the same as a 2 wheeled scooter. Were you RIDE a scooter you DRIVE a trike. As with anything, you do not want to full power a corner, you could lift a rear wheel up, normal riding this does not happen. Ice bear is continually upgrading their machines and they DO listen to their customers and dealers. Parts are available and they do stand behind their warranties.

[windmaker]

Sept 21, 2014 11:19:59 GMT -6 Alleyoop said:

Just a warning STAY AWAY from the REVERSE TRIKES, nothing but trouble in river city you talk about unstable and actually dangerous they are not ready for prime time. Don't let some shop guy talk you into one of those. If you do get some kind of 3 wheeler get one with the wheels on the back.
Alleyoop

Wow....and I was under the impression it was the other way around.  Thanks for the heads up....another valuable lesson learned here!

[windmaker]

Sept 21, 2014 21:53:30 GMT -6 davec said:

I really enjoy my Icebear 300cc trike.
No significant issues to date, a couple small ones, (exhaust collar and coolant hose) but nuttun significant.

Thanks Davec...that's one beautiful machine you've got there...I'm impressed!

[windmaker]

Sept 21, 2014 12:25:26 GMT -6 royldoc said:

Agree with alley, The reverse trikes (two wheels in front) are unstable if they are not properly set up and maintained and they are more expensive to do so. The traditional trikes should not be any more expensive to maintain. They do however have a rear differential and axle. As far as the trikes being unstable at higher speeds, not true. only if ya go around turns or swerve to fast(true with any vehicle).

Roy

Thanks Roy ~ A valuable lesson learned today.  I have a trike mobility scooter that gets up to 15mph, so I know from where you're coming.  I think the dealer mechanic that warned me about their instability  was coming from a biased perspective of liability concerns and renting to untrained customers who got into trouble with trikes because they didn't know any better.

[windmaker]

Sept 21, 2014 22:12:48 GMT -6 richardv said:

They're great chick magnets to.

I agree, but at 70 years old I'm not as chic hungry as I used to be...ha!

[windmaker]

Sept 22, 2014 7:54:23 GMT -6 rapidjim said:

I would like to throw some comments in here from a Dealer's stand point.

As far as stability is concerned, the Chinese reverse (2 wheels in the front) trikes have issues, as already pointed out. The company that made them, tryed to copy the look and feel of the Cam Am and failed big time. They are hard to get in alignment and keep that way. Severe front shimmy at riding speed and that makes them hard to control. I have heard rumor that the manufacturer has fixed that issue on the 150s but have yet to hear it from owners or see a newer one myself. Also, getting parts for them is a nightmare, been there done that LOL. Case in point, a few years back, the Ice Bear Distributor offered the reverse trike and quit doing so due to customer/dealer complaints, warranty issues and the fact that even they could not get parts from the supplier. If they couldn't get parts, what chance did the customers have? The conventional trike ( 2 wheels in the back) made by Ice Bear, is a far superior machine. they are stabil and Ice Bear does stand behind them. One thing to keep in mind, a trike does not handle the same as a 2 wheeled scooter. Were you RIDE a scooter you DRIVE a trike. As with anything, you do not want to full power a corner, you could lift a rear wheel up, normal riding this does not happen. Ice bear is continually upgrading their machines and they DO listen to their customers and dealers. Parts are available and they do stand behind their warranties.

Thanks for your thorough commentary rapidjim ~  I'm definitely not in the market for a trike as pricey as the Can Am, so I'm going to take the advice I've learned here and just avoid reverse trikes altogether.  I've heard others compliment the Ice Bear brand as well, and fortunately I have an Ice Bear dealer/service shop within fifteen minutes from my home.  If i go the gas trike route it will definitely be an Ice Bear.