Devils Advocate/cost factors By wolfhound (Read 661 times)

[wolfhound]

Meaning no offense to others here I am going to play Devils
Advocate and ask one simple question concerning IB trikes.
We bought Chinese because the initial cost was reasonable
compared to other scooters made in Japan or Europe or
Taiwan. I have read on other forums owners who are doing
a lot of mods to get the correct performance from IB trikes or
overcoming the many manufacturing errors (lets leave it at that,
we all know what those problem areas are). Has anyone considered how much all these repairs/mods have cost parts wise
alone? Take the original cost of the scooter, add these costs to it
and see what the total is. Could you have bought a better trike or scooter for what you have now spent? Something to think about.

[Alleyoop]

Ok, I will put up, Now due to my disability and my Brother-In Laws 2 Wheel Scooters were out of the question, we needed Trikes. I googled for Trikes and even considered a 650 Suszki Burgman with a Trike Conversion which we Test Rode. But for $13,500.00 it was overkill for our use. We just wanted something to ride around out here in the Suburbs of Chicago where we live and where speed limits are 25-45 mph.

I found the IB Trikes and checked out the specs and we decided that they would fit our needs. Then I googled to find the best price, the asking prices were all over the place starting from $2,499.99 to $3,000.00 shipped. I found a site that had them for $2,499.99 with a 10% discount if two or more were purchased. I ordered the two Trikes March 19 2009 and Paid $2,249.99 Each Drop Shipped at the Vespa Dealer.

So for actual parts because something broke or not working THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR back in 2009 is a MUFFLER. I have put on items but not because they were not working but just to MOD it.

I bought Prodigy Variator/Weights of all grams, Performance CDI/Coil/Iridium Plug, Leds,Trunk,Overside Tires,Turn Signal Beeper/4 Way Flasher/Relay to Stop Turn Signal Beeping while holding brake and Tall Windshield. My Brother-In Laws Trike is Stock NO MODS except for a Taller Windshield.

Our Trikes are running good SO FAR and I find them easy to fix. I have had one item that broke on me while riding and that was the Gas Filter about 2 miles from my house but we where both riding that day and he towed me home. I immediately got 4 good Gas Filters from the Yamaha dealer a few blocks from me.

Maybe we have been lucky I don't know but we enjoy our Trikes and got them at a price that nobody to this day has beat.
Alleyoop

[wolfhound]

Alleyoop, I understand your situation and i admire your wrenching skills. I am interested
mostly in what your total investment was, roughly, to get the performance you wanted.
On the 'other' forum I believe that you were the one discussing with the new triker the
number of mods, ect. that he was adding to his trike for performance. I am sure that it was
worth it to him but am curious as to the total investment in the trike to get it to where he
wanted it. I agree that you got a gfood deal on your two trikes!!!Thanks, as usual for you input.

[Alleyoop]

Wolfhound,
Come back in and MODIFY and delete one of the entries

The amount I have spent JUST to get it to the TOP END SPEED I wanted is as follows:
1. Prodigy Variator - came with 11 Gram Rollers and 12 Gram Rollers= $91.00.
2. 12/13 Gram Dr. Pulley Sliders $50.00.
3. 2 Cheapo Tires - $98.00 - They were garbage and not round.
4. 2 Good Kenda Trailer tires -$98.00.

Total= $337 and could have been only $239.00 but for the First 2 Cheapo Tires(didn't google good enough)

Thats what I spent to get it to Rock and Roll, Thats pretty Cheap for a 10+mph Gain in Top Speed

The rest was just because I wanted better parts ;D

And I am NOT DONE, right now as we speak its at the Hot Rod Welders Shop. Put on a 29 Tooth Front Sprocket with a DID O-Ring Chain and a Complete New Rear Axle which I did not pay for.
Also having a Header Pipe Built and a SuperTrapp Adjustable Muffler put on.
www.supertrapp.com/product_sections/cat.asp?CatID=34


In Addition I am having a Trike Wheelchair Carrier Built for Aileronjack and using my Trike as the Project.
Alleyoop

[wolfhound]

Thanks Alley, for showing me how to correct my posting mistake. I are compooter illeterat!!
Not bad for the mods so far. And I really like the wheel chair carrier concept. Speaks well of you to do this for Jack.Speaking of Jack he has been quiet lately, hope he is well. And thanks for taking the time to give us the cost figures. As you know, your are a skilled wrencher, I am
a rider(who rarely falls off.)

[Alleyoop]

Wolfhound,
Jack and Amy are doing well, Jack is a quiet guy so you won't hear to much from him. Since he is a RC flyer like I am he is currently converting some Gas Planes into Electrics. I myself noticed a lot of the Flyers at the field are getting more Electrics as well. He and I email each other and keep in touch. I am hopeing Next Week his Wheelchair Carrier will be done. I will take pictures of it on my Trike and how it mounts and works before I send it to him so everyone here can see it. What I will do is Start a Thread and call it Trike Wheelchair Carrier that way everyone can see. I will also try and take a movie of it so you can actually see how it operates.
Alleyoop

[wolfhound]

You are a good man, Alleyoop!!! Have a safe and relaxing weekend.