Post by Big Al on Jan 29, 2011 18:38:06 GMT -6
When I bought my wife's Ice Bear Magnum I read many horrible reviews from buyers who complained about various issues and I was of the mind that they probably did not perform a proper PDI and/or their expectations are were too high. Then I read a couple of reviews of the updated version of the Magnum and how the suspension was improved and many small issues seemed to be resolved. My wife has two limitations, the cycle has to be automatic and it has to have at least three wheels, I did not have a lot of choices out there.
I consider myself mechanically inclined because I completed a technical trade school for small engine repair when I was 16 and have been servicing my own motorcycles, motor scooters, and cars since I was 11 years old. Now I'm 54 and have completely customized my own Harley engine and all. In other words I can maintain a vehicle. I figured since the price was so low, and the only other product that comes close to meeting my wife's requirements is the Piaggio MP3 which was at least 3000 dollars more we'd settle on the Ice Bear. Humongous mistake!!
Right now the Magnum is sitting in my garage with less than 300 miles on it because I already had to have it towed home (180.00 towing fee). I have no doubt it is a carburetor issue, not enough fuel, but repairing it is a moot point at this time. Since purchasing this scooter it has made a horrible clanking noise from within the CVT/Transmission area and I have had the variator, clutch and transmission out and went over every item with a fine tooth comb and could not find the cause of the noise. At this point, I don't care because the noise is a moot point.
The front end makes such a horrible rattling noise the scooter is an embarrassment to ride. I know the source of the noise. The high beam headlight shroud came from the factory broken inside the sealed lamp assembly. Fixing it is a moot point at this time.
The brackets holding the rear fender on broke from vibration. I manufactured my own to replace the broken ones, but the fender is cracking around just about every bolt that holds it on ... so any further repairs are a moot point.
When we first get this scooter on the road it would wobble horribly at lower speeds. I discovered the rear tire was out-of-round and ordered a new one. Got the new one on and resolved that issue.
The first time I opened the right side glove box one of the plastic hinge pins that hold it on broke, so now it is unusable. Sure, I could replace it, but fixing it is a moot point now.
The fuel gauge does not work. It will indicate when the tank is full, but will not drop below the 3/4 mark. I know how to fix this, but I'm not going to because it is a moot point now.
I had to glue the hand grips on because they would continually slip off, I had to get better mirrors because the one that came with the scooter were bent and did not allow a good view around the driver, The seat latch does not release correctly, I had to replace the plastic screws for the windshield with metal ones because they stripped after having to take off and install the windshield so many times.
I have tried to convince myself time and time again that this is a good trike and that if I can nail down all the issues it will be fun for my wife to own and ride. I cannot fool myself anymore. Buying this product was the worst financial decision I have ever made in my life. I have spent way too much time on the wrench and spent way too much money fixing and replacing things that I cannot justifiy owning in another day. I got robbed, and I just have to pull my head out of the sand and admit it.
I kept using the term "moot point" in this thread so let me explain. I am going to have this Ice Bear Magnum picked up and taken to the dump. I won't sell it to anyone or even give it away because I would not do that to another human being. So it is history. Next weekend I am taking the wife to a Piaggio dealer near here and let her pick out the MP3 she wants (I'm liking the 500cc one myself)..
I consider myself mechanically inclined because I completed a technical trade school for small engine repair when I was 16 and have been servicing my own motorcycles, motor scooters, and cars since I was 11 years old. Now I'm 54 and have completely customized my own Harley engine and all. In other words I can maintain a vehicle. I figured since the price was so low, and the only other product that comes close to meeting my wife's requirements is the Piaggio MP3 which was at least 3000 dollars more we'd settle on the Ice Bear. Humongous mistake!!
Right now the Magnum is sitting in my garage with less than 300 miles on it because I already had to have it towed home (180.00 towing fee). I have no doubt it is a carburetor issue, not enough fuel, but repairing it is a moot point at this time. Since purchasing this scooter it has made a horrible clanking noise from within the CVT/Transmission area and I have had the variator, clutch and transmission out and went over every item with a fine tooth comb and could not find the cause of the noise. At this point, I don't care because the noise is a moot point.
The front end makes such a horrible rattling noise the scooter is an embarrassment to ride. I know the source of the noise. The high beam headlight shroud came from the factory broken inside the sealed lamp assembly. Fixing it is a moot point at this time.
The brackets holding the rear fender on broke from vibration. I manufactured my own to replace the broken ones, but the fender is cracking around just about every bolt that holds it on ... so any further repairs are a moot point.
When we first get this scooter on the road it would wobble horribly at lower speeds. I discovered the rear tire was out-of-round and ordered a new one. Got the new one on and resolved that issue.
The first time I opened the right side glove box one of the plastic hinge pins that hold it on broke, so now it is unusable. Sure, I could replace it, but fixing it is a moot point now.
The fuel gauge does not work. It will indicate when the tank is full, but will not drop below the 3/4 mark. I know how to fix this, but I'm not going to because it is a moot point now.
I had to glue the hand grips on because they would continually slip off, I had to get better mirrors because the one that came with the scooter were bent and did not allow a good view around the driver, The seat latch does not release correctly, I had to replace the plastic screws for the windshield with metal ones because they stripped after having to take off and install the windshield so many times.
I have tried to convince myself time and time again that this is a good trike and that if I can nail down all the issues it will be fun for my wife to own and ride. I cannot fool myself anymore. Buying this product was the worst financial decision I have ever made in my life. I have spent way too much time on the wrench and spent way too much money fixing and replacing things that I cannot justifiy owning in another day. I got robbed, and I just have to pull my head out of the sand and admit it.
I kept using the term "moot point" in this thread so let me explain. I am going to have this Ice Bear Magnum picked up and taken to the dump. I won't sell it to anyone or even give it away because I would not do that to another human being. So it is history. Next weekend I am taking the wife to a Piaggio dealer near here and let her pick out the MP3 she wants (I'm liking the 500cc one myself)..
A sad story. I would suggest perhaps checking out a few more options besides the mp3. The majestic, silverwing and burgmans all have loyal followings and I believe you can get trike kits for all 3. It will cost more than the mp3 but will be a different experience from the mp3 (trike wheels at the back rather than the front). I did test an mp3 and it felt odd to ride. Not bad, just different. 
..BAD TO THE BONE..
