the Good, the Bad & the Ugly By drjeff (Read 962 times)

[drjeff]

So it seems as there are 50 or more Chinese/Asian scooter manufacturers, obviously some are a whole lot higher in quality than others, I can see that from the several I own.

My Diamo seems to be better quality than the Kinroad, but Diamo got out of the scooter business, possibly by making a better unit, but not being able to compete because of price, who knows. And the Zongshe Z-Bike had been so abused, (by a redneck that used it like it was a rukus, it looked like one when I got it) there was no way to tell what quality it was originally.



Now my question is:
What are the names of the "good ones" and what are the names of the ones that should be avoided and why?

I do realize that most can only be identified by either the manufacturers tag, which can be hard to find or missing, and others can realistically only be identified by the first few characters of the VIN number.


Jeff

All input is appreciated.

Thanks

[jct842]

The problem as I see it is,.......any of the scooter makers/assemblers can produce about any quality as the company who orders scooters is willing to pay for. brand X can make the best and also makes the worst. The importer who orders as cheap as he can get them most likely have the worst money can buy. john

[Bashan]

Man John, that about sums it up. It's hard to tell what you're getting because the importers over here will buy a boatload of complete unbranded units, or actually do some assembly over here, and then stick different badges on them. To put it in perspective, it's not unusual for a brick and mortar dealer over here to get fed up with the brand they've been selling because quality goes south, and change product. Over the internet, good luck; generally they're just trying to move bikes. The only Chinese manufacturer that I can think of that consistantly makes their own parts, insisits on good parts that they do buy, and practices consistant quality control is CF Moto. Znen is good too although I'd have to put CF above them. This short list is undoubtedly too brief and I'd welcome more input. I really don't want to list the cheesey bikes because somebody inevitably gets offended. However, look on Scooter Depot and if it's ridiculously cheap, beware. But hey, that's what those bikes are about, get them cheap and do some work on them. The Taiwanese and Japanese are of course upper tier but you get what you pay for. Sorry man, I wish I could give you a short answer, there isn't one. I actually researched this once as far as contacting the Chinese government. I got a polite and cryptic reply that didn't exactly make me want to look further. Rich

[drjeff]

How do folks feel about buying direct from China ?

www.alibaba.com/Motorcycles_pid1203

I contacted a manufacturer and was quoted ~$725.00 for the deluxe version of the 150 delivered to the door. I believe it is generically referred to as the touring style.

Money goes into an escrow account, to be released by you upon receipt of the goods.

I have bought several items thru alibaba, no motorcycles yet, mainly gizmos and computer stuff.

[jct842]

The big problem is that "deluxe" 150 probably does not have any dot stickers and the like. that means you may not be able to get tags on it over here. john

[drjeff]

Sept 17, 2011 17:32:14 GMT -6 jct842 said:

The big problem is that "deluxe" 150 probably does not have any dot stickers and the like. that means you may not be able to get tags on it over here. john

This is one of them.

Not the touring one, but it was about the same price.

EPA certified.

tuohe.en.alibaba.com/product/204557400-50134437/productdetail.html


The touring one.

supee.en.alibaba.com/product/397612092-210050461/productdetail.html

[Bashan]

I think you'd be safe dealing with them overseas, those people are out to do business and don't want to get a bad rep going. I'm kind of surprised that they'll sell just one, when I talked to them a year or so ago they only wanted to move quantities. That first link is a 125cc you know, it has MI in the engine code. Rich

[drjeff]

so where does Roketa fit on the scale?

[Bashan]

Here's an article that kind of puts this in perspective. Roketa manufactures in China and then imports through a company that they own in Ontario California called Goldenvale Inc. Roketa has had a mixed bag of reviews over the years but seem to be making an attempt to improve their product. They're like most mid-tier Chinese scoots, you can get them at a great price but take your chances on doing some repairs and getting tech support. Rich

[Alleyoop]

From what i have read Roketa is considered a CONTRACT MANUFACTURER, and I think the reason they get away with it is they IMPORT the Scoots Partly assembled and they finish the Assembley here.
Alleyoop

[kz1000st]

Short of a CF Moto, which you buy from dealers, GS Motorworks is the best bet for online buying. They sell scooters with quality components, back up their warranty with few questions asked, deliver quickly and stock parts for everything they sell. Mine has close to 6,000 miles and has yet to leave me walking.

[Alleyoop]

Sept 18, 2011 12:59:16 GMT -6 Bashan said:

I think you'd be safe dealing with them overseas, those people are out to do business and don't want to get a bad rep going. I'm kind of surprised that they'll sell just one, when I talked to them a year or so ago they only wanted to move quantities. That first link is a 125cc you know, it has MI in the engine code. Rich

The engine code is right there 152QMI=52mm not a 150=57mm.
Alleyoop