Help finding a decent Chinese scoot By furball (Read 1,676 times)

[furball]

I've been researching different models of Chinese scooters recently, for use as a car replacement/commuter vehicle in Florida. I'm really frustrated at this point.

Every vendor I've looked at, that I can afford, there are a lot of negative experiences posted online. Now, a lot of these are uninformed consumers bitching, but I believe that with most or all of them, once they have your money, they're not as interested in dealing with you.

Can anyone suggest a vendor who sells either the Roketa/Tank/CMS or other clone in the following styles:
MC54-250B, or MC62-250/Tank/VOG 250/260DE Deluxe Touring

I prefer the body style of the MC62 type, as well as the Yamaha/Linhai style engine. Both seem to have 13" wheels, so that's a draw. I'm trying to keep the spend to under $2000 altogether (shipped). I'd also greatly prefer one of the more interesting body colors, such as the Orange/Bronze or the Champagne/Gold colors. If someone sells the MC54 in a more interesting color, I'd be all over that as well.

I do understand that the MC54 is considered the much more reliable of the two scooters? Is this due to the Honda clone engine, or just the build quality/materials?

Lastly, I've seen on at least one vendor's website that they do not sell to Florida, at least on certain models. Anyone know why that is? If I buy one of these, will I even be able to title & register it?

I just want to get an affordable scooter, and not get ripped off and/or have it wind up as a useless brick in the garage. Can you help?

[Bashan]

You have a pretty daunting criteria with a quality scooter under 2K, that's a lot to ask. One machine that comes to mind right around 2K is the CF Moto Fashion. It's not the body you want but it's a solid build and John at Valley Scooters appears to have some left at $1,800.00:

He also has the Aeolus 260 which is a solid build but it's over your cost limit at #2,400.00 delivered:

Valley Scooters will provide tech support and warranty service after the sale without the usual hassles.

The low ball price guy for 250s is probably Killer Motorsports. He has the Roketas delivered for just a hair over 2K:

There's been a few complaints about their after sale support but I think overall they're OK. The Roketa build is a little cheesy so expect to do more work on them.

[terrilee]

another thing u have to remember
most satisfied customers dont leave compliments
they just expect it.

negative comments come from people who EXPECT
perfect and dont get it. could be something very small.
but they b*tch a ton about it.

gotta read between the lines on complaints.

also a ton of people get a scoot 'dropped shipped'
have NO idea about PDI's or anything
then 100 miles later it breaks
and they bitch .

just my 2 cents.

now me , personally, id never buy a dropped shipped bike,
unless it was a SUPER GREAT buy,
and i know how to do a PDI.

im not gonna unwrap it and hop on and ride

[kz1000st]

If I wanted a reliable scooter that was to take the place of a car I'd look into www.craigslist.org

Used Reflexes and other Japanese and Taiwanese scooters show up all the time at under $2000. I would imagine in Florida, where year round riding is possible, they would have a few miles on them and be a little more expensive than here in the frozen North. Still, if you're going to use it heavily you want something "Turnkey" and ready to go over 100,000 miles. Even the best of Chinese scooters haven't proven themselves at that level yet.

[zugzug]

Actually every time I check they are cheaper everywhere else. When there is a good price one of the dealers jump on it before I can get to it and then you either see it on ebay or thier showroom for double the price. They rarely sell but when the private owners see what the dealers are asking they think they can get a price near that too. Check around my area on there. They are trying to get $1000+ for used 150cc china scoots and usually the 250cc they are over $2k. They don't sell but they keep listing them that high lol. The same with the older bikes. The only time you can find a reasonable price is if it needs more work than its worth. I think it won't be long before a couple of these dealers in the area price themselves out of business again. It amazes me. You would think competition would bring the prices down but instead it pushes them up around here.

Zug

ps: I live near Philly

[kz1000st]

But they do occasionally come up Zug

philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/3370323223.html

$2000 for

I have a 2005 Honda Helix Scooter for sale. It has an alarm system and 3,500 miles. Call if interested. 484-614-2190. Thanks.

a Helix with only 3,500 miles. Not too many Chinese scooters out there that will last as long or be as trouble-free. Granted it isn't pretty but if he's looking to use it as a car, you can't beat it.

[zugzug]

I guess the "scooterfinds" seach engine isn't picking everything up anymore. I gotta start going straight to craigslist again.

Thanks, Zug

[kz1000st]

daytona.craigslist.org/mcy/3433006092.html

Like this little beauty Zug. A perfect car replacer also with low mileage.

[furball]

Zug is right. I've been looking on CL for over two months now, and the very few 250cc scooters that have shown up there (in my area) are nutso priced. Most of what I see on CL are 50cc, or $3000+. Zug is also right about the fact that they don't sell at these prices, 'cause the ads are staying up until they naturally expire, and the vehicles are still available.

Yes, the Helix/CF Moto Fashion body style of scooter is reasonably priced, and one was even available on CL here locally, but I'm sorry. I can't stand the looks of the things. And I can't imagine dropping 1-2 grand for one. I'd rather walk. I know they're popular with a certain section of the scooter community, but they're not for me.

I don't mind having a scooter or bike sent via drop shipper. At least I know it wasn't fooled with since it left China or wherever. My main concern with that is the treatment it saw during shipping. It arrives with the front end stoved in or the trunk crushed, yeah, that'll piss you off. Not to mention that you have to now deal with a claim through the shipping company, which is universally like pulling teeth - no shipping company willingly pays off a damage claim these days.

I have seen two actual Honda Reflexes for sale locally on CL. One was actually reasonably priced, I thought, but the miles worried me. Are 30,000 miles high for a scooter, esp. one made in the early/mid 2000's? I understand parts for a Honda are much more than for a Chinese scoot, however, shouldn't it need less repairs/parts replacement?

[Bashan]

Nov 29, 2012 5:04:02 GMT -6 furball said:

Yes, the Helix/CF Moto Fashion body style of scooter is reasonably priced, but I'm sorry, I can't stand the looks of the things.

Hey! I happen to own one of those and I gotta tell you something! You are....um.....er....pretty much correct. They are definately function over form but the looks kinda grow on you.......sorta like mold does. It does have the nice effect on children of keeping them away from the bike while at a gas station. They generally run away and hide behind their parents, that's kinda nice.

Nov 29, 2012 5:04:02 GMT -6 furball said:

Are 30,000 miles high for a scooter, esp. one made in the early/mid 2000's?

Yep, it sure is. 30K is getting up there even on a MC. That's about when big repairs can start to happen, I've been there. I wouldn't buy a 30K scooter and I've heard all the stories of mega-miles bikes. You're just asking for a PITA with a bike like that.

ZUGGER! I'm sorry man, I guess I just missed looking at your handle. The linux guy grabbed my eye I guess. Nice to have you back, I hope you stick around. Rich

[furball]

Anyone ever hear of the BOSS brand? Looks a lot like a rebranded 54B 250cc to me. Are these crap, or is it "Meet the new BOSS, same as the old BOSS"?

Here's a link, in case anyone wants to take a look. Photos are crap, though.

tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/mcy/3311880655.html

[terrilee]

thats just a name

try and see if they can get u a pic of the
metal tag that HAS to be on it saying
who the manufacturer is and the EPA stuff

[jct842]

If you look closely the "boss 250" letters look like they were installed by an amateur. The 5 is twisted and I can't see that a manufacturer would use that style font on a new machine. And for a 2006 the price is way out of line even if the miles are real. It has been sitting for 6 years aging away and not being used.

[furball]

Yes, this is just an example of what's available down here to me. I just spent the entire afternoon going through each and every CL ad in three counties - whew! The search function sucks - I found several gorgeous Honda Reflexes; one has less than 2k miles, it's a 2002, but he's a little proud of it at $2500. It's a champagne/gold color, there's also a silver and a red available locally, at same or simliar price, similar age.

Hopefully the car sells tomorrow - got a guy coming who says he really wants in, and he's willing to pay my full asking price. If it sells, I'm immediately calling the owner of the gold-ish Reflex and bid him a few hundred less for it. I just hope that parts and such aren't too difficult to obtain or too expensive, compared to the Chinese copies.

[kz1000st]

Getting parts for a Reflex (not that you'll need them) is fairly easy online. Bike Bandit and Cheap Cycle Parts both sell OEM parts at reasonable prices. I had a Honda Big Ruckus and bought parts for it a couple of times that way.