150cc scooter recommendation By sumdawgtwigg (Read 1,728 times)

[sumdawgtwigg]

I've decided I want to step up in scooter size. i love my 50's and my honda 80 but I want to go futher and not be so restricted. Since I'm going to be getting down the road a little faster than i'm used to, I'd like to get some recommendations on a good reliable scoot. What do you guys suggest as far as best handling, power, and of course reliability?

[Alleyoop]

Hi sumdawg,
Well if you answer a few questions that would help the guys give some suggestions.

1. Are you mechanically inclined and can and are able to work on a scoot if something needs attention or breaks.
2. How much do you want to spend.
3. Do you want Used or New.

As far as Handling the bigger the tires on the scoot the better they handle.
Power the 150s if carbureted all pretty much put out about the same horsepower anywhere from 8-9 hp.
Reliability is hard to judge, because it all depends on the brand and how you will use it and take care of it. Whether its a brand name or china scoot they all will require some looking after.

Take my China Trike in my Sig, I have every possible mod on it you can think of and I bought it in March of 2009. It has never left me stranded or broke down on me I have over 10K miles on it.
You can go into my garage anytime 365 days out of the year, turn the key on and hit the start button and away you go. Now talk about reliability and its a china scoot.
Alleyoop

[sumdawgtwigg]

I would say that I'm mechanically inclined, yes. I wouldn't say that i know a lot but I catch on pretty easily with most things. I've worked on dirt bikes a lot and then some of the stuff you have helped me with on the tao. I take really good care of everything i own, especially my vehicles. I'm def going used because I'm trying to keep my cost under $1000. I've found several around my area for under $700 that seem to be in great shape. Most of them are the VIP 150cc, and then a couple of Tao's similar to my 50cc.

[Alleyoop]

Great, you are willing to work on them if something starts to act up that is most important. Because sooner or later something will go south on any scoot. But you can always come here and ask for advice, suggestions and or how-to. On the ones your looking at I have heard good and bad so it all depends on how they were treated by the previous owner.
Just make sure it has a TITLE because 150s and up have to be registered and plated also in some states they also require you to have insurance. Also make sure you test ride it and make sure it gets up to speed do not baby it when testing it. Many have problems and that is why they are selling them, don't believe what they tell you, you check it out the best you can.
Alleyoop

[sumdawgtwigg]

Check on all that. I know the title is very important, lot's of people try to tell you ok and it's easy to get a replacement, but it's not. If it doesn't have one, I won't be buying it. I'll make sure it test it out thoroughly and if they won't let me, I'll walk away. I don't want something completely worn out.

[new2scooters]

Hi,

I can put my 2 cents worth in here.....I bought my Rowdy 150 last fall and have since put 2000 miles on it. No repairs, no breakdowns, etc... I do my maintenance regularly, check for anything that may loosen up due to rough roads, etc..., but I can't say enough good about it. It always starts easily. I've used Seafoam in the fuel and that may be a key factor. The little bit of additional expense is justified. I've checked fuel mileage and I get 78 mpg. The only discrepancy I've found is my speedometer reads LOW by about 4 mph when checked by gps. This is contrary to what most Chinese scoots are. Initially the "sweet spot" was around 30mph but since it is getting broke in, it has moved up to nearly 40mph. (Indicated speed) At that speed, the motor is purring, very smooth, and not working at all..... As far as modifications, I've changed roller weights, the torque spring and the clutch springs. Not because they were broken or anything but just because it needed a little more "oomph" in the hills. It helped enormously and I now lose very little speed on the hills. The Rowdy is a heavy scooter and I'm "portly" but overall I am extremely happy with it and it holds the road well. I still find it hard to believe it is only a 150cc.

[sumdawgtwigg]

I'll def take your 2 cents, new2. I have lots of hills where I live and having enough power to get up them is very important to me. i'll mostly be riding country roads as well and i don't want to be stuck on a hill, in a curve, doing 20 and someone run me over.

[randy]

I have a Yamaha Riva 180cc that would fit your requirements. The extra 30cc's make difference. If you were local I would let you try it out.

[kz1000st]

Yes. If you can get a 180 Riva off Craigslist. They were little rockets. I mt a guy who said his would do 70+.

[sumdawgtwigg]

I'll check out the Riva and see what turns up. Do you think it would be possible to find one in that price range? Also, i don't know why, but i have a strange attraction to china made bikes and am swinging that way a little more. Like i said though, I will def try and check one out! I'm not counting out anything.

[randy]

I have A Riva 180 in my garage that I am SURE we could make a deal on. It is posted in the for sale forum. I hate to sell it but the Stella is my favorite and one needs to go.

[kz1000st]

If you can't get a Riva, these are fabulous scooters. China made, water cooled, fuel injected, fast and really well built. If John still has these they're a great buy.

scootersus.com/cfmotoECHARM.html

scootersus.com/cfmotoGLORY.html

[sumdawgtwigg]

I appreciate the offer, Randy! I'm still a little ways off from making a decision or a purchase though.

KZ, those are some really nice looking scoots! I'll keep an eye out for a used one in my area, or if the mood hits me, I may just buy a new one. I've been reading a lot of good things about cf moto scooters in general.

[sumdawgtwigg]

I've been reading into and watching stuff on the E charm. i'm really digging it.

[sjrainsford]

We don't get CF moto in the uk, as the branding is normally just the importer. But we get the same bike as the charm, just with other branding on it. It's also worth pointing out that they are basically just a Peugeot Tweet, which are always reviewed really well.
Do you guys get Peugeot scooters in the US? Piaggio aside they must be one of the larger european brands.