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Post by w650 on Jan 6, 2015 17:56:47 GMT -6
www.motorcycle-usa.com/265/20738/Motorcycle-Article/Vespa-946-Scooter-Review.aspx In back, a single horizontally-mounted, linkage-equipped shock and spring (adjustable for preload) do a decent job of managing the 346 pounds of elegantly styled bulk.
The 946 is heavy – really heavy
Yes, let's talk about the main flaw of the 946: it's about as slow as a $10,000 vehicle gets, high-end riding mowers excepted. Vespa claims a 57 mph top speed, and I think it actually goes a bit faster, maybe even 60 mph.
All for a measly $10,499, if you're crass enough to ask the price of things
Just think for a paltry $500 more you could have this moped.
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Post by w650 on Jan 5, 2015 9:15:56 GMT -6
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Post by w650 on Jan 4, 2015 15:28:24 GMT -6
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Post by w650 on Jan 4, 2015 12:01:38 GMT -6
no trouble at all with the trail clone,,, kinda funny That's the part that really makes me giggle. In all the verbiage about the "Chinese scooter" making the trip, the huge 70cc China motor in the CT-70 clone gets lost in the shuffle. The CT Clone's motor is half the size of the scooter but did the trip fault free. Obviously not all Chinese metal is second rate.
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Post by w650 on Jan 1, 2015 8:10:49 GMT -6
Good luck trying to find a reasonably priced scooter. I'm still seeing 2008 China scoots at $800 to $1000 on Craigslist. Hasn't anyone heard of depreciation? I checked KBB for my 150 recently and Excellent Condition-Retail, is $640, trade in is $335. Those scoots should be listing for like $400, tops, or less. Even non-runners are listed at $500. Not exactly excellent.
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Post by w650 on Dec 31, 2014 15:25:43 GMT -6
I read about this months ago but I just saw this video today. The blue scooter was purchased off Craigslist for $150. It's a BMS and was the typical "Been sitting awhile, battery dead, will not start." These guys got the last laugh off that one.
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Post by w650 on Dec 28, 2014 2:21:08 GMT -6
The Citicom is a great bike but I don't think the expression "pony up a little more" is quite accurate. www.alliancepowersports.com/models/citycom.html =MSRP $4,899* scootersus.com/aeolus300.html = $2699 If you can get a break from a sympathetic dealer you might get the SYM for a little less. Linhai is the Yamaha affiliate and builds some classy bikes, Again. The SYM is a great piece with 16" wheels and an engine that beats the band. It's just more than a little more for the average person who only wants to commute less than 84 miles a day might need or can afford
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Post by w650 on Dec 27, 2014 11:57:13 GMT -6
Oh, and Chinese quality. Read on China haters. scooterinthesticks.com/2014/12/when-the-vespa-wont-start/My best guess is the fuel pump is failing. When I turn on the ignition I don’t hear the pump running which is a bad sign. It’s done this twice in the past year. Each time I’d wait a minute or so, try again and it would start right up and run all day.
Guess what this quality repair will cost?
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Post by w650 on Dec 27, 2014 11:37:17 GMT -6
In the last couple of months I've been around both Modern Vespa and the Helix discussion group. A Vespa is a marvelous looking device with top notch suspension and metal bits, but the engines and various components are no prize. They pat themselves on the back for hitting 30,000 miles on their $7000 scooters, but note that occasionally they have electrical problems, drop valves and the $10,000 946 Bellisimo can crack and break their back wheels.
Helix owners talk about reaching 100,000 miles......on their third engine. That averages out to that 30,000 mile mark again per engine. It just seems to me that rabid China haters might want to do a little more investigation before ragging on Chinese scooters. From what I've seen they're no worse than scooters costing five times as much. Yes, they're not made from the finest metals and plastic that money can buy, but with ingenuity, and respect for their weaknesses, they'll last as long as the high priced brands.
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Post by w650 on Dec 25, 2014 12:40:00 GMT -6
No comment.
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Post by w650 on Dec 22, 2014 15:46:39 GMT -6
If Chinese scooters are crap how do you explain all the many Chinese scooters out there with high mileage? Luck? Many Motorino Dealers have noted 20,000+ miles on 50cc scooters with no more than routine maintenance according to John Dikov of Scootersus.com.
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