Icebear Hawkeye

[mmandia99]

I just purchased an Icebear Hawkeye 150cc. After reading all the horror stories on Chinese Scooters. I am sick to think this Will be a huge mistake. 😯
I wish I did a better job researching before the purchase..

[mmandia99]

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[claydoh]

What's wrong with it, other than being made in China?

[mmandia99]

I just bought it. Hasn’t arrived yet. I have been reading how much I a nightmare Chinese scooters are. I honestly didn’t do a very good job researching these. I stumbled onto this site the other day. Wish I would of found it sooner

[claydoh]

Yes, Chinese scooters are usually less quality than others, but they are easy to work on, and parts are inexpensive.

The real thing is the assembly and overall set up of the scooter after delivery:

49ccscoot.proboards.com/thread/8006/chinese-scooter-assembly-pdi
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm3-Rt5jsolvEQcIl1CMZGW5Yj_kP4Wjc

imnsho, you do hear more of the negative reports over positive ones, as people who don't have a bad experience will seldom 'complain' about it This does not mean that things are overblown, but it may not be as bad as you may assume. Prep and maintenance will reduce the chance of problems, and I think that much of the issues with these ultra cheap rides is as much to do with the reputation of online sellers and the shipping as it is with the cheapness of the scooter.

[tortoise2]

ICEBEAR HAWKEYE（PMZ150-3C)

Initially change engine oil frequently to flush out metallic glitter. Walmart Super Tech 15W-40 works fine. When the glitter subsides, consider adding around 1 tablespoon of Lucas Fuel Treatment per 2½ gallons of gas.

Monitor cranking and charging volts, and keep tires inflated to around 30 PSI. DO NOT waste your money on performance enhancements . . and don't expect a 55 MPH engine to go 65!

If experiencing hard starting . . perform a valve clearance adjustment.

[mmandia99]

Thanks!! I am not looking to mod it out! I would of bought a bike if I wanted it to go fast. I just want to make sure I do what is needed to make it less of a nightmare. Thank you so much for the tips. Should I change out all the gas lines and vacuum lines? Replace the carb?

[tortoise2]

Mar 4, 2020 12:34:22 GMT -5 mmandia99 said:

Should I change out all the gas lines and vacuum lines? Replace the carb?

Just monitor the lines for stress cracking at the connections . . may be good for several years.

Prior to storage for several months, top-off gas tank and drain the carb bowl.  There is a metal drain fitting near the engine kick-start lever.  After fuel has drained, consider giving that line a puff of air to clear carb internal fuel passageways.

IF eventual carb replacement is ACTUALLY necessary . . consider a Deni.

[mmandia99]

Tortoise2, thank you so much for the advice! Greatly appreciated

[jackrides]

You, as did I, got what we paid for and I am glad I did. My Tao 50 (some say TAOTAO, but I only have one) has 8250 miles with no significant issues. Has original belt (to be changed this week, way overdue). Replacement have been one tire, 2 valvestems (Tao is known for that)2 headlight bulbs (went with 35 watt halogens), oil every 1K Went with syn oil at 700 miles, rear gear oil. Went with LED where possible and added some LEDs for visibility. Adjust valves at 500M, 2K miles and every 2K after.Your temporary illness is call BRS. OH NO< it has INITIALS! (Buyers Remorse Syndrome) It is short lived and recovery should be without difficulties. Don't worry, Ride On!

[mmandia99]

Thanks for all the info!! I feel much better!!! So glad I posted this. I was actually feeling sick to my stomach after reading all the horror stories on the Chinese scooters. Thanks again everyone!!!

[mmandia99]

This site is awesome! So glad I found it

[tomindelaware]

I bought a maddog gen4 50cc last year. First thing I did was dump oil before ever starting it. Next I replaced gas&air lines. I use high test gas and I did a few upgrades.
I love it!

[bluegoatwoods]

This thread is reminding me of the summer of 2008. When gasoline reached abotu $4.50/gal in the USA.

Cheap Chinese scooters multiplied like flies and then......dropped like flies. I had no experience with them at all at that point. I doubt if there were many here at all before that.

But I picked up on the bad reviews of them and was horrified at what I heard as well, mammandia.

But eventually I came to understand that the people who were doing all that complaining simply didn't understand just what it was that they had bought and didn't understand the trade-offs involved with such a low price.

I think it was this very forum that helped me to understand the Chinese scooters. I don't think there's anywhere else that I might have learned it.

The engines, frame, suspension and such seem adequate. The engines might even rate a bit higher than that. That's mu suspicion. But I'm not experienced enough yet to declare it as fact.

The 'softer' componentry...........electrical, fuel lines and so on...........seem 'low end'. They're good enough to do their job. Even for quite some time in plenty of cases. But failures are going to happen.

But parts are incredibly inexpensive and easy to get. Most Chinese scoot owners are forced to be their own mechanic. But these machines are really pretty simple and it isn't all that hard. And it's interesting.

For that matter I own a Honda as well as a few Chinese scooters. And I've found that the two authorized Honda dealers within a reasonable distance do not want to work on the scooter very much at all. So it looks like I'll need to be my own mechanic even with the Honda. Plus I'll need to buy parts........and pay through the nose.........from the same dealers who don't want to work on the scooter. I doubt if I'll buy a name brand in the future.

I can tell that you're feeling better about your purchase after reading the comments ahead of this one and I'm glad.
I doubt if you'll regret your Icebear. It'll need TLC from you from time to time. But you're likely to be just fine with that.