Which one is better? Roketa 50cc vs TaoTao 50cc

[yami]

Hi my dear scooter fan friends!

I am going to buy a 50cc scooter to use in south florida.

I have no idea which one is better, TaoTao or Roketa? Quality of built, accessibility of parts, performance, etc

Please share your experience.

Also I read that Roketa has 2.2 Horepower but TaoTao has 3.5 HP?? is it correct?
But it is interesting because TaoTao claims Weight Capacity 225 pound and Roketa 357 pound (162KG) according these links! Then how Roketa with lower horsepower carries more than TaoTao!!


Links to their specifications:
www.roketa.com/product/2610/0/57946.shtml
taotao.us/index.cfm/scooters/atm50-a11/

[90GTVert]

:welcome:

I wouldn't pay a whole lot of attention to their specs. With Chinese scoots you can have 2 identical scoots and 2 totally different sets of specs. I think that's just about the case here.

Parts for either are gonna be interchangeable.

I'd prob go with the TaoTao mainly because there have been so many "secret" 60-70cc engines found. Same engine, just a larger bore so you get a little better performance out of the box. Plan on a 50 no matter which you choose though. I also think the black CVT cover and wheels and such look better on the TaoTao.

[noday]

the biggest difference I see is the stock tires

100/60-10 (2.4-10) on the TaoTao v 3.5-10 Roketa

the 100/60 is a much smaller tire with a harder ride.

weight limits have more to do with suspension and shock spring strength than motor power.

all in all, pretty much the same scooter with different size tires.

[teddy554]

I like the roketa better them seem to have a better fit and finshed product then the tao-tao i have ordered in put together several tao-tao and the just seem cheaper made then any other scooter i have ever dealt with but these are the ones you buy for like 650 or less

[\\-olf]

I'm real happy with my TaoTao 50 purchased in March, it now has 1300 or so on the chinometer. After the initial setup and valve adjust, other than an issue with the starter bendix not engaging well and had to be replaced- it's been 100% trouble-free.
The speedometer is quite accurate, and it will hit 40 mph on a flat with ease, and runs real nice at 35.

"Also I read that Roketa has 2.2 Horepower but TaoTao has 3.5 HP?? is it correct?"

If they are both 49 cc they would be essentially the same HP, the HP is less important at the seat than the size of the wheels, final gearing ratios etc. You could have more HP on a bike with larger wheels and it would feel more sluggish than it would on a bike with smaller wheels.

"But it is interesting because TaoTao claims Weight Capacity 225 pound and Roketa 357 pound (162KG) according these links! Then how Roketa with lower horsepower carries more than TaoTao!!"

How much weight the unit supposedly can carry is not very accurate, a lot depends on the tires since all the weight it on them, and shitty, cheap thin walled tires aren't going to hold up.
The steel frame and rims aren't going to be suddenly bent if you put 50# more on the bike than it claims it holds, but your shock absorber might be spec'd for the lower weight and might bottom out with more weight.
I wouldn't pay any attention to the weight rating claim, a bike is made to hold an average, normal human passenger or two, and some items in the trunk- that's the bottom line, and unless you weigh like 500 pounds or something, it's of no consequence for you as the purchaser.

According to the links... those are SALES pages, they want to SELL you their product, so naturally they will make it look as attractive as possible and we all know in America "horsepower" sells, the more horsepower they can claim the better, that is why you see vacuum cleaners with specs like "5.5 peak HP" it's a gimmick and borders on fraud, go by the cc engine size- 49 cc is 49 cc and one engine that is 49 cc is pretty much going to be about the same power as any other 49 cc engine, the differences in seat of the pants feeling of power comes from the final gearing, tuning, and wheel size- smalelr wheels will make you feel more power and quicker acceleration, but at a cost of lower top speed and/or more engine rpm's to go a certain speed.

Larger wheels say 12" instead of 10" are more stable, but with the same 49cc engine- acceleration will feel a little slower, but going 35 mph the engine rpms will be slightly less than they would be on the 10" wheels.

TORQUE might be your better measurement, the Roketta says

Max torque
3.0 @ 6500 rpm

My TaoTao manual shows it at 3.0 @ 5500 rpm

BOTH scooters have the same, identical 139QMB engine.

[yami]

I ended up buying TaoTao ATM50
Honestly its black engine cover compliments black scooter a lot!!

I found a page that guides how to do a comprehensive PDI. Honestly I am not going thru Loctite, Silicon stuff but just to share with you, my friends

yourscooterspace.net/pdi/pdi.html

[90GTVert]

Congrats on the new ride! Did you find it local or have you gotta wait?


Sounds like you aren't gonna use it, but here's PDI info from a forum member as well...
49ccscoot.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=basicstuff&action=display&thread=2917


I think a PDI with attention to detail is a good idea, however how necessary it is depends on the scoot and your luck. Some will run great for a while, some will leave you calling for a ride home within a few rides. Hard to know. Even the average PDI won't flush out every possible issue. If you do nothing else, I strongly suggest changing engine oil and gear oil either immediately or after the fist ride and checking all vital fasteners.

[yami]

Thanks 90GTVert
In fact I will change both engine and transmission oils and will check all bolts/screws. That is a lot for me in provided link!!
I will ride it 1 mile to college and back home. I may not even ride faster than 25 mph as I will use bike lane (I really do not want to getting to traffic)
In this condition I really do not know I should still change carb or do some of mods or not?
I bought mine from texasbikes which is a ebay seller. I saw they have almost 4000 positive reference for both scooters and parts but they do not have a site. They promised shipping on monday, texas to florida in maybe 4 days.

[inuyasha]

Hi
Congratulations on the new scooter
Heres some good info for those new to scoots
www.chinesescooterreference.com/pdf/50_150cc_gy6_shop_manual.pdf
www.motor-scooters-guide.com/support-files/scooter-driving-tips.pdf
May she bring you much joy in the years to come :cheers:
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[one1]

Buy a Geely


Had to throw that in there.

[dirtymoosetaint]

I voted for Roketa only cuz I have a Taotao atm 50 and its ok but not great...I havent rode a roketa but its gotta be better thatn a taotao...twainese child labor isnt the best quality...lol

If your poor like myself a taotao is great, but if you have the money i'd get something a bit better

[\\-olf]

Good for you!
When I bought my TT50 I changed the sealed carb with a new one from Greg at Mainely scooters and upjetted it a little.

[yami]

dirtymoosetaint:: Yeah, I am poor! I buy it because I could not afford car insurance!! As much as this takes me college once or twice a day, each travel less than a mile (total of 2 to 4 Miles a day, 5 days a week for next 2 to 4 years), Without Problem, I will be more than happy.

@\\-olf:: My friend! I really have no idea what is this Jetting stuff! I heard that I need to change Carb but for my use (as I mentioned in this post for dirtymoosetaint), I have no idea still I need to do it or not. I will barely ride faster than 25 mph but still if it would be critical for scooter's health, I have to.

More info is appreciated.

[prodigit]

If you're not planning on going faster than 25, you don't need to do anything on your bike.
Lighter rollers might give you better acceleration, but that's about all I would do if I where you.

The benefits of not modding your bike are the following:
1- More money in your pocket
2- Quite often no modding means a longer lasting bike. (less wear on parts)
3- Better MPG (which means you save on gas).

And if the moment comes that your belt, rollers, or carburator break down, you could still always think of upgrading it!

Most 50cc scoots can do 30, some 35, and few go upto 38MPH. I traveled by moped which drove 24.1MPH fully charged, and 22.8MPH half empty, and I have to say, that the least you want to drive is 25MPH on the streets, and a 50cc is just good for that. Take it anywhere lower than 40MPH roads on the street. Perfectly safe. Just make sure you look into the mirrors, blink, and don't forget to look back (blind spot) before turning. That should save a lot of accidents!