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Post by motorhead on Mar 1, 2011 8:13:07 GMT -5
Hello everyone. Yesterday I retired my wife's 2007 Meitian retro (clone of the bigger yamaha vino). It was one hell of bike for the three years we had it. Best used QMB we have ever owned and come across. We've always taken good care of it. But it started to get problematic. We did after all buy it from 3rd hand from college kids. I can do the repairs but the body is all beat up, and lately I'm not in a repairing mood. So I decided to sell her scooter and use the proceeds to get her a Brand new one. She is really excited and this will be her first ever NEW vehicle. I'd get another used one and fix it up but since scooter prices have plummeted I can afford a new one now. I am eying a 4T Keeway Venus.
"Nothing says I love you, like a Chinese motorcycle."
So, I need some help guys. I'm trying to amass all my knowledge. I've seen every peice of crap come across my shop (orlandoscooter.net) so I hope I can recognize things to avoid and look for. This may be impossible because they all look like world beaters in the show room. lol. A test drive would definitely allow me to feel the engine.
Here is my plan:
Test Drive: The top speed and or acceleration will tell me if its a 70cc, pos 50cc or a good 50cc. If the dealer claims the bike will do 45 on a qmb, thats a dead giveaway of 72cc. If the bike tops out at 25, Dont buy it. If it tops out near 30-35 you've got a champ. If it narly does wheelies, buy it just so you don't have to install a bbk later. Would any of you buy a new 72cc with a 50cc title, or do the BBK yourself?
QMBs with a single hose coming from the head cover have always been crap in my experience.
Get alloy wheels not the sheet metal wheels.
Rear tire mudflap is a plus, keeps more dirt and water off the engine and carb. But its a rare find.
If quinji is on the engine or the engine says QJ or J anywhere on it. Don't buy it.
If it's hard to start, don't buy it.
Check handlebar firmness.
Get front disk not the front drum brakes.
Anything else you guys can think of to look for or avoid at the showroom?
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Post by Goosey on Mar 1, 2011 9:13:39 GMT -5
Look for cracks in any exterior rubber parts. If deteriorating rubber, you can expect other parts to be just as short lived.
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Post by builditright on Mar 1, 2011 12:20:53 GMT -5
I road a really sweet scoot the other day. It was a Tomas Nitro with a QMB139. It was not fast but you can put in a 72cc BBK in it and the warranty is still in affect. They have their own BBK and it will not break the warranty.
Bill
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Post by 90GTVert on Mar 1, 2011 13:25:38 GMT -5
It sounds like you've got it pretty much covered. Who's selling 72cc scoots? I know a lot of people are finding 44mm bores stock in scoots from Peace. Might wanna search out those scoots. I don't think they all are, but there seem to be quite a few floating around. As long as nothing in the titling says above 49cc, I wouldn't hesitate to pick that up vs a 49cc.
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Post by motorhead on Mar 1, 2011 16:16:24 GMT -5
Yes, here in FL at the University of Florida (Go Gators) the scooter dealers sell 50cc scoots with 50cc titles that have "47mm" bores, (micrometer verified). I have come across 2 of these. My wife's was one of them. They are out there, look for a new scooter that is advertised at 4 stroke and has 45mph listed as the top speed. I'll be seeking out one of those. Also, I have worked on 2 peace sports 50cc scooters (the hockey mask kind) that were 35mph scoots. I thought they may have been well built QMBs but those must have been 44mm then. cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300529780821&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:ITThe link above is the scooter I am the high bidder on. I think its has a 44mm bore. Lastly. I am shocked at scooter store closures in my area. The only place to get a new scooter is near a university or at a car/cycle dealer who has scooters to supplement sales. Have scooter stores closed in your areas as well? |
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Post by motorhead on Mar 1, 2011 16:24:28 GMT -5
Here is the same scooter at the company's website. In the description they quote "This four stroke scooter has a very high quality engine and has a top speed in the mid to upper 30s." Yeah, high quality engine or BBK? You be the judge. www.gatormoto.com/index.cfm?action=ViewDetails&ItemID=82 |
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Post by 90GTVert on Mar 1, 2011 16:38:08 GMT -5
I'd stop bidding on that. That "Venus" looks more like my old SunL that I hated than my Keeway Venus. It's definitely not a Keeway, says it's made by Jonway. It's got the same body styling as my SunL and it looks like it may have the smaller of the front drum brakes (really weak). The larger drum brake on my Venus is much better, though still not as good as a disc. It's also got steel wheels that I thought you didn't want.
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Post by 90GTVert on Mar 1, 2011 16:44:58 GMT -5
Keeway Venus   SunL SL50-QT-16   I just fear that it's a close copy of the SunL. There was definitely a quality difference in those two, and I'm not talking about the 2T vs 4T there. Ad far as dealer specs are concerned... pay them no mind IMO. To be blunt, a lot of sellers lie and some just don't even know their product that well. There's so little scooter stuff around me, it's hard to say if there's much change in the market. I've definitely read about a lot of scooter dealers and distributors going out of business though. All of this is happening just before scooters are thought to make a comeback.  Here's a cheap place to have a look around for online sales... www.superiorpowersports.com/50cc_scooter_sale_s/37.htm |
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Post by lshigham on Mar 1, 2011 16:56:20 GMT -5
Yes, it does rather resemble ''the turd''. I'd steer well clear.
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Post by motorhead on Mar 1, 2011 17:28:03 GMT -5
This scooter is a compromise as far as the wheels, brakes and as you all said, the overall quality. If I were to win at $600 it would be a deal and its a local pickup from my house but I wouldn't pay more than $600 for a bike with inferior features. If I hadn't come across 60cc scooters from this and other sellers in this region I would doubt the specs. The only thing that concerns me about the online guys is the fact that I'd have to pay an extra $300 for shipping & liftgate. And still have a crap shoot on the quality scooter I'd be getting. The remaining scooter shops around me have chinese scooters starting at $800-$900. Decisions decisions... Gee, I sure wish a Yamaha c3 was in my price range.
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Post by troy1896 on Mar 1, 2011 23:22:08 GMT -5
That 34-39 might be with the chinameter speedo. i had that same dealer try to tell me that a stock 2T 49cc could go 52mph.
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Post by lshigham on Mar 2, 2011 3:01:00 GMT -5
That 34-39 might be with the chinameter speedo. i had that same dealer try to tell me that a stock 2T 49cc could go 52mph. That's not unbelievable for a 2T. The Piggy's will do high 50's when derestricted, they're about 9hp in stock form. |
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Post by motorhead on Mar 2, 2011 14:34:37 GMT -5
Well, I took your advice, stopped bidding and lost the auction. I'll just wait until I can get her something better or get her a really good used one. Thanks for the advice.
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Post by 90GTVert on Mar 2, 2011 16:13:34 GMT -5
Sorry you don't have a scooter yet, but I cut the SunL into pieces for a reason. lol Maybe I was just unlucky, but unless it's dirt cheap I wouldn't but anything I suspected to be a clone.
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