Brand pros and cons

[mykul]

Is it even practical given the nature of Chinese manufacturers to ask this question? However, for what its worth, it might be a good idea to have a list of makes and their pros and cons as submitted by owners.

I've tried without success to locate some Jonway specific info - I just bought myself a new 50cc Jonway Primo built in April 2011 from a B&M dealer who rents out scooters. My thinking being that buying one of his fleet would ensure it had been properly assembled. it only had 100 miles on it so was new really.

I cant find out how to get the bodywork off to access the engine and check out the many tubes everyone says one should. I've undone every fastener I can find - lots! - and the bodywork remains firmly in place and doesnt seem happy at any attempt, to slide/unplug/disconnect/pry to try and locate how its locked together.

At only 500 miles its already misbehaving, I did a full oil change at 300 and found a teaspoon of metal particles in the drained oil. I'm operating on the assumption that its a valve adjustment needed but to my surprise and suspicion I found the clearances to be non-existent whereas I would have expected the reverse situation.

Now I'm starting to wonder whether I bought a turkey and perhaps Jonway scooters aren't a good brand. Thats why I wish there was a sort of database about various makes and their reputations.

[90GTVert]

The list of pros and cons by manufacturer would be almost impossible to create with any sort of accuracy I think. I had a SunL that was terrible junk, but then I've seen others that weren't bad. There are so many distributors too. My understanding is that they get made by a few and distributed by a bunch who rebadge them as they please. I dunno, I never paid much attention to all that stuff, I just like to work on them. lol


I've never worked on that model, but from the looks of it you have to start by removing the seat. If you haven't done that, it's probably holding the panels in. The seat is usually just 4 bolts in the seat bucket area and the whole thing will lift out.

Valve clearance being non-existent is a bad thing. You need them set to somewhere between .002" and .005".

Since you found so much metal in the oil, perhaps a magnetic drain plug kit would be a good idea. Enviromoto sells those.

[bigkahuna427]

Yep, pull the seat bucket. You should be able to see the backside of the panels better. Sometimes they screw and interlock together sort of in layers. Stuuf is really brittle so be patient so you don't get breakage.

[speedy1125]

valves are always tight the first time thats why they start to run bad after only a few hundred miles.

[49ccsofdestruction]

i gotta 2009 TNG LS49. 50cc minarelli, disc ft, drum rear. no complaints from the engine or drivetrain. i did an oil change in the tranny and found little or no metal. i get 80 mpg and 45 mph. only probs are the speedo is off 5 mph and the gauges require me to dip my head down to see them. also i feel the suspension needs work. it seems to bottom out. maybe an aftermarket shock in the rear. not sure what to do about ft forks. in all a fine machine.

[speedy1125]

Personally I like the Boadiao bikes I sell. They come with 47mm bore engines from the factory

[stepthrutuner]

It seems one of the predominate issues with Chinese scoots is the electrical system. Mostly they come with crap spark plugs and it seems that before too long most people wind up replacing their stator or regulator.

[deaninpuertorico]

if you do a good PDI then all you basic issues would be fixed. the only real issue i had with mine when it was stock was the starter clutch and after about 2 yrs the wiring corroded. i fixed that by making my own wiring harness using marine gfrade wiring. in 5 yrs i still have the issue of the starter clutch breaking but i believe its from to much torque.