Page 1 of 2

Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:02 am
by jeepmaned
So tell me o' wise ones...since I have recently caught the scooter bug, and searching all over the net for parts and pieces to cosmetically and mechanicly bring to rideable condition my $10 '88 elite, and my $40 (found while parts searching craigslist) 85 spree. My web browser pops up advertising some new scoots, Starting at $499 for like a 50cc Sunny or something. My question is, are these worth the money, or is it a gimic to get you hooked and switched. Or are these just P.O.S's? I figure even with a $10 starting project, I am into it $135 so far and it still needs much more. Feel free to comet.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:25 pm
by motormike
Strictly a personal sentiment, but you asked...Chinese scooters = Junk
I have been Honda loyal for 40+ years, and have come to realize that the Japanese big 4 (Kaw, Suz, Yam, Hon) are really ALL good value products.
The recent influx of scooters made anywhere and everywhere was NOT an attempt to bring better products to the market.
I dare say that in 40 years from now, Chinese anything will be long-ago buried in landfills, while Japanese big 4 machines will still be repairable and doing their intended jobs.
Just to be clear, there are some good bikes being produced in places other than Japan, just not so much in China.... :wink:

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 3:33 pm
by tazland001
True that mike.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:46 pm
by Pete M
I agree. Buying one of the Chinese bikes is like being married to a gold digger, always in your pocket.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:53 pm
by Duosport
I do not think there are any $499 listings anymore. Anyway when you look at the actual costs of those deals they have extra fees tacked on and then the shipping and when you are done with your $499 it ends up being $899


Just saying.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:58 pm
by patthesoundguy
Paying for the Japanese quality pays off, the Chinese stuff is half the price for a reason ;-)

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:38 pm
by jeepmaned
Thanks for the reply's. I guess if you break one of them, and like need a part...you park it, and walk. Using the "four" you will be able to get parts. They look so nice, but I guess so does a hooker, until you ride one.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:46 pm
by Duosport
The chinese engines are easy enough to fix. Parts break more often but then the parts are easy to get and are cheap. Its not all bad.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:51 am
by tru72
they maybe easy to fix but the low quality materials will kill you in the end. I work on them on a daily basis..

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:51 pm
by wentwest
Stick with the Hondas. They aren't the prettiest thing, but they run and run, and they start. Once you get a Honda right, it stays right. The metal they use to build the China scooters is low quality. Everything wears out. Meanwhile your nearly 30 year old Honda keeps bubbling along.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 9:13 am
by uk-visionsa50
theyre really not worth it, ive had several of these. each one of them broke within the first month. my third one i had only lasted 3 hours before the rear wheel bearings went. save yourself aload of hassle, time and money and stick with a honda. ive never really had any major issues with them. always ran and ridden for me, no matter what. i ride like a idiot too and they have never failed on me. recently got another 92 sa50 to ride daily. my last one i rode for over 10,000 miles just adding oil and fuel. apart from changing the spark plug once. never had a issue with it. with ALL of the chinese scooters ive had theyve ALL broken within 100 miles. says ALOT.
get a honda. stay with honda. ill always love hondas. you cant beat jap.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:48 pm
by jeepmaned
Thanks, I like the honda elite I have, been running up and down my street enjoying it. I bought it without title, and need to do some lost title issues to be able to put it on the road. Today was a let down, waited all week for my fuel pump to my 85 spree that I'm working on to get here, and I guess, I didn't read the fine print, where there are two sizes on the threads...wouldn't you know it...I have the other. Got a throttle cable from martynkim and that got it closer. I ran a siphon hose to the carb inlet to rider her, but she has no oomph! This one's been sitting for a long time, and I think most seals, and rings are not coming back to life. I'll pull this engine apart and give it some love. Let you all know the results.

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:04 pm
by 66SIX
I went to some junk yards looking for Honda parts .
And look the junk yard was full of China bikes .
This should tell you something .
I always wondered how they can manufacture & ship a scooter from China for $500.00 ?

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 2:23 pm
by paulpauly7
dont touch them they are more hassle than they are worth

Re: Brand New $499

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 2:24 pm
by paulpauly7
although the side stand on my honda came off one of then sunny 50s