Alright, I just dropped eleven hundred bucks on one of these...
Garrison Hilliard
keep running, so...
http://ndpowersports.com/sportycruiser150.htm
Yeah, it's Chinese, but Yamati has a MUCH better reputation than Sun-L
(Baja), plus the free to my door shipping and three year warranty are
really nice features!
SUNL IS JUNK
Mike G
Garrison Hilliard <garr...@efn.org> wrote:
> http://ndpowersports.com/sportycruiser15
Is the C70 for sale?
Mike G.
-
garr...@efn.org
Maybe... if I can't switch in the CT-90 engine I have. ;-)
Bike guy Joe
WOW!!! Dual brake lever covers and everything!
Says there it can make SHARP TURNS, ride on rough terrain, and even
some bump hopping too!!!!
"Very Reliable! The 4-stroke 150cc motor made by the YAMATI Corporation
has been proven to be as efficient and reliable to competitors such as
Honda and Yamaha."
*Proven to be PURE BULLS@#t!!
"This means your scooter is covered bumper to bumper on all motor
parts, drive-train and electrical components."
*Funny, I didn't see any bumpers on that scooter....
*A Keihin carb? I'd really have to see it to believe it, but anything
is possible I guess. The ones I worked on needed constant carb/throttle
cable adjustments, valve adjustments and the brakes were terrible and
needed adjustment all the time as well.
*Love the "starting instructions" page too- "Put on centerstand, turn
on ignition, add fuel" THEN- "Make sure you have the fuel line
connected".....
I hope the fuel line WAS connected and the were no mishaps with the
live ignition.
*"Kick start scooter 6-7 time to BUILD COMPRESSION"!
O.K., I'll give 'em this one...heh heh.
"Use electric starter."
"REPEAT SEQUENCE 6-7 TIMES"!
Good luck with it, report back when you reach 500, 1000, 3000, 5000
miles (or metric equivalent).
I'm betting you won't.
Harry Stottle
"Bike guy Joe" <jetst...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1161170034....@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
Will I do?
Baotian Chinese 50cc, UK. Price paid, GBP 475. Just done 1,000 miles in
just over 12 months.
Delivered with steering column bearing not tightened correctly, causing
slight knocking when braking (potentially dangerous). Also poor
intermittent starting, both electric and kick start.
Steering column top bearing tightened, and Chinese spark plug replaced
with a NGK plug, (oil changed as service schedule).
Since those initial problems, which I corrected myself, no further
problems whatsoever, but I have not de-restricted it, and I have not
tried to thrash it, or dropped or crashed it. If someone has a
mechanical mind, does not intend doing high mileage, and is prepared to
treat the machine with respect, the Chinese machines can be a very cheap
way of getting about.
Providing it stays as reliable as it has been, if I run it for 3 years
and then scrap it, it will have cost me just over GBP 6 per week to run,
and this includes the initial purchase price, road tax, insurance, and
petrol. If I sell it after 3 years for GBP 200, this would reduce the
weekly running costs to GBP 4.75 per week, which for the UK is very
cheap motoring.
vecchio
or maybe we're all just a bunch of whiny pricks? ;-)
Seriously - if you had to pick one scooter that represents a good
balance of value and performance, with reasonable acquisition costs,
decent styling, ease of repair, and as safe as it can be, what would
you pick?
We have a Vespa ET4, and in retrospect I know we paid far, far too much
(although finding a deal on a Vespa isn't possible unless you go used),
but now we're thinking about another scooter for the Mrs (who, unlike
me will strictly be an ocasional rider), and she's in love with the
retro styling of the Vespa-like bikes. I'm not anxious to drop another
$4,000, but I also don't want to compromise on safety.
What to do, what to do, what to do?
V.
Thad Touchton
> Seriously - if you had to pick one scooter that represents a good
> balance of value and performance, with reasonable acquisition costs,
> decent styling, ease of repair, and as safe as it can be, what would
> you pick?
I faced that earlier in the summer and I decided on the Yamaha Vino 125.
I really like the Vespa styling, but as you said, the price is too
high. I also needed more than a 50cc scooter. For my needs the Vino
125 appeared to be the best balance of price, performance, and styling.
I've had it a couple of months now, and I've ridden about 600 miles.
I'm still very pleased with the Vino.
Mike G
garr...@efn.org wrote:
If its a 6v CT90 without the two-speed final drive, you should have no
problems. You'll need the CT90's footpeg bar - the C70's is too narrow
to fit under the wider CT transmission.
Mike G.
-
Steve
<sorryspam...@nospam.uk.co> wrote:
>
>"Bike guy Joe" <jetst...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:1161170034....@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> Garrison Hilliard wrote:
>>> My Honda C 70 needs a new engine, new electrics, and would've cost a
>>> bit to
>>> keep running, so...
>>>
>>> http://ndpowersports.com/sportycruiser150.htm
>>>
>>> Yeah, it's Chinese, but Yamati has a MUCH better reputation than
[...]
>> Good luck with it, report back when you reach 500, 1000, 3000, 5000
>> miles (or metric equivalent).
>>
>> I'm betting you won't.
>>
>
>Will I do?
>Baotian Chinese 50cc, UK. Price paid, GBP 475. Just done 1,000 miles in
>just over 12 months.
[...]
I've put 700 miles on my Strada RX150CE (Yamati) in the past 2 months
and it's been great so far, even on really crappy PA roads. Knock
plastic.
Steve
SoCalMike
> So the Vespa's are too pricey, the Chinese scooters are total shite -
> or maybe we're all just a bunch of whiny pricks? ;-)
>
> Seriously - if you had to pick one scooter that represents a good
> balance of value and performance, with reasonable acquisition costs,
> decent styling, ease of repair, and as safe as it can be, what would
> you pick?
depends on what you mean by styling, but the honda helix is probably
among the best as far as working on/repair.
reasonable cost? again, define reasonable. any of the 400cc and lower
japanese scooters id consider reasonable. the 600/650 class run around
$8000, to me thats too much for a new scooter.
value/performance to me would have to go to the burgman 400, but i got a
nice "out the door" price that was around the same as a reflex 250.
safety? all small vehicles are inherently "unsafe", compared to a brick
wall or H2 hummer. pretty sure the honda 250 reflex offers ABS, though.
>
> We have a Vespa ET4, and in retrospect I know we paid far, far too much
> (although finding a deal on a Vespa isn't possible unless you go used),
> but now we're thinking about another scooter for the Mrs (who, unlike
> me will strictly be an ocasional rider), and she's in love with the
> retro styling of the Vespa-like bikes. I'm not anxious to drop another
> $4,000, but I also don't want to compromise on safety.
>
> What to do, what to do, what to do?
vino 125???
Bike guy Joe
Harry Stottle wrote:
> Will I do?
> Baotian Chinese 50cc, UK. Price paid, GBP 475. Just done 1,000 miles in
> just over 12 months.
> Delivered with steering column bearing not tightened correctly, causing
> slight knocking when braking (potentially dangerous). Also poor
> intermittent starting, both electric and kick start.
>
> Steering column top bearing tightened, and Chinese spark plug replaced
> with a NGK plug, (oil changed as service schedule).
> Providing it stays as reliable as it has been, if I run it for 3 years
> and then scrap it, it will have cost me just over GBP 6 per week to run,
> and this includes the initial purchase price, road tax, insurance, and
> petrol. If I sell it after 3 years for GBP 200, this would reduce the
> weekly running costs to GBP 4.75 per week, which for the UK is very
> cheap motoring.
O.K. a couple of things....first off, thanks for "reporting in" with
1000 mi...please do again when you reach several more. I've made this
request, and have yet to see CCS owners come back at 2-4-6 thousand and
report that their scoots was doing fine.
Now, you shouldn't have to adjust the steering bearings, change the
plug/oil/anything else on a new bike (scoot). It's great if you can
diagnose those things and repair them yourself, but what about joe
sixpack who buys one of those things off the internet and has no idea?
"Providing it stays as reliable as it has been". I hope it does, most
of them don't.
I'm just sayin'......
garr...@efn.org
Mike G wrote:
> > > > http://ndpowersports.com/sportycruiser15
> > >
> > > Is the C70 for sale?
> >
> > Maybe... if I can't switch in the CT-90 engine I have. ;-)
>
> If its a 6v CT90 without the two-speed final drive, you should have no
> problems. You'll need the CT90's footpeg bar - the C70's is too narrow
> to fit under the wider CT transmission.
How about if it's one WITH the two-speed final drive? Just attach a
clutch cable? And it's a 12-volt C 70 "Passport" that needs the
engine... CDI rather than contact points as on the CT 90 engine.
garr...@efn.org
Well, I'm not Joe Sixpack, either (more like "Garrison
Libfraumilchliter"), so I do plan on fully inspecting and correcting
any flaws before I first on the scooter, and taking care of any
problems that crop up immediately!
> "Providing it stays as reliable as it has been". I hope it does, most
> of them don't.
And I'm just replying.
Mike G
garr...@efn.org wrote:
> Mike G wrote:
> > > > > http://ndpowersports.com/sportycruiser15
> > > >
> > > > Is the C70 for sale?
> > >
> > > Maybe... if I can't switch in the CT-90 engine I have. ;-)
> >
> > If its a 6v CT90 without the two-speed final drive, you should have no
> > problems. You'll need the CT90's footpeg bar - the C70's is too narrow
> > to fit under the wider CT transmission.
>
> How about if it's one WITH the two-speed final drive?
CT90 chain line coming off the 2-speed drive cannot be corrected for the
C70's narrower swingarm as far as I know.
> Just attach a clutch cable?
You can install a clutch perch and run a cable for any manual clutch
engine that will fit. MBUK and Monkey-Bike Direct in the UK have kits:
http://www.monkeybike.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_controls.html
http://www.monkey-bike.co.uk/Docs/handlebar-controls.htm
> And it's a 12-volt C 70 "Passport" that needs the
> engine... CDI rather than contact points as on the CT 90 engine.
No electric starter, so the legshield hole for starter not used. Your
big battery box will be overkill - a much smaller 6v battery is all you
need. Replace all the 12v bulbs and relays with 6v. You'll need a 6v
coil to replace the CDI black box. The wiring harness and electrical
components off of the CT might be a smart acquisition.
The 2-speed is a non-starter. Find an earlier CT engine without the
2-speed and you have a chance.
Mike G.
-
netuser
their scooters. Perhaps BN Scooters (the old name of ND PowerSports)
went behind their backs and are importing directly from China. The
warranty does seem to be the "best" in the business but who knows what
their parts warehouse looks like if they have one. If they do honor it
then looks like you a got a good deal. Just be wary of ND PowerSports:
http://www.wichita.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=7088.
Gregg
"SoCalMike" <Mikein562...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9aKdnaV9E96js6rY...@comcast.com...
The Buddy 125 looks pretty good, a 4 stroke, and my local Ducati dealer has
been pretty careful not to offer crap.
SoCalMike
> Will I do?
> Baotian Chinese 50cc, UK. Price paid, GBP 475. Just done 1,000 miles in
> just over 12 months.
> Delivered with steering column bearing not tightened correctly, causing
> slight knocking when braking (potentially dangerous). Also poor
> intermittent starting, both electric and kick start.
>
> Steering column top bearing tightened, and Chinese spark plug replaced
> with a NGK plug, (oil changed as service schedule).
and it passes MOT?
Harry Stottle
New vehicles do not need an MOT for the first 3 years in the UK, this is
what makes buying cheap new Chinese vehicles so attractive, it cuts down
on the expense of running them for those first 3 years. The downside is
that if a problem exists at purchase, (like the loose steering column),
this could go unnoticed, and with potential disastrous consequences.
In the UK, most of the cheap machines are delivered to the customer in a
crate, 'partly assembled, with just a few easy to fit parts (like
handlebar grips and battery) left for the customer to finish off the
machine. This seems to me to be a way of getting round the suppliers
obligation to make sure they provide a roadworthy machine at the point
of sale, as they can then use the excuse that the final assembly was
done by the customer, therefore they are not responsible if the customer
misses anything during that final assembly. This probably helps the
manufacturers and dealers get around their full guarantee obligations as
well. What is needed is for all machines to be fully assembled, and
inspected by the suppliers before sale, this would hopefully prevent the
faulty machines getting through in the first place, but it would also
add to the cost of the very cheap machines.
A lot of the problems with these machines, (especially the 50cc ones),
are caused by the riders themselves though, as they try and modify them
to get 70mph from a machine that was only designed to do 35mph, then
they wonder why the engine keeps cutting out, or seizes up.
Bike guy Joe
Harry Stottle wrote:
> > and it passes MOT?
>
> New vehicles do not need an MOT for the first 3 years in the UK, this is
> In the UK, most of the cheap machines are delivered to the customer in a
> crate, 'partly assembled, with just a few easy to fit parts (like
> handlebar grips and battery) left for the customer to finish off the
> machine. This seems to me to be a way of getting round the suppliers
> obligation to make sure they provide a roadworthy machine at the point
> of sale........
That's a big one.
>
> A lot of the problems with these machines, (especially the 50cc ones),
> are caused by the riders themselves though, as they try and modify them
> to get 70mph from a machine that was only designed to do 35mph, then
> they wonder why the engine keeps cutting out, or seizes up.
Not exactly...if the base machine sucks, it sucks.
If you try to get a 50cc CCS to go 70, it's going to blow. If you try
to get a 50cc Japanese or Euro machine to go 70, you may have half a
chance...at least it would run long enough to do it.
Plus you can get spares....
Bama Brian
Good luck with that warranty. Did you bother to read it?
SoCalMike
they described one as "the corvette of mopeds", meaning they dont even
know WTF theyre selling. they seem like more of the same- drop-ship
quick-buck bastards.
cuh...@webtv.net
Model Car (which I still own,it's sitting in my old shed in my back yard
right now) I bought from a guy (of course,his pretty blonde wife took my
money,they let me sleep on their couch that night too) in Sioux
Falls,South Dakota in November 1971.Poor South Dakotans,they don't know
the difference between Bison and Buffalo.
cuhulin
deni...@yahoo.ca
So what IS the diference?
d.
Bike guy Joe
It's all in where you live....
Harry Stottle
>
> deni...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>> cuh...@webtv.net wrote:
>> > they don't know
>> > the difference between Bison and Buffalo.
>>
>> So what IS the diference?
>
>
In London's East End, a bison is what you wash your hands in.
cuh...@webtv.net
cuhulin
cuh...@webtv.net
differences between Bison and Buffalo and Buffalo and Bison.y'all know
how to use them search engines.Look em up.
I saw Buffalo eyeball to eyeball in 1964 in Vietnam.
cuhulin
deni...@yahoo.ca
Back in the 70's I wanted a Suzuki water buffalo but could never afford
it. It was a huge 3-cylinder motorcycle, 2-stroke like our scooters.
And there was Buffalo Bill Cody; Bison Bill doesn't sound right somehow
;o) .
d.
cuh...@webtv.net
cuhulin
garr...@efn.org
Hey, I did my research - Yamati is China's largest and most
quality-controlled motorcycle company and puts out a good product
(although I did have some reservations about the seller, they've been
most prompt in answering my questions and providing assistance).
Anyway, the "Yamati Sporty Cruiser"
<http://ndpowersports.com/sportycruiser150.htm>
arrived yesterday and, before I even fill up the tank, I've gone over
all of the connections, wiring, and inportant bolts to make sure of
proper workmanship. Knowing beforehand that the electric/electronics
will probably be the weakest bit of the scooter, I've tested all of
those
before I've even started the engine, and everything seems fine.
I'll keep the group updated but, with the cold weather coming on, it
may be a while until I rack up appreciable mileage on the scooter
Garrison Hilliard
>Hey, I did my research - Yamati is China's largest and most
>quality-controlled motorcycle company and puts out a good product
>(although I did have some reservations about the seller, they've been
>most prompt in answering my questions and providing assistance).
>Anyway, the "Yamati Sporty Cruiser"
><http://ndpowersports.com/sportycruiser150.htm>
>arrived yesterday and, before I even fill up the tank, I've gone over
>all of the connections, wiring, and inportant bolts to make sure of
>proper workmanship. Knowing beforehand that the electric/electronics
>will probably be the weakest bit of the scooter, I've tested all of
>those
>before I've even started the engine, and everything seems fine.
>
>I'll keep the group updated but, with the cold weather coming on, it
>may be a while until I rack up appreciable mileage on the scooter
I also notice the same model scooter seems to be sold at Scooterdemand
for $100 more:
http://www.scooterdemand.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2
Bike guy Joe
Let us know when you get it titled and tagged for the street.
Garrison Hilliard
>> >I'll keep the group updated but, with the cold weather coming on, it
>> >may be a while until I rack up appreciable mileage on the scooter
>>
>> I also notice the same model scooter seems to be sold at Scooterdemand
>> for $100 more:
>> http://www.scooterdemand.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2
>
>
> Let us know when you get it titled and tagged for the street.
Already done, and I used it for a cold, rainy ride to the store just a few
hours ago... no big problems to report, but the handling is certainly slower and
diffent from my Honda C 70 (probably due to the much smaller wheels and
different r4iding position).
DennisD
> Hey, I did my research - Yamati is China's largest and most
> quality-controlled motorcycle company and puts out a good product
> (although I did have some reservations about the seller, they've been
> most prompt in answering my questions and providing assistance).
What search query did you use to research Yamati? The only info I
could find was PSF's official line about their "Yamati factory"(so
where is it besides 'somewhere in china'), and the fact that it is a
registered brand associated with PSF.
Don't get me wrong, I own a Yamati built Strada. I did almost no
research except for reading PSF's own statements before buying mine.
However, I have done numerous searches since, and other than coming up
with the fact that the Yamati name is registered with the DOT, have
come up with absolutely nothing that xconfirms there is a 'Yamati
factory'. Any other scooter made that is DOT legal, I can look at the
manufacturer's name on the Fed ID tag on the scooter, and do a search
on the manufacturer and come up with a plant location, history,
statement of accomplishments, and pages proudly showing what scooters
and other things are built in the plant. For Yamati, nothing! I have
read statements by Alan Leson of PSF to the effect that Strada is a two
tiered brand of scooters, with the Yamati scoots being their base line
of scoots and the QianJiang scoots, their 'premium' line of scoots. As
near as I can tell, it appears that there is no location that is the
'Yamati factory'. I suspect that the Yamati factory is whatever
factory can assemble those scooters for the right price with some
semblance of quality. The Yamati Strada, though I really like it for
its' performance, considering the price I paid, doesn't come close to
the QianJiang scooter I had as far as fit and finish is concerned, and
there were a number of pinched and exposed wires to be found (one done
by the dealer, but the rest came from the factory like that) along with
pinched, or potentially pinched fuel lines due to poor routing. And a
non-functioning signal switch, as well as several fuel line clamps that
were up on the fuel lines, NOT over the actual fitting, and a nearly
collapsed air intake hose.. Also the fit of body panels was very poor
compared to the QJ or even compared to the 49cc scoot built by Linhai,
that I just got for my wife.
Dennis D
2006 Strada RX150TE
2006 Manco Matrex
netuser
tried searching the web for Yamati but can't seem to figure out who in
China actually produces them.
SoCalMike
> Out of curiosity what are the first couple of digits of the VIN? I
> tried searching the web for Yamati but can't seem to figure out who in
> China actually produces them.
i was under the impression that yamati only manufactures engines
DennisD
The 1st 3 numbers on the VIN on my Strada RX150TE are 5P4. If you look
up Yamati in the DOT database, that is the Yamati designation. The Fed
ID Tag says assembled by Yamati. The EPA tag is for engine built by
QianJiang. The motor number starts with VE157QMJ, which means it is
the same engine as a Vento, who has had engines built by QJ for at
least several years, although Ventos are assembled by Jialing now.
Yamati is listed as the manufacturer/assembler of my scoot. I know
that the ad copy says powered by Yamati.... that just sounds cool,
but it's hype. I can't figure out who builds/assembles them either(and
PSF sure isn't telling), but I really suspect the plant changes
according to who can build them for a price that will give a good
margin of profit. That's what it's all about. The Yamati scoots
aren't Strada's premier line... those are the RX200HP and the
RX150i(built by QJ) in 150cc displacement. Like I said in my previous
post, Yamati is a registered trade name... as near as I can tell, it's
not a particular factory. Nonetheless, I have no gripes about the
actual backbone of the scooter: Frame, suspension, engine, brakes, etc.
all seem very solid. But quality control during assembly, fit of the
body panels, and lousy seat, all could be much better.
garr...@efn.org
Well, it came with a Qianjaing manual for the QJ line, and the VIN is
5P4TBEMCXC...
so it's presumeably a Qianjiang unit. As far as the workmanship goes,
it all seems fine, but the styling doesn't have flashy things like turn
signals in the mirror stalks and a rising, two-level seat, which are
things I don't need anyway.
DennisD
> Well, it came with a Qianjaing manual for the QJ line, and the VIN is
> 5P4TBEMCXC...
> so it's presumeably a Qianjiang unit.
Nope, look on your Fed ID tag where it tells manufactured by and the
date. It'll say Yamati. 5P4 is the Yamati VIN. Look it up for
yourself:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/manufacture/
The 1st 3 numbers of the VIN are under WMI results after you enter the
manufacturer name. If it was a QJ, your 1st 3 numbers would be LAW.
They give you whatever manual they happen to have available to stick
with it. Luckily all the Strada scoots are all similiar with the same
parts layout except for slightly different body panels so that works,
seeing as the manuals are harly in depth.
Bike guy Joe
DennisD wrote:
> The Yamati Strada, though I really like it for
> its' performance, considering the price I paid, doesn't come close to
> the QianJiang scooter I had as far as fit and finish is concerned, and
> there were a number of pinched and exposed wires to be found (one done
> by the dealer, but the rest came from the factory like that) along with
> pinched, or potentially pinched fuel lines due to poor routing. And a
> non-functioning signal switch, as well as several fuel line clamps that
> were up on the fuel lines, NOT over the actual fitting, and a nearly
> collapsed air intake hose.. Also the fit of body panels was very poor
> compared to the QJ or even compared to the 49cc scoot built by Linhai,
> that I just got for my wife.
What were they smoking at the factory THE DAY THEY BUILT THAT ONE?
DennisD
Bike guy Joe wrote:
> What were they smoking at the factory THE DAY THEY BUILT THAT ONE?
Makes you wonder. The body panels all fit fine, once I took the poorly
aligned pieces apart and put them back together. The other guy's
Strada(sorry, I forgot the name) was either built in a different
"yamati factory" or he's wearing the typical 1st time scooter owner's
blinders. He really should look over all the wiring, and check for
missing or misplaced ties, clamps, and poor or mis- routing of cables,
hoses and wiring, as well as make sure all nuts, bolts, and fasteners
are tight. All very common problems on chinese scoots!
garr...@efn.org
Did you miss this message?
> > "Providing it stays as reliable as it has been". I hope it does, most
> > of them don't.
Hey, I did my research - Yamati is China's largest and most
quality-controlled motorcycle company and puts out a good product
(although I did have some reservations about the seller, they've been
most prompt in answering my questions and providing assistance).
DennisD
garr...@efn.org wrote:
I've gone over
> all of the connections, wiring, and inportant bolts to make sure of
> proper workmanship. Knowing beforehand that the electric/electronics
> will probably be the weakest bit of the scooter, I've tested all of
> those
> before I've even started the engine, and everything seems fine.
Garrison,
That part I'd forgotten abiout. It sounds like yours probably did come
out of a different and better "Yamati factory" than mine. That's good,
I didn't actually have any problems other than a faulty signal switch
(and a wire to the mirror signal that was pinched during dealer
assembly, which blew the flasher). However I found all the other
things I mentioned and they would have been problems eventually. I'm
glad yours didn't have those things wrong and hope you continue to have
no problems. I routed my fuel lines so they're not likely to get
kinked or pinched, but will replace them in the spring as they are
pretty soft and sometimes there are problems with them collapsing. If
yours has no in line fuel filter, you may want to put one in the line
from your vacuum operated fuel switch to the carb... as there is
commonly some gunk in the tanks as they come from the factory. The
vacuum on those little engines goes to almost zero under wide open
throttle, so get the biggest fuel filter that will fit in the line, so
it's like a mini reservoir in case the lack of vacuum under WOT makes
the fuel switch cut out briefly. Some folks take out the vacuum fuel
switch and put in a petcock instead. You can make your exhaust system
more efficient and get a noticeable power boost by taking off your
header pipe and using a grinder and fine sanding drum to take off
welding beads and the jagged seam inside the pipe that disrupt exhaust
flow, and then polish as much as you can reach with the sanding drum.
I also cut most of the 90 degree bend off of the little pipe that comes
out the back of the muffler. Those changes both made the sound a
little deeper and helped acceleration. You'll probably need to adjust
your mixture screw (out a bit) if you do it. If you have problems with
a slightly rough idle or the In case they didn't put a better belt on
yours than was on mine(a chinese Zhuping brand belt), you might want to
take off the CVT cover after about 400-500 miles and look inside. The
inside of mine was covered with very sticky rubber dust. Also inside
the clutch, which I removed and blew out with an air hose. I put a
Gates Powerlink belt on which I got on Ebay from MotoGino in PR. It's
a slightly shorter length belt that many people with 157QMJ engines are
using. Holds up better, gives a little better acceleration, and didn't
hurt top speed any either. It won't hurt to take it out and run it
hard some... even during breakin, just not for any extended period of
time. It'll get your rings seated better than a all "slow and easy"
break-in, and the result will be that your engine run better. Enjoy
your scoot!
Dennis D.
DennisD
intended.... the rough idle part: if it's a problem or your engine
gets so it cuts out at stops during warm up... an NGK iridium plug
CR7HIX plug usually keeps the idle speed smoother so they quit doing
that.
Dennis
garr...@efn.org
Interestingly enough, the EPA plate in the underseat compartment tells
me that the motor is a 6YMTC 150YMA and marks the scooter as an RX150!
DennisD
> Interestingly enough, the EPA plate in the underseat compartment tells
> me that the motor is a 6YMTC 150YMA and marks the scooter as an RX150!
It's significant that the model is listed as a RX150i. I wondered
about that when you said it was a Strada that didn't have blinkers in
the mirrors, because the RX150i is the only 150 Strada I could think of
that has standard mirrors. The RX150i as sold by PSF is normally
assembled by QJ, not Yamati, and would have a LAW VIN #. I remember
you said that PSF said that it isn't one of their scoots, even though
it has a PSF VIN (LAW and 5P4 VIN #'s are PSF numbers... QJUSA, Yamati,
and Strada are all registered to PSF). I think that what's happening
is something like this... the chinese factories have a lot more
production capabilities than what PSF can distribute and sell, so
they're making knockoffs of Stradas and selling them to other importers
here. When they do that, the quality can vary, they can be made by
whichever factory has some capacity to make some extra bikes, because
most of the factories are government owned and share everything. At
this point QJ has entered into enough contracts with PSF that they're
probably not going to build and assemble Strada knockoffs in their own
factory, but QJ is huge, and supplies lots of other companies with
parts, as well as building or assembling some scoots for CPI, and
claims to also build some scoots for companies in Europe. Even if
they're sourcing out engines and frames for RX150i's to other
companies, it's still that much more money for them
Check the wheelbase of your scoot with a tape measure... If it's a
49.5" wheelbase or thereabouts, it is certainly a RX150i or a RX150i
knockoff assembled by a factory that builds Yamati's... or at least a
factory that is using the Yamati VIN, with a RX150i frame and engine
from QJ. There's a real good chance that most all the parts on your
Scoot are QJ, probably assembled by some other factory.
Most of my research was done after buying my scoot. My Strada, which
says on the Fed id tag(the one with the manufacture date) that it's
imported by PSF (dba Ventdirect... a PSF East coast distribution co.)
and built by Yamati. However the MCO said it was built by the JiaJue
factory in China in 2005, and at that time JiaJue didn't have DOT
approval for any of their own scooters (though they did have EEC
approval for some of them). After getting my scoot, I called PSF and
they wouldn't say it wasn't really a Strada, but that it was being
imported and sold by someone else illegally (which is probably true
also for anyone else in the US importing and selling Stradas outside of
PSF's distribution network). They also said it probably couldn't be
titled and registered, but getting over that hurdle was uneventful....
might be different in other states.
The motor # you gave is the EPA engine certification group # and means
basically nothing to anyone except the EPA. Your engine # is on the
left side of your engine right by the left side drain plug. It should
start with QJ157QMJ... that's how you know for certain it's a QJ built
engine, seeing as the chinese factories are known to "share" epa
certification tags. If your wheelbase is 49.5" you have to use a
shorter CVT belt than most other GY6 engines. When you pull your CVT
cover, the belt size is right on the belt. The RX150i engine usually
has a decent quality belt in it, so that may not be a problem for 2 or
3 thousand miles, anyhow. Most scoots actually built by QJ don't have
collapsible fuel lines, but if it was assembled elsewhere they might
have used fuel lines out of their own stock. If you can easily squeeze
your fuel line pretty much flat between between your thumb and index
finger it's the really cheap fuel line... if you have to squeeze
really hard to nearly flatten it that way, it's better quality fuel
line. The RX150i has a higher HP engine than most other Strada 150s
and is built on a 50cc QJ frame and has 12" tires(exactly the same in
appearance and dimensionally to the 50cc QJ scoot I had), whereas the
others have 13" tires and frames with approximately 54.5 to 56.5"
wheelbase. That makes the RX150i quicker handling, accelerating, and
faster than the other Strada models, except the RX200HP which isn't
quite as quick, but just as fast. Eleven hundred bucks is a great
price for a RX150i... did that include shipping? Even if it didn't,
I'm sure it was a deal providing you have some mechanical background,
since you have the scoot sans the PSF warranty. Hopefully titling it
will be uneventful.
Dennis D
garr...@efn.org
DennisD wrote:
> garr...@efn.org wrote:
> > Interestingly enough, the EPA plate in the underseat compartment tells
> > me that the motor is a 6YMTC 150YMA and marks the scooter as an RX150!
>
> It's significant that the model is listed as a RX150i. I wondered
> about that when you said it was a Strada that didn't have blinkers in
> the mirrors, because the RX150i is the only 150 Strada I could think of
> that has standard mirrors. The RX150i as sold by PSF is normally
> assembled by QJ, not Yamati, and would have a LAW VIN #. I remember
> you said that PSF said that it isn't one of their scoots, even though
> it has a PSF VIN (LAW and 5P4 VIN #'s are PSF numbers... QJUSA, Yamati,
> and Strada are all registered to PSF).
I didn't say (or type) that... someone else did. I can authoritively
state that the EPA plate does show that it's a PSF import from
Penseehauken, NJ, and that the engine # (which is partially obscured)
begins 157QM...
Well, Dennis, they are 12" tires, the engine is a 157QMJ, it has a
1295mm wheelbase, the shipping was free, and I have a three-year
unlimited warranty. I think I shopped well, also.
DennisD
garr...@efn.org wrote:
> I didn't say (or type) that... someone else did. I can authoritively
> state that the EPA plate does show that it's a PSF import from
> Penseehauken, NJ, and that the engine # (which is partially obscured)
> begins 157QM...
> 1295mm wheelbase, the shipping was free, and I have a three-year
> unlimited warranty. I think I shopped well, also.
No... You didn't shop well, and neither did I. Neither one of us
researched who we were buying from. We just lucked out in spite of our
ignorance. I can also authoritively state that my EPA plate does show
that it's a PSF import from Penseehauken, NJ. Did you miss that? I
missed or forgot a few things in this thread also, but ripped off epa
tags or tags on scoots made in China as knockoffs of legally approved
scooters can't tell the true story. You think it's going to say that
it was imported by NDPowersports, when they don't have an EPA approval
on file. Hell no, they use someone else's. Nonetheless, as I said
before, you did OK, but it was dumb luck. You probably got a $1700(or
reasonable facsimile thereof) scoot for $1100 shipping included. You
really didn't expect a warranty too did you.... I at least knew better
than that. Hey, if it sounds too good to be true, it is! And that
goes double for anything ordered through an internet scooter dealer.
Your three year warranty isn't a PSF warranty.... don't believe me?
Call PSF and ask! And a warranty from NDScooters is barely worth the
paper it's written on. If you're lucky and you need it, you may get as
much as I got out of my "warranty", a turn signal switch and a flasher.
I don't expect any more than that. If
NDPOwersports/BNScooters/Scooterworld was a legitimate PSF dealer
selling PSF imported scoots, why would they rename them and give em
away?
Heres a couple of threads with more info:
http://tinyurl.com/vr73c
http://tinyurl.com/y6fqxw
NDPowersports/BNScooters/Scooterworld is no longer on West St in
Wichita, though they still claim to be. So what did your certificate
of origin say on it? If it didn't name PSF as the importer, they
aren't. And if it did, and NDPowersports isn't a PSF dealer, then it
was a totally phony C of O.
You got what you paid for... and then some, it looks like. You and I
were both lucky, but I'm smart enough to know that neither of us should
be patting ourself on the back for our expert internet shopping
technique. If we can't learn equally well from our accidental good
fortune, as from our mistakes, we probably won't be so lucky next time!
Dennis D
SoCalMike
> Your three year warranty isn't a PSF warranty.... don't believe me?
> Call PSF and ask! And a warranty from NDScooters is barely worth the
> paper it's written on.
most warranties from chinese drop-ship resellers is worth nothing.
Garrison Hilliard
Well, NDPowersports replied promptly to a problem that has occured with
my scooter... both muffler rings/bands/clamps/those silver thingies
have snapped, leading me to hypthesize that whoever attached them bound
them too tightly around the muffler, not allowing for the exspansion of
the muffler when it got hot and snapping the bands. I'll let you know
when the replacement bands arrive.
Bike guy Joe
They snapped because they are made of undersized, soft, cheap
material, not because they were too tight and the muffler expanded,
snapping them.
DennisD
Bike guy Joe wrote:
> Garrison Hilliard wrote:
> > SoCalMike wrote:
> > > DennisD wrote:
> > ... both muffler rings/bands/clamps/those silver thingies
> > have snapped, leading me to hypthesize that whoever attached them bound
> > them too tightly around the muffler, not allowing for the exspansion of
> > the muffler when it got hot and snapping the bands.
> material, not because they were too tight and the muffler expanded,
> snapping them.
Yup Joe's right.... those have to be tight, or you'd soon be losing
the bolts. Those are one of the parts like fuel lines, many of the
suspension parts, center stands, bushings, bulbs, batteries, and all
kinds of fasteners, where the quality is dependent on the factory doing
assembly and what kind of corners they're have to cut to make some kind
of a reasonable profit margin. When they have to assemble a 150cc
scooter and sell it for $900 before you figure $200 cost of shipping(to
the customer) in, how else is everyone involved going to make any money
off of it? Muffler bands sometimes crack and break, even on the best
brands of bikes, but it shouldn't happen before they've been ridden at
least several thousand chinometers.
Vince
"DennisD" <DennisD...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1162568072.9...@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
Here is how I handle my Scooter muffler bolts. I back them out and apply
penetrating locktite! (Green in color) Just torque'em back down. Problem
gone!
The bands on my MF-150-10D's have never broke. I theorize the soft muffler
aluminum shroud handles the interface pretty good, including the rubber
shock mounting of the band.
I can't open a new crated Bike to inspect all the bolts. If I pre-serviced
them I couldn't afford to sell them cheap! They would be priced a few
hundred higher like the Bikes on my floor.
People who buy any new two-wheeler and think they'll never have to
care for it or put a wrench to it live in never-never land IMO!
Bike Guy Joe is right-on. You ought to get Bookoo Chinanometers on
it before anything breaks!
(Keeps my shop busy! :-)
Vince Calhoun.
www.ecobikeusa.com
478-238-9777
Motor Scooters & Cycles
Roberta, GA 31078
jowe...@gmail.com
Gregg wrote:
> "SoCalMike" <Mikein562...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:9aKdnaV9E96js6rY...@comcast.com...
> > vecchio wrote:
> >> So the Vespa's are too pricey, the Chinese scooters are total shite -
> >> or maybe we're all just a bunch of whiny pricks? ;-)
> >>
> >> Seriously - if you had to pick one scooter that represents a good
> >> balance of value and performance, with reasonable acquisition costs,
> >> decent styling, ease of repair, and as safe as it can be, what would
> >> you pick?
> >
> > depends on what you mean by styling, but the honda helix is probably among
> > the best as far as working on/repair.
> >
> > reasonable cost? again, define reasonable. any of the 400cc and lower
> > japanese scooters id consider reasonable. the 600/650 class run around
> > $8000, to me thats too much for a new scooter.
> >
> > value/performance to me would have to go to the burgman 400, but i got a
> > nice "out the door" price that was around the same as a reflex 250.
> >
> > safety? all small vehicles are inherently "unsafe", compared to a brick
> > wall or H2 hummer. pretty sure the honda 250 reflex offers ABS, though.
> >>
> >> We have a Vespa ET4, and in retrospect I know we paid far, far too much
> >> (although finding a deal on a Vespa isn't possible unless you go used),
> >> but now we're thinking about another scooter for the Mrs (who, unlike
> >> me will strictly be an ocasional rider), and she's in love with the
> >> retro styling of the Vespa-like bikes. I'm not anxious to drop another
> >> $4,000, but I also don't want to compromise on safety.
> >>
> >> What to do, what to do, what to do?
> >
> > vino 125???
> ..................................................................................................................
> The Buddy 125 looks pretty good, a 4 stroke, and my local Ducati dealer has
> been pretty careful not to offer crap.
Thr Buddy 125 is one of the best scooters on the market. Great value,
impeccable build quality, style, and fun!