Leather Roper Glove

The Roper Glove is something I have like the looks of since the 80's and watching Mike Donovan kick some lizard ass. Come to find out a lot of CHiPs use them too. I like these gloves because the provide the protection of leather, but are nimble enough to allow you to use most of the functions on your cell phone while wearing them. Plus you can get your hand in and out of your pants pocket to get your keys, etc.

The kids love me...this is one of the things they got me for Christmas.

White AFX FX10 Helmet

I wasn't sure what helmet color I should get, but I knew from talking with other people that a full-face would give the best protection. On a group I belong to, one guy said "it's hard to choose which portion of your head you wouldn't mind getting ground off in a laydown. I got a simple White AFX FX10 Helmet.

This is another thing the kids got me for Christmas--they don't want their daddy to get hurt!

Haynes Techbook Scooters: Automatic Transmission 50 to 250cc

The Haynes Techbook Scooters: Automatic Transmission 50 to 250cc #10452 is generally considered to be the scooter technical manual for most all Chinese-made scooters. The biggest tech-help source beyond this (and probably a bit more friendly) is the yahoo group I belong to: "Chinese Scooters R Us". This book is my gift to me for Christmas.

250cc Scooters

I did some thinking and pricing, and I found out that if I ordered from a company online, I can possibly afford a 250cc "maxi-scooter" that would handle my weight, and also give me a much greater top end--enough so that I didn't have to worry about getting run over. I have to give up the concept of owning a classic-look model, and I absolutely could no longer consider anything but a MIC [made-in-China] scooter. They were the dirt cheapest. So I had to look into what would be the possible problems with them.

Whats So Great About Scooters? Why Should You Care? - Wheels - Autos - New York Times Blog

Here's an interesting article I found. It would be news to most people in the U.S. Whats So Great About Scooters? Why Should You Care?

Battery Tender Junior - 12V @ 0.75A

This tool also was a mandatory thing. If you don't ride for several days in a row, it's best to charge your battery and maintain it up to the full level to prolong it's life. That's why I got the Battery Tender Junior - 12V @ 0.75A

I got this in just the other day. I know I don't need it yet, but I am trying to space things out to help my expenses. No use getting every single thing at the last minute.

Bright Red Viva 250

I went last night to look at a helmet. Its going to be my Christmas present from the kids. I found a local dealer that had one at a good price, but they had to order it. No big deal--its on my way home. So while I'm there, I'm looking at the few (3) scooters they have. One is a 50cc Roketa, one is the Roketa Bali 150, then they have this Viva 250- the one that looks like the Bali. The lady told me it was used and had 500 miles on it. She offered to sell it to me for $2400. Part of me is like: love the color, bugs may have been worked out. the bigger part of me is: used for more than a new one costs delivered, Bali style with the 244cc engine-not Reflex style with 249cc Linhai, possible overheating issues, Viva as opposed to first choice Tank, or 2nd choice Roketa, no tax refund yet...oh, that was the stopper right there. But I REALLY like the red... This one is the same style and color, but the one at CC Rider didn't have a top box.

Scooter Survey

I have a scooter survey now on the internet. It is for owners of these Chinese scooters to fill out so they can pass along good information about their scooters, the problems they've had, and the dealers who've sold them the scoots. It's at: http://www.geocities.com/the1weasel/scootersurvey.html This is my humanatarian effort to help everyone who is going to suffer through owning a "Chinese Junk".

Color and Style

I've found out that most of the variables equal out with these in-crate Chinese scooters, so I have decided to ask my friends and family which body style and color they like best. The two main body styles are clones of the very popular Honda scooters.

The Reflex is one style and has been available in the U.S. for many years. I tried to do some research on the history, but have come up with zero. The Honda site is only geared towards selling. The other body style is the Pantheon, but I don't think they were ever marketed in the states. From what I can gather, in the Chinese market, the Reflex style is newer, and the Pantheon has been around for a couple years. Both perform fine for what they are.

As far as color, there is a black, silver, blue, and a "dark red" available for both body styles. I would have liked to see a true red instead of dark, but it still is lighter than maroon.

Choices

I still have not decided on which specific model and make to get. It seems like the model is a much bigger factor than the acutal manufacturer for this reason--the manufacturer is not really making these scooters. They just are the major importer for them. Even the factory where they get the scooters doesn't really make much of anything--they assemble parts to make the scooter. And from everything I've heard, most all parts are just parts--with a few exceptions like the CFMoto engine vs. the Linhai. When it comes down to it though, that even seems minor unless you're a big gear head looking for the max horsepower. To the normal driver I don't think it would make much difference. This is my opinion and there are some people would would argue with that--I mean really argue.

There are other 250's out there for the MIC scooters. You can find them on sites like Evo Sales, Scootertronics, and other places too. Beware the ones on Ebay--only for the fact that you can get burned on shipping costs, and you WILL get burned on lack of support.

I still have 10-12 weeks to ponder, and see how things go. The MC-54B/Tank DE are appealing, but I want to see how the parts situation develops.

My Choices: Ricardo RM250-18

This is the Ricardo version of the Tank Touring and Roketa Bali 250cc scooters. I think the only difference on any of these is the name that's slapped on the side. There may be actual differences but they would be negligible. Remember, the Chinese get all their stuff as cheap as they can. This scoot retails for $1799 at Valley.

My Choices: Tank Touring Deluxe 250cc

This is the Tank Touring DE250. It is pretty much identical to the Roketa MC-54B. I spoke with John at Valley Scooters and he said he can get these for about the same cost as the Roketa model, so I'm assuming it would be between $2199 and $1999.

My Choices: Tank Touring 250cc

This is the Tank Touring 250cc. It is pretty identical to the Bali 250cc, with all the same disadvantages and advantages. It retails at Valley for either $1599 or $1699 plus shipping. I'm not 100% certain what the complete cost would be.

My choices: Roketa MC-54B 250cc

The next option would be the Roketa MC-54B. It is newer and has a bit better engine. The Bali has the 244cc CF Moto engine, and this one has the 249cc Linhai engine. Linhai either used to make or still makes engines (the same one) for Yamaha. The disadvantage is these are newer, and parts availability is a little sparse. This regularly retails at Valley for $2199, but right now (probably not when I order!) they are running a special for $1999.

My choices: Roketa Bali 250cc

This is a Roketa Bali. They come in 150cc and 250cc. The one I'm looking at retails at Valley Scooters for $1849. The disadvantage is this: some of the older ones have a minor design flaw that may cause mild overheating. I'm told that it could also be a problem with the temp gauge, but some of these models had the gas tank in the front "hump" which restricted the airflow to the radiator a little. Not a major problem but something that could be avoided by getting a newer one with the tank under the seat, or moving to a different model.