Hahaha, you all have a funny mindset. Yes, Chinese scooters are cheap and they are vulnerable as well, but they can be still cheap to have if you know what you are doing. I have 5 scooters 1 trike from icebear, 2 Taotao Cruisers (Honda Ruckus moded clone) and 2 others. I change the oil myself and try to keep an eye on my bikes and I can say I have not spent more than 150 for them in a year. Especially my Taotao cruisers, they are the best looking ones (after my trike) and yet they don't require much, they are easy to assemble and for some reason, people seem to like them (I've had many offers for them). So, yes, Chinese bikes are cheap but they can be either cheap or expensive to maintain depending on the care that you give them and if you do it yourself or depend on a mechanic. I personally consider them toys because they are easy to mess with and are really cheap, so I like them despite having an SUV and a sport car which I use for over 1 hours driving trips.
Well done video sir, bloody well done. I would like to add something for any viewer of this review. First let me say that I came into Chino scoots about five years ago and knew nothing about them and now I am rebuilding custom ones from the ground up and I had no previous mechanic knowlege, just common sense. This scooter, and all Chinese scooters, are pretty much the same. They may have different company and/or model names but the parts are almost always the same. These scooters do require a lot of attention but it's not as bad as it seems. The engines are extremely easy to learn to fix. Your biggest problem will be troubleshooting problems as they arise. Luckily there is literally thousands of videos and forums to rely on. All the parts are cheap as in $10-$80, and the expensive parts are stuff like tires and the plastics if you drop it. You can buy an entire new engine for $350 and it only takes about 4 to 5 hours to swap it out. Check it out regularly, don't let it sit for periods of time neglected, weatherize it properly if you live in colder climates, and do the upgrades he mentioned in the video and you will have no regrets in buying this. I believe he's overestimating the cost quite a bit. You can buy a decent used one for about $600, makes some upgrades and have yourself a nice scoot. Go buy one, join a scooter club, and hang with the rest of us scoot trash! Cheers mates!
Pretty comprehensive review. I think the Tao Tao ATM 150 hasnt changed much since then. The price has increased slightly since the tariffs on chinese scooters. The list is a good starting point for initial upgrades.
55 mph is the top speed of the yamaha vino 125. It retails for around $2500 otd. I've had one for 11 years and it has been super reliable (ie nothing broke in 10 yrs). It starts when u hit the starter without complaints. No problem with any rubber parts. The tires and front disk brakes did wear out at 10,000 miles and were replaced. The next maintenance item according to the Owner's manual is the belt drive. Apparently all of the scooters require replacing the belt at 12k miles. Good review of the TaoTao. Enjoy!
Excellent and detailed review. Thank you as it helped me make my decision to hold off purchasing for now as I do not have the mechanical knowledge you spoke of. You saved me a great deal of money!
Very helpful review. Just bought me the 2016 Taotao Quantum Tour 150. As of now it's two days old and put 80 miles on it. This one replaced my 2001 Honda Elite 80 which only did 45MPH and didn't find it rode very well. On my new one I just love it so far. Great ride and steering Nice two stage paint, very shiny. I used Duragloss 105 paint sealant and sealed every single part of the bike. Coated all plastics, seat and hoses Top speed is around 55MPH which I just tired once until break in. LED lights front and back except for headlight. Love the sport look. We shall see. Thanks for taking time for the review.
Fantastic review really appreciate you posting about all the things you have encountered with this scooter. I also have a cheap 150 Chinese scooter that I bought locally. They have similar issues with bad rubber components. But once you replace it with quality rubber hosing from any local parts shop you should not have to replace it again.
Scooters are not bad if you have some mechanical skills you can do a lot your selfe they are not that hard to fix .. just bought a buddy 150 cc theft recovery the idiots put a new key (used) ingnition and spayed it black owner got it back 7 months later running but it was not in the best of shape so he just wanted to get rid of it $300 if I can clean it up remove paint I can get $500 easy cause it runs or just replace plastics ( eBay ) $200 give or take make it look almost new can get $1000 cause it’s a buddy scooter / vespas rival ..
THANKS SO MUCH for being honest about the top speed There is not a single video on RUclips that shows a 150CC's real speed. There's only videos of people riding their 150CC around and they don't show the speed or revealed the max top speed... Other videos people always claim that a 150CC will reach 65 & 70, which is a lie
Thank you so much for this video. I have had mine just like it for a month, and need these pointers on it. My patience is very thin with mechanical work. I really appreciate and look forward to the other videos. Thanks again
Note to others who have not yet ourchased :::: IF U R short on patience when doing mechanical work,,,,DO NOT BUY ....get a used Honda from your father's best friend....
I have a Tao Tao Paladin 150. It is essentially the same bike that you have with different styling. I currently have 11,260 Km on it and have had it for two years. It is extremely reliable. I only had to have the variator replaced about a month ago due to it accelerating clunky. I keep it outside also (not garaged). I will post a video soon to show you how to make it look and perform like scooters that cost 4 times as much for less than fifty dollars.
Hi, I loved your non biased approach to your review. If it makes any difference to you I'm from Thunder Bay Ontario Canada 🍁 & I ride a 2000 Kawasaki ZX12R which has been a very good bike to me. My wife rides to & has a 2001 GSXR-750 I got for her birthday. I respect all riders & believe it's not what you ride, it's THAT you ride. I wish that more people would be as thorough with their reviews as you. I' ve been thinking of getting 2 scooters so my wife & I have something different to ride. Good excuse to go grocery shopping? LOL Thanks for the great video & review Henning & Liz
Thank you for the in depth ..real world review.: including fuel economy, actual performance speed and rider weight. I have a Honda 2014 Grom MSX125... It takes similar size 12" tires. I highly recommend Michelin Power Pure SC which are commonly available by mail order in the sizes 120/70-12 130/70-12 140/70-12 . The Grom is a similar power...similar speed bike... My fuel economy is 75 to 100 mpg with 220 pound rider. I have had no breakdowns or service failures and currently have 2700 miles on a 2014 Grom which I purchased new in February 2015 . The Honda does cost more than a Chinese Scooter and shifting gears does wear/scuff the top/toe of rider's shoe or boot.
Hey nice video, well done. I have actually just bought the same bike and it will be coming in a few days. I have read a lot on the forums that you should change out the carb on Chinese scooters but i was wondering if this only applies to the 50cc ones or this bike as well? By the way have been able to get a lot of info from scootdawgs, great site and thank you to all of the contributors out there.
Why would u change the carb. U only want to change it if I had been sitting for like years 5 or more that’s when u change it .. I have 2012 rowdy 1500cc bough it ran ok all original even tires just replaced rear tire ..2020 Lota miles .. thought could run better got a aftermarket carb . runs better faster the rowdy is a heavy scooter plan on getting another .. don’t need to 100mph down the street 56 is fast enough ..
I read on forums last night that the only scooters you should buy should be either Taiwanese or Japanese, as scooters or motorbikes in general, are extremely high quality and durable. As it would happen, my first and (so far) only scooter, is a 2006 Taiwanese Golden Bee 50cc Key West Scooter, and the motorcycle I purchased a year or two ago, is a 1976 Honda CB125S, so as luck would have it, I've gotten a vehicle from both of those recommended countries. I had been offered a Tao Tao 150cc scooter recently, and have been very indecisive about purchasing it, as I have heard that the Tao Tao Chinese scooters are true crap. Watching your, and many other reviews, I can't help but to agree that they are crap. High maintenance is an understatement. You basically have to rebuild the bike within the first 3 months of owning it. Hardly worth the low price you pay for it if you'll be spending constant time and money to upkeep it. May as well buy a more expensive, yet much more durable and reliable bike from a much more reputable company, like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha. Hell, even Kymco is a Taiwanese company, and they make such good motors that larger brand companies like Vespa and Yamaha, buy from them. I definitely thank you for this review, though. You've made my mind up for me as far as buying a Tao Tao, which I won't. Instead, I'll just save my money for now...though, I will want to buy a bigger scooter eventually. The constant tailgating from riding the 50cc is becoming obnoxious and more dangerous, since all the people are coming out from the quarantine, they're all flooring it everywhere, and them going 15 over the speed limit is terrifying when I can't even reach the speed limit. Secondly, the Honda motorcycle, I've found, isn't actually all that practical. Sure you can wear a backpack, or put a trunk on the bike, but you still can't carry as much as you would on a scooter, which is preferable, and far more practical, as well as quieter, and much more fun to ride. So, yeah, I'll probably be selling that. A thumb's up for the review, anyways.
Not as bad as u think they are good scooters easy to maintain..some people with lack of ingenuity or mechanical skills make the simplest things look so hard well they are not ..
Parts for this scooter are dirt cheap. There are literally thousands of RUclips vids that will walk you thru absolutely any repair. But yes, if you are afraid to get your nails dirty or cannot tell the difference between a impact and a screwdriver, then you’re probably better off taking the bus.
@@ShipWreck54 That's nothing. I've got a 2006 TGB Keywest Scooter, and am only paying $72 a year ($6/month) for insurance. I've also got a 1976 Honda CB 125S and that is also $72 a year ($6/month). My 1987 Ford Country Squire (woody) station wagon costs me $502 a year, which actually kind of annoys me, because it's actually about $5 more expensive per month, than my 1986 Chevy Custom Deluxe, and I asked why it was more expensive, and they said it was because there wasn't any airbags in the car, and I was like, "Well, obviously, there aren't any airbags in the truck, either." Bottom line, insurance is a scam either way.
Extremely informative video! Very well done! I have been researching Chinese scooters the past week and your video is by far the most helpful. I read about the same issues you had to repair, but seeing the actual parts on the video was much more helpful. I like your thorough and neat upgrades and expense list. Where the upgrade parts available here in the USA? Thanks for posting.
I was told by dealer to use only premium gas which is sold by a station here in St. Lucie Florida that has a 3 separate hoses on their pumps. He told me that the valves needed 93 octane and if I bought gas from a 1 hose pump the first half gallon would probably be regular. I only put about 1 gallon in at a time so no big deal.
Excellent review. Comprehensive. They should all be done like this! Extremely helpful. As to the bike, it sounds more like an expensive hobby than good transportation, and frankly I would only give it 2 stars at most. But thanks for the wonderful review !!!
I have this scooter and have had problems from day one. The thing leaves a trail of parts in its wake. Every time I hit a bump, I can hear nuts and bolts falling onto the ground. Also, the cheap plastic body panels are always rattling because all the flimsy body panel clips break too easily. I have had to replace the carburetor, the battery, and a plethora of body panels and lights. I would not recommend Taotao to anyone.
Im looking into getting a powermax 150 or Quantum how bad is the quality on them I'm a bit scared now ..only had 1 moped before was a Zuma or Ruca or something in 2004..think it was maroon was 15 years ago
Bought a 49cc off someone in town and slowly trying to get around to riding it .. swear it likes to take off if not careful and.slowly learning in general on it
They make a thing called HELI-COIL It is used for stripped out bolts. I use a 1/4 inch drive socket for the small bolts and 3/8 drive for the heaver. I HAND SCREW in the bolts first. Never use an air impact. I give you KUDOS for a great walk around. We live in N.C. and insurance is $90.00 a year for the first bike and $50.00 for the second and $35.00 for the third. You might want to remove the (EGR) or PAIR system s that is for California residents..
Great in depth review, I jus bout my few day ago and this review prepares me very good, thanks man, I appreciate the time you took tor explaining very good.
5/2022 Well done video I own a 2013 Wolf V150 since new. I use my scooter in Florida more than a car. I have considered to sell the car all together and renting one when needed. Having a scooter to me is much more practical.
not to pick on you dude but that clip you said was for grocery bags i have a hook that resembles the coat hanger hook in a car and was told by the dealer those are to hang our helmets on lol but i found grocery bags really wouldnt stay on that hook and the hard way with a couple loaves of bread..
I've got motorcycles and know a lot about them, and am looking to get a scooter for running around town, i know nothing about scooters as far as brands and all that. I really appreciate what you did here, you've made my decision very easy, thank you, I greatly appreciate going through what the totals of this bike costs between maintenance and everything!
THank you , thank you! Very clear observations- Just GOt a Bandit frm 2005 and its basically the same scooter. Have to go thru all the systems as it was left to rot behind someone house. I'm a little intimidated by what could be wrong....
Thanks for the tips on fixing the stripped CVT bolt hole. As far as protectant for the rubber parts, what are you going to use? After I saw the cracking rubber, I did some research I went with Johnsen's silicone lubricant, which "lubricates and prolongs the life of weatherstripping on hoods, trunk lids, doors and windows". Also heard that food grade silicone spray can be used.
Thanx...Excellent video...I'm seriously thinking about going and PICKING up my new SSR 150 -put together- this month INSTEAD of delivery (costs me $2.04 more / Or $50.00 in gas) )..they DID mention/ suggest the new oil change...perhaps SYNTHETIC? Good Video.
Very good video review. I just got one of these and yes , I know they may need some attention. I think it will be my summer toy run to work once in a while. Do you have a picture of just that list at 17:58 just seems like a good comprehensible look at the basic upgrades. I dont want to mod it all out , just get a few of the quick failing parts off the scooter.
Awesome , thanks so much. I am still cruising my around and loving every minute of it Its time to start looking into the few new parts , however all is still working really well and I have not changed a thing yet. Only changed oil and had a few vacuum line leaks . So anyone with these , replace your vacuum lines , so far its the first to fail
Great review!!!! I was curious about these and that satisfied my curiosity. I've been riding for 40 years, from mopeds as a kid to my current motorcycle. I like the idea of this scooter, transport using minimal resources, but I cant abide the low power output. I feel vulnerable in traffic on something like this, as opposed to my motorcycle which has over 100hp. If it was used in a very low traffic area that might be fun. Do they make a 250?
Did you get Ryan Reynolds to voice this? seriously though, you do sound a bit like him!Great review, I'm thinking of getting one of these as the traffic to work is getting beyond a joke where I live, not to mention exorbitant parking fees for cars!Something like this would be perfect to zip about on, and cheaply. Cheers for the upload.
I was goin to get one but after I saw this video I changed my mind, cause of all the work you have to do. To many bod cons...... Good video tho thanks.
SpongeRod Armstead I get 55 mpg and pay $7.60 per month for insurance. Any vehicle you own is gonna need maintained. Bikes require a little more maintenance. But parts are extremely cheap for something like this scooter. You can replace the entire engine for $300. Try that with any other vehicle, even other motorcycles, and you are looking at 10-20 times the cost. Even the oil change is 1/10th the expense vs a car. Convenience is expensive!
My scooter was running fine like 50 miles an hour I bring it to a shop and had them replaced the ignition and had a tune-up done on the way home is always staying in the red and making popping noises bogging down then all a sudden it wasn't going nowhere the wheel wasn't turning turning then it would turn in just a little what do you think it is Harley
hello, I have had this bike over two years. i live in Fl.and ride every day. Rideing in rain no problem,pdi wire connectors prob. The bolt on swing arm has problem because all the weight of exhaust is there. After i lock tight bolt it broke bracket. i put a steel bar from bolt hole to rear shock,ran a bolt through bar and swing arm. prob solved,suggest you do same. Enjoy
All the scooters and bikes in general requires manteinance , chines a little more, first think you want to do is an oil change and replace all the gas lines and filter, also replace the drive belt with a gate prolink belt, all the retainers and rubbers, as you said, as well, they are inxpensive and easy to replace, the bike for under $1000 is a steal
I’ll agree with you 100% about these bikes needing frequent maintenance. These bikes are manual mode. No computer. Basic operating systems (air/fuel/spark). If you have them running right, they’re fun and economical. I disagree with using power tools for small bolts. The bolts on the CVT are 10MM. They only get nudged down. As for the oil, there is no filter. Only a screen. Just spray it with brake cleaner if it’s loaded with crap. Lastly, carry your helmet with you. I had a scooter with a built in helmet lock. Worked great until someone stole it and I had to ride home with no helmet. People passing me “look at this jackass! He’s gonna kill himself!”😂. Since that day, I carry the helmet with me. It’s not heavy at all. 😂😂
Switch from the normal motor oils to AMSOIL synthetic 4 stoke motor oil as soon as you can once the valves seat on the engine. It will increase your mileage from 83 to 94 miles per gallon, and boost your top speed from about 32mph to about 40mph. The engine will last much longer with the AMSOIL as well besides the top speed pickup.
Nice thorough review. I'm curious how you got that charger to run your Garmin in GPS/power mode vs data/charging mode, since Garmins are funny that way. When you hook them up to a 12v power cord in your car they work the way they're supposed to. When you hook them up to your laptop via a USB cable they go into data transfer/charging mode. I'd like to know what model Opteka and what kind of cable you're using.
Stock batteries are good as long they get regular use meaning you use the bike regulary bike batteries start going bad after a month or two of no use ( why ? ) some not all ! can be SLOW .. charged back to life a fast charge is NOT ..good or if u can start bike and go for 1hour and a halfe ride the bike might recharge it similar to slow charge , if not take it to a autozone ( or what u have ) and ask it they charge batteries for free and they will slow charge it .. and ask if they know to slow charge .. if they scratch ? There head go somewhere else cause if u batt still has life u don’t want some idiot to fry it ..had that happen at a store with 3 guys ?? What’s there name 🤔 so ask ... $50 is a lot for a new battery..
@@greatcesarsghost My experience is mixed using the battery that Chinese scooters come with. I'm a daily rider, I've had the factory batteries die on me after 2-3 months.I generally get a better battery from the start. Have found 150cc scoots to Outlast 50cc engine wise.
when they assemble the scooters they have starting stations where they put oil and gear oil and a Gas I V .. set up connected to carb gives a few oz’s of gas to start They have little alligator clips that are hooked to a kinda low voltage charger gives the bike enough batterie voltage to start boom bike starts for a few minutes pass inspection suck back oil . Burn the little gas . Done pack it up batteries are in a package box with manual nuts bolts .. when bike gets here
What company bought it they are not going to buy a slow charger that takes 6 hours to properly charge battery NO ! put it together. Ad gas . Oil . Tire pressure bike is 80 percent assembled as for battery .. they start it with car battery charger put it on ready start zap they just fried the battery cells . Put bike out sell it yeah it’s charged the wrong way but dealer will deal with that later since Chinese scooters have 30 day warranty if your lucky .. takes to long to properly charge battery than to assemble bike if they bought 4 bikes they want 3 assembled before end of day . . Sell sell !!! so it’s not the battery it’s how it’s prepd right from the start ..
Wow that's a lot of money for that bike I probably could use even more upgrades and stuff like that to make it there really reliable and enjoyable for that kind of money I get a Honda Super Cub
That's interesting to hear your total investment. For that same $3000 you could have easily picked up something stronger and better built from Kymco. Their 160cc models retail about $2700. The 125cc Agility makes the same hp as most GY6's (8-10 hp) for $2000. Good to know ahead of time how the overall cost of these Chinese scoots can skyrocket.
Or just quit being a masochist and get a used motorcycle. Seriously, you can get a used Ninja 250 for about $1600 in reasonable mechanical condition, just some scuff marks from a beginner dropping it a time or two, and expect no replacement parts or maintenance needed for a long time besides the obvious normal things like oil, brakes, tires, chain after thousands of miles. Insurance may be a bit higher and fuel economy a bit lower, but without the frustrations, with the ability to go at highway speeds, and with almost the same resale value as what you paid for it if you keep it in reasonable condition... while a Chinese scooter is worth almost nothing once it has a few years or small # of thousands of miles, and rightly so when you consider it will cost as much to refurb as a new one costs.
Stinky Cheese Yeah, you pretty much CAN'T go wrong with a 250cc bike of any sort... best possible balance between power and fuel economy. The only real advantage a scooter has is CVT and built -in storage, and the fact that some people can't throw a leg over a motorcycle.
Stinky Cheese Some people want scooters simply for the automatic transmission. Until the Honda CTX with autotrans hits the used market, most of these people want a scooter. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and BMW all make very nice scooters.
gemsroadwarrior "Easy" is the opposite of cheap generic scooters. It would be far less BS to buy a major brand motorcycle than to do even 1/4th of the nonsense this victim has had to put up with and then to only end up with something of little to no resale value unless he finds someone dumb enough to be tricked into the same vicious cycle of masochism.
Stinky Cheese I agree. That's why I say yes to Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW and Kymco scooters. All are quality built and all have excellent service support.
5 years later , still very sad to see.....someone has thrown good money out in the wind,unnecessarily... iridium spark plug,red hot(what the hell is that!) ignition coil,etc etc; you DON'T need that shtt! original spark plug (hell,it's only a dollar on ebay,now,delivered) will last you 2OOOO or more,original coil is probably better than that orange one you got ; etc etc; i too own a chinese 125 cc (Keeway 125 ARN) and it's quality is the very best in the world; it has 42325 kms,it has been GREAT; parts are beyond cheap,they are almost FREE ( the 3 big plastic pieces that make up the engine shroud,ONLY cost less than 5 euros each( i'm in Europe, in Portugal ),sales tax(23 pct!) included; special steel chromed bolts and screws are pennies each,less than a dollar,etc ; a new piston,original, was 17 euros; i'm a mechanic(for over 35 years,cars ,mainly bmw,jaguar), bought the bike,used,the previous owner had broken the said engine shrouds,and overheated the engine,ruining the piston,ONLY!!! the cylinder was perfect,only worn down less than a thousandth of an inch on the 52.4 mm diameter(many of my tools ,bore gauges,mikes,etc,are in inches,i lived in NJ, 19 years) ; rod-crank bearing was perfect,it may go another 4O k,with no issues; all the electrics are original, and excellent; i am simply AMAZED at the extreme QUALITY of the parts,bolts,screws,etc,on this chinese scooter: the quality of the engine steel ,aluminum,etc,parts is surely one of he BEST in the world; equal to ,or better than what i see on the bmw and jaguar cars i work on! for instance,the piston pin,piston pin bore, rod pin bore,had ZERO wear! at 42325 kms,with questionable maintenance; those materials are the very best i've seen; and finally,....your mileage may vary,of course...
I love the video but I own three types of scooters my self why would I get insurance on a scooter just asking I have a 2018 taotao racer 50 I have 2500 invested into and no insurance it's not needed
If you don't want to spend a lot of money but still want quality look into Adly and Bintelli scooters. Of course you can always go brand name like the Honda Metropolitan/Rukus or Yamaha Zuma. Well worth the money. Unfortunately with Chinese made scooters parts used are cheap quality. You get what you pay for. Understandably I know not everyone will have the money for more expensive scooters but honestly in the long run saving up money for a quality scooter will save you the headaches and money fixing cheap scooters.
I don’t know I guess u got a lemon I bought a big ruckus / rowdy off the street and I never had any big expense I’ve had two valve adjustments in the last 3 years and the bike feels like a rebuild every time replaced rear tire , rear brakes both master cylinders eBay less than $15 you got to remember most Chinese bike part are interchangeable if u just do a little research and some ingenuity . U make sound it’s going to drag u down and drain your life savings if you spend a Saturday morning cleans it u check and adjust what needs to be done and the bike will last I bought mine in 2016 and it’s a 2013 .. after miner adjustments its faster than other stocks ones . They ask what I did to it nothing ! So not all Chinese bikes have or need the things u say my bike is 80 0/0 stock ..so they are not as bad as people say ..
My bike is fuel injected and in my opinion is a way better option. I once had a chinese carbureted scooter and one day after riding it when it was new just randomly started gushing fuel out if the carburetor from the air box. It was a fun little scooter but I smfound myself always busy wulith fixing something on it. For double the price you can get a higher quality bike from a dealer.
These are great if you love to tinker. If you don’t have any automotive experience or need reliability I would recommend buying a taiwanese scooter from a dealership or a more expensive japanese yamaha or honda bike.
David Jones well if you have $4,500 to drop on a better scooter then that’s fine. The Chinese scooters allow you to kinda pay as you go. $1200 up front for the scooter and then another $1200 for add-on’s that you can buy one piece at a time. And when all is said and done, you still save about 50% over a Honda. This guy included the cost of a lot of items that he shouldn’t have. Tools, riding gear, that cost applies to any bike and shouldn’t have been a factor here. He has also paid others to make repairs and that always jacks up the costs.
Wow! This is an extremely in-depth review/walkaround! I wish I could give you 2 thumbs up! Well done!
Lol
Best scooter review on the internet
Hahaha, you all have a funny mindset. Yes, Chinese scooters are cheap and they are vulnerable as well, but they can be still cheap to have if you know what you are doing. I have 5 scooters 1 trike from icebear, 2 Taotao Cruisers (Honda Ruckus moded clone) and 2 others. I change the oil myself and try to keep an eye on my bikes and I can say I have not spent more than 150 for them in a year. Especially my Taotao cruisers, they are the best looking ones (after my trike) and yet they don't require much, they are easy to assemble and for some reason, people seem to like them (I've had many offers for them). So, yes, Chinese bikes are cheap but they can be either cheap or expensive to maintain depending on the care that you give them and if you do it yourself or depend on a mechanic. I personally consider them toys because they are easy to mess with and are really cheap, so I like them despite having an SUV and a sport car which I use for over 1 hours driving trips.
This is one of the best reviews Ive ever seen on any item. You did an amazing job. Thank you for making this. Subscribed.
Excellent review. I like that you're truthful about your weight and the actual speed of the scooter. Thank you.
Well done video sir, bloody well done. I would like to add something for any viewer of this review. First let me say that I came into Chino scoots about five years ago and knew nothing about them and now I am rebuilding custom ones from the ground up and I had no previous mechanic knowlege, just common sense. This scooter, and all Chinese scooters, are pretty much the same. They may have different company and/or model names but the parts are almost always the same. These scooters do require a lot of attention but it's not as bad as it seems. The engines are extremely easy to learn to fix. Your biggest problem will be troubleshooting problems as they arise. Luckily there is literally thousands of videos and forums to rely on. All the parts are cheap as in $10-$80, and the expensive parts are stuff like tires and the plastics if you drop it. You can buy an entire new engine for $350 and it only takes about 4 to 5 hours to swap it out. Check it out regularly, don't let it sit for periods of time neglected, weatherize it properly if you live in colder climates, and do the upgrades he mentioned in the video and you will have no regrets in buying this. I believe he's overestimating the cost quite a bit. You can buy a decent used one for about $600, makes some upgrades and have yourself a nice scoot. Go buy one, join a scooter club, and hang with the rest of us scoot trash! Cheers mates!
MickolaustheWonder do you do videos also?
This was posted in 2013. I wonder if you still have this and how you fared out?
Pretty comprehensive review. I think the Tao Tao ATM 150 hasnt changed much since then. The price has increased slightly since the tariffs on chinese scooters. The list is a good starting point for initial upgrades.
55 mph is the top speed of the yamaha vino 125. It retails for around $2500 otd. I've had one for 11 years and it has been super reliable (ie nothing broke in 10 yrs). It starts when u hit the starter without complaints. No problem with any rubber parts. The tires and front disk brakes did wear out at 10,000 miles and were replaced. The next maintenance item according to the Owner's manual is the belt drive. Apparently all of the scooters require replacing the belt at 12k miles.
Good review of the TaoTao. Enjoy!
Really great job on this video. Thanks for taking the time to create it and upload !
I just bought a 2014 2 hours ago....I pray I made a good decision!!
Very nice thorough review. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Excellent and detailed review. Thank you as it helped me make my decision to hold off purchasing for now as I do not have the mechanical knowledge you spoke of. You saved me a great deal of money!
Very helpful review.
Just bought me the 2016 Taotao Quantum Tour 150.
As of now it's two days old and put 80 miles on it.
This one replaced my 2001 Honda Elite 80 which only did 45MPH and didn't find it rode very well.
On my new one I just love it so far.
Great ride and steering
Nice two stage paint, very shiny.
I used Duragloss 105 paint sealant and sealed every single part of the bike.
Coated all plastics, seat and hoses
Top speed is around 55MPH which I just tired once until break in.
LED lights front and back except for headlight.
Love the sport look.
We shall see.
Thanks for taking time for the review.
Cajun Grom Rider hey how was your bike now?
monkey D luffy
I sold the scooter to buy the Grom but still in contact with the new owner and still no problems.
replaced your honda with a tao tao - - proof that chinese bikes have arrived.
Fantastic review really appreciate you posting about all the things you have encountered with this scooter. I also have a cheap 150 Chinese scooter that I bought locally. They have similar issues with bad rubber components. But once you replace it with quality rubber hosing from any local parts shop you should not have to replace it again.
Great overview, gives me perspective on purchasing my first scooter.
Scooters are not bad if you have some mechanical skills you can do a lot your selfe they are not that hard to fix .. just bought a buddy 150 cc theft recovery the idiots put a new key (used) ingnition and spayed it black owner got it back 7 months later running but it was not in the best of shape so he just wanted to get rid of it $300 if I can clean it up remove paint I can get $500 easy cause it runs or just replace plastics ( eBay ) $200 give or take make it look almost new can get $1000 cause it’s a buddy scooter / vespas rival ..
Best I've seen yet sir! Best regards!
THANKS SO MUCH for being honest about the top speed
There is not a single video on RUclips that shows a 150CC's real speed. There's only videos of people riding their 150CC around and they don't show the speed or revealed the max top speed... Other videos people always claim that a 150CC will reach 65 & 70, which is a lie
Thank you so much for this video. I have had mine just like it for a month, and need these pointers on it. My patience is very thin with mechanical work. I really appreciate and look forward to the other videos. Thanks again
Note to others who have not yet ourchased :::: IF U R short on patience when doing mechanical work,,,,DO NOT BUY ....get a used Honda from your father's best friend....
THANK YOU........ 5 STARS........ Best scooter review on the internet.
I have a Tao Tao Paladin 150. It is essentially the same bike that you have with different styling. I currently have 11,260 Km on it and have had it for two years.
It is extremely reliable. I only had to have the variator replaced about a month ago due to it accelerating clunky.
I keep it outside also (not garaged). I will post a video soon to show you how to make it look and perform like scooters that cost 4 times as much for less than fifty dollars.
Hi, I loved your non biased approach to your review. If it makes any difference to you I'm from Thunder Bay Ontario Canada 🍁 & I ride a 2000 Kawasaki ZX12R which has been a very good bike to me. My wife rides to & has a 2001 GSXR-750 I got for her birthday. I respect all riders & believe it's not what you ride, it's THAT you ride. I wish that more people would be as thorough with their reviews as you. I' ve been thinking of getting 2 scooters so my wife & I have something different to ride. Good excuse to go grocery shopping? LOL
Thanks for the
great video
& review
Henning & Liz
How about a new video after 5-6 years of ownership? Would be interesting to hear how things have been since making this video.
Thank you for the in depth ..real world review.: including fuel economy, actual performance speed and rider weight.
I have a Honda 2014 Grom MSX125... It takes similar size 12" tires. I highly recommend Michelin Power Pure SC which are commonly available by mail order in the sizes 120/70-12 130/70-12 140/70-12 . The Grom is a similar power...similar speed bike... My fuel economy is 75 to 100 mpg with 220 pound rider. I have had no breakdowns or service failures and currently have 2700 miles on a 2014 Grom which I purchased new in February 2015 . The Honda does cost more than a Chinese Scooter and shifting gears does wear/scuff the top/toe of rider's shoe or boot.
Hey nice video, well done. I have actually just bought the same bike and it will be coming in a few days. I have read a lot on the forums that you should change out the carb on Chinese scooters but i was wondering if this only applies to the 50cc ones or this bike as well? By the way have been able to get a lot of info from scootdawgs, great site and thank you to all of the contributors out there.
Why would u change the carb. U only want to change it if I had been sitting for like years 5 or more that’s when u change it .. I have 2012 rowdy 1500cc bough it ran ok all original even tires just replaced rear tire ..2020 Lota miles .. thought could run better got a aftermarket carb . runs better faster the rowdy is a heavy scooter plan on getting another .. don’t need to 100mph down the street 56 is fast enough ..
I read on forums last night that the only scooters you should buy should be either Taiwanese or Japanese, as scooters or motorbikes in general, are extremely high quality and durable. As it would happen, my first and (so far) only scooter, is a 2006 Taiwanese Golden Bee 50cc Key West Scooter, and the motorcycle I purchased a year or two ago, is a 1976 Honda CB125S, so as luck would have it, I've gotten a vehicle from both of those recommended countries.
I had been offered a Tao Tao 150cc scooter recently, and have been very indecisive about purchasing it, as I have heard that the Tao Tao Chinese scooters are true crap. Watching your, and many other reviews, I can't help but to agree that they are crap. High maintenance is an understatement. You basically have to rebuild the bike within the first 3 months of owning it. Hardly worth the low price you pay for it if you'll be spending constant time and money to upkeep it. May as well buy a more expensive, yet much more durable and reliable bike from a much more reputable company, like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha. Hell, even Kymco is a Taiwanese company, and they make such good motors that larger brand companies like Vespa and Yamaha, buy from them.
I definitely thank you for this review, though. You've made my mind up for me as far as buying a Tao Tao, which I won't. Instead, I'll just save my money for now...though, I will want to buy a bigger scooter eventually. The constant tailgating from riding the 50cc is becoming obnoxious and more dangerous, since all the people are coming out from the quarantine, they're all flooring it everywhere, and them going 15 over the speed limit is terrifying when I can't even reach the speed limit.
Secondly, the Honda motorcycle, I've found, isn't actually all that practical. Sure you can wear a backpack, or put a trunk on the bike, but you still can't carry as much as you would on a scooter, which is preferable, and far more practical, as well as quieter, and much more fun to ride. So, yeah, I'll probably be selling that. A thumb's up for the review, anyways.
This video effectively deterred me from buying one of these (probably.) Thanks for this insightful review.
Not as bad as u think they are good scooters easy to maintain..some people with lack of ingenuity or mechanical skills make the simplest things look so hard well they are not ..
Parts for this scooter are dirt cheap. There are literally thousands of RUclips vids that will walk you thru absolutely any repair. But yes, if you are afraid to get your nails dirty or cannot tell the difference between a impact and a screwdriver, then you’re probably better off taking the bus.
lol $100 a year for insurance. I'm trading in my car for a scooter!
n3rdbear my 2019 Sportster is $103.13 for the entire year 2020. That’s almost exactly 12 times cheaper than my pickup for the same coverage.
@@ShipWreck54 That's nothing. I've got a 2006 TGB Keywest Scooter, and am only paying $72 a year ($6/month) for insurance. I've also got a 1976 Honda CB 125S and that is also $72 a year ($6/month).
My 1987 Ford Country Squire (woody) station wagon costs me $502 a year, which actually kind of annoys me, because it's actually about $5 more expensive per month, than my 1986 Chevy Custom Deluxe, and I asked why it was more expensive, and they said it was because there wasn't any airbags in the car, and I was like, "Well, obviously, there aren't any airbags in the truck, either."
Bottom line, insurance is a scam either way.
I pay 78 a year for Geico liability only in California.
Extremely informative video! Very well done! I have been researching Chinese scooters the past week and your video is by far the most helpful. I read about the same issues you had to repair, but seeing the actual parts on the video was much more helpful. I like your thorough and neat upgrades and expense list. Where the upgrade parts available here in the USA? Thanks for posting.
I was told by dealer to use only premium gas which is sold by a station here in St. Lucie Florida that has a 3 separate hoses on their pumps. He told me that the valves needed 93 octane and if I bought gas from a 1 hose pump the first half gallon would probably be regular. I only put about 1 gallon in at a time so no big deal.
Excellent review. Comprehensive. They should all be done like this! Extremely helpful. As to the bike, it sounds more like an expensive hobby than good transportation, and frankly I would only give it 2 stars at most. But thanks for the wonderful review !!!
I have this scooter and have had problems from day one. The thing leaves a trail of parts in its wake. Every time I hit a bump, I can hear nuts and bolts falling onto the ground. Also, the cheap plastic body panels are always rattling because all the flimsy body panel clips break too easily. I have had to replace the carburetor, the battery, and a plethora of body panels and lights. I would not recommend Taotao to anyone.
Same.
Im looking into getting a powermax 150 or Quantum how bad is the quality on them I'm a bit scared now ..only had 1 moped before was a Zuma or Ruca or something in 2004..think it was maroon was 15 years ago
Bought a 49cc off someone in town and slowly trying to get around to riding it .. swear it likes to take off if not careful and.slowly learning in general on it
They make a thing called HELI-COIL It is used for stripped out bolts. I use a 1/4 inch drive socket for the small bolts and 3/8 drive for the heaver. I HAND SCREW in the bolts first. Never use an air impact. I give you KUDOS for a great walk around. We live in N.C. and insurance is $90.00 a year for the first bike and $50.00 for the second and $35.00 for the third. You might want to remove the (EGR) or PAIR system s that is for California residents..
Im very i watched this review one of the best thank you for the amazing upload .Im getting mine soon.
Great in depth review, I jus bout my few day ago and this review prepares me very good, thanks man, I appreciate the time you took tor explaining very good.
what kind did you buy?
I love this TaoTao Review
I noticed your last post was 4 months ago, is it still running the same?
5/2022
Well done video
I own a 2013 Wolf V150 since new. I use my scooter in Florida more than a car. I have considered to sell the car all together and renting one when needed. Having a scooter to me is much more practical.
not to pick on you dude but that clip you said was for grocery bags i have a hook that resembles the coat hanger hook in a car and was told by the dealer those are to hang our helmets on lol but i found grocery bags really wouldnt stay on that hook and the hard way with a couple loaves of bread..
Cool I already have two Chinese scooters, but here in south Africa we have proper dealership's that maintain them
I've got motorcycles and know a lot about them, and am looking to get a scooter for running around town, i know nothing about scooters as far as brands and all that. I really appreciate what you did here, you've made my decision very easy, thank you, I greatly appreciate going through what the totals of this bike costs between maintenance and everything!
Jason Moser Just make sure you get a scooter with the GY6 engine, very reliable and every imaginable part is readily available for cheap.
Excellent review, thanks!
THank you , thank you!
Very clear observations- Just GOt a Bandit frm 2005 and its basically the same scooter. Have to go thru all the systems as it was left to rot behind someone house.
I'm a little intimidated by what could be wrong....
Up
Thanks for the tips on fixing the stripped CVT bolt hole. As far as protectant for the rubber parts, what are you going to use? After I saw the cracking rubber, I did some research I went with Johnsen's silicone lubricant, which "lubricates and prolongs the life of weatherstripping on hoods, trunk lids, doors and windows". Also heard that food grade silicone spray can be used.
Thanx...Excellent video...I'm seriously thinking about going and PICKING up my new SSR 150 -put together- this month INSTEAD of delivery (costs me $2.04 more / Or $50.00 in gas) )..they DID mention/ suggest the new oil change...perhaps SYNTHETIC? Good Video.
Very good video review. I just got one of these and yes , I know they may need some attention. I think it will be my summer toy run to work once in a while. Do you have a picture of just that list at 17:58 just seems like a good comprehensible look at the basic upgrades. I dont want to mod it all out , just get a few of the quick failing parts off the scooter.
i34.photobucket.com/albums/d134/skaterpunker/scooter%20upgrades.jpg here ya go. just 10 months late haha
Awesome , thanks so much. I am still cruising my around and loving every minute of it
Its time to start looking into the few new parts , however all is still working really well and I have not changed a thing yet. Only changed oil and had a few vacuum line leaks .
So anyone with these , replace your vacuum lines , so far its the first to fail
good lordy thanks for the warning ! I'll stick to my little sentra .
Thanks for the review.
Like your style great review did Matt come out after front brake problem ?
Awesome review!
thanks ronald, hope it helped!
Good review 😀👍🏻
Great review!!!! I was curious about these and that satisfied my curiosity. I've been riding for 40 years, from mopeds as a kid to my current motorcycle. I like the idea of this scooter, transport using minimal resources, but I cant abide the low power output. I feel vulnerable in traffic on something like this, as opposed to my motorcycle which has over 100hp. If it was used in a very low traffic area that might be fun. Do they make a 250?
Did you get Ryan Reynolds to voice this? seriously though, you do sound a bit like him!Great review, I'm thinking of getting one of these as the traffic to work is getting beyond a joke where I live, not to mention exorbitant parking fees for cars!Something like this would be perfect to zip about on, and cheaply. Cheers for the upload.
I was goin to get one but after I saw this video I changed my mind, cause of all the work you have to do. To many bod cons...... Good video tho thanks.
SpongeRod Armstead I get 55 mpg and pay $7.60 per month for insurance. Any vehicle you own is gonna need maintained. Bikes require a little more maintenance. But parts are extremely cheap for something like this scooter. You can replace the entire engine for $300. Try that with any other vehicle, even other motorcycles, and you are looking at 10-20 times the cost. Even the oil change is 1/10th the expense vs a car. Convenience is expensive!
@@ShipWreck54 I got one like 2015 and I still ride it here and there
You're too Husky for that little thing. 😜
Thanks for the list of recommendations. Really helps. 👌👍
My scooter was running fine like 50 miles an hour I bring it to a shop and had them replaced the ignition and had a tune-up done on the way home is always staying in the red and making popping noises bogging down then all a sudden it wasn't going nowhere the wheel wasn't turning turning then it would turn in just a little what do you think it is Harley
I have that lock too... PISS is probably the most common word right?
Why did you register this scooter with the state? Are you using this vehicle to transport people or parcels for compensation?
The problem that resulted in your low top speed was a broken diaphragm in your carburettor
I've got a tao tao 150cc from 2012 it goes 60 mph
can i know where you got the gps mount and the solar panel?
Thanks for all the info. Well done.
Great Video, thank you.
agreed
hello, I have had this bike over two years. i live in Fl.and ride every day. Rideing in rain no problem,pdi wire connectors prob. The bolt on swing arm has problem because all the weight of exhaust is there. After i lock tight bolt it broke bracket. i put a steel bar from bolt hole to rear shock,ran a bolt through bar and swing arm. prob solved,suggest you do same. Enjoy
All the scooters and bikes in general requires manteinance , chines a little more, first think you want to do is an oil change and replace all the gas lines and filter, also replace the drive belt with a gate prolink belt, all the retainers and rubbers, as you said, as well, they are inxpensive and easy to replace, the bike for under $1000 is a steal
I’ll agree with you 100% about these bikes needing frequent maintenance. These bikes are manual mode. No computer. Basic operating systems (air/fuel/spark). If you have them running right, they’re fun and economical. I disagree with using power tools for small bolts. The bolts on the CVT are 10MM. They only get nudged down. As for the oil, there is no filter. Only a screen. Just spray it with brake cleaner if it’s loaded with crap. Lastly, carry your helmet with you. I had a scooter with a built in helmet lock. Worked great until someone stole it and I had to ride home with no helmet. People passing me “look at this jackass! He’s gonna kill himself!”😂. Since that day, I carry the helmet with me. It’s not heavy at all. 😂😂
I have this model that needs a new exhust where can i get one im not finding anything
Switch from the normal motor oils to AMSOIL synthetic 4 stoke motor oil as soon as you can once the valves seat on the engine. It will increase your mileage from 83 to 94 miles per gallon, and boost your top speed from about 32mph to about 40mph. The engine will last much longer with the AMSOIL as well besides the top speed pickup.
Paul Hooson This is a 150 tested, but my figures are for a 50cc.
Nice review, thanks
Nice thorough review. I'm curious how you got that charger to run your Garmin in GPS/power mode vs data/charging mode, since Garmins are funny that way. When you hook them up to a 12v power cord in your car they work the way they're supposed to. When you hook them up to your laptop via a USB cable they go into data transfer/charging mode. I'd like to know what model Opteka and what kind of cable you're using.
its integrated into the 12v moped circut. u could splice a usb and wire it to the ignition or strait to battery
Probably the first thing to wear out would be the tool kit!
Nah, you trash that day one. Those things are junk
Good review. You might benefit from higher cc bike (e.g. 250cc). My experience: ditch stock batteries from the start, invest in a good battery.
Stock batteries are good as long they get regular use meaning you use the bike regulary bike batteries start going bad after a month or two of no use ( why ? ) some not all ! can be SLOW .. charged back to life a fast charge is NOT ..good or if u can start bike and go for 1hour and a halfe ride the bike might recharge it similar to slow charge , if not take it to a autozone ( or what u have ) and ask it they charge batteries for free and they will slow charge it .. and ask if they know to slow charge .. if they scratch ? There head go somewhere else cause if u batt still has life u don’t want some idiot to fry it ..had that happen at a store with 3 guys ?? What’s there name 🤔 so ask ... $50 is a lot for a new battery..
@@greatcesarsghost My experience is mixed using the battery that Chinese scooters come with. I'm a daily rider, I've had the factory batteries die on me after 2-3 months.I generally get a better battery from the start. Have found 150cc scoots to Outlast 50cc engine wise.
when they assemble the scooters they have starting stations where they put oil and gear oil and a Gas I V .. set up connected to carb gives a few oz’s of gas to start They have little alligator clips that are hooked to a kinda low voltage charger gives the bike enough batterie voltage to start boom bike starts for a few minutes pass inspection suck back oil . Burn the little gas . Done pack it up batteries are in a package box with manual nuts bolts .. when bike gets here
What company bought it they are not going to buy a slow charger that takes 6 hours to properly charge battery NO ! put it together. Ad gas . Oil . Tire pressure bike is 80 percent assembled as for battery .. they start it with car battery charger put it on ready start zap they just fried the battery cells . Put bike out sell it yeah it’s charged the wrong way but dealer will deal with that later since Chinese scooters have 30 day warranty if your lucky .. takes to long to properly charge battery than to assemble bike if they bought 4 bikes they want 3 assembled before end of day . . Sell sell !!! so it’s not the battery it’s how it’s prepd right from the start ..
Great Video, very useful i think, I also hava a chineese scooter just like yours(different brand same model)
You can treat the female side of the electric couplings to stop the water problem.
Im not having any problems with my bike and I have a Jony 153cc I do the most part of maintained on it and Fixing some screws that's it.
Wow that's a lot of money for that bike I probably could use even more upgrades and stuff like that to make it there really reliable and enjoyable for that kind of money I get a Honda Super Cub
What was the MSRP for this year EVO?
very informational , thank you.
i just got the same scooter, its gonna be a fun project :D
That's interesting to hear your total investment. For that same $3000 you could have easily picked up something stronger and better built from Kymco. Their 160cc models retail about $2700. The 125cc Agility makes the same hp as most GY6's (8-10 hp) for $2000. Good to know ahead of time how the overall cost of these Chinese scoots can skyrocket.
Or just quit being a masochist and get a used motorcycle. Seriously, you can get a used Ninja 250 for about $1600 in reasonable mechanical condition, just some scuff marks from a beginner dropping it a time or two, and expect no replacement parts or maintenance needed for a long time besides the obvious normal things like oil, brakes, tires, chain after thousands of miles.
Insurance may be a bit higher and fuel economy a bit lower, but without the frustrations, with the ability to go at highway speeds, and with almost the same resale value as what you paid for it if you keep it in reasonable condition... while a Chinese scooter is worth almost nothing once it has a few years or small # of thousands of miles, and rightly so when you consider it will cost as much to refurb as a new one costs.
Stinky Cheese Yeah, you pretty much CAN'T go wrong with a 250cc bike of any sort... best possible balance between power and fuel economy. The only real advantage a scooter has is CVT and built -in storage, and the fact that some people can't throw a leg over a motorcycle.
Stinky Cheese Some people want scooters simply for the automatic transmission. Until the Honda CTX with autotrans hits the used market, most of these people want a scooter. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and BMW all make very nice scooters.
gemsroadwarrior
"Easy" is the opposite of cheap generic scooters. It would be far less BS to buy a major brand motorcycle than to do even 1/4th of the nonsense this victim has had to put up with and then to only end up with something of little to no resale value unless he finds someone dumb enough to be tricked into the same vicious cycle of masochism.
Stinky Cheese I agree. That's why I say yes to Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW and Kymco scooters. All are quality built and all have excellent service support.
Wouldn’t it cost about the same over all if you just bought a Honda and did not have to worry about upgrades?
Excellent video.
Have you done more upgrades and mods to your bike
I'm 5'11 would I be comfy on it?
5 years later ,
still very sad to see.....someone has thrown good money out in the wind,unnecessarily... iridium spark plug,red hot(what the hell is that!) ignition coil,etc etc; you DON'T need that shtt! original spark plug (hell,it's only a dollar on ebay,now,delivered) will last you 2OOOO or more,original coil is probably better than that orange one you got ; etc etc;
i too own a chinese 125 cc (Keeway 125 ARN) and it's quality is the very best in the world; it has 42325 kms,it has been GREAT; parts are beyond cheap,they are almost FREE ( the 3 big plastic pieces that make up the engine shroud,ONLY cost less than 5 euros each( i'm in Europe, in Portugal ),sales tax(23 pct!) included; special steel chromed bolts and screws are pennies each,less than a dollar,etc ; a new piston,original, was 17 euros; i'm a mechanic(for over 35 years,cars ,mainly bmw,jaguar), bought the bike,used,the previous owner had broken the said engine shrouds,and overheated the engine,ruining the piston,ONLY!!! the cylinder was perfect,only worn down less than a thousandth of an inch on the 52.4 mm diameter(many of my tools ,bore gauges,mikes,etc,are in inches,i lived in NJ, 19 years) ; rod-crank bearing was perfect,it may go another 4O k,with no issues; all the electrics are original, and excellent;
i am simply AMAZED at the extreme QUALITY of the parts,bolts,screws,etc,on this chinese scooter: the quality of the engine steel ,aluminum,etc,parts is surely one of he BEST in the world; equal to ,or better than what i see on the bmw and jaguar cars i work on! for instance,the piston pin,piston pin bore, rod pin bore,had ZERO wear! at 42325 kms,with questionable maintenance; those materials are the very best i've seen;
and finally,....your mileage may vary,of course...
I love the video but I own three types of scooters my self why would I get insurance on a scooter just asking I have a 2018 taotao racer 50 I have 2500 invested into and no insurance it's not needed
If you don't want to spend a lot of money but still want quality look into Adly and Bintelli scooters. Of course you can always go brand name like the Honda Metropolitan/Rukus or Yamaha Zuma. Well worth the money. Unfortunately with Chinese made scooters parts used are cheap quality. You get what you pay for. Understandably I know not everyone will have the money for more expensive scooters but honestly in the long run saving up money for a quality scooter will save you the headaches and money fixing cheap scooters.
I don’t know I guess u got a lemon I bought a big ruckus / rowdy off the street and I never had any big expense
I’ve had two valve adjustments in the last 3 years and the bike feels like a rebuild every time replaced rear tire , rear brakes both master cylinders eBay less than $15 you got to remember most Chinese bike part are interchangeable if u just do a little research and some ingenuity . U make sound it’s going to drag u down and drain your life savings if you spend a Saturday morning cleans it u check and adjust what needs to be done and the bike will last I bought mine in 2016 and it’s a 2013 .. after miner adjustments its faster than other stocks ones . They ask what I did to it nothing ! So not all Chinese bikes have or need the things u say my bike is 80 0/0 stock ..so they are not as bad as people say ..
Great video
Great review.
My bike is fuel injected and in my opinion is a way better option. I once had a chinese carbureted scooter and one day after riding it when it was new just randomly started gushing fuel out if the carburetor from the air box. It was a fun little scooter but I smfound myself always busy wulith fixing something on it. For double the price you can get a higher quality bike from a dealer.
I loved motor cicle every day pasiones...
do you still have this scooter have you had any problems with it
These are great if you love to tinker. If you don’t have any automotive experience or need reliability I would recommend buying a taiwanese scooter from a dealership or a more expensive japanese yamaha or honda bike.
Thanks for the warning!!!
It has a gy6 clone engine. Not the infamous Honda gy6. It's a copy manufactured with cheap pot metal in China.
Hi there is that go with all Tao Tao 50CC
So in other words after all the up grades and so you you should have just paid more up front for a better scooter!
Lol o david🤣😄
Yep. Don't waste your money on this garbage. I learned the hard way.
calliph how long did it runn
David Jones well if you have $4,500 to drop on a better scooter then that’s fine. The Chinese scooters allow you to kinda pay as you go. $1200 up front for the scooter and then another $1200 for add-on’s that you can buy one piece at a time. And when all is said and done, you still save about 50% over a Honda. This guy included the cost of a lot of items that he shouldn’t have. Tools, riding gear, that cost applies to any bike and shouldn’t have been a factor here. He has also paid others to make repairs and that always jacks up the costs.
Is it still running tho.