Comments on: The Cheap Chinese Scooter Phenomenon

By: bryguynunez

bryguynunez — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:36:23 +0000

i bought a peace sport retro 50cc scooter 7 months ago. just when it hit 6100 miles the engine had problems. i was told that it would be cheaper if bought a new one because they did not putting a replacement engine in would be worth the 500 dollars or more. two plases told me this. i do not know how many more miles i would have gotten out of it if i was not driving it as hard as i did but i feel 7 months is short by any standards especially since i serviced it regularly. the retro was a 2009 model i bought new. unfortunatly i need transportation and only had enough to buy a b09 50cc 2011 and not a japanese scooter or even a better 150cc but i am going to drive this one more careful and see if i can get more out of it because either way it will be the last chinese scooter i buy.

By: MrPickle

MrPickle — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:00:10 +0000

I have (about)7025 miles on my (junk Chinese scooter) and it runs great. I get all the parts I need except for the cosmetic ones.

By: Peace

Peace — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:53:49 +0000

I have a 2010 peace sports 50cc scooter. I have put about 1500 miles on it since ausgust without any trouble. It has actually started to run better the last couple of weeks im guessing because it is breaking in. I have nothing bad or negative to say chinese scooters

By: newtoit

newtoit — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:15:18 +0000

I just purchased my first scooter last week. I have put around 100 miles on it, having just over a 1,000 when I purchased it. I did not do any research(stupid of me, i know) My main concern was leg room(i’m 6′4″). that being said, I feel as though I severly lucked out. One lady owned it before me and she kept it in the garage, and all maintenance records for it. It’s a 2009 50cc Peace Sports B09(chinese made) After all the research I’ve now done. I am very confident in my purchase, I paid $800(warranty, and free oil changes for the first year) from a dealer for it. And from what I can tell unless I go on some demolition derby road rash 3D rampage, I have purchased the best scooter for the money, chinese made or not. I have seen everybody bash chinese products consistenty, yet actually backing of such is rarely found. Even more so. I cannot find anybody to badmouth the scooter I now proudly own. Even to go as far as to call up random numbers across the internet just to have them suggest the scoot I already own? How is that big of a piece if it’s one of the most popuar recommended? Now I will put on my chinese made shoes, probably jeans, shirt, and helmet too and go enjoy my very nice piece of chinese machinery.

By: scootdude

scootdude — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:22:24 +0000

Well, it just goes to show you that one man’s food is another’s poison. I bought my Chinese scoot in 2008, learned how to service and maintain it, and I have 10,000 miles on the clock…not without a bit of trouble now and then, but before I bought it I made certain that there were two local mechanics who would service it (I hardly ever need them) and that I knew of a good internet forum to give me advice (chinesescooterclub.co.uk). The only time it’s stranded me was due to a flat tire and it’s never failed to start at the first push of the button. I figure that if I add up the purchase price, all the parts and maintenance that I’ve done, and all the gas that I’ve bought, I just might have spent enough money to buy a Japanese scoot. The moral of the story? If you care about fit and finish, and if you don’t like to get grease under your fingernails, and if you’ve got the money, by all means buy a name brand scoot. I was on a Honda today that was a pleasure to ride. But it cost as much new as my Chinese POS has cost to buy, fuel, and service for two years.

By: John Newman

John Newman — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:14:01 +0000

Dear Anyone thinking of buying a Chinese made scooter:
1. Many of those sold are rip offs, including false ID plates and impossible to service.
2. What you may save over a Japanese, et al., scooter will in the end cost you money.
The problem is the Chinese are and always have been great impersonators and violators of patent rights. This latest rip off effort will in the end cost then a place in the world market.

I recently [2009] purchased what was described at a JMSTAR 250cc scooter. If you Google JMSTAR you will see they are a legitimate, if not necessarily ethical, manufacturer.

When I received my JMSTAR knock off both the manufacturer and importer of record were falsified on the affixed metal ID plates. When I tried to get service from a legitimate JMSTAR dealer they turned me down; claiming mine was not kosher. When I sought out the importer I found out he’d folded his tent and relocated. The dealer that sold it to me stopped buying and servicing them.

In short, I am left with a virtually unserviceable piece of junk.

Do I recommend anyone buy a Chinese scooter? Only if they have a few grand to throw away.

By: dave

dave — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:15:17 +0000

Most of the bad news about chinese scooters comes from people who bought them online. Online sellers, and disreputable dealers, will sell the cheapest crap because some people buy based on price alone. The Chinese will spec build you a bike in reasonable quality or they will build you a piece of crap with low quality, either way with the same body style. The consumer is not aware that even though the bike may look the same it is indeed different inside depending on price. If you buy a scooter, which is really a small automatic motorcycle, online and put it together yourself you are in for a world of trouble unless you are a mechanic and even then you’re gonna need parts. If you buy your scoot from a local dealer with a warranty and service you are much better off. Although the Chinese bikes are not Hondas, they are less than half the price and if maintained, are a good value.

By: Tada

Tada — Mon, 17 May 2010 01:59:31 +0000

I love my Chinese scoot. I’ve put 2000 miles on it. I get good service from both learning how to work on them and there are two scooter shops that work on them cheaply for what I cannot fix. Both the scooter shops sell a tad higher than others because they do a complete inspection and make sure the scooter is ok and satisfies the owner.

By: javier

javier — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:55:14 +0000

are a complete junk

By: rcusbob

rcusbob — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:15:52 +0000

This is an update since I last wrote in September 2008. My Chinese Peace Sports 50cc now has over 2000 miles on it and has been completely trouble free. I derestricted it (carb opening) and it goes very well from a stop with the variable pulley drive and cruises effortlessly at 45 MPH (actual). It uses no oil and consistently goes 100 MPG. My driving is around town and a couple of miles of country to the airport where I have my plane. Having flown for 38 years with lots of upkeep experience, and built cars and engines for right at 50, (to say nothing of an engineering degree from Berkeley) I have some idea about quality machinery. I have to laugh at you “Chinese junk” folks because 85% of the manufactured goods you buy from shoes to toasters is made there, or even in less positive places, and we all use it without much trouble. You can find junk from anywhere, I was in college when the Edsel came out. I wish it were otherwise but no American company would even try making scooters like this. I guess part of this is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

By: john johnston

john johnston — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:41:17 +0000

chinese scooters are in polite terms a total disaster untill they can produce a reliable product they may as well stop production as far as i am concerned and many of my friends agree DO NOT BUY CHINESE BIKES i bought one but never again john

By: hotshoetom

hotshoetom — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:03:48 +0000

Beware of cheap Chinese Junk. Have ridden/owned cheap chinese 150cc models and owned Yamaha and Suzuki scooters and there is a world of difference between the jap bikes and the chinese. If it was made on mainland china, let the buyer beware. Nothing hurts worse than poor quality and poor reliability, especially on two wheels.

By: ohio iron

ohio iron — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:15:45 +0000

You really get what you pay for when buying a Chinese scooter, an inferior product that no one is willing to work on. Unless you have loads of time and ability to do your own repairs stick to the name brands and buy from a dealer that sells name brands like honda or yamaha

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:48:45 +0000

You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your what you’re saying.

By: Floyd M. Orr

Floyd M. Orr — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:48:13 +0000

I cannot directly answer your two questions, since this concept is one of the flakiest things about the Chinese manufacturers. The opinions I have found concerning a relationship with Yamaha are all over the map: they may have a contractual agreement with Yamaha; they may have been borrowing Yamaha designs illegally; and/or they may have been building certain components for Yamaha for years. Who really knows the truth? As far as a direct connection with Lifan, I cannot verify that point, either. I think at the very least, there has been a huge amount of design copying going on by the Chinese brands, of both the established Japanese manufacturers, as well as of other Chinese brands, of which Lifan seems to be the premier leader.

By: EEB

EEB — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:31:15 +0000

I have a Roketa MC 250B. I have 1900 miles on it so far. The styling is sharp, an exact copy of the Honda Reflex. The specs say that it has a Linhai-Yamaha joint venture motor. Another article said that the Linhai-Yamaha motor has been used for years in Yamaha brand scooters. Do you know if this is true? Is there any relationship between Linhai and Linfan?

My only problem has been with the vacuum operated fuel pump. If the motor is pulling hard the fuel pump stops operating. This means that it is possible to run the carburator dry on an extended uphill pull. The scooter cannot be restarted unless the carburetor is manually reprimed. This unit really needs to be reengineered to include an electric fuel pump.

Otherwise, I am having a lot of fun, getting a lot of admiring glances, and getting regularly 60-65 MPG.

By: Scooters

Scooters — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:56:22 +0000

You get what you pay for. Chinese scooters are priced as “entry” level scooters. Basically if you want to try scooters without all the bells and whistles (and power) for short distances and low cost.

I look at them as a McDonalds lunch vs a lunch at Mortons.

By: Branyers

Branyers — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:30:19 +0000

I can say this for just about anything that is Chinese made: As their quality improves, they will need to step up their prices in order to finance advances in technology and raw materials. Makes you wonder how much longer Chinese workers will settle for slave labor wages and horrid living conditions.

Right now, Chinese manufacturers are most occupied with high throughput, dumping their products, quick turnaround, and very little, if any, customer support. In many instances, repair parts are either on backorder with a month or more waiting period or they are simply not available and the corresponding Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki part must be substituted. Hope you know your parts and can cross reference them well. Because legitimate motorcycle dealers will NOT engage in this practice!

By: rcusbob

rcusbob — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:34:50 +0000

September 20,08

I have been riding an ‘83 Yamaha 50 QT for 16 years for around town and trips to the local airport. With some mechanical upkeep it has run well (9000 miles), though slow, stinky 2 cycle and 100 plus MPG. Poor acceleration always a problem. Before that I rode a number of Honda CB models. I now have one of the Chinese scooters, 50 cc Peace Sports made by Chongqing Aeronautical Bashan company, in Chongqing. The 4-cycle engine runs clean with good power (derestricted) and the variable pulley CVT drive provides excellent acceleration and more speed than I can use. It cruises 45 MPH effortlessly. I’m an old CA hot-rodder (built a private GTO in 1959) and have been building engines and other car repairs since then. I have done some disassembly of the GY6 drive line and it is well-made and put together. No rough spots. I still have less than 1000 miles but I have a friend with Honda scooter and it looks (according to the internet all Honda CB engines are made in Chongking) not a whole lot superior. I suspect there will be differences showing up eventually but not soon. The engine itself is just an updated Honda CB with large ball bearings on the crank and output shaft, pressure oil system, and overhead cam. This chinese scooter has good brakes, excellent electric start and good body design putting the rider’s feet up on a vespa-like platform. Plastic body parts are plastic, like on all bikes, take care of them and they will serve you well. Beat them and they will be beat up. At 96 MPG in town and cross country 45 MPH jaunts, I am totally satisfied. I have a grandson with one made by another company but virtually identical and it has been trouble free with daily use for four months.

Doubtless there are horror stories but if you have mechanical ability beyond that of the average blond, you can find a good machine for a reasonable price.

By: garyd

garyd — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:00:07 +0000

I enjoyed the article very much. In the last year I have owned a cheap chinese 150cc, honda helix, scarabeo, and a kymco. I guess when I got back into scooters after 40 years I went a little overboard. The chinese bike was impressive in style, with performance OK; however, it did lack the kind of fit and finish that one would hope for. I still have the other 3 and I believe the author is right on the money in his excellent definition of what type of bikes on the market.

Anyone that is considering a first step into scootering would do well to read this article. It is right on the money at a very high level. Once you pick a category of bike, then the fun starts.

By: Cheap Scooters

Cheap Scooters — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:10:05 +0000

Most Chinese scooters have improved in quality over the years Kymco being one of the most improved. As they refine their process, the quality and hopefully power will improve as well.

By: DJB

DJB — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:58:29 +0000

Truly, I enjoyed you article tremendously. It would be hard to be critical of an article written by someone who has done his homework. May I share some experience?
Having been there when Honda arrived on Pico Blvd. in 1959, I was one of those who at first hollared…”Cheap junk” but it wasn’t long before I realized I was wrong and I quickly changed my policies. I wrote a letter to all of our dealers, “If you can go ahead and take on Honda…” More to this story…DJB