Hi JR, Thanks for the compliments. I agree with the 10" rear tire. I wanted to go to something bigger but here's what happened. My wife didn't like the tippy feeling with the scoot compared to the cycles we used to ride 30 years ago. I agree with her. It's not bad by yourself but with a rider it's worse, a higher center of gravity. Scooters aren't cycles and they don't handle the same, like comparing apples and oranges. So, this summer I bought a cycle and am in the process of selling the scoot. I had to get it fixed. If I can't sell it, I'll keep riding it until I do. Can't afford both, $ and room in the garage. The wife likes riding on the cycle, it's the nicest bike I've had. A Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500. It's a 2002 that only had 377 miles on it. Like brand new. Bought it from a guy on Craig's List and he was only 30 miles from me. I'm now going to have to clean the tank and petcock, gasflow problems now but I got in several long rides prior. Now for the scoot info. I know that they're more knowledgeable guys on here so this is more for the newbie riders/purchasers of scoots. These are things I've read and researched about that are problems for all Chinese scoots including mine. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. These are in order of importance especially safety and I'll try to explain the reasons why:
Read your little manual. I know it's goofy but it does have a few good things to say and it has your PM chart in it.
Immediately change the battery. Go with a replacement of at least 10 amps. Make sure it will fit in your battery holder. Keep it on a float charger when not in use. Carry a multi-meter with you to check the voltage. If the battery runs down, it doesn't take much ,and you'll see this in the list, it happened to me on my 3rd ride and I pushed it home 2 blocks, it won't run!!!! Take the battery inside during the winter and keep on the float charger. The batteries usually will only last about 2 years. Ha! Ha! They're Chinese no matter who you purchase them from.
Replace your air valves in both tires. You can do it without taking the tires off. You can find out about doing this and some of the other things on YouTube. Some forums have pics. Put in motorcycle air valves. The valves are defective because the rubber isn't bonded properly to the metal of the valve. There have been recalls on these. If one blows while riding, you'll crash. This has happened to some on other forums.
Change the engine oil with a quality engine oil, I'm using the oil for a Honda Reflex. A Linhai would use Yamaha. If you continue to use the Chinese oil or some low cost oil you could lockup the engine and cause a crash.
CHANGE THE ANTI-FREEZE! I use Honda anti-freeze. The anti-freeze that comes with the scoot isn't even anti-freeze and will freeze in winter temps which could crack your engine block.
Change the rear-end oil. Poor quality with the scoot and could cause premature rear-end failure.
Check all nuts and bolts for tightness. If your wheels fall off you'll crash. This has happened.
Adjust your valves. Sometimes you have to do this right out of the crate but you will have to within 250 miles. And you may to occasionally do it several times for the time that you own your scoot. With that in mind, junk your factory airbox/air cleaner. On my scoot, what is a time consuming procedure becomes a 15 minute job. I put on a custom air cleaner and it didn't affect my carb's air/fuel mixture. I'm still getting 80 MPG. If your scoots starts to die when you come to a stop and then try to accelerate from a stop, most likely your valves need adjusted. Hard to start also.
Change your spark plug.
Change your fuel filter. The OEM filters are junk.
You might start changing over your gas lines. I haven't done this yet.
You might want to change all light bulbs over to LEDs because they're cooler and take less power since the charging system is negligible. This is the next thing I'll be doing if I keep my scoot and that is to put in a better alternator putting out more power. The LEDs really helped the pull on my battery and alternator.
You also might want to change your headlight bulbs to halogen. They're much brighter. I haven't had any trouble with heat or melting problems with the bulb holders. They also don't take anymore power than the OEM bulbs.
Buy either a Haynes scooter repair manual or a name brand manual. I have a Honda Reflex manual on CD and the Haynes.
Your OEM tires are usually good for about 2500 miles. Check them frequently for wear and defects and ESPECIALLY THE AIR PRESSURE. PUT IN THE PSI THAT THE TIRE REQUIRES NOT WHAT THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS.
I installed a Tiny Tach to help with setting the RPMs. It was an easy install.
We all thought we were saving $ by buying a cheap Chinese scoot but with all of the parts that you eventually have to change or replace it's something to consider. BUT RIDING A WELL MAINTAINED SCOOT WILL GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE TO RIDE AND HAVE FUN. THAT'S WHY WE BUY THEM. For me it was a tradeoff. It's easier to gradually spend the $ for PMs than put all of the $ up front for a name brand. So, RIDE SAFE AND HAVE FUN!
I'll add to this post as I have time and remember all that I've done.
Just learned last night that the Honda Reflex comes with a 12v 14 amp 220 CCA. My Roketa came with a 12v 7 amp 80 CCA. With the recent electrical problems, I was told by the shop that my battery that I have now, which is my second battery/Chinese, is weak. I've been checking with a multi-meter and though it says 12 volts it doesn't seem to have the power it should have. I'm buying a Yuasa battery which will be the same rating as the OEM and is made in the USA.
Carrying a few tools is a good thing to do. I have the tool set that came with the scoot, a multi-meter, 6-in-1 screwdriver, and a metric allen wrench set under the seat. These have gotten me by so far.
