Looking for a reasonably priced scooter. Anyone try these Chinese junk ones like VIP?

The BEST...then ask about Chinese junk...which is it....

I hate to say it but I have good luck with the Chinese junk scooters. The first one I traded for in 2002 and was new. Used it until 2014 and sold it because I bought another one used for $150. The one I have now was a little weak so I got a big bore kit from flee bay for like 40 bucks.

Pedal bike is best in my opinion.
Never run out of gas and you can load and unload it easily.
Also can ride it when they say foot traffic only.

"Best pit bike" and "reasonably priced scooter" are not the same.

If you want junk then that's what you buy. If you want the best you buy a Yamaha Zuma.

Agreed, the best would be a Yamaha Zuma, any year or model really.. I personally went with a Kymco Agility 125. The price was good (good deal I found on Facebook) and the quality seems to be way better and more reliable than the "Chinese junk" stuff. Up to you in the end. I was looking for a Zuma but with the 50's being $1000 to $1500 and the 125's at $2000 to $2500, I found a great deal on a low mile, well kept Agility for just under a $1000.

I like anything Honda.plenty of dealers, so if ever needed [not often] parts are easy to get.Yamahas are also very good.

We bought a Tao Tao 50 off the internet. We have had it for about a year and a half and so far it has been perfect. Obviously not a Yamaha or Honda but it is just for track use and does perfectly fine for that.

quote:

Originally posted by professr007:
I like anything Honda.plenty of dealers, so if ever needed [not often] parts are easy to get.Yamahas are also very good.

Agreed !! I use a 1987 Honda Elite 150 for over 20 yrs and the only things I put in it are fuel, oil, battery every 5 yrs and one set of tires. It’s licensed and insured.

Used Zuma Tons of them reasonably priced on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Run forever with minimal maintenance.

The only bad thing i will say about a Zuma is todays Gas destroys the inside of the carb. Use ethanol free gas and no issues.

I have a Honda scooter, 1989, and a Honda 4 wheeler, 1988, neither has ever failed if I have fuel in them. That is another story!

I have 2 125 Zuma's...both bought new...the 2011 has 6900 miles on it and the 2014 has 1400 miles. Legally tagged and insured.

We fetch beer and groceries on them as well as go out to eat. An absolute ball at the beach as they ride well in the sand.

Yahama Zuma or honda ruckus

Zumas should be able selling cheap in a couple weeks. Check Craigslist in and around college towns. The kids start selling them when they get out of school.

Curtis

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CURTIS REED, May 14, 2018 07:49 PM

The 2011+ 125 and the 2012+ 50 Zuma's are fuel injected 4 stroke's. They run great with very little issues. We've owned a lot of older Honda 2 strokes and their decent but they have their issues. Look around craigslist for a newer Zuma, you'll be glad you did.

And by the way, I now have a Smart car with tags insurance etc----90MPH. Golf cart? are you kidding me.

Bought my Zuma from craigslist

02-11 Zuma 50, by far is my favorite. There is also the earlier Zuma, still 50cc, but a little different in a lot of ways. Stick with the 02-11. 2012 came the EFI 4 stroke which is a great scooter but will never be the dirt simple carbureted 2 stroke.

Most of us are gearheads....and if you're like me, you can't leave well enough alone. For the 02-11 Zuma, you can get all sorts of aftermarket goodies for 'em...70cc big bore kit is cheap if you find one with a burnt up top end, and that 70cc kit works fine with the stock pipe. Adds a good bit of torque and a few mph up top if that is of any concern. I gave $160 for the complete Athena 70cc sport kit. Cylinder, head, piston, pin, 2 clips, gaskets, reeds-everything you need, and it is literally a 20 minute job to put it on. Did mine the morning of the races while the truck was warming up. No kidding. Later on I put a pipe and bigger carb on it; for giggles. Runs mid 50mph range will keep up with traffic on the highway. BUT the stock crank doesn't "like" that elevated RPM for long, so you've been warned.

I got my '03 for $40, running. I have bought & sold several over the last year and all were under $100, one needed transmission work, the other clutch work and a couple needed top end work. They are dirt cheap if you look. College towns are loaded with them. I was in Fayetteville at the University of Arkansas a few years back and can't believe how many I seen up there. Thousands? They were literally everywhere, and I see them on the FAYAR craigslist somewhat often. I want another one for a hotrod...race pipe, race 70cc cylinder, etc etc...should run about 80mph if I have my plans right.

Chinese 49cc Gator scooter, best $200 I ever spent for racing. It gave me a little trouble and I replaced the coil/plug wire. Parts are dirt cheap on ebay. All of the parts are interchangeable. It will pull my fat butt up every hill at Bristol with no problems. It will carry 2 very full grown adults tight on space but no problem on power.