by "Patrick Nichols" (pnichols)
Published 11/08/2017 at 15:44
by "Patrick Nichols" (pnichols)
Published 11/08/2017 at 15:44
Tags: Scooters
; Moped
; Two Wheels Good
STARS: 1
So as the temperatures get colder, EOY bonuses arrive, and I start to defer my student loans, I’m thinking about a project. The latest idea is to buy a chinese gy6 moped (probably a ruckus clone) still in the crate and assemble myself and do a few upgrades (bore kit, intake, exhaust, clutch, battery, limiter) to it before springtime.
My only hiccup is finding a place to buy one for cheap. Should I just go to one of the dealers and ask to buy one unassembled without the warranty (since I would be voiding it anyways)? Would they sell me one? I’m trying to be in the $5-600 range ideally. Should I talk to one now about when their new stock is coming in and that way they get some revenue in (presumably in Jan/Feb) before they actually start to sell some?
Does anyone know where I could buy a cheap one online? Anyone done this before?
"PanchoVilleneuve ST" (PanchoVilleneuve)
11/08/2017 at 15:54, STARS: 0
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Shaolin and the Wu-Tang could be dangerous.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
11/08/2017 at 15:59, STARS: 0
A friend bought a Chinese moped in the crate last year via eBay (I think) and it worked for less than 2 minutes. He was in contact with the company to get parts (I forget what for), I don’t know how it turned out but hes not riding around on it haha.
I guess that if you’re handy with a wrench it might be worth a shot.
"CRider" (crider)
11/08/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 1
Just buy a Ruckus. They aren’t expensive and you know it will last forever while the Chinese knockoff will not.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
11/08/2017 at 17:11, STARS: 0
While I understand the appeal in buying something that’s so-so made and doing your best to fix it up and make it good, this seems like a risky place to put $600. Potential part failures, lack of aftermarket parts/support, and the fact that at the end of the day, trying to sell a no-name Chinese Ruckus clone with any amount of miles might be a difficult task.
"Patrick Nichols" (pnichols)
11/08/2017 at 17:18, STARS: 0
ehh, I’ve had some luck with gy6 scooters and parts are super cheap and working on them are easy. The ruckus is by no means cheap, at least around here used ones still go for ~$2500.
"Patrick Nichols" (pnichols)
11/08/2017 at 17:18, STARS: 0
Parts are pretty generic and fairly easy to find on the internet if you know what you’re looking for. Good to know though, maybe I’ll check ebay.
"Patrick Nichols" (pnichols)
11/08/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 1
The chinese gy6 zuma, ruckus, and other clones seem to go for $600-1200 used around here. I’ve had a couple and the parts that fail are the parts that you would eventually want to upgrade anyways. I think you see a lot of broken down ones because college kids leave them out in the rain, don’t change the shipping/break-in oil, and ride around full throttle all the time (occasionally while also applying the breaks). I had a clutch fail on one I put over 2000 miles on, but I replaced it with a “race” version that held well past the time I sold it (for $50 less than I paid for it when it only had 150 miles on it).
I could also get another “classic” garelli or puch, but mixing 2 stroke gas and rusty tanks that cause the carb to get gummed up are kind of a pain in the ass and limit the range a bit.
Aftermarket parts support is as simple as going on amazon for everything from replacement parts to big bore kits. Also working on it would be fun wrenching experience, while not compromising the daily taco.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
11/08/2017 at 17:28, STARS: 0
You’ve clearly done more research into it than I. If you’re comfortable with it, I see no reason to not pursue it.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
11/08/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 0
Really? I regularly see them for $1800ish around here, and occasionally one will pop-up for $1300-1500. Of course those don’t last long.
"CRider" (crider)
11/08/2017 at 19:48, STARS: 0
Really? Because that’s right in line with what a brand new one costs, since Honda is offering $200 off 2016 models right now. I still think that in the long run, you’re better off with the Honda. It will last, the suspension is going to be better, the brakes will be trustworthy, the frame isn’t going to rust and you will still have the benefit of the Honda’s resale value if you ever need to sell. All of those things are in question on the Chinese scooter, and be honest, would you buy a Chinese knockoff of a Civic or Accord if such things were available?