9 replies to this topic

[cat0020 TT Silver Member]

I bought my 250cc JMStar scooter in March of 2008.

It cost me $35 to insure for the whole year, gets over 80mpg regularly, cruises smoothly at 50 mph, never let me stranded other then two flat tires that were plugged roadside.

Oil change takes 15 minutes, valve adjustment can be performed while the engine is running with a single tool.

So far I've put over 8200 miles on it, the tires are a bit worn, CVT belt still in decent shape.. pretty good for $1499 shipped to my driveway.

[Premises187 TT Member]

Hey
I brought a Longjia 125 scooter brand new for £800 back in 07 as a first bike.
It lasted me just over a year & 5500miles with no servicing (because no one wanted to service it).

Anyway it ran good until after a year when I started having engine power problems and had 2 throttle cable snaps.

I hear Chinese bikes have gotten lots better since the early ones.
I dont regret getting it because I made all my noob mistakes on it.


Happy riding.

[drumbrake TT Bronze Member]

sorry for butting in folks cos im talking about a dirtbike but i think its worthwhile knowing. my brother in law baught a skyteam 200 a while back which turned out to be a little peach, again Chineese cheap stuff but what a lovely bike. obviously not a competition bike but so useable, brakes suspentoin,riding possition,carburation all good with a coppy of one of hondas old single engines. quicker than it sounds. any dirtbike will loosen bolts plus you gotta stop mud getting on the wiring under the tank but thats all.

[max57 TT Newbie]

These are the best reports I have ever heard about Chinese scooters.

[twistedkeys TT Gold Member]

I've had my 50 for a few years, put about 6000 miles on it, which is remarkable considering the top speed is merely 31mph. In addition, a substantial amount of those miles weren't only on-road

As much as I've enjoyed my little scoot, my next one will def. be a Honda, no freakin' doubt. Your scooter is actually a replica of the Honda Reflex, which can be bought for about $1,700-$3,500 depending on condition and mileage. VERY great scooter.

If I had the money I'd buy these in a heartbeat: http://www.ksl.com/i...=&search=reflex -- http://www.ksl.com/i...=&search=reflex

[cat0020 TT Silver Member]

twistedkeys, on 17 February 2012 - 01:12 PM, said:

Your scooter is actually a replica of the Honda Reflex, which can be bought for about $1,700-$3,500 depending on condition...

The body may look like a Reflex, but the engine is a Honda Helix 244cc clone. i've got over 10k mi. on my Chinese scooot now, still running strong, but the plastic parts start to deteriate, brittle plastics tend to shatter when accidental bump in the garage occurs.

Edited by cat0020, 17 February 2012 - 02:23 PM.

[twistedkeys TT Gold Member]

cat0020, on 17 February 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

The body may look like a Reflex, but the engine is a Honda Helix 244cc clone. i've got over 10k mi. on my Chinese scooot now, still running strong, but the plastic parts start to deteriate, brittle plastics tend to shatter when accidental bump in the garage occurs.

I would assume the Reflexs' engine was based on the Helixs' so it's darn close enough and yeah that's something I noticed on my scooter is that the plastics are very, very cheap... I basically do not touch them and leave it in my shed so it doesn't get bumped.

[cat0020 TT Silver Member]

twistedkeys, on 17 February 2012 - 05:49 PM, said:

I would assume the Reflexs' engine was based on the Helixs' so it's darn close enough

Not even close, Helix engine have piston trveling near vertical to ground level, Helix engine have piston travel near horizontal.
Even though the picture below shows the Yamaha 257cc engine, but the engine configuration is much similar to Honda Reflex vs Helix.

[Pitboard TT Newbie]

It always comes down to what you can afford. I'm also a pilot and I would like a Gulfstream but my old Cessna 185 Skywagon will have to do.

[CHEVYkx250fRACER TT Member]

Sounds like you guys have had good luck. Last year i bought a retro style 2008 wildfire 4 speed 50cc moped from a auction house for 300 bucks just for fun. The battery was shit, petcock leaked gas, two popped tires, electronics dont work, rear axle/chain adjuster bolt got stripped so the chain kept falling off and it will not idle and basically everything is falling apart. It is the biggest piece of shit i have ever owned!