MC-95-250 Reverse Trike

MC-95-250

It goes by many names.
Cyclone, Momba, Spyder etc.



I must say from the first time I saw this "scam-am" I found it intriguing on a few levels. First I guess the folks in china have pretty much cloned everything else so it was time to raid the Canadians.Next was who would pay anywhere from 4 to 5k for this scooter.

As it turns out there are more than a few who have, many of them were beyond unprepared for what was to come.

I bought the trike at a auto auction. The original owner gave up at 200 miles. The front end was a mess and took about 30 hours total to get just the front end right. Forget getting most shops to play with the toe-in.

Long story short I paid $1100.00 and have about another $300.00 in it. I thought I would have sold it by now but it's not in the way so............


The Trike:
It looks cool there's no denying it. It's about as well put together as most china scoots. Rattles etc but nothing out of the norm that a few twists of a screwdriver wont fix. Body finish is OK . The electrical on these things have always been a nasty topic with me and this bike is no different . I used a ton of shrink tube, liquid electric tape and connectors to make things more water tight.

The early models had big time stability problems. That was fixed but it scared the hell out of a lot of people. Even those that have done their own PDI on china scoots before weren't ready for the front end tuning it takes to make these bikes stable. I thought I was but found out otherwise. Fortunately I found some info online.Once it's right it's not all that tough to keep it that way.

I can't say anything bad about the CN250 clone. It's a workhorse that's been in scoots for years. Ive always enjoyed working on them. Strong and reliable as long as its not asked to do more than its made to do. More on that later.

Handeling
Like any trike you need to adjust your riding style. Unlike traditional trikes this scoot rides like an ATV or snowmobile. No fancy computers to keep the front wheels on the pavement. It's all on to the rider .

It's extremely sensitive to input on the bars. It takes very little to make it turn. If you lean on the bars things get shaky. With the front end right it tracks true and is predictable as long as you don't lean on the bars.Bumps and potholes can bounce you from side to side so one needs to keep an eye on the surface .

Performance
As I said I like the CN250 clone I just don't like it on this trike. It's just asking way to much for that little kicker to push a heavy bike with 3 heavy small car tires and a lot of windage.

The CVT is set up as well as I can be for the job at hand. Pulling out into traffic is not an issue she zips to 30 mph just fine. Between 30 and 40 she's ok, not fast but not a total dog. At 40 the shanking starts and it screams until about 44 then the CVT makes its last shift. Then it smooths out.

Only problem is that's about it. I used a GPS to check speeds but from 44 to 52 I used a calendar, it took forever.I'm only 135 lbs live at sea level and any small bridge will knock the speed down 10 mph. Evenlight wind will cut speed.

I can't imagine riding it in the hills or two-up.

We have tried everything from CVT tuning to carb/exhaust work and the bottom line is there is no replacement for displacement. This trike is the perfect example of that. It needs at least 300cc to do 55mph cruise.

Of course should the suspension be asked to do much better than 50mph ? I've seen a max of 62 coming off a steep bridge and it was "sporty" to say the least. To fast period. BTW that same bridge spanked the bike on the way up, 33mph. Yuck.

Bottom line is 44 mph cruise, 50mph or so top end.
Not 5k worth of performance.I said earlier that the trike is predictable and it is. That's not to say its simple to ride. It takes attention to the road surface ,even more than on any other bike. But it's a safe ride in the hands of a competent driver.

It may seem like I'm bashing the thing but I'm not I totally enjoy the ride. It's a hoot around town, I can pull some cool turns and everyone comes over to talk at the gas station. Good ole fun !

Just don't ask to much from it. It's a "sheep in wolves clothes" looks like Tarzan runs like Jane. It's a scooter and a slow one at that. Don't let the wrapper fool you.

I couldn't use it as my day to day scoot but it's fun for a change of pace. I'm sure their are those that would be happy with this trike as is, say maybe at the "over 55". Lol.

I can't bring myself to selling it. It's just a lot of fun.

Of course I may not enjoy it as much if I paid top dollar for it.

Be Big,
AMAC

[prodigit]

Aside from faster acceleration, it basically performs just like my TaoTao ATM50; yes, that's a 50cc scoot.
Put a BBK on it, from 72 to 75cc, and the thing will work just as fast as your trike.

Good to hear there are stability issues. A lot of people won't go for that! Riding as is, is dangerous enough already.
They have new trikes, with 2 front wheels closer together, that shift up or down, so in corners you have the feeling you're sitting more on a scooter, than on a quad.
I've seen one riding in Miami Beach, and it seemed pretty stable.

[amac1680]

The trike is stable it just needs to be "driven" not just rode. A little more attention is required but the machine in and of itself is not a danger.

Be Big,
AMAC

[savy09]

I have a 2011 Vogue/Auto Moto 150cc trike, paid 2,000 for it, 2 wheels in the rear w/ a differential... supports the engine, while the enclosed front carves around curves.
Feels like I'm riding a 2 wheeler, cruises at 45 to 52+mph, this spring I'll do a mod air filter w/ velocity stack, perfomance coil wire& boot, iridium plug, that will get me to 60 mph.

It's no Piaggio MP3, but it tilts and I can ride it in the rain without getting wet!

The main thing is to enjoy your ride... so ride! ride! ride!--savy

[Admin]

Great write-up Amac, thanks!

Savy: I've always wondered how those things handle.. is there a big difference from a 'normal' trike?

[savy09]

Originally Posted by Admin

Great write-up Amac, thanks!

Savy: I've always wondered how those things handle.. is there a big difference from a 'normal' trike?

They ride like any 2 wheel scooter, you control the amount of tilt as riding 2 wheelers,
the negative is the engine noise and wind turbulance that bounces off the roof, can get tiring on a long ride. But it's fun to ride and gets a lot of attention (iphotos) wherever I go.

[savy09]

amac1680,
For what you paid and put into it enjoy your ride, unless your intent was to ride on highways at 65-70 mph? But then again why would you? It's good to have reserve power to get out of harms way so why not do some easy mods to get you 55-60 mph. That's as fast as I want to go to avoid an road hazards on any scooter at my age. For another few dollars you can add a unifilter with velocity stack, performance CDI, coil wire and boot, iridium plug, twike the carb, maybe play with the rollers in the CVT.my2cts
try www.buggypartsnw.com or www.scrappydogscooters.com

[amac1680]

Yeah savvy the trike performs about as I expected going in.

My main point is this would be a great scoot at about $3K. But at anywhere from 4-5 it's just a steep price to pay. It's not so much to speed but the limitations of hills. I live of the flat so not a big deal till I need to cross water.

It would be hard to sell it, it's a hoot to ride with a "sporty" character . I also enjoy to conversations. So many times people will say "yeah I've seen these before.........wait the the he'll is it". Lol most think it's just plain cool.

It fits good in the garage so I'll keep it although I do have my eye on another conversation starter.



Hmmmmm.

Be Big.
AMAC

[savy09]

amac, NICE!!!
That's the same reason I'm interested in the mod I rode about above, it will allow you more speed up hills also. I have a couple of steep hills in my area 30-35mph up. The guy who posted this mod on Auto Moto lives near Seattle and went from 35 to 48 mph up hills and increased his top end to 60 mph.If you like what you have,keep it and enjoy!
I too enjoy the attention/conversation about my ride! just say'in.--savy


watch this "reviewof AM" video :

[Elderdan09]

I am curious, in the process of breaking in your trike, did you treat the 200 miles as zeroed and ran the machine slowly for the next 100, change the oil and then speed up? It sounds to me like the break in process got broken somewhere in the mid range, with all of the squealing in the mid forties.

This first thing I would do is change the oil and put on a new CVT belt to see if that would not change the motoring characteristics.

I am not an expert, but break in recommendations are made for good reason.

[amac1680]

Originally Posted by Elderdan09

I am curious, in the process of breaking in your trike, did you treat the 200 miles as zeroed and ran the machine slowly for the next 100, change the oil and then speed up? It sounds to me like the break in process got broken somewhere in the mid range, with all of the squealing in the mid forties.

This first thing I would do is change the oil and put on a new CVT belt to see if that would not change the motoring characteristics.

I am not an expert, but break in recommendations are made for good reason.

Hi,

Yes I treated the motor as if it was new. What went on before I bought it I don't know. Oil change when I got it then I change the oil every 200 up to 1000mi. The belt also was changed.

I've riden other MC-95s with about the same results. Weight and resistance are hard on that motor . Ive had a bunch of CN250 clones all on bikes that come in at least 125lbs lighter.

As a rule I break in by the book but I have a friend that lives by the "hard break in" and he's never had a problem. I just have the guys to do it.

Be Big,
AMAC

[Elderdan09]

Well my bike has arrived and now I am starting the easy breakin method.

[spandi]

Would you call this a Bombardier clone?

[amac1680]

Originally Posted by spandi

Would you call this a Bombardier clone?

Yes sir, it was Canada's turn to be raided !

Be Big,
AMAC

[Flyingwrench]

Amac, I just read your article with some interest. I used to live in China and I was able to travel to many cities and tour many factories. I have to say that without exception, the Chinese have never cloned anything. Cloning is making a product an exact duplicate of an original. The Chinese ALWAYS take a product and reduce it to the lowest state that it can exist and still look like an original. They are the exact opposite of the Japanese who will take a product and try to improve upon it. Usually they have success. And quite often they lead the industry with their new creations. They take pride in their work. The Chinese are only in it for the money - - PERIOD> They are light years away from true craftsmanship. I will successfully argue this point with anyone. Until a person has lived there and done business for a number of years they cannot begin to know what lengths a Chinese manufacturer will extend itself to create imposters in the market place.