Are there any reliable china-scoots yet?

[thumper650]

I don't think it has as much to do with where it's made, but who makes it. My Kymco AG is made in China, so was my Lance (back when they were Znen) The Kymco has been way more trouble free than the Znen. Little things were always breaking on it, and parts were a pain to find. Personally I'd probably not buy another no-name Chinese scooter, since I use it to get to work.

I totally agree that Vespas are overpiced. Kinda like a luxury car, it's just a name.

[kz1000st]

My favorite story in defense of Znen Lances is this. There used to be a member here named Dorian. He had a Lance Milan he commuted on daily. He put 24,000 miles on it in just over a year with regular maintenance; bolt tightening, bulb replacement and routine things. He did a big jump on a dirt mound one day and broke the frame. It still got him home but he scrapped it not wanting to replace the frame or trusting a weld repair. The engine still ran splendidly.

Mike at Lance switched to SYM built models when he started hearing that his scooters were being used as commuters after the rise in gas prices in 2008 and people wanted solid rides. Prior to that the philosophy was that his Lances were being used as weekend toys, so day to day reliability wasn't a big issue. You have to applaud that kind of commitment to customer needs.

[thumper650]

Originally Posted by kz1000st

Mike at Lance switched to SYM built models when he started hearing that his scooters were being used as commuters after the rise in gas prices in 2008 and people wanted solid rides. Prior to that the philosophy was that his Lances were being used as weekend toys, so day to day reliability wasn't a big issue. You have to applaud that kind of commitment to customer needs.

I guess that's big of him, but maybe he just realized he was selling crap, and wouldn't stay in business long.

I do wonder how the PCH is, it looks great but I had a Sym built Tomos Nitro that I wasn't crazy about.

[kz1000st]

I don't think 24,000 miles on a Lance Milan is indicative of crap. Many Znen Lances are running to this day.

Blown valves in $7000, pressed steel scooters is more an indication of crap to me.

http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic130381.2

[thumper650]

Originally Posted by kz1000st

I don't think 24,000 miles on a Lance Milan is indicative of crap. Many Znen Lances are running to this day.

Blown valves in $7000, pressed steel scooters is more an indication of crap to me.

http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic130381.2

I'm glad he had such good luck with his Znen Lance. Mine (a GSR-150) was a piece of crap. 3 years, 8000 miles, wasn't the problem. The amount of work I put into it to keep it running was the problem. I'd have been way better off with a used Honda. I've chalked it up to a learning experience.

Blown valves in a $7000 scooter is also crap. Fortunately that's both ends of the spectrum.

[kz1000st]

I can't get an answer where this is built. Either China or Vietnam according to some.

http://www.justgottascoot.com/piaggiofly150.htm

Chinese built:
http://www.justgottascoot.com/cfmotojetmax.htm
http://www.justgottascoot.com/agility125.htm
http://www.justgottascoot.com/symfiddle2.htm
http://www.justgottascoot.com/cfmotoglory.htm
http://www.justgottascoot.com/like200.htm
http://www.justgottascoot.com/cali125.htm
http://www.justgottascoot.com/cabo150.htm
http://www.justgottascoot.com/lancepch.htm

Not all favorable but everyone here is dealer backed and priced less than a brand name equivalent.

[thumper650]

Originally Posted by kz1000st

I can't get an answer where this is built. Either China or Vietnam according to some.
.

I rented one in 08, I think, the label said made in China, and there was a sticker inside the trunk that said "NO PETS"

It was a great scoot. Seemed very well made, don't really know because I only had it for a day.