This scoot (EVO) or that one (PX)?

[saferider1]

I'll try to answer all the question that you had in this thread! I have an Evo that I just received last month.

1) Storage space under the seat is rather small, less than a cubic foot. Mine is full when I put in my tool kit, first aid kit, rain pants and rain jacket. Get a trunk! I got a Bestem (see below)
2) Acceleration is fast. I'm 250 lbs, and I can get off the line at a stop light faster than the cars around me. This blows away my Taotao ATM50-A1 Stealth 80cc (upgraded from 49cc).
3) MPG: I've only got about 200 km (125 mi) on the bike, but MPG running about 55-60 mpg with upgrades listed below.
4) So, far the reliability is excellent. Engine always starts even in cold weather. Purrs. Roars too if you want it too.
5) Doesn't come with a trunk, but you can mount a giant Bestem T-Box on the back like I did.
6) Killer looks. Streamlined and nice curves.
7) Don't know about gear replacement...
8) Engine and plugs accessible when the seat is removed. Easy to remove the seat. The air filter is mounted toward the front of the seat, but you can work around it. Under-seat compartment is at the back and lifts out with the seat.
9) Evo tire is a 130/60-13 low-profile performance type. Rims are 13".

My Evo was $930.91 (incl shipping, lift gate svce, residential delivery, everything out the door) from familygokarts.com (excellent customer service by the way).

I had Rolling Wrench in Denver do the PDI after I assembled most of the bike. The headlight assembly/cowling can be a bear to attach--two man job.

Videos of my Evo being assembled: https://www.youtube.com/user/activity10cc

Some have mentioned in this thread that they got crap Evos. You have to do the necessary upgrades, otherwise they can be lemon-like.

My upgrade list:

- Motobatt MBTZ10S (12V 8.6 Amp) 190CCA Factory Activated QuadFlex AGM Battery
- Bestem T-Box TBOX-2012-BLU Blue 20" X 10.5" X 16" Scooter trunk
- NGK Iridium spark plug
- Naraku CDI box
- fuel filter, Helix vacuum line and fuel line kit
- LED wiring from trunk to brake light harness
- red ignition coil
- magnetic drain plugs for gear oil/engine oil
- tire valve stem upgrade

Hope this helps!

[saferider1]

I should tell you that this bike loves to cruise at 40-45 mph. I can get it up to 55 mph verified by GPS. And I weigh 250 lbs. Getting it up to 40 is a piece of cake, comparable or better than a car's acceleration.

[prodigit]

Thank you so very much for this valuable information!
The website I got it from said the bike can go upto 65MPH, but I doubt it.
Then again, they also said the ATM50 could do 40+MPH, but out of the box it only did 35MPH.
With gapping the spark plug, I was able to achieve 45+MPH, and a small windshield, trunk removed, LED tail light I gained another 3 MPH, and now after 2k miles it tops out at 50MPH.
(Of course, pumping the tires to 35PSI also helped).

The LED tail light issue is connected to the stator. The ATM50 was very sensitive to voltage drain, resulting in the spark plug not getting enough spark voltage. Once I changed the rear tail light to a LED, and gapped the spark plug (reduced height by 1/3rd), it responded way better!

Where any of the upgrades necessary to make your bike function? Or did it work nice out of the box, and where the upgrades doing a noticeable improvement?
On my Tao ATM50 I have over 2k miles on the stock belt, and haven't had any issues with it yet.
I also found that the stock fuel lines seemed to work just fine.

Also, by how much is the speedo off? (like, when you say 55MPH, how much is that on the speedo?)
I'm only 170LBS, so I suppose I might go a little faster?

I suppose you're still breaking in the engine at 125mi, so it would not be unimaginable, if you'd gain another 5 MPH before hitting another 500miles.

[saferider1]

Hey prodigit, you are most welcome for the info.

On my Evo, speedo is right on the dot, verified by GPS.

You asked whether any upgrades were necessary. Not really, they were all preventative maintenance to bring the quality of my Evo closer to the Japanese scooters. I replaced the parts that tend to fail and leave you stranded. Since Rolling Wrench went ahead and did the upgrades for me during the PDI, I didn't get to see the stock version running, but I'm sure it would have been just fine out of the box.

P.S. Stock vacuum/fuel hoses (and valve stems for that matter) on the Taotaos are prone to dry rot after a few months of use according to pros at Rolling Wrench in Denver, who see this problem all the time.

Thanks for the tips on LED tail light and spark plug gapping! I'll keep you posted on performance after I have my Evo broken in.

[prodigit]

On my ATM, now almost 6 months old, I still run on basically everything stock.
No fuel leaks, no hose or belt problems yet, momentarily my horn stopped working, but when I accidentally hit the handlebars hard with my knee, at the horn button, it worked again, and ever since.

The scoot is also parked outside in the burning hot Florida sun, as well as in the pouring rain. So far the elements have just caused a decoloration of the plastics in the speedometer; and some rust on the exhaust (which stopped as soon as I treated it with Corrosion X); nothing else.

How's your rear drum brake doing?
On my ATM50, it squeeks a lot!

[saferider1]

Wow! That is great news on how your ATM50 is holding up. Gives me hope! Yep, my ATM50-A1 is a squeaker too. Annoying, but the rear brakes work and that's the important thing. On my Evo, the front brakes make a little noise. No drum brake noise yet.

I'm relocating to Clearwater, FL in November, so I guess I'll get to experience the hot sun and rain you referred to!

[prodigit]

I just came off the line with TaoTao, and seemingly the Powermax, and the EVO have exactly the same engine.
They thus perform the same.
The only difference is that the EVO is a little longer, a little heavier, a little higher wind resistance, resulting in no more than 4-5MPH difference.
Top speed is 60MPH easily, 65MPH with warmed up engine.
TaoTao recommends Premium fuel as well for better performance.

I think I'll be going for the EVO, as it's bigger, has more trunk space.
I'll add a rear trunk for extra storage.

[Girlrider]

I already decided the EVO would get my vote, so I'm happy to see that you picked it in the end! I was swayed more by the look of it than anything else! (The red Puma someone posted a picture of earlier is very nice too.)

[prodigit]

Just as a note, I already bought the EVO, but would I do it again?
Probably not!

The EVO is almost 100LBS heavier than the PX. It's a complex bike. Rides very comfy, but I fear if it ever breaks down. My belief is, no proof yet, that the PX (=powermax) would be easier to maintain than the EVO.
TaoTao USA basically lied to me when they told me maintenance was as easy as on the ATM50. The ATM 50 is a breeze, but the EVO (despite it's great looks), has too many wires, hoses, and things that could go wrong.

Not only that, but the storage space is disappointingly small.
it's smaller than the ATM50.
The gloves compartment is really, really small, gloves barely fit in it!
It barely fits a wallet filled with creditcards, or sunglasses!

So, would I recommend the EVO? Yes, for the price it's a great scoot!
Would I buy it again? No. I probably would buy the Powermax.