Truth about gy6 150cc scooters

[blueboy5000]

Okay some of the things people say about 150cc gy6 bikes are ri-DONK-ulous! Time to set the record straight!

1) Value

A 150cc gy6 bike sells for between 600 and 1700 NEW. Therefore, your bike with 3k miles on it and no mods is NOT worth 1200.

But what about that bike you spent 1000 to hook up with every mod you can think of? Well that bike is worth LESS than stock. Sorry, but as soon as you start modding a vehicle (any vehicle) it LOOSES value. Yes it would be nice to see a huge return on your project, but that's just not the case. Mods depreciate the value. That said; mods can make your bike better, just less valuable.

2) Speed

You gy6 bike with 13" wheels will do 55mph stock AFTER break in. Yes I know the speedo says 140kmph, but they are inaccurate and USUALLY IN KMPH. To break it down 100kmph= about 60mph.

You cannot gauge your speed using a stock speedo. Use a GPS. And not a phone, USE A GPS UNIT. I have checked my own bike (which is very modded) with a Garmin and a Tom-Tom and have found it goes about 67mph MAXIMUM on flats. The highest speed I have attained is 83mph ON A LARGE STEEP DOWNHILL. Do not determine your top speed on a DOWNHILL, that is NOT your true top speed. Your true top speed is WHAT YOUR BIKE DOES ACCORDING TO A GPS ON A FLAT SURFACE.

3) Mileage

Simply put, varies greatly depending on roads, weather and hills. A modded 150cc should get about 60mpg on varied terrain, 70-75 mpg on FLATS ONLY. Note the more carb mods and CVT mods you do, usually the less MPG.

4) Reliability

I have been around bikes my entire life. I have been riding all manner of bike since I was 4. And I will say right now, that a Roketa (which is pretty low-end as far as gy6 bikes go) is just as durable and reliable as any Honda/Tomos/Yamaha/Burgman I have ever ridden. The "good" bike break just as much, and cost more to fix. Yes the initial stock parts on a low-end gy6 are pretty cheapo, but the replacements are pretty damned good and super cheap (a KOSO moly-coated variator only costs 70 bucks). Yes my stock carb was a POS, but the replacement I bought for 40 bucks and changed out the jets for another 9 dollars is a great carb, and is easily the same (if not better) quality than the one on my Kymco.

The biggest quality issue on these bikes is the rubber parts. So rather than mess around, simply change all your hoses with Tygon. This should only cost about 20 bucks TOTAL. And if you have some no-name tires, get some decent tires like Duro, Kenda, Pirrelli or Michelin.

As an avid scooter rider ( I own 7 currently) I cannot say a gy6 is automatically garbage. Yes they are not Aprillas or even Kymcos, but with a few cheap part swaps they get pretty darned close.

Just like any machine,you get out what you put in. Gy6 bikes are practically free compared to "good" bikes, and even with all mods done, a great gy6 can be made for LESS THAN HALF what a "good" bike costs.

And lastly if you are expecting a a repair free scooter, then you might as well sit around and wait fpr Santa Clause to ride up on a unicorn and take you to Fairy Land where no scooter ever breaks down. Scooters will break, Vespa or gy6, because they are machines, and machines break with use, period.

[scootnwinn]

Do you even know what you think? I certainly have no idea. You say they are just as reliable as "real" bikes (whatever "real" means) and then you say they aren't equal. Comparing stock to stock Chinese are not equal even you said in the post you have to replace a bunch of stuff. Whatever the case you seem happy? So if you like the bikes fine but don't tell me that Honda's have the same issues as the generic Chinese scoot I spent too much time in an actual motorcycle shop to even think its true for a second. No matter what you do to your Chinese scoot you will never be able to hold it WFO for a 600-1000 mile trip I have done than on many machines and have never been stranded once...

Chinese scoots have their place but they are not the same...

[Swordsman]

I think the OP means that Chinese GY6 are comparable to the higher-end machines AFTER the upgrades, which still comes out cheaper.

Maybe this is a tangent, but what is it about the GY6 clones that makes them less powerful than other brands of the same displacement? I've noticed a lot of the Chinese 150cc put out right around 8-9 HP, while carbed Kymcos and Genuines pump out closer to 11-13 HP... roughly 40% more juice. Is it simply the age of the design (being based off of 30 year old tech), or is it the inferior quality stock parts? Do these upgrades noticeably close the performance gap?

~SM

[blueboy5000]

Originally Posted by Swordsman

I think the OP means that Chinese GY6 are comparable to the higher-end machines AFTER the upgrades, which still comes out cheaper.

Maybe this is a tangent, but what is it about the GY6 clones that makes them less powerful than other brands of the same displacement? I've noticed a lot of the Chinese 150cc put out right around 8-9 HP, while carbed Kymcos and Genuines pump out closer to 11-13 HP... roughly 40% more juice. Is it simply the age of the design (being based off of 30 year old tech), or is it the inferior quality stock parts? Do these upgrades noticeably close the performance gap?

~SM

Yes the upgrades do indeed close the gap. Most gy6 bikes have cheap components and are based on a 30 year old Honda design. With proper, inexpensive, easy to do mods, a gy6 will easily produce 12 to 14 hp.

[scootnwinn]

Originally Posted by blueboy5000

a gy6 will easily produce 12 to 14 hp.

I would like to see undeniable proof of that

[inuyasha]

Originally Posted by scootnwinn

I would like to see undeniable proof of that

Hi Rob
Unless you throw the scoot on a dyno that would be hard to prove but it is a realistic goal
More ccs will equal more power so it all depends on how large of a displacement upgrade you do
With a 63 mm bore and a 61 mm stroke your 150cc becomes 190.15cc
That should easily put out over 12 bhp
Take care and ride safely dear friend
Yours Hank

[thumper650]

Blueboy, you are certianly entitled to your opnion. Thanks for sharing!

[skuttadawg]

China scooters are no way as good as a Honda or an Italian scooter . Yes replacing the fuel and vacuum hoses is a great idea along with the shipping engine oil and gear lube with any brand name automotive oil and gear lube . Many will run a tad better with a larger main jet since EPA has then lean .

My Echarm has a LC version of the GY6 ( parts do not interchange ) with 17k miles on it as of today . I have only changed the oil and adjusted the valves at 2,200 miles and it still runs strong

[scootnwinn]

Hank, I'm with you but, for a reliable daily ride in order to do that you need the kit, about $60 (cheap from ebay a quality kit is quite a bit more right?) then you need to have the cases bored right? How much is that? $50? more? To really be sure about that don't you want a new crank?? Any way a full rebuild of the engine is not "easy" in most people's minds, like he says. Yes with serious rebuild and replacement of everything but the cases you can make 12 hp, but he said "With proper, inexpensive, easy to do mods" Easy to do mods for me are performance pipes, air filters, roller weights, etc. Not total rebuilds. I can rebuild an engine but it is not easy. It takes a high level of competency and careful planning preparation and deliberate methods to get it right. You will take up a good 10 hrs at least. I'm not saying a GY6 can't make that power just that it isn't easy like he said. To do what you said and do it right with quality parts it's really going to cost around $500 isn't it?? You can get a used Honda Elite 200 for around $1500 and it will make reliable 12ish hp for you for the rest of your life... Not trying to bust anyone's chops really I just know what kind of power your starting with and a pipe and air filter isn't going to give you a horse power increase in excess of 50%. Once again Chinese rides are great scoots for 40-50 mph around town but no matter what you do I don't think you will ever finish a Scooter Cannonball or tour reliably...

[inuyasha]

Hi Rob
You are quite correct my friend, whats easy for me and others with the proper skills and machining equipment is not considered easy to most
Ive been working on motorbikes for over 40 years and have a decent home machine shop, lathe, drill press, mill etc so for me a rebuild is easy and quite enjoyable
I do apologize
Take care and ride safely dear friend
Yours Hank

[ckizer]

Originally Posted by inuyasha

Hi Rob
You are quite correct my friend, whats easy for me and others with the proper skills and machining equipment is not considered easy to most
Ive been working on motorbikes for over 40 years and have a decent home machine shop, lathe, drill press, mill etc so for me a rebuild is easy and quite enjoyable
I do apologize
Take care and ride safely dear friend
Yours Hank

If you break down the parts in an expensive brand name scooter, and a generic gy6 scooter the difference in material and parts is about $150. Honda isn't good because it cost more. Honda could easily sell those scooter for for $750, but they choose to keep high profit margin and use it to put quality back in. As chinese scooter companies get better the only distinction there will be between chinese scooter and Honda scooter is a better engineer team. All the parts come from China. The Chinese factories making them are getting better quality control everywhere, and will be able to do it for nearly the same price.

The people who make the parts for Honda and Tao scooter company are both being paid $1.50 in china for the most part.

[inuyasha]

Originally Posted by ckizer

If you break down the parts in an expensive brand name scooter, and a generic gy6 scooter the difference in material and parts is about $150. Honda isn't good because it cost more. Honda could easily sell those scooter for for $750, but they choose to keep high profit margin and use it to put quality back in. As chinese scooter companies get better the only distinction there will be between chinese scooter and Honda scooter is a better engineer team. All the parts come from China. The Chinese factories making them are getting better quality control everywhere, and will be able to do it for nearly the same price.

The people who make the parts for Honda and Tao scooter company are both being paid $1.50 in china for the most part.

Hi

Its much more then that
For one the quality of the metal used in the engines is much higher quality in top brand companies like honda yamaha aprillia vespa etc, most Chinese products use lower quality pot metal
Some like Sym use ceramic coatings for their cylinders, 4 valve heads etc
http://alliancepowersports.com/about/
My aprilia sr is another that has a higher quality and technology then your typical chinese scoot
http://www.motorscooter.com.au/html/...r50/ditech.htm
I love all brands and makes, in fact i own and ride Chinese scoots but i do see the big difference between big name brands and the generic Chinese scoots
There is really no comparison
You DO get what you pay for
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[rockie]

I've heard it said that these engines are made of pot metal, now I would like for someone to prove it.

[gitsum]

Originally Posted by inuyasha

Hi

Its much more then that
For one the quality of the metal used in the engines is much higher quality in top brand companies like honda yamaha aprillia vespa etc, most Chinese products use lower quality pot metal
Some like Sym use ceramic coatings for their cylinders, 4 valve heads etc
http://alliancepowersports.com/about/
My aprilia sr is another that has a higher quality and technology then your typical chinese scoot
http://www.motorscooter.com.au/html/...r50/ditech.htm
I love all brands and makes, in fact i own and ride Chinese scoots but i do see the big difference between big name brands and the generic Chinese scoots
There is really no comparison
You DO get what you pay for
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

Well put.

I know Chinese scooters are very inexpensive. With proper maintenance and replacing a few parts from the beginning a decent scooter mechanic can keep one running and have a fair amount of reliability and longevity. Not a bad bang for the buck, definitely cheaper than a Japanese or high end Taiwanese scooter. Some say the Chinese scooter cost so much less that the extra quality of a high priced machine isn't justified.

I've owned a few "high priced" name brand scooters and I thought the cost was worth it. However, I like a good bargain too, and lately I've changed my preference.

I've found that SYM and Kymco make quality Taiwanese scooters manufactured in mainland China under the same strict quality control as their more expensive models.

Tomos Nitro, all Lance scooters are Taiwanese quality scooters made by SYM. Kymco does the same thing with the Agility and Like models. Eton scooters are made in Taiwan too, but most people group them with Chinese made and there are many leftover models for cheap.

In 125-150cc sizes these scooters cost anywhere from $1800 to $2500 new. Not too much above the upper end of $1700 mentioned by someone for Chinese scooters. These scooters are mechanically equal to similar models from Japan, though the plastics aren't quite as good (but not brittle and ill fitting like some Chinese scooters). For the most part they use generic GY6 engines and you can buy both cheap Chinese parts or higher quality parts from many different sources should the need arise.

I found several people who bought new older stock Eton Matrix 150cc scooters for $1500 out the door. Wide 12" tires, dual disc brakes, large seat with good storage, and a Taiwanese GY6 that makes 10.5 HP and pushes the 210 lbs scooter to an actual 60-65 mph bone stock. I wish I could have found that deal before I bought my Tomos Nitro 150 for $1899 shipped to my door.

No regrets though, my wife and I have toured over 4000 miles on two lane highways and off road through some pretty gnarly stuff and the scooter has been bulletproof. 85 mpg and cruising 50-60 mph most of the time. We have ridden 300 miles in a day riding two up on the Tomos Nitro 150 and won't hesitate to take it anywhere, any distance. For comparison we owned a SYM HD200 EVO before that and the Tomos has been every bit as reliable and roadworthy.

[gitsum]

It seems like a difference of opinions here. I made the mistake of disagreeing with the majority on "It is the ride" forum.

Those people insist that a Chinese scooter is every bit the equal of anything out of Taiwan or Japan. Even though they clearly admit parts like hoses, cdi's, bearings, belts, variators, batteries, ignition coils, fasteners, carbs, etc. should be replaced during the original PDI. Then they will find somebody that has more than 10,000 miles on a chinascoot and say that it is as good as a Honda? The majority of those guys only owned one or two Chinese scooters and never had a Honda or something comparable that they would call a waste of money.

Unfortunately it got personal and ugly, but I enjoyed picking apart their misinformed point of view making them look like hypocrites until I finally managed to get banned.

And by the way, I clearly stated and believe there is a place and purpose for a Chinese scooter. But that doesn't mean it is as good as a Japanese/Taiwanese scooter or a better value. I have owned two different Chinese scooters as well as Honda, Yamaha, SYM, CPI and others, there is a significant difference.

There is nothing wrong with a Chinese scooter, but there is something wrong with claiming it is something that it isn't.

Yes, you could ride a 150cc chinascoot around town at lower speeds and significantly extend the engine life by not pushing it real hard. But the same can be said about a Japanese/Taiwanese machine, driven gently they will last longer than they already do. If you need a 150cc machine to ride 50-55+ on a regular basis, your best bet is to invest in a higher quality/priced scooter.