tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post8301708975506096313..comments2024-03-11T05:18:42.782-05:00Comments on Cheap-Ass-Living: Cheap-Ass Chinese motorcycles and scooters (Part 1)Tex Dakotahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12305385304114703534noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post-43820808587517341702012-08-29T18:44:58.209-05:002012-08-29T18:44:58.209-05:00Hey Tex! - Congrats for wading into a subject full...Hey Tex! - Congrats for wading into a subject full of dogma and coming out with a fresh opinion!<br /><br />Three points:<br />1 - I posted elsewhere in response to your "Living On Less Than $10,000/yr" post that, here in Washington, my motorized bicycle is free of registration and insurance requirements. Turns out I was wrong... I just haven't been caught yet. As of this year there is a registration requirement (about $44/yr), but still no insurance requirement.<br /><br />2 - This site shows how to push a 125cc scooter to over 200 mpg. The same approach should work for little 49cc mopeds. It will significantly boost their mileage, plus allow higher speeds (although that would be wrong). Might also make them a little more comfortable in a light rain.<br /><br />http://ecomodder.com/blog/diy-aero-fairings-honda-125cc-motorcycle-214-mpg/<br /><br />3 - About a year ago I bought a decent 1989 Geo Metro for $1,000 that consistently gives me over 50 mpg on the freeway. It will zip along at over 70 mph if pushed, but I tend to drive it under 60 to extend its life. It costs $44/yr to license and insurance runs me only $220/yr. For the money I think it's a better option than a small motorcycle. About the same acquisition cost, mpg and operating cost. However, it is freeway worthy, more crash-resistant, will carry a lot more, and it can even pull a small trailer. It is truly all weather, including snow and ice... and I don't have to wear a freakin' helmet to drive it!nicusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post-82367711749117127102012-08-27T14:24:11.915-05:002012-08-27T14:24:11.915-05:00Thank you for the advice Tex Dakota.
Maybe I get ...Thank you for the advice Tex Dakota.<br />Maybe I get Solar Electrical Trike (Sande-009)made in China.<br /><br />Wimmerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05146910590840292103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post-53158384487744354972012-08-27T06:27:46.118-05:002012-08-27T06:27:46.118-05:00Wimmera, An electwic twicycle? WOOOOOOOW! Make sur...Wimmera, An electwic twicycle? WOOOOOOOW! Make sure you get one with the little ding-dingy bell on it and the pink and white tasles dangling from the handlebar grips.Tex Dakotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12305385304114703534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post-15732821363131579432012-08-26T18:11:53.623-05:002012-08-26T18:11:53.623-05:00I've given this option a lot of thought as wel...I've given this option a lot of thought as well Tex. A motorcycle is so much less to operate and maintain than a car. Tune ups, oil change, new tires, insurance, fuel, all so much less than a car.<br /><br />I would try to look find an older Japanese bike if you can? The older bikes are easier to maintain and work on yourself. A dual sport (or enduro as I believe that they're sometimes called?) as nightshift suggested, has more capability, and is more versatile, but if the route between your property and work is a smooth one, you should be able to get by ok with a street only bike.<br /><br />Keep in mind that most states have a minimum CC rating in order to be able ride on a state highway or freeway (it's 250cc in many states). For this reason I would recommend getting something with an engine at least as big as what your state requires if at all possible. You may never want to ride on a highway, but it's nice to have the option to do so should you ever need to?<br /><br />Bikes at the 250cc size or smaller will have mileage in the vicinity of the 75 to 100mpg. Personally, I would want the most mileage out of a motorcycle as I could get, and so I would avoid bikes too much larger than the bare minimum needed for highway travel. Larger bikes do not get as good of mileage as one may think? In many cases, not a lot better than a small car, at least according to some of the mileage ratings that I have read? As an example, I once saw a Honda 750cc advertised. In the ad it was mentioned that it got 57 miles per gallon. A small car such as Geo Metro or a smaller Honda car will generally get between 45 and 50mpg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post-35498798584611341722012-08-26T14:37:33.118-05:002012-08-26T14:37:33.118-05:00You can mount a small motor on a regular bike if i...You can mount a small motor on a regular bike if it's legal where you live. There are kits all over the internet.Karlx9http://cannedmeatreview.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post-61538611673991905792012-08-26T02:43:39.267-05:002012-08-26T02:43:39.267-05:00I am ordering electric tricycle soonI am ordering electric tricycle soonWimmerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05146910590840292103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812565194883305916.post-60460343402082243522012-08-25T14:49:22.773-05:002012-08-25T14:49:22.773-05:00Hey Tex, Nightshift here.....I still say if you c...Hey Tex, Nightshift here.....I still say if you can swing it spend 1500 on a decent Jap bike. You can get 40k miles out of a single cylinder small bike. I don't see anyone holding onto China bike. I stand by the cry once concept here. Jap scooters are as high as small bikes so I lean towards the 125 to 250 cc bikes. Even seen some 20 year old runners under a grand. Bigger cc but they still get 50 mpg. I think in the long run you will be further ahead. Small dual purpose bikes are high but you can find them. Don't know what kind of price range the China ones are you are looking at. I paassed on a running older nighthawk 450? for 600. It had 13000 miles on it. Keep looking.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com