( 
)
- If you are interested in purchasing one of the Chinese scooters or motorcycles such as Roketa, Lifan, Jonway, Vog, etc. You will need to understand a few things first.. Let me also commend you on trying to do some research, this is MOST important when buying anything. You are going to read all kinds of propaganda from people telling you what junk bikes they are, and there are no parts available, and your only going to be able to ride it once before it breaks down. These are all lies meant to scare you away from an online sale. Many are also from people who bought them, didn't take care of them, and now blame the bike for their own mistakes. Sure, there are lemons in every brand. No brand is perfect, and These are FAR from it. In fact, the quality level is no where near what Honda or Yamaha is. So, if you like the Honda Reflex, but can't spend $6000 for one, but you see the Roketa MC-54-350B, Don't expect a a $6000 bike for $2000.. it isn't going to happen. What you are going to HAVE to do when you receive the bike:
- 1.change the fluids(Oil,gear oil,coolant if applicable) The fluids that come from the factory are horrible, and sometimes there aren't any.. So, make sure you replace the fluids with good quality stuff. Recommended Oil for all bikes is Diesel rated 15W-40 motor oil, it will help your engine last longer.
- 2.inspect the wiring to make sure no connections have come loose during shipment from China to you..If you buy a Honda Reflex, you don't have to do this, because the dealer already did, unfortunately, you don't have a dealer, that's how you got it for $2000.. So you HAVE to do it yourself..
- 3.inspect the bolts and nuts to make sure nothing has come loose.. again, same as above. PLEASE make sure you understand that you are the only one who can and will be doing this. Unless you have a bike shop in your area, that is willing to do it for you..
- 4. Understand that you will be getting dirty, or spending money for regular maintenance on this bike. The key to chinese bikes, is keeping routine maintenance top priority.. Change the oil EVERY 1000-1500 miles, it is recommended for all bikes.. You can go to 2000 but it depends on your riding habits.. Don't buy a 50CC and expect it to carry your 275lb body 65MPH.. it isn't going to happen, and if your try, it will hurt the scooter, and then it's YOUR fault, not the scooters.. which leads me to point 5
- 5. Make sure you REALLY know what you want in a scooter/bike.. If, for example, you live in a small town/small city and want something to run around town or commute to work, with speed limits ranging from 25-45mph.. Then a 50CC will be great... if you are going to be wanting to go for longer joyrides, but still not exceeding 45-50mph.. then a 150 is fine for you.. If you want to really explore the country side more, and want something that can go freeway speeds of up to 70-75mph, then a 250 is minimum.. Keep in mind, a 250 has a "sweet spot" cruising at 60-65mph.. That is where the motor kind of likes to run... BUT, keep in mind also that a scooter is going to have 13inch wheels, and will only weigh about 300 lbs so taking it on the freeway is going to feel weird, because it's lightweight with small wheels.. If you are going to go on the freeway with your bike then change the tires, because they do not come with FREEWAY rated tires, no matter what the sales person you are talking to about it says. I myself am an owner of a Roketa MC-54-250B.. It is a fantastic scooter... Much larger than you would expect, and runs and rides great..Again, it isn't HOnda quality, but all Honda parts fit the body, and frame, and it has a Yamaha clone Linhai motor, which any yamaha part fits. so for anyone to say parts arent available is stupid. Parts are available EVERYWHERE on the web, and through Roketa themselves at the website.. Roketa, btw, is just a brand name, not a manufacturer.. The owner of the brand name Roketa is Goldenvale, they are in California, and now Dallas texas as well. They use many manufacturers throughout china, such as Unique Industrial, and JMstar/Jonway to name a few .. The Roketa website has all the body panels and brake and steering parts you could need. As for the engine parts, because they are made as exact clones of japanes motors, for the 244cc Honda clone motor, you can use any engine part from ANY honda helix 250.. FOr the 257cc Linhai yamaha clone, any part for a Yamaha Majesty.. So just go to any dealer, and tell them what part you need,and which bike motor it is: ie you own a Roketa MC-54-250B with linhai motor, you say I need a stator for a Majesty 250.. OR you have a Roketa MC-13-250Bali, it has a 244 honda, so you go to a honda dealer, and say I need a stator for a 250cc helix. you see? Or, look online, and there are TONS of parts available.. Most of them say Helix or Majesty, but guess what? they are almost ALL made in china.. Many dealers are using non-oem parts for replacement. Whenever they do that, they are putting CHINESE made parts on the japanese bikes.
The long and short of it is this: If you don't mind tinkering with a bike, a chinese bike is a great option for you. If you don't have the money to afford a Japanese bike, a chinese bike is for you, AS LONG AS YOU ARE WILLING TO TURN A WRENCH.
Please don't spend your life savings on one, only to not do what is required.. Anyone who really works at a motorcycle shop can tell you, Brand new Japanese bikes have to have multiple things done to them before they EVER go to the sales floor.. And as for buying used, keep in mind, unless your buying one from someone you know, many times, your buying someone's problem.. this is in regards to that great deal on a 2 year old Kawasaki in the paper.. Wonder why it's a good deal? not because the guy is nice.. He hates the bike, and wants free of it.. But he spent $7000 on it, and now he has to get his money back.. My ROketa, was $1860.. I could replace the motor 4 times, and every body panel on it 3 times, and still not have $7000 invested in it. Many people I know have over 10,000 miles on their ROketas. one woman I know, got over 120,000 miles on hers before it fell apart, but she offroaded hers allot, this particualr one I have is nowhere near 10,000 yet. as of writing this.. All I had to do, after initial check(called PDI Post delivery inspection) was change fluids.. I have had no repair issues yet. Mine has ran well, and looks great. some people have had issues with the seat latch sticking, but a little lube and it's done. Noone who researched and did the required checks, has had any major failures yet. So, please research is the key. And do not give in to the propaganda that is being spread so rampantly... Remember, the same thing happened in the 60's and 70's when Japan started invading our highways.. Now they are the most respected brands out there... THe Chinese produce over 50% of the scooters and motorcycles that are purchased and ridden WORLDWIDE. We are but a small percentage of that. We sell less motorcycles and scooters than ANY other country in the world. We also are newer to the Chinese market than any other country..
Guide created: 08/23/08 (updated 11/08/09)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
