Sunday, August 30, 2009

Going to the Mother Land of Chinese Scoots...here in Dallas, TX

Out of curiosity and the need to enjoy a 70 degree morning on Big Red, I wanted to see where the Chinese Scoot import warehouses are here in Dallas. Amazingly, both are located about 10 minutes from each other.

JONWAY is the manufacturer of Big Red AKA Shenke. Looks like a distribution point.



JCL is another importer of the Chinese scooters and helmets. Mishi Powersports looks to get most of their stock from this warehouse.



On the way, I discovered that my Ram Mount will also take video while I'm driving....now that's one excellent un-documented feature. I'll work on perfecting my angles and audio, but for the first video, it's not so bad! It's a large file size, so I'll try to post it later...

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Aunt Barb takes a Ride!

Finally, the day came when I had the opportunity to get Aunt Barbara out for a neighborhood ride on Big Red. She's been one of my encourager/mentors and I sure appreciate her!


Getting ready to ride!

All systems go!




Praying before we go? ? ? :)



Kickstand's up and ready to roll!!!!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

DFW Scooterist JFK Ride today..

Today was the big day. Been anticipating it for some time. New social outlet with like-minded interest-Scooters! I spent Saturday evening washing and spit-shining Big Red for her debut ride with the DFW Scooterists and the Ready, Steady, Go Scooter Club.

I love history and its jots and tittles(along with all of our unlearned lessons throughout history), yet when I visit a national landmark area known for the tragedy of a fallen president, it makes the day a tad sobering.

What a great day it was. Meeting 14 other scooterists and 4 motorcyclists on this ride was an amazing experience. Yes, I was the only Chinese Scooterist in the bunch yet there were a mix of scooters in the lineup. It was more about sharing an experience of camaraderie amongst people who enjoy scootering. It was nice to know my handy-dandy ram-mount cup holder was the most desired accessory by the other scooterists.

Along the way, Jeremy's scooter kept stalling. Eventually, nothing would start it. It was encouraging to see other riders HELP someone in distress. I helped by flashing my emergency lights(since I have them).

Cagers have alot to learn here. It's about helping one another and making sure EVERYONE has a great experience. Oh, how that can be applied in so many other life situations. Maybe another blog, another time.

For pics, here's a link....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkguy323/sets/72157622060678768/





Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Big Red has a secret fan....and LJS for dinner!

On the way to the parking garage to mount Big Red, this nice older lady walks over to me. She's taking a smoke break and was so excited to finally meet the owner of the "cute little scooter" she's been eye-balling for about a month. She just fawned over Big Red and reminisced about her husband and his biker years. It was a nice conversation.

On the way out of the garage, I started a craving for Long John Silver's. So, off I went. It's been months since I've sunken my teeth into some battered fish, shrimp, and chicken so off I went. Yummy food and enjoyed every piece with edible delight!




Monday, August 10, 2009

HOV Cager Issues

Cagers can be so impatient. I have had the "friendly debate" with my wife about what's permissible vs profitable in the arena of driving the speed limit. She likes to hurry and I like keeping my money and not giving it up because of traffic tickets.

So, today I enter the HOV lane heading northbound on 75 and exiting in Plano around Parker and Spring Creek. I stick at 60 MPH cause it's the law and I'm not going to speed. Well, as soon as I exit and get over one lane, all the cars behind me pass and either honk with the finger, roll down the windows and shout expletives and tell me what a lousy driver I am, or just blare on the horn incessantly to prove they are impatient cagers that had a bad day and going 65+ is going to solve their problems and get them home alot faster.

Simply put, I'm not going to speed...I'm not going to stop using the HOV...and I'm not going to let childish responses deter the enjoyment of scootering. Sure, I put up with blind cagers as well. They don't see me and swerve over, etc, etc.

So, let it be known that I have the legal right to use the HOV and won't endanger my life by speeding so you can get home a couple of moments sooner.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

The Sunday Ride

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkguy323/sets/72157622001132432/

I finally cleared the first checkpoint. My first "around Dallas" ride. I started out from Wylie at 9:30am

01 Downtown Ride 051
and rode 78 to N. Garland


09 Downtown Ride 002 by you.
Two places at once. I'm in Garland in this shot...

....then N. Garland to Dallas...
10 Downtown Ride 014 by you.
Two places at once. I'm in Dallas in this shot...althought I'm still parked in the same spot.

Gaston...through Downtown...I have to say there's nothing like riding downtown..lots of shade, cool breezes, and all kinds of people milling about.
23 Downtown Ride 055 by you.
My first pic of heading into Downtown Dallas via Gaston Road. Getting a slight adrenaling rush at this point.
headed north via 75 North and stopped at Eatzi's for a yummy lunch to wrap up the ride.

44 Downtown Ride 026 by you.
Got the Scooter parking spot. There was a family sitting outside(to the right of the pic) and the little boys wanted to come over and see it...
There's more pics at the link, but this was a highlight moment about about 60 miles round trip and not one issue with Big Red at all.

Great trip today. Ready for Kelli to get her scooter so it can be a duet ride.

Friday, August 7, 2009

HOV Blunder

HOV Pylons.jpg

I love the HOV lane. It cuts a good 30 minutes off my 20 mile ride. It's not the distance, it's the traffic! So, being blessed with two wheeler and only one rider(me!), I get to use it.

Well, today was interesting because as I'm scootin' northbound on the HOV lane, my Universal iPhone mount decides to let go of my iPhone(wrapped in a Sena leather wallet case) while I'm going 60 mph. Shame on me for not checking the screws for tightness. T-CLOCS!
http://www.impactlab.com/2008/12/29/att-offers-refurbished-iphone-3gs-starting-at-99/
So, I put on my flashers and pull over to the pylon poles, fearful that I now own a crushed $600 phone. I look back and it's laying in the middle of the road. In quick thinking, I raise both my arms for the oncoming traffic to stop so I can run back and pick it up. Thankfully, the driver of the big Dodge truck stopped so I could grab my phone. He even waited for me to go back and mount Big Red and get back on the road before proceeding. At my next stop, I check the iPhone and all is well.

However, when getting back into Wylie, I notice a loud scraping sound coming from the back only when I go from a stand still for just a moment. Seem like it was something lodged in the fender...no more noise!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Timeline until now... Start at the bottom!

Aug 4, 2009, 4:01pm »

This morning, went out to start her up for the ride into work...barely touched the electric start button and she fired up immediately...from a cold start! Nice job on the valve adjustment.

I did learn that Mishi "prefers" to only service what they sell. Since they do the PDI, I can understand that.

I continue to be an extremely satisfied customer....

Aug 3, 2009, 10:58pm »

Ok, I picked up Big Red today and here's the report.

1,000 Mile Oil change and Gear Oil change

Valves Adjusted

Carb cleaned and adjusted

Clutch casing removed and things tightened up...clutch was in great shape

Big trunk on back....replaced under warranty. Had a hairline crack up the back left corner that was growing. Not an impact crack, so it was covered. Replaced with a higher quality finish trunk, so I'm impressed with that!

Aug 1, 2009, 6:30pm


Another review I wrote
The Ranger 250cc(aka Jonway YY250T) caught my eye. The 244c engine is peppy. The seat is comfortable. The storage provided(glove box, under the seat, and side/top trunks) provide space to store a laptop bag, two helmets, my rider jacket, a few groceries, and my iPod(so I can listen to tunes from the MP3 jack provided on the scooter). Yes, the speakers do the job. Braking/Handling is good and responsive. Haven't locked up the brakes and the ABS have been good. The horn isn't very loud. The mpg's range from 62-66 miles per gallon on a 3 gallon tank. I use "Big Red" daily for commuting to work here in DFW and she rides the roads well in rural, as well as on the toll roads and HOV lanes. I ride around 60 mph on the highway and the temp goes up to the 3/4 mark, but it does the hwy with no problem. The instrument cluster-black background with the orange numbers are hard to see during the day for me. Great scooter and great dealer. I will buy my next one from Mishi Powersports as well.

Aug 1, 2009, 9:07am »

A review I wrote...

I read other posts on various boards about buyer experiences with online dealers and am so glad to have a local dealer who is the best warrantier in the Chinese scooter arena. As far as the Ranger, I bought their first one when it was 2499, so the lower price now is a steal considering how well the scooter runs. Great pep on take off and will maintain a 65-70 mph on the highway. I stay around the 60 mph since it's my main mode of commuting and don't want to break it. Lol!

The engine seems solid and ride are solid. The seat is very comfortable. The plastic finish(glovebox/fuel door) is on the weak side but you're not paying $6000 for the scooter either. I average about 65 mpg. When you buy it, ask Mishi to ensure the headlights are as far up as possible. My first attempt at a night ride ended when the lights were aimed down in front of the scooter. Once they adjusted them, no problems. Make sure you get the radiator flushed and changed to a higher grade coolant.

Jul 24, 2009, 8:08pm »

I dropped off Big Red(Jonway YY250T) for her 1,000 mile maintenance-Engine and Gear Oil change. She's been kinda starting rough/dying alot in the morning, the CVT gets clackety when fully warmed up, and the temp gauge shows running hot along with the corner of the big trunk cracking. When I dropped off the scoot, they grabbed a pad and took notes from my explanations of what I needed looked out. They are going to even see if they can replace the trunk under warranty. Looks like a new clutch maybe needed. ALL covered under warranty. Great attention to detail and really listened to my concerns. I'm so glad I didn't buy online. I even found out they do body work for wrecked Chinese scoots and will work with the insurance companies. This is really like buying a car with the great all-in-one dealership provided. Excellent customer service..second to none!

www.mishipowersports.com


Jul 16, 2009, 8:00pm »

Took a ride around and ended up at Lake Lavon Dam.

Jul 13, 2009, 6:34pm

www.themountdepot.com really came through. I ordered on Friday and got it Monday. TOTALLY recommend them for service, help, price, and quick turnaround. With slight modification(had to buy some 6mm screws), I installed the cupholder and the Universal holder(for my phone OR GPS....but not both.)


So, once it gets below 100 degrees this evening, I'm going out for a ride!

Next project...the 12V adapter install.


Jul 11, 2009, 8:28pm »

I took my first ride with the guys today. Met for breakfast at Poor Richard's Cafe and parked "Big Red" with the Harleys.


Jul 10, 2009, 4:50pm »

On the highway, I can do 65 with no sweat. It's gotten up to 78, but that was heading downhill with the wind pushing my back. Top average is about 70 with barely any wind. I'm comfy with 60-65 even though the temp gauge hangs on the 3/4 mark when hanging at 65 for an extended time.....

Jul 10, 2009, 8:28pm »

I purchased the AT&T Roadside service for $2.99/month when we got our iPhones recently. Out of curiosity, I read the fine print and found that it doesn't cover two-wheel vehicles. WHAT????? I would think a scooter would be easier to handle than a car....but not covered? Glad I read it before I had need for a road service....I would have been TICKED!

So, I joined the American Motorcycle Association today...

www.ama-cycle.org

They offer free roadside with the $39 annual membership and it coves your 2 and 4 wheel vehicles....and anyone that lives in your house....up to 5 calls per year.

Just a thought. You get discounts on lots of things. I just reserved a weekend in San Antonio at a Choice hotel and my 15% discount paid for the AMA membership.

Not trying to advertise, but wanted to share what I learned today.

Jul 10, 2009, 12:09pm »

I ordered the Cup Holder and the Universal holder(to swap out GPS/iPhone) from www.themountdepot.com website. Ther customer service and response were incredible down to providing diagrams of the the specs to ensure I had the right part. Thanks to Syntroxis(who gets a bone for the assist!) for pointing me that direction. Willl give feedback when they arrive and are mounted. They also are the lowest price I found on RAM mounts, just FYI!

Jul 4, 2009, 9:18pm »

Ok gang, here's another reason why a Brick & Mortar is a better place to shop...

I got my Scooter Title in the mail yesterday. The plates arrived at the dealer a few days after purchase and now, I have the TITLE...in my hand...and relieved to not have gone through the headaches of doing it on my own and hoping I could get it finished or running into problems like I've read here on the board.

Another reason is the free maintenance every 800 miles for 1 year. Yes, a shameless plug for Mishi Powersports but I truly am a satisfied customer.

Ride On!

Jun 28, 2009, 10:36pm »

*What would attract you to buying a Chinese made scooter?

Pricing, Features...name brands don't matter to me. I just want an economical ride that won't break down all the time.

*Would a free top box and helmet be a plus point with you?

Sure would. Any freebies can be taken off later if they don't fit your needs. Since we have to have helmets and storage, this would be a great incentive!

*What are the essentials you look for in a new bike?

Good reviews of the scooter, soft seat, great gas mileage, decent storage compartments.

*What annoys you most about Chinese made scooters?

Parts seems hard to find and the quality of the body's finish is baseline at best. The worst part of the chinese scooter is the poorly translated manual. I'd recommend hiring someone to write a new manual in everyday English so people know to take the purchase seriously.

*Would you prefer an online dealer, street shop only, or a mixture of both?

My preference is the Brick and Mortar shop. If they do online, great for those who like that by I need face to face interaction and want to know that what I'm taking home has been PDI'd and the scooter I picked out....and not "shippers choice". The B&M shop needs to have a service department that has a decent stock of replacement parts. Since most of the Chinese scooter engine parts are interchangeable(Yamaha or Honda), that shouldn't be a problem.

One main plus also is for the B&M to take care of the TT&L. I wouldn't buy from someone that can't do that for me.

Jun 25, 2009, 9:42am »

Mishi Powersports is looking to add more accessories and gear. I've taken Big Red in for the free 200 mile maintenance and had them adjust the headlights up and some other minor tweaks. Very professional and makes me feel secure that I bought my scooter from a reputable dealer who takes care of their customers without that "attitude" I've seen other places.

Jun 16, 2009, 10:54am »

I called Mishi Powersports the next day and it was repaired first thing, so I picked it up after work and rode it home...ALL the way home!

It sure rides nice. I have about 50 miles on it and the gas reads at a 1/2 tank, so I hope that improves as I break it in. So, I filled it up with Shell Premium fuel, per Mishi's recommendation-Shell or Chevron because of the cleaner additives.

Jun 15, 2009, 10:20pm Part C

Ok, ok, I know...I've been looking for a year, but today was the day! So, today, I go back to Mishi Powersports and all the 2009's were out on display (yep, 2009 models!). Ken(Service Manager) came out and we talked about all the modifications that were made and that the one I was eyeballing was exclusive to Mishi (Mishi Ranger 250) from the manufacturer since it has the Honda engine clone(instead of the Yamaha) with the extra two compartments on the back for more storage. It was the first one of its kind and I got it. Kinda cool.

So, I bought it. The in-store purchase gets you a 12 month parts/engine/labor warranty, full tank of gas and a free helmet. Not crummy ones, nice ones. No other dealer offers this. I am duly impressed.

On the maiden voyage home, the throttle cable housing broke. Mind you, I just bought it, paid in full, and was on the road. I called Mishi and Ken came out to my location and got me running so I could ride it back to the shop(see, service department is crucial here) and they are replacing it.

THAT is the main reason I am so glad I bought from Mishi PowerSports. I had no idea when I called them that they would come out vs giving me the run-around, or wishing me good luck and hanging up.

So,if you're in the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex, give Mishi PowerSports a call. You won't be disappointed. I'm not.

As far as the online dealers, you might save some $$$ upfront, but when something breaks or you receive damaged goods, or something happens, it good to have a local dealer/shop handy.

Scooter: 2009 Mishi Ranger(Modified Shenke/Jonway YY250T-has the Honda clone engine on it

Bought: In a Brick & Mortar dealership

Company:Mishi PowerSports, Plano,TX www.mishipowersports.com

Purchase Experience: Excellent!

Price: $2,499

Pros of Scoot: 250cc, Ideal for 6'0 guy, Lots of storage space

Cons of Scoot: 5 miles from dealer, the throttle case broke, finish is really plasticky, and the instrument panel is hard to see in the daylight.

Pros of Method: Like the personal face-to-face, asked LOTS of questions, able to see where the scooter is assembled, the dealer also services on-site.

Cons of Method: I could've save some $$$ initially on the scooter I wanted at first by purchasing it online, but would have regretted it with the lack of contact that online retailers are known for or having to ship back and forth, etc, etc.

Notes: This sounds counter-intuitive, but DON'T BUY ONLINE if you find a local brick and mortar dealer that sells AND services...and will return your emails and phone calls. Research the make/model and come armed with questions. If the sales guys gets put off, then leave. I didn't have that problem at all. Sometimes saving $100 to $500 online seems like a deal, but one time getting stuck makes it all worth it!

The production stamp is May 2009!

The first one in the USA with the Honda Clone and the side compartments which have come in VERY handy. It has a sidewall socket for the battery charger so I don't have to open up the seat...it simply plugs into the side socket..

Definitely has great pick-up and go. First tank gave me 61 mpg. Incredible. It's gotten up to 78mph and it the smoothest ride thanks to the seat with the added lumbar rest.


Jun 15, 2009 Part B

After I got my "M" class, I headed over to Two Wheel World in Garland to get some gear. www.twowheelworld.com

Ended up with a full face HJC helmet, 3-1 Vega Merit Mesh/Winter/Rain Jacket combo, a pair of full gloves and a pair of finger-tip gloves(which I love and wear ALL the time).

The owner had alot to say about the Chinese Scoots(once they break, just toss them in the trash dumpster)...and after all his thoughts, he gave me 10% off. :) This is a great place to buy gear, parts, etc. They don't sell motorcycles here, but sell everything that goes with them.

Jun 15, 2009 Part A of the BIG DAY!

Woo-Hoo...today's the big day! Went to the Rockwall DPS field office and got the "M" class added to my license today. Woo-Hoo! Thank you MSF!

Jun 14, 2009, 9:04pm »

I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course on a scooter! My good friend Earl recommend that I take the course first before buying the scooter so I would know if it was a good fit. THANKS, Earl! I didn't want to buy first and regret it later. Good to have wise friends.

My thoughts are that MSF should be mandated for all new riders. There is so much to learn in riding, safety, and getting good inside tips from someone who's ridden for a while. When I ride, I really get ticked at other riders who wear tshirts, shorts, flip-flops and no helmet. I hope they don't regret it one day.

TOTALLY recommend the MSF. I went from a no-experienced newbie rider to someone who can brave the roads and drive defensively.

My advice? Take the class when it's cool outside. Mine was during the 103 degree heat index wave in Dallas and I wanted to QUIT the first day....but survived it to Day 2 and passed!

However, I got 2 degree sunburn all over my face thanks to a defective aerosol sunblock spray. I got no block and all oil, so it was like a magnifying glass. My face hurt like heck for a week!


Jun 1, 2009, 11:00pm »

First, let me start with my pre-buy experience. I contacted a few online dealers the past few months and dealt with things like NO RESPONSE, all the way to "Wanna give me your credit card number first?"....no kidding. I was leaning toward ATVDiscounter.com because they have a facility in Dallas and offered limited service onsite (UPDATE-ATVD changed its name) and were initially responsive to emails but eventually stopped altogether. The unusually high number of negative feedbacks for ATVD kept me from feeling good about the purchase. They did offer some of the lowest prices, but I couldn't bring myself to buy from them. I'll be glad later...

I emailed Mishi Powersports over the past few months months and they always replied. I visited them back in October and wasn't impressed with the dealership only because they were in the middle of a remodel and it wasn't the right time for me. So, I gave them another try today and was very pleased with the location. When I went to look(and not buy) AGAIN, Suneel was very patient and answered all my questions and even encouraged me to get ON the scooter(newbie here!). I was able to talk with the Service Manager-Ken- and "talk tech" about the scooters. He even mentioned that the 2009's were on the way. Told them I needed to take the MSF Class to get my "M" on the license and come back later. They were very professional and didn't provide that usual attitude of "whatever". That spoke volumes to me.

Aug 10, 2008

Hey everyone!

I found scootdawg.com while doing a Google search and there is ALOT of info in here about scooters(Chinese scooters!), so I'm digging in! Since I'm looking at entry level, I'm finding there are different "names" of a scooter line that have the JCL name on them, primarily the 150 and 250...and I'm aiming for the 250.