Sherpa, TRex, Roketa 124cc Street Bike MC-38??

[birdmove]

Yes. Our SYM HD200 (2008 with about 13,000 miles now) doesn't have a kick starter either. To me, this is much worse than a motorcycle without a kick starter, as you can't bump start a twist and go scooter. SYM really should add a kicker. But, having said that, the HD200 has never let us down. I did recently replace the now 6 year old battery. The weak battery made it be known by an intermittent no start. When pulling the brake lever and pushing the starter button, it would sometimes do nothing. But, the brake lights always worked. Anyway, I dropped a new battery in it, and all is well again. I have a new belt, rollers, and index parts for it. It's still on the original belt.

And, though I think the TRex would be a really fun ride on this island, I am not getting that happy feeling about locating, ordering, and shipping new tires for it here. There seems to be zero tires of that size available, and I can't find any on the web doing searches. Amazon doesn't show any. And, I browsed through a forum in a foreing language, and found that they were complaining of tire availability too. And, since trexuk here had to replace one of his tires at a pretty low mileage.......I think the TRex is out for me.

The CT clone may be a safer bet.

[birdmove]

Which brings up....I'd sure like to read a compare and contrast of the TRex vs. the CT clone/Dax from trexuk.

[trexuk]

Yes the T Rex tyre question, readily available from the main UK importer but not cheap with tax and postage. I found one or two other places that sold tyres that would fit but they were equally as expensive. I had to bite the bullet and buy one from the main UK dealer, which kind of pissed me off as I have had issues with him, but that's another story. Whereas the Dax clone tyres are readily available on the net and are considerably cheaper.

[trexuk]

T Rex versus Dax clone, both good bikes but I have to say I prefer the Dax clone, mine is a Lifan.

For me I think a big part of it was regaining or perhaps reliving my youth. I had a CT70 back in the early 80s. I have an original CT but its being restored, and its a bit of a slow process. Hence the purchase of the Lifan, so I could have some summer fun.

The Lifan, in my opinion, is an easier bike to ride. It feels more sure footed, especially in the rain, and feels more nimble on the road. And for me just has more 'grin' factor. I also kind of like the out of proportion look that an adult has when riding one. As if you were riding a childs bike.

[culcune]

The reliability of the DAX 125cc as proven in the thread, the tire cost and availability, as well as 'trexuk's' review seem to have made the choice for you! Your link to that sub-$900 one would be the natural choice.

I would guess that if you still had battery power, and had some lights on, and the scooter did not start, it might make you panic if you know very little of bike mechanics (including basic stuff). You might think 'major repair'. That is how one would go about getting a $100 deal like in the thread.

trexuk--I bet you would feel more "out of proportion" riding the other little mini that Skyteam makes (not sure if Lifan used to make these?)

SRST1258A_sm.jpg

[trexuk]

Yes I probably would feel even more out of proportion. On Saturday while at the dealers with my T Rex I noticed a Skyteam Bubbly that he had sitting outside, its a cute looking bike and I quite like the look of it. My wife was there to pick me up and bring me home in her car and I was told in no uncertain terms not to think about buying another bike :-( He also had a Skyteam Skymax, which is their version of the CT. One major advantage of the Skyteam clone is that it has a 5.5 litre fuel tank, instead of the 2.5 litre that I have. And of course its a 125 and mine is a 110. And with them being such small bikes you can fit more of them in the garage ;-)

[barnone]

Went ahead and ordered one today.
ST125G1.jpg
http://gokartsusa.com/skyteam-zb50-st125p-1-1.aspx

[culcune]

Went ahead and ordered one today.

Awesome!! Love these bikes!! I will dig up some video of a scooter shop out of Moreno Valley in Orange County, California who modify these into little cafe racers. They have videos on youtube where they are riding on the big boulevards going in and out of traffic.

One video, after taking a trip to San Francisco, on the way back down to Southern California pulled one of the bikes off their truck and rode it on I 5. It reached 85 mph which is fast enough let alone on smaller wheels/tires and slightly lowered. Their modified bikes are California legal and registered.

A side note--they sell the CT-70 clones (they get their Skyteams via SSR) and one of their Craiglist ads states that SSR is running out of California compliant bikes, and probably won't have then for a year or so. Whether or not its true, and it doesn't affect the majority of us, but anyone from California considering one should think about buying one or researching it if it is true. Not sure if Pitster Pro's Skyteams are California legal, and Skyteam USA are dropping them to concentrate on Skyteam's Grom/MSX125 lookalike, the PBR 125 (which are or were California legal--depending on if they have run out of California compliant bikes)

At any rate--would love to hear about yours even though I envision it probably is not too different from the CT/DAX clones with the same engine (I believe you have/had one of those, too?)

[culcune]

. And with them being such small bikes you can fit more of them in the garage ;-)

And what is so difficult for wives not to comprehend this!!??

[barnone]

Yep, sold my Ural today so I have lots of room in my shop for little bikes. Also ordered one of these monkey sidecar rigs so I will still have a sidecar.
http://www.saferwholesale.com/110cc-...%20monkeyp.htm

ICE - MONKEYP-2.jpg