New guy... curious, excited and nervous!

Sync2Rhythm · 10-12-2017, 06:39 PM

I haven't made a purchase yet but hoping to learn more about Quads. [what's best for my needs/budget - options - maintenance]

I'm a total newbie so I will probably 'lurk' around reading and asking questions.

culcune · 10-12-2017, 07:22 PM

Welcome to here! Go to the quad section and start looking at photos (I believe there is a thread called 'ATVs in the wild' or similar) and see what you like. Also, what is your desired use for the quad?

Adjuster · 10-12-2017, 08:51 PM

For an adult is there any reason to purchase anything other than the TaoTao Rhino 250? Its got the TaoTao name reputation which is about as good as you're going to get in China bike terms and it can be had delivered to your front door for $1,300.00 or so.

/

jsumd · 10-12-2017, 09:34 PM

Welcome! Curious to see what you go with!

Weldangrind · 10-13-2017, 11:41 AM

Welcome! Quads are quite addictive.

**JerryHawk250** · 10-13-2017, 01:15 PM

Welcome aboard.

Not knowing your budget or needs, There are a few options out there. One being the TaoTao Rhino 250 which is in the lower price range. Next step up would be a RPS Canyon 250 which is 2 wheel drive, shaft driven and 5 speed with reverse and then there the TaoTao Freelander 300 or Cougar Monster 300 which are 4 wheel drive and water cooled at the higher price range. There all good choice. Now all you have to do is make a decision.

jjouper1 · 11-29-2017, 10:37 PM

Okay, I purchased a Freelander 4x4. I want to use it on my farm for some light tugging around of things and some fun running. Also bought a coolster 125 for my grandson. The Coolster came, went together easy, started right up and off he ran. The TAOTAO on the other hand had shipping damage to the seat and the fuel tank cover. Also, one of the front axles was lacking a cotter pin in the castle nut and it wasn't even finger tight. Took some doing to get the torque spec for that but got it together and it seems to run a little on the lean side. Other than those issues very happy with it. I was promised the replacement parts are on the way. Day three found that the battery was not being recharged. Turns out a connector from the stator to the diode assembly did not get the wires crimped well and the pin inside the connector was seated at an angle. I am replacing the connector with a better connector set and that should take care of that. I have a winch coming this week and will add that also. So far, impressed with the power and overall ride. Hope everyone else who purchased one of these has a slightly better experience. Overall, it has been taken care of by the dealer if the parts do arrive in some reasonable time.

**JerryHawk250** · 11-30-2017, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjouper1

Okay, I purchased a Freelander 4x4. I want to use it on my farm for some light tugging around of things and some fun running. Also bought a coolster 125 for my grandson. The Coolster came, went together easy, started right up and off he ran. The TAOTAO on the other hand had shipping damage to the seat and the fuel tank cover. Also, one of the front axles was lacking a cotter pin in the castle nut and it wasn't even finger tight. Took some doing to get the torque spec for that but got it together and it seems to run a little on the lean side. Other than those issues very happy with it. I was promised the replacement parts are on the way. Day three found that the battery was not being recharged. Turns out a connector from the stator to the diode assembly did not get the wires crimped well and the pin inside the connector was seated at an angle. I am replacing the connector with a better connector set and that should take care of that. I have a winch coming this week and will add that also. So far, impressed with the power and overall ride. Hope everyone else who purchased one of these has a slightly better experience. Overall, it has been taken care of by the dealer if the parts do arrive in some reasonable time.

Who did you buy from? Keep us updated on the dealer and getting the parts.

jjouper1 · 12-03-2017, 10:46 PM

I went through Superior Power Sports. They did a price match, multi-unit discount, military discount. Shipped for free for the coolster and $99 for the big machine. I will let you know if I get the parts. I know they were ordered. Other than that, they have been fun. I did manage to hit the kill switch on the freelander and spent about an hour tracing down where the fault was. Operator error.

culcune · 12-04-2017, 11:25 PM

It has come to my attention that Taotao is going through some changes. Their Chino, California warehouse used to be the largest of their 4 or 5 since all the shipments came through the Port of L.A. and went out overland to their other warehouses/HQ in Dallas, or drop-shipped. Not sure how/if that will affect getting parts, but they used to be good for my dealer/distributor friend at Excalibur, but the few people he got to know at Taotao have left and all warranty parts are centralized out of Dallas now. My friend could get warranty parts asap thanks to his connections to Chino, but not as easy now, he told me recently. It might not affect you, or anyone else, but I wanted to throw this out just so we, collectively, know in case there are issues with this case, or any other situations.

jjouper1 · 12-16-2017, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culcune

It has come to my attention that Taotao is going through some changes. Their Chino, California warehouse used to be the largest of their 4 or 5 since all the shipments came through the Port of L.A. and went out overland to their other warehouses/HQ in Dallas, or drop-shipped. Not sure how/if that will affect getting parts, but they used to be good for my dealer/distributor friend at Excalibur, but the few people he got to know at Taotao have left and all warranty parts are centralized out of Dallas now. My friend could get warranty parts asap thanks to his connections to Chino, but not as easy now, he told me recently. It might not affect you, or anyone else, but I wanted to throw this out just so we, collectively, know in case there are issues with this case, or any other situations.

Okay, I received my replacement parts today for my freelander. They are three days late but I got 'em! I will assemble everything this weekend. It has about 40 miles on it now and going to do the first oil change to get rid of all of the little bits and such from machining the engine. Also purchased a 3000lb winch for it. A winch bracket is built into the freelander. It should be pretty easy to add that. All in all a good experience in the purchase and am enjoying riding it. I will raise it up and check everything once again for tightness. Need to check the tow-in as it feels as though it is set a little wide causing some drivability issues. Also need to adjust the idle speed up a hair as it sometimes dies when you let off the accelerator.

10-12-2017, 06:39 PM	#1
Sync2Rhythm Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: NC - VA Posts: 1	New guy... curious, excited and nervous! I haven't made a purchase yet but hoping to learn more about Quads. [what's best for my needs/budget - options - maintenance] I'm a total newbie so I will probably 'lurk' around reading and asking questions.
	0

10-12-2017, 07:22 PM	#2
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Welcome to here! Go to the quad section and start looking at photos (I believe there is a thread called 'ATVs in the wild' or similar) and see what you like. Also, what is your desired use for the quad? __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

10-12-2017, 09:34 PM	#4
jsumd Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 407	Welcome! Curious to see what you go with! __________________ 2002 Harley Davidson XL883R 2012 Yamaha FZ6 2022 Hawk 250 2002 Yamaha R6 sold Vader 125cc sold after owning for many years 1997 Jeep Wrangler sold due to frame rot
	0

10-13-2017, 11:41 AM	#5
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome! Quads are quite addictive. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	1

10-13-2017, 01:15 PM	#6
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,546	Welcome aboard. Not knowing your budget or needs, There are a few options out there. One being the TaoTao Rhino 250 which is in the lower price range. Next step up would be a RPS Canyon 250 which is 2 wheel drive, shaft driven and 5 speed with reverse and then there the TaoTao Freelander 300 or Cougar Monster 300 which are 4 wheel drive and water cooled at the higher price range. There all good choice. Now all you have to do is make a decision. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

10-12-2017, 08:51 PM	#3
Adjuster Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Deerfield Beach FL Posts: 1,410	For an adult is there any reason to purchase anything other than the TaoTao Rhino 250? Its got the TaoTao name reputation which is about as good as you're going to get in China bike terms and it can be had delivered to your front door for $1,300.00 or so. /
	1

11-29-2017, 10:37 PM	#7
jjouper1 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Outlook, WA Posts: 3	Okay, I purchased a Freelander 4x4. I want to use it on my farm for some light tugging around of things and some fun running. Also bought a coolster 125 for my grandson. The Coolster came, went together easy, started right up and off he ran. The TAOTAO on the other hand had shipping damage to the seat and the fuel tank cover. Also, one of the front axles was lacking a cotter pin in the castle nut and it wasn't even finger tight. Took some doing to get the torque spec for that but got it together and it seems to run a little on the lean side. Other than those issues very happy with it. I was promised the replacement parts are on the way. Day three found that the battery was not being recharged. Turns out a connector from the stator to the diode assembly did not get the wires crimped well and the pin inside the connector was seated at an angle. I am replacing the connector with a better connector set and that should take care of that. I have a winch coming this week and will add that also. So far, impressed with the power and overall ride. Hope everyone else who purchased one of these has a slightly better experience. Overall, it has been taken care of by the dealer if the parts do arrive in some reasonable time.
	1

12-03-2017, 10:46 PM	#9
jjouper1 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Outlook, WA Posts: 3	I went through Superior Power Sports. They did a price match, multi-unit discount, military discount. Shipped for free for the coolster and $99 for the big machine. I will let you know if I get the parts. I know they were ordered. Other than that, they have been fun. I did manage to hit the kill switch on the freelander and spent about an hour tracing down where the fault was. Operator error.
	0

12-04-2017, 11:25 PM	#10
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	It has come to my attention that Taotao is going through some changes. Their Chino, California warehouse used to be the largest of their 4 or 5 since all the shipments came through the Port of L.A. and went out overland to their other warehouses/HQ in Dallas, or drop-shipped. Not sure how/if that will affect getting parts, but they used to be good for my dealer/distributor friend at Excalibur, but the few people he got to know at Taotao have left and all warranty parts are centralized out of Dallas now. My friend could get warranty parts asap thanks to his connections to Chino, but not as easy now, he told me recently. It might not affect you, or anyone else, but I wanted to throw this out just so we, collectively, know in case there are issues with this case, or any other situations. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0