New to everything, looking at a few bikes. . .

[culcune]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

In my opinion it is unsafe to ride any 200cc, air cooled, carbureted motorcycle on limited access highways or interstate highways. If you want to do this kind of riding, you need at least a Kawaskai Ninja 250 or Honda CBR250R.

If the speed limit doesn't exceed 55 mph, the Roketa DB-05H will work for you. I have inspected the TMEC bikes up close, and they are decent motorcycles, but they are not worth $500 more than the Roketa DB-05H.

I ride my TMEC on roads that are limited to 50 mph, but w/o law enforcement, some cars are at 70+ mph, but most are at 60 mph. I had to go back to the 56 tooth rear sprocket, and it will keep up (or in some cases , hold up, LOL) 60 mph traffic.

The only reason I would consider another one is that I know my '09 model did well, and the '13 models should, in theory, be a little better. Plus, I have stopped by Excalibur in person, and they have always had the parts I needed. I bought it used without a side panel, and a month after I bought it, the ignition switch wouldn't work anymore (like I mentioned, I don't know how many owners the bike had been through prior to me, or how long it sat in the elements before I bought it--plus, the speedo cable was already broken, so don't even know how many miles the beast had).

I now have around 8,000 miles or so that I put on it. It is not the greatest bike, but not the worst. I might have overspent at $800 used since the guy had no one else to sell to since the bike is not California legal (they are definitely 49 state legal--I have seen the EPA list with all the '13 bikes that have passed EPA certification for street bikes, and Excalibur are not lying when they say 'DOT' legal), but that is my opinion. I am considering a new one simply because it would be mine from the beginning, and I could prep it properly, as well as lube the speedo cable (all Chinese bikes seem to have this problem) from assembly.

I would definitely get a 48 tooth sprocket made by JT Sprockets; the closest I have seen them offered is the UK. I had custom ordered a 40 tooth sprocket for my bike for $55, but with several chain failures, I believe the source was the sprocket. The JT one is close to stock as it is made in steel vs. aluminum, or alloy the custom was made from. There is one UK Ebay dealer selling them for $45 including shipping to the US. Again, that is my only planned modification if I get a new one--at least for now. I might look into one of the popular Ebay carbs that are advertised as 'mikuni' 30mm vs. the stock 'Sheng Way' 30mm stock. There is really not much else to do with the bike. As well, I don't know if I would go with knobby tires vs. the street tires. I do want to know if the knobbies are the 18"/18" front/rear wheels because I really don't like the look of the 21"/18" knobbies Excalibur shows on its site. The Denali bike seems to have the 18/18 setup, though, at ocalaatv.com

I do believe the asking price of the Denali is a little high, vs. ordering directly IMO, although you do need to do some assembly if you mail order. BTW, I spoke with the main sales guy, Alan, at Excalibur, and he is not familiar with Ocala ATV, but believes that they probably get their bikes from a company called mefast www.mefastmotors.com which makes sense since mefast is out of Georgia, and Ocala has a dealership in Georgia.

Anyway, I would say that TMECs are decent bikes for the price, and I can vouch for Excalibur. In fact, about 5 or 6 years ago or so ago, they used to bring in Shineray bikes like the one you showed on craigslist, as well as Roketa made bikes (similar to that $1200 one Spud linked). The Shineray-made Speedee had several people buy them who became members on Chinariders. Those members are long gone, but Excalibur are still in business.

The consideration factor--these are bikes that are decent bang-for-the-buck. They are not equal in quality to any of the Japanese brands. They are almost 'delicate' in nature, meaning if you are the first owner, you will know everything about it, but if you are a second or more owner, you will not know this. I would personally buy another TMEC simply because I could get one on the road for about 10% what a brand new compact car costs (on sale, lower-end model) meaning less than the down payment on such a car. I ride mine year round 32 miles round trip Monday through Friday to work and back.

If you are planning harder riding, consider a higher-end Chinese enduro (Qlink or SSR) although much, much more out of your range, or a used Japanese dual-sport. Of course, the best deals as Spud and Doc mentioned can really only be found in the Northwest based on the Craigslist I peruse including L.A. to S. California and Yuma and Phoenix (about my realistic range of purchase). There are lower-priced dual sports, such as $1500 Yamaha XT 220's, but those are often 1989 to 1993 models.

[FastDoc]

Brilliant advice. People who have been around for a while, know that I personally was almost killed riding a 200 cc Zong bike on the highway,. Although I was doing close to the speed limit, I was still rear-ended by a girl talking on her cell phone at 65 miles an hour. I was unable to accelerate and avoid her. I saw her coming at me in the rearview mirror, and there was nothing I could do

[Daeouse]

Thanks for even more input!

I've found something:http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/mcy/4289142361.html

My roommate says we'll look at motorcycles tomorrow at the Salvage yard, where he swears they have a pile of decent motorcycles for next to nothing with titles available. I'm pretty decent with a wrench, and I have Google, so I think it may be worthwhile. Stop! Before you hit "Quick Reply" and type "Oh God! No! That's a terrible idea filled with death, fire, evil, and debt!" , remember: I'm extremely OCD, I know what a microfiche is, and where to get them, and I have a real motorcycle shop less than 20min away if I get in over my head.

Thoughts?

[SpudRider]

Very few people, if any, on these forums will steer you away from the salvage yard. We are interested to see what you discover. However, the Zongshen bike in your link is grossly overpriced, and I personally wouldn't persue it.

[Weldangrind]

Agreed. I picked one up in similar condition for $250 last year, and it has been a terrific performer. $1200 is ridiculous.

You must be thinking of a different forum, if you're concerned about backlash because of shopping at a salvage yard. Most of us would be quite efficient enablers.

[FastDoc]

+3 on the above points. Don't get between Kato and a lawnmower pile for instance.

I also agree on that Zong. That one is not a Yamaha based one like Spuds, rather it's an ordinary Honda clone. A Hondoid.

Worth $400 on a good day.

[SpudRider]

I don't even think it's a 'good day' for that Hondoid. The seller admits the bike is having problems idling, and the tail light is broken. In addition, it needs a new battery.

[Daeouse]

Ah! I've always had people tell me to stay away from salvage bikes, along with horror stories abound about how its dangerous and blah, blah, blah. I'm glad to hear that's not the case here. I'm glad you all chimed in on that Hondoid Enduro clone, I thought it was just me who thought it was overpriced for what it was.

[katoranger]

I have actually bought a salvage bike. 1983 Honda Shadow 750. Only needed cosmetic items replaced. Bars, instruments, headlight etc. Also fork seals. I rode it and sold it for a profit. It was great bike that got 60mpg.

Not sure how FL titles salvage vehicles. Minnesota at the time was easy. It was a matter of a quick inspection to verify everything worked and a new title issued.

If you go the salvage route check what FL requires.

I would look for a honda, yamaha, suzuki, or kawasaki dual sport. Parts are cheap and they should be easy to repair. The big thing to look for is a bent frame. Look around the steering neck for cracked paint and check all the welds for cracks.

[FastDoc]

There are 2 main ways a bike winds up in a salvage yard. Wrecked and neglected.

A wrecked bike, almost by definition, was RUNNING when it was wrecked. Assuming the engine was not wrecked it will run again. A bike like this may be a good deal.

A undamaged bike that was NEGLECTED may be harder/more expensive to repair.

Just a thought.

BTW my first D/S bike (other than the KLR's) was a 1996 XR250L that I bought in 1998. It was almost new but was 'wrecked'.

An Acerbis front fender, some Renthal bars, and a headlight/instrument cluster off an XL650, a seat cover, and a Clarke gas tank, a seat cover, and I was good to go. About $1,500 for the almost new bike, about $350 for the repairs and I had an almost new bike that I enjoyed for tens of thousands of miles.

Go for it!

[Daeouse]

@_@
That's some stellar feedback culcune! I shall definitely keep it under consideration! I don't know why, but I'd feel like a jerk bashing their asking price down at a dealership. . . maybe I'm too timid. LOL
I'm going to keep my eye on that Craigslist ad and if its still there around tax time, I'll offer him around $600. It's more than fair, I think, based on the above advice from Spud and Doc.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by Daeouse

@_@
That's some stellar feedback culcune! I shall definitely keep it under consideration! I don't know why, but I'd feel like a jerk bashing their asking price down at a dealership. . . maybe I'm too timid. LOL
I'm going to keep my eye on that Craigslist ad and if its still there around tax time, I'll offer him around $600. It's more than fair, I think, based on the above advice from Spud and Doc.

I wouldn't consider it 'bashing' the asking price down, lol. Call Excalibur and see what they can get you one directly for (just for your own research), including shipping.

If you can get the Zongshen for $600, that would be your best deal, although you will need some things for it. Batteries can be mail-ordered for pretty low prices, although I don't know if the taillight is simply a bulb or something more. Idling? These things never idle correctly, LOL.

[Daeouse]

Originally Posted by culcune

I wouldn't consider it 'bashing' the asking price down, lol. Call Excalibur and see what they can get you one directly for (just for your own research), including shipping.

If you can get the Zongshen for $600, that would be your best deal, although you will need some things for it. Batteries can be mail-ordered for pretty low prices, although I don't know if the taillight is simply a bulb or something more. Idling? These things never idle correctly, LOL.

Ok.

As for the idle, have you considered looking at the jets in the carb? Just a thought.
It reminds me of an issue I had with my Motorized Bicycle I built that had a similar issue, and I needed to fiddle with the carb and allits components to get it running smoothly. My 2 cents. . . LOL
Anyways! Looks like my roomie and I will be going to the Salvage Yard next weekend, so we'll see what's there!

[FastDoc]

I sold my last HSUN 200 in like new condition with no cosmetic or mechanical issues with about 750 miles on it for about that. It was a nice bike that I had personally worked the kinks out of. I hope it will provide Melody (the gal who bought it) with a long and happy service life.

[Daeouse]

Good info, steve, I will do more research on them!

culcune, I don't care how nice his stickers are, if he costs more to buy than direct from the factory, I'll avoid him. If he's good, and just marking up, I won't feel as bad knocking the price down a bit.