Tao Motors 140cc dirtbike!

[Zapkin]

Okay so my son-in-law ordered this bike:

its a Tao Motors 140cc from Powersportsmax.com. model DB-T016

https://www.powersportsmax.com/produ...ducts_id/24251

Do any of you have any suggestions on upgrades? can I put a Nibbi on it and is there a source for different sized sprockets?

Since the folks on this website in the dual-sport forum have helped me so much with my Hawk, I figured I would approach you dirt bike guys and ask for some help.

Thanks.

[dirtbkr188]

My suggestion for you would be to wait until you get the bike, break it in, and get a few hours on it before planning any changes to the stock setup. It may be perfectly fine for a new/novice rider to learn on, the hopups can come later, with the experience.

[Zapkin]

Originally Posted by dirtbkr188

My suggestion for you would be to wait until you get the bike, break it in, and get a few hours on it before planning any changes to the stock setup. It may be perfectly fine for a new/novice rider to learn on, the hopups can come later, with the experience.

We will. The challenge is going to be convincing my son-in-law to break it in properly. I am thinking of two heat cycles and some conventional oil each time. How many hours for break-in? I don't know. I will put a tach/hour meter on it.

I think it's a neat-looking bike, and my daughter loves the look of it. Anyway, thanks for the response, and I will take your advice. If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

[tknj99]

Its tough breaking in these small displacement bikes esp when the recommendation is 300 miles and keeping rpm' limited... yea good luck with that, with stock gearing they start screaming over 35mph... for me on the Storm150 i bought for my daughter to learn on, getting gas at the closest station, i need to hit atleast 50 mph in order not to get in the way of traffic.. What i recommend is look at swapping out the front sprocket after a few lessons and adjust the stock carb as they all come pretty lean from the factory. As far as oil changes ive done them at 0 miles, 10 miles and 100 miles and use Rotella T4 15w40, nice and cheap and most certainly does the job. Also, adjust the valves soon after assembly.

[Zapkin]

Well its on the way. I told him what I learned on here about breaking in chinabikes and he seems to be listening. My daughter is nervous about getting on this thing, but she will figure it out and even if she don't I have several grandsons who will get to ride it. I am pretty hyped for it to arrive. Getting the loktite ready and the other goodies.

[Zapkin]

Delivered today, R&L had it here in less than a week, in fact...it was ordered last thursday. Nice PSM.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Zapkin

Delivered today, R&L had it here in less than a week, in fact...it was ordered last thursday. Nice PSM.

I remember that thrill as a kid (OK, I was 16). Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy. Here comes fun!

He will probably beat it up and that's OK. Kids do that. BUT, he will gain skills and an appreciation for lots of details he will be looking for in his next bike

We have these kids in the neighborhood that terrorize the streets on 50cc and 75cc mini dirtbikes. They frequently stop by and ask all sorts of questions about the Templar, and especially the 2 stroke KTM. They can't possibly throw a leg over these bikes, but they are SSoooooo ready to try! Nice kids.

One of them uses his feet for breaks. Another one bump starts his because "it's broke". The real funny thing is that they spend 99% of there time on pavement, so the knobbies are bald, like me

[Crossbar]

My daughter has had the X-Pro X9 since last Christmas. My first parts order was a bag of handlebar clamps, clutch and brake levers. I'm down to my last brake lever today. She keeps picking it back up and getting back on.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Crossbar

My daughter has had the X-Pro X9 since last Christmas. My first parts order was a bag of handlebar clamps, clutch and brake levers. I'm down to my last brake lever today. She keeps picking it back up and getting back on.

THAT'S the spirit

[Zapkin]

Well, last night my son in law calls me and informs me that the bike made it to the top of so and so hill that he and his buddies climb, but it stalled out from being hot when he got to the top. Now I told this kid to break the thing in, so what does he do? Takes all 200 lbs of himself and pushes a 140cc pit bike to climb a hill to the point that it gets hot, has to cool before he can start it up and bring it home. I won't be helping him anymore. I will point him to online resources for the bike, but I am out. Even my dumb ass knows better than to take a bike with less than 3 hours on it and beat it till it overheats. DUH DUH DUH?!. It took everything I had not to call him an idiot. But I will be nice, but I won't help anymore. What is the point?

[J4Fun]

Originally Posted by Zapkin

Well, last night my son in law calls me and informs me that the bike made it to the top of so and so hill that he and his buddies climb, but it stalled out from being hot when he got to the top. Now I told this kid to break the thing in, so what does he do? Takes all 200 lbs of himself and pushes a 140cc pit bike to climb a hill to the point that it gets hot, has to cool before he can start it up and bring it home. I won't be helping him anymore. I will point him to online resources for the bike, but I am out. Even my dumb ass knows better than to take a bike with less than 3 hours on it and beat it till it overheats. DUH DUH DUH?!. It took everything I had not to call him an idiot. But I will be nice, but I won't help anymore. What is the point?

Zapkin, it’s going to be a learning lesson for your son in law. Sometimes the Hard head comes out pretty smooth Just thinking about some Hard heads that I know

[Zapkin]

It annoys the hell out of me. He is not really a kid; he's 25. I told him, "You don't buy a Chinabike, throw it together without using any Loctite or checking all the bolts, then get on it and ride it like a Honda right out of the box." The next thing you know, it breaks, and then the dummy is whining about it when he didn't take the time for proper setup or break-in. It is taking a monumental effort on my part at this point not to chastise the F out of him. He said something to his friend about it having a 30-day warranty. Well, I doubt very much they are going to honor it if he blows it up through stupidity. I sure as heck won't back him or lie about it. PSM has been good to me. Anyway, rant mode: off.

[buzz]

Ain't no use talking to him,kids think they know everything.

[J4Fun]

Originally Posted by buzz

Ain't no use talking to him,kids think they know everything.

Yes but when they get into there 30s and 40s they tend to have learned! It’s then you tell them remember when, when their dealing with your grandkids

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by J4Fun

Yes but when they get into there 30s and 40s they tend to have learned! It’s then you tell them remember when, when their dealing with your grandkids

This is SUCH a good argument for putting kids on cheap small dirt bikes early on. They not only realize that they should take care of them a little more, but the experiences popping wheelies and doing one wheel and two wheel drifts in the dirt and grass gives them SURVIVAL skills for road work (the truly scariest place for a motorcyclist)... muscle memory!

My wife's dad took her bicycle away when she fell and hurt herself. Guess what... she CAN'T ride a bicycle now. Can't back up her car either, so maybe there is a limit to expectations, but still