Modern Vespa

Hi Guys

Exited to be here,

Been spending loads of hours in this forum lately.

Ok, so basically, I need a scooter as a daily runner, however I want something a bit retro.

I really like the Classic 60's vespas, whenever I see one I drool all over it, however I don't have the time needed to maintain one, although I'm planning at one point to get one.

So I started looking for a Joker clone.

After some research, I found a guy selling a Znen Joker 125cc(4-stroke) 2011 model, for only 500 euros (650 bucks), which is amazing.

Now I know that people will go crazy after this, as most here hate the chinese scooters. However I've read in many forums that the models after 2009 are much better that the previews ones.

I also found an Aprilia Mojito 50cc 1999 model for 850 euros (1 100 bucks).

So I'm kinda thinking about it, and would really appreciate your input guys.

Again thanks, and please excuse my English.
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Welcome Markos. The Znen 125 will be faster than the Mojito 50. I think the Aprilia is a better bike. I have a Znen 150, and a Mojito custom 150. I like both of them. The Chinese scooters tend to be of a lower quality build. Most of the problems relate to a poor pre-delivery inspection, and some quality issues relating to the intake manifold casting. If you have parts availability where you live, I would tend to go for the scooter that has a dealership, if not, then you will be ordering parts online, and that may take some time. If you are mechanically inclined, and can fix it yourself, I would still go for the Aprilia.

I am unsure if the 50 is a 2 stroke or not, and the 125 most likely has a GY6 Honda (clone) engine. There are lots of opinions about the Chinese scooters. Let me tell you, they are fine. Not a Vespa, but a lot better than walking or riding a bicycle.

Let us know what you buy, and post some pictures here.

Thanks you for the quick reply Rail

You've been really helpful.

About dealerships, I don't know if there is one for either brands, but anyway dealerships in Cyprus are famous of being ridiculously overpriced, especially regarding parts.

So most definitely will be getting the parts online, and installing them either by my self, or with the aid of my buddies since they are very keen with scooter engines

. I think I will be going for the znen as it's faster and cheaper, but of course I'll have to inspect both bikes and will choose the one in the better mechanical and external condition.

A mate of mine has the znen joker, and he's satisfied with it. Only complains he has is that the bike is suffering from poor brakes.
He went to a local mechanic and the mechanic said, "that's how the brakes are on these bikes" .... lol I bet he was too lazy to fix it.
Bike probably needs new front pads.

Anyhow, thanks again, hopefully will have it by Monday, and will update you,

Cheers

The GY6 is not a Honda Clone. This urban legend started when Importers were trying to sucker people into buying a cheap scooter that there were no parts for. People used to get pissed off at the local Honda dealer when the guy in parts said there weren't any parts that would fit the $600 scooter you bought on ebay, even though the importer said you could just walk into the Honda dealer and buy whatever you need. When Honda made the Joker, which is widely copied by the Chinese today, it came in a 50cc and 90cc 2 Stroke version, not a 4 Stroke.
Honda produces Parts Manuals and Service manuals for every motor they make, and there is no Honda Service Manual for a motor that is even close to this thing, nor can anyone find any Honda Company documentation that makes reference to it.
The CN250 motor was and still is copied by the Chinese. That's the vertical motor that was used in the Helix, and is used in almost every Chinese 250 scooter. Honda last made them in Mexico for the US market and is extremely outdated.
I apologize for climbing on the soapbox, but I've dealt with too many people who really believe their cheap Chinese scooter has a Honda motor, and blame the shop because it isn't as reliable as every other Honda they've seen.

Moped medic... I hear ya. Let me rephrase my statement. The Chinese motor is not a Honda engine. Even the scooter isn't related to the Honda Joker. It stands alone. People who think they are getting a Honda can and will be in for a big surprise when their perception doesn't meet their expectation.
This: The GY6 engine family is produced by a wide range of manufacturers throughout Asia, and as such there may be many small differences between engines from different firms.

I will add "and quality"