Modern Vespa

OK, I'm posting pics of my Chinese bike - a JCL 250 scooter. Eight months ago I bought my first motor scooter, a Chinese 250 Baron. The dealer intended to sell me a 150 but sold me the 250 by mistake. He had sold a lot of 4 wheelers from China but bikes were new then. The Baron had an electrical problem. The dealer tried all sorts of stuff but after 6 weeks offered to give me my money back or a 150 or a different 250 for more bucks. I took the money back, went to rider school, ordered my MP3 500 and bought a Buell Blast with 2,500 miles for $2,000 to ride while I waited. I got the MP3 earlier than expected but sold the Blast with 2,619 miles for $2,160, so I wasn't hurt there.

I have 2k miles on the MP3 now (including 500 mile trip) but the seat is high and the bike is heavy and I decided to buy a run-around scooter for Starbucks and the store. I know there can be problems with those bikes but I went back to the Chinese guy because he really tries and has done an excellent job for 3 friends that bought 150s from him. One has 3k miles and still loves it. I checked the Chinese brands and it seems the best are JCL and Lifan. They have a year warranty. A couple bought two 250s from my dealer and rode them to Canada and back. Another dealer advertises that he has sold 300 JCLs and has had only 1 warranty claim. Also, parts are available.

The bike I bought is described above. Pictures are below. It is EXTREMELY easy to ride and is well equipped. I can get both feet on the road at a stop flat footed and the bike weighs 220 lbs less than the MP3. The MP3 is my road bike but I use this for the short hauls. The radio control is the blue rectangle on the right in the dash picture. In typical Chinese fashion you can run the select button to move stations but there is no readout dial so you don't know where you are. There is a plug in the dash for plugging into a player or GPS. The sound is surprisingly good. You can hear it on the road but I don't hardly drive this thing over 50.

I might like to add this little guy to the stables.



2009 Ducati Streetfighter 1098S

I have a friend at work that has a Ducati, he loves it, but if you can't do work and modifications yourself hope you have money because they do take some service to keep it right from what he says.

But he loves his, has a 696 I think.

Wayne B

Not nearly as expensive to keep up as my girlfriend's Mercedes. That thing literally runs on benjamins.

We luv our MANA....and the crew from AF1 Racing!

I think I'd like a Mana if the seat wasn't so high.

Ok, Get the Ducati

Wayne B

Definitely. Every time I look at it, I drool and hyperventilate. So much bike!!! gahh