Rattling noise from my Baotian

[Jantar]

.. I don't think I can just take it back to the shop as it is actually 18 months old (I am second owner). ....

Oh dear. In that case I feel very sorry for you. You initially asked for advice on this forum when you were first looking for a bike. The best advice given to you was to get a GN or a Scorpio, either would have suited your needs.

If you look back back through various similar threads you would find that almost everyone advises against cheap chinese scooters.

There is nothing you can do now to change what you have, so as I see it you have three choices:
1. Ride it as is until it completely dies, then dump it. That may give another one or two trips if you ride very very quietly.
2. Sell it as is and buy someyhing better. Pete at Wellington Motorcycles has already offered to try and assist, and I can assure you that he does look after his customers.
3. Spend what ever it costs to get your Baotian going properly and it may last you another six months.

I realise that you are a student and on a limited budget so you will have to weigh up your options carefully. If you do decide to replace it then please ask on here for someone experienced to look at your prospective purchase first. We may seem cruel, but really we are here to help each other.

[GDOBSSOR]

I bet. Being without wheels sucks serious arse. I'll keep my eye out for a good scooter for you. I work for Wellington Motorcycles and sometimes get some cheap but goodins traded in. I personally sold a very good Honda DJ1 for $800.00 a few weeks back. Looked after it'll last for years.

I don't want a new scooter actually. I want a motorbike as I've done my basic handling skills course with a guy named Leigh Elliott (who btw I'd recommend to anyone here). I actually wanted a motorbike to start with, but I had an overbearing partner at the time who thought that he knew best (he didn't) and that I didn't have 'the right personality' for a motorbike and would very quickly get sick of it, especially as I can't afford a car as well, and that would mean I'd have to ride it in the rain/hail/sleet etc. He told me to get a scooter as a compromise, as I supposedly wouldn't lose as much money if I got sick of it. I haven't got sick of riding and still want a motorbike, but have ended up losing as much money buying a scooter. Having said that, my ex partner would have been able to fix it.

[GDOBSSOR]

Oh dear. In that case I feel very sorry for you. You initially asked for advice on this forum when you were first looking for a bike. The best advice given to you was to get a GN or a Scorpio, either would have suited your needs.

If you look back back through various similar threads you would find that almost everyone advises against cheap chinese scooters.

There is nothing you can do now to change what you have, so as I see it you have three choices:
1. Ride it as is until it completely dies, then dump it. That may give another one or two trips if you ride very very quietly.
2. Sell it as is and buy someyhing better. Pete at Wellington Motorcycles has already offered to try and assist, and I can assure you that he does look after his customers.
3. Spend what ever it costs to get your Baotian going properly and it may last you another six months.

I realise that you are a student and on a limited budget so you will have to weigh up your options carefully. If you do decide to replace it then please ask on here for someone experienced to look at your prospective purchase first. We may seem cruel, but really we are here to help each other.

I'll see exactly what the problem is and how dire it is. Number 3 may be worth a shot. But... if it is successfully fixed, it'll be sold off. If it isn't successfully fixed it'll be sold as is. I'll put the difference toward a new bike on my student loan. I do have some money saved but how much I want to dig into it is another question.

[jellywrestler]

1. Ride it as is until it completely dies, then dump it.

yep and it may give up the ghost all at once, lock up the rear wheel and spit you under a truck, then you'll have no worries whatsoever, just make sure your life insurance is paid up.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I don't want a new scooter actually. I want a motorbike as I've done my basic handling skills course with a guy named Leigh Elliott (who btw I'd recommend to anyone here). I actually wanted a motorbike to start with, but I had an overbearing partner at the time who thought that he knew best (he didn't) and that I didn't have 'the right personality' for a motorbike and would very quickly get sick of it, especially as I can't afford a car as well, and that would mean I'd have to ride it in the rain/hail/sleet etc. He told me to get a scooter as a compromise, as I supposedly wouldn't lose as much money if I got sick of it. I haven't got sick of riding and still want a motorbike, but have ended up losing as much money buying a scooter. Having said that, my ex partner would have been able to fix it.

Well I'll let you know if I come across a reliable cheap motorcycle then! Good job he's an 'ex' Sounds like a twat.

[GDOBSSOR]

Oh dear. In that case I feel very sorry for you. You initially asked for advice on this forum when you were first looking for a bike. The best advice given to you was to get a GN or a Scorpio, either would have suited your needs.

If you look back back through various similar threads you would find that almost everyone advises against cheap chinese scooters.

Improvement of sorts.
I got hold of the original dealer who sold the scooter and he came and looked at it. We disagreed over whether there was anything wrong with it... BUT... he said that it was okay to be sold, and if the next owner had issues, he'd fix them.

[Jantar]

.... BUT... he said that it was okay to be sold, and if the next owner had issues, he'd fix them.

Get that in writing and include it in the sale.

[GrayWolf]

Improvement of sorts.
I got hold of the original dealer who sold the scooter and he came and looked at it. We disagreed over whether there was anything wrong with it... BUT... he said that it was okay to be sold, and if the next owner had issues, he'd fix them.

the only other possible solution I could think of suggesting, and its a huge longshot really... is either contact Bryce at bike bits (breakers network) or, find out which Honda scooter the Baotan is a copy of, and just maybe? A s/hand honda scooter/motor could turn up. Then there could still be issues for matching the wiring etc, or possibly fitting panels/bodywork from the two to build one 'reasonable'? ride. Even if a honda engine is well used, it is probably going to last a reasonable length of time, the Japanese made scooters seem to withstand immense amounts of abuse... I used to Watch Eugene (Wuzard) riding his one up and down my road and you would not BELIEVE what he would do to that poor wretched scooter, those who know him will be right now nodding their heads knowing full well what a maniac he could be...

Other than that? I guess sadly you'll have to 'bite the bullet', because unless you are a 'heartless, scruple-less bitch', which you certainly dont seem to be. You wont want to sell it to another unsuspecting poor sod.

[FJRider]

I got hold of the original dealer who sold the scooter and he came and looked at it. We disagreed over whether there was anything wrong with it... BUT... he said that it was okay to be sold, and if the next owner had issues, he'd fix them.

But won't fix them for you ??? (free)

If you sell it ... sell AS IS. In writing with the signature of the buyer on it ... accepting that.

[GDOBSSOR]

But won't fix them for you ??? (free)

If you sell it ... sell AS IS. In writing with the signature of the buyer on it ... accepting that.

Too late now :/ The buyer purchased sight unseen and they live in the next suburb over so I can't understand why they didn't ask to have a look at it. There were two other people I had come and look at it and I told those two people the truth - that it had had work done on it, that two mechanics had said it was ok to sell but I wasn't convinced, but I wasn't 'mechanically minded'. I then got the original dealer in after two people had come to test ride it to see whether I needed to pull it from auction and he said no. I asked him if he was sure, and he said yes, and that he'd help them with any issues.

I then sold it on the original dealer's advice and said, "I am selling it to get a motorbike. This is what happened to it (...) I've had three mechanics including the original dealer tell me it's ok to sell, so I'm relying on their advice because I don't really know about these things. Any problems, call these guys (hands them dealer's card)." And left it at that.

[GDOBSSOR]

But won't fix them for you ??? (free)

If you sell it ... sell AS IS. In writing with the signature of the buyer on it ... accepting that.

He did come and look at it, free of charge. He basically said he didn't think there was anything wrong with it after test riding it. I disputed that, but he said that if I was right, the next buyers could call him (as I was very shortly planning to sell it).

[FJRider]

Too late now ...

A happy ending I hope then...

New bike hunting then ...

[GDOBSSOR]

the only other possible solution I could think of suggesting, and its a huge longshot really... is either contact Bryce at bike bits (breakers network) or, find out which Honda scooter the Baotan is a copy of, and just maybe? A s/hand honda scooter/motor could turn up. Then there could still be issues for matching the wiring etc, or possibly fitting panels/bodywork from the two to build one 'reasonable'? ride. Even if a honda engine is well used, it is probably going to last a reasonable length of time, the Japanese made scooters seem to withstand immense amounts of abuse... I used to Watch Eugene (Wuzard) riding his one up and down my road and you would not BELIEVE what he would do to that poor wretched scooter, those who know him will be right now nodding their heads knowing full well what a maniac he could be...

Other than that? I guess sadly you'll have to 'bite the bullet', because unless you are a 'heartless, scruple-less bitch', which you certainly dont seem to be. You wont want to sell it to another unsuspecting poor sod.

Let auction run. Was honest with people who came to test ride it. It sold to someone who bought it sight unseen in the end (And I can't understand why because they lived within walking distance of my house). It's a copy of a Gy6 engine, which is fairly easy to work on, but hasn't been used by Honda for years. If it's the tranny or the engine that's the problem, I guess the original dealer would have a spare one of those around at not too great a cost. I think that I've done the best I can with the knowledge I have and it's not my fault if someone doesn't google the brand name and decides they don't need to test ride a vehicle before buying.