Just curious Slick Vixen, how much mechanical experience do you have and will you
have tools to work on and service your motor bike ? Will you have someone
available who could help with this ?
A 4 cycle motor may require you to adjust the valves occasionally, where a 2 cycle
doesn't have valves. Likewise with changing oil in the crankcase. 2 cycle engines
don't require oil changes like the 4 cycles. The 2 cycles are considered by many to
be more care free overall where the 4 cycles may weigh more, require more periodic
maintenance but have a longer lifespan. Still the 2 cycle motors are reporting as much
as 15,000 miles before they are worn out. Most of these motors are using CDI ignitions now
so you won't have to know how to replace points and condensor and adjusting the timing each
tune up, leaving only the periodic adjustment of the spark plug gap.
The 2 cycle engines are light & powerful for their size not to mention relatively inexpensive.
The kits will provide about everything you need and should you have a total engine failure
a replacement motor (just the motor only) may cost $80+ dollars. There are recoil start
attachments available (like a lawnmower has) and a centrifugal clutch kit too to make riding
more like having an automatic transmission. (so you can pedal the bike to get it rolling and
then apply power for a smooth take off)
The 3 most consistant CON's about these 2 cycle Chinese frame mount motors I've read here
in the last 8 months are: 1) replace the chain that comes with it with a higher quality chain,
as the OEM's are prone to breaking. 2) Replace the sparkplug wire with a higher quality ignition
wire. (you can buy it by the foot at NAPA auto supply) 3) the chain tensioner "idler" tends to be a weak design and source of chain failure, so consider a better after market tensioner. These
suggestions are things "I" would definately do myself to have a safe dependable bike with a
much lower breakdown ratio.
It may be wise, if you have a regular car, to have a bumper mounted bicycle rack where you
could transport the bike with the car. Should you break down too far from home to pedal back
or find yourself in changing weather, you could leave the bike somewhere safe, get a ride to your car, come back and
mount the bike to the car and continue on home.
No matter how much you've read about the motors, kits, and bicycle designs it's prudent to
know Florida's laws (assuming your "Miami" is in Florida) so it can be your best counsel as
to what is allowed & legal where you live.
Florida moped laws
All the states laws:
Moped Laws by state
