Motorcycles....

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 26 September, 2006 - 16:14.

Just bought a motorcycle here. Its a Pioneer 150 cc monteniero or street/dirt bike. You dont need to go through all the paperwork as opossed with a used vehicle. Only need to go to the police for plates and get insurance. Anyone have experience with this motorcycle? Its a four stroke with a honda motor made . The motorcycle is made it Tiawan. It was $1500 out of the door. I checked the internet prior to purchasing and found out they have a manufacturing plant in the U.S. also.

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Honda Motor Made ?

Submitted by carina_cisneros on 26 September, 2006 - 21:59.

Are you sures the motors is made by Honda (smirk, smirk)? I do not see this mentioned anywhere on their websites. In the U.S., Pioneer bikes come with assembly instructions (can be downloaded for free by people, presumably in case you lose the paper copy when you pick up the big box): http://www.pioneermotorsusa.com/pioneer-products-assembly-instructions.h... ; You gets the instructions, becuase you get to put it together, and of course, nothing screams real "Honda" like a giant erector set! The bike may or may not actually be mades in Tiawan (seem very very unlikely). It might have a label indicating this, but the bike is a product of Shandong Pioneer, which owns Ningbo Rhon Motorcycle Co., Ltd., which is maker-located in Hangzhou Bay, in east China's Zhejiang Province. This is a Chinas outfit not a Tiawanese outfit - which still matters in many circles. It might be a great bike, but the odds of it being Honda or Tiawanese are not very good. There is no manufacturing plant in the U.S. Never has been.

Shandong, yes.

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 27 September, 2006 - 00:16.

thought it was in Taiwan. Possibly mainline China. But have friends who say relations with mainline china dont exist yet.

Canta no LLores

Honda clone, probably

Submitted by fyl on 26 September, 2006 - 17:13.

I have a 150cc Hartford. I was told it was a Honda motor but I have since been told that Honda doesn't license manufacturing. So, it is someone reverse engineering a Honda motor. That's fine, it seems fine.

I thought it was made in "real China", not Taiwan but I am not sure and don't know where the manual is right now.

Now, if you don't have a motorcycle license the fun begins.

for at least 8 years

Submitted by toms on 27 September, 2006 - 05:20.

I used a genuwine Honda CG 125, plenty of power for my purpuses

a really simple machine push rods for the overhead valves no timing chain problems. and parts were everywhere here.

one friend here has one of the chinese knockoffs IDENTICAL to it.

NO problems, I am going to get one.

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

Often, the casting work

Submitted by haircuttingcowboy on 27 September, 2006 - 10:57.

Often, the casting work (engine cases, etc) on the Chinese motors is a bit primitive. Aside from that, they seem alright, especially for their price. They are too new for any long term anecdotal testaments to their reliablity.

Not just the motor

Submitted by fyl on 27 September, 2006 - 05:35.

The set screw that holds the speedo cable drive on the front hub with mine fell out and by the time I noticed the speedo cable was hanging the internal gear was long gone. I was told something like $50 for a new hub with the drive. You couldn't just buy the gear.

A friend in US asked me to send him a picture of the hub. He went to a motorcycle junk yard and the hub looked identical to a Honda 125. Send the gear. Perfect fit.

I looked at Hartford

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 26 September, 2006 - 17:25.

But decided against it. When I went to the hartford dealer they told me that it was not really a honda engine but a copy. Your manual says China/taiwan. I read it. And yes, I only have my Florida licence right now and it is not authorized for motorcycles. Its been 25 years since I rode a motorcycle.

Canta no LLores

Motorcycle license

Submitted by fyl on 26 September, 2006 - 17:36.

I had no problem getting my license for a car. But, that was based on having my CR license which didn't have a motorcycle endorsement. Later, I went back with my expired WA state license and asked about the MC license. Their response was that I had to take a 9-hour class to learn how to drive here.

We discussed this at length. Roughly translated it was that I managed to get the car license but they weren't going to fall for it again. So, back to square one. My lawyer friend said "we'll just go to the head of the police here, explain to her that you don't know Spanish but you do know the laws and get her to sign a waver. Ok, well I do know the laws (and I do know Spanish but that's beside the point).

So, at this point, I probably have 20 hours invested in reading Ley 431. I should have done the class. But, I never went back and got the license. I was stopped once at a routine check. The guy was filling out a form and needed license number, plate number and insurance number. He filled in his three blanks and didn't care.

Motorcycle

Submitted by AdamAnt on 27 September, 2006 - 09:44.

Just a couple of questions:

1. If I have a valid motorcycle endorsement in Florida would I still need to go through the 9 hour class?

2. The bikes described, 125 & 150 "enduro" types, would they be sufficient for getting around pretty much everywhere in the southwest part of Nica?

Thanks Guys!

Maybe

Submitted by fyl on 27 September, 2006 - 09:57.

Your current license is valid here until it expires. Sometimes the theory is that you get a license here because you had one somewhere else. Other times, "you need to know the laws". I think it is mostly your attitude when you go to get a license.

The bikes are big enough. That is, you don't need more power. And the advantage is when you fall over in the mud you can pick up the bike and drag it out. So, my answer would be yes.

Thanks fyl

Submitted by AdamAnt on 27 September, 2006 - 10:01.

It'll be an adjustment, I've always ridden street bikes but I just don't feel there will be a need for 1450 cc's and I don't think it's the best idea to be showing off a bike like that. Probably just asking for trouble. I'm pretty sure during the rainy season it would spend alot of time covered or in a garage somewhere anyway.

bike size

Submitted by fyl on 27 September, 2006 - 10:49.

I sold my Honda CX500 before I moved to Costa Rica. I wish I hadn't. It, to me, was the perfect size for major road trips in CR and Nicaragua. I drive my truck to Rivas and when we are exploring because it is "just too far" on the bike.

I haven't ridden the bike for months because I walk if it is local, take the urbano or a cab. If I lived in the hills nearby (Tisey, for example), I would use it all the time.

Thanks again,

Submitted by AdamAnt on 27 September, 2006 - 10:54.

one thing I'm sure of. I'll wait 'til I'm down there to buy one. So much easier.

Will I die on the road?

Submitted by tacomasteve on 27 September, 2006 - 11:06.

I have little experience riding cycles and that was 20 plus years ago. But it seems to be an ideal way to explore Nicaragua and I have been toying with the idea of getting a small bike when I get settled. Do you all think I could learn to ride on the rutted dirt roads of Ometepe?

Its like riding a bike

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 27 September, 2006 - 11:44.

You never forget. I had not ridden a motorcycle in 25 years. Just felt a little unsteady starting and stopping (balancing, you know), but that will pass.

Canta no LLores

Exactly

Submitted by AdamAnt on 27 September, 2006 - 11:48.

I started riding when I was about 19. I had 2 bikes and then sold the last one and didn't ride for about 7-8 years. After about 10-15 minutes on my next bike it was like I'd never stopped.

As far as off road goes, take it very slow at first, remember, baby steps...

thanks for the encouragement

Submitted by tacomasteve on 27 September, 2006 - 11:57.

You'll recognize me because I'll be the fat sweaty gringo riding with wrist guards, moto cross pads, a rosary and a full face helmet.. Is it only a written test to get a m/c license?

That means

Submitted by AdamAnt on 27 September, 2006 - 12:02.

there will be 2 fat, sweaty gringos riding around.

Not sure about the test down there. Here if it's your 1st license it's a written and a driving test. Alot of dealerships in the states offer motorcycle driving school at a reasonable cost.

Sounds typical.

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 26 September, 2006 - 17:45.

Fortunalely I am here in Nic and used to the typical red tape. Thanks for the info. At least now I know.

Canta no LLores