I own a little 125cc 4 stroke scooter (yamaha) and have always wondered how long the engines last in terms of mileage. I have covered 20,000 miles in two years very reliably, and have changed the oil very regularly i.e. between every 1-2000 miles. Also, it usually gets long journeys that are always more than 5 miles.
So, does anybody know here how long I should expect my scooter to last, and what problems I am likely to get from it?
|
I would think that if the service is kept up it should last upwards of 50,000. I would expect that the centrifugal clutch and/or drive belt will be the first things to go. Also keep an eye on the brake calipers they love to seize up if not kept clean and greased. If water cooled make sure this is changed when it should be and use recommended type.
Scooters, just love em.
Steve.
|
|
|
Hi Greg
50k is a reasonable assumption if not more. You are changing the oil regularly which always helps especially if the engine shares oil with the gearbox which a lot of small m/c engines do.
If I were looking for areas of wear I would look at the engine mounts/swing arm bearings and after 30k possibly the piston rings as the rather small piston does quite a lot of work on an engine this size.
regards
Mark
|
If I manage 50-60,000 miles from my scoot, it will make it really cheap motoring especially with the fuel economy.
Anyway, for safety I always wear a ghastly flourescant yellow jacket (and people say I look like a police officer, AA patrol, at least none say I look like a street cleaner -no offence). I have found a helmet halo from www.bikeseen.com very useful, as it uses the same material as my f.yellow jacket and so hopefully people are a lot more likely to see me.
Can anyone comment on the side lights/ safety lights available from this web site. They seem a great idea and on the motorway having seen vans and some volvo's with side lights, I think it would add to my safety.
Also, what would I need to do in terms of servicing and treatment for my bike to last as long as possible. I make sure I do not thrash the bike especially from cold, change the gear and engine oil frequently, change filters as per manual, do all the lubrication etc. Is there anything else I can do to extend its life?
|
Hi Greg.. ..
QUOTE .. "Also, what would I need to do in terms of servicing and treatment for my bike to last as long as possible. I make sure I do not thrash the bike especially from cold, change the gear and engine oil frequently, change filters as per manual, do all the lubrication etc. Is there anything else I can do to extend its life? "
The best tip i could give is be careful if you use a jetwash..
put a bit of distance between you and the scoot if you do.
be careful near bushes, wheel hubs, fork seals etc. also electronics as some of the units have heat sinks to the frame and they require a heat transfer grease which can be washed out with a jetwash. ( THATS A CAUTION FOR CARS AS WELL IF YOUR STEAM CLEANING UNDER THE BONNET) i learnt the hard way £70.00 for a release unit on a manta i had.
garage jetwashes use a lot of salt to soften water so that would also be a good one to aoid.
paul.......
|
|
|
|
None of our scooters have been used that intensively, but my 250cc motorcycle is on 77,000 miles and its predecessor was going strong at 85,000.
Cycle bits and rust are more likely to kill it than engine failure.
|
In terms of oil changes, is the manuals recommendation of 2000 mile oil change intervals enough to allow the engine to go on for a while. Am I changing the oil too frequently every 1000 miles, and will this increase the bikes longetivity substantially.
Also, I am using a semi synthetic oil. Would use of a fully synthetic oil extend the engines life substantially?
|
Hi Greg
Clean oil is the key to longevity with these small engines they rarely hold more than a litre anyway.
The engine will have numerous small oilways especially in the head and any blockage or reduced flow will turn the engine to scrap quickly.
I am assuming yours is OHC and if so the camshaft normally runs metal to metal in the head seperated by just a film of oil supplied by a very small pump, any crud finding its way to these bearing surfaces will do damage to the bearing faces.
So in summary frequent oil changes with as good an oil as you can afford to change say at every 1000 miles with perhaps a new filter if it has one say every second change will be the key to the engine lasting longer. That coupled with a gentle warm up so the oil has time to circulate before you get underway will also help.
Once the oil flow is reduced or blocked most small engines will sieze quite quickly, I know I have been there .
as always
Mark
|
I would say that Greg's scooter will indeed outlast him if he continues to worry this much about it. 8-)
|
|
|
|
