Jetmoto new comers may not have stumbled across the site I put together about our Jetmoto experience so here it is!

Sorry about the Pop Up's, it's a free web hosting site!

http://myjetmotos.8k.com/index.html

 

cool web site helped out alot... Just one question what all did it take to put them together? I saw the tires handle bars and tie rods is the any thing else?

 

Nice site to document and show so much details about the JMs.

I'm wondering if you have thought about documenting the various things that go bad on them, more than the pics you have. I'm sure more stuff has needed more work than what you showed.

I'd like to add that at nearly a year of ownership, things are becoming more frustrating. Meaning - nearly every time we go out, something breaks or needs fixing. The problems are piling up and I am doing a lot to just keep them in good shape. Still, it is/was the only way I could get two ATVs on the trails for so little dollars.

Here is a summary I keep on my page on this forum.

Disclaimer - both atvs are ridden fairly hard and some of the fixes are due to rider error such as flipping over or tail light getting when rear ended.

2007
8/15 - Purchased 150 and 200 Jetmoto
8/20 - Assembled and test ridden a little
8/22 - Tightened numerous loose bolts on both
8/25 - Trailer up and running; Large rear axle bolts came loose, tightened them.
Hours ridden to date: 3

9/1-22 Loud sharp, ping sound coming from rear end. Spacer sleeve that supports main bearings was maybe 1/8" too short, allowing the bearings to get crushed when the axle bolts get torqued properly. Replaced main bearings, new chain (tight links in old one). Changed oil.

Overtightened new chain, snapped. Replaced with new Diamond 530.

Choke cable assembly on both quads broke at threads.

10-11 Got around to locktite nuts/bolts which were accessible.

Several outings and no new problems. Both running strong. Batteries are holding up very well.

Gas shutoff on 200 started leaking but for some reason after a ride, it stopped.

One thing of potential concern is a bit of smoke from 200 at end of long hard uphill run. Stops after it cools down a bit. Only time this is observed.
Update: July 08 - smoke does not seem show up, must have been hard riding in hot weather

2008

August
Both original batteries still seem fine. Rear tires getting pretty worn out.

150 - just quit - turned out to be bad fuse near battery.
150 - Replaced broken choke cable
150 - Swing arm bushing replaced, rubber on chain side disintegrated
150 - upper rear shock bushing bad.
150 - plastic body cracking pretty badly.
150 - front tab on gas tank snapped off. Used Liquid Weld on new homemade bracket.
150 - rear tail light smashed (rear end). Replaced with surplus tail light, non-oem.

200 - CDI bracket snapped off near bolt. Zip tied to frame.
200 - Battery connector snapped.
200 - Replaced leaking gas cut off.
200 - Replaced broken choke cable.

 

Hi Windtrader, Almost too many repairs to remember I hate to say, I will see what I can do about a comprehensive list and add it to my site! Most of my repairs can be found here in threads but they may take some searching!

 

Alright here it is, it will be a work in progress but I stole this much from a 150 thread I replied to a while back. I will work on the 250 assessment also.

http://myjetmotos.8k.com/photo6.html

 

After reading some of the post about the good and bads, I have to say I think I have had some good luck as far as the bads. I've had the 250 about a year and a half now, and this thing has been ridden. It's used five to six days a week (what gas, I think my son thinks I make it from my own urine and fill the gas jug late at night) This thing sees everything from motocross to so thats why they make 4x4 quads type of mud. So far its only needed a little as far as repairs. Key words SO FAR.

Repairs that were need.
Before bike was even ridden - jetting, gearing, handlebars
As the riding went on - misc loose nuts and bolts, blow bulb, chain tensioner, and a rear rim. Also a muffler clamp and battery.
Things that have become regular maint - adjusting the floats, and the center bolts for the hubs on the rear always seem to loosen up just enough.

 

Those posts jogged more repairs/maintenance loose.

200 - muffler came loose from exhaust pipe. Reinsert and tighten bolt.
150 - tie rods always a bit sloppy. Finally discovered lock washer was crap and flattened out. Replaced lock washers.
150 - rear sprocket got loose. Tightened up and lock of locktite.
150 - rear hubs loosen up. Tightened and locktite big axle nuts.
150 - chain tensioner got all twisted and bent up. Straightened and modified spring a bit make smoother contact.

Overall, the 200 has been holding up much better than the 150 but it is ridden much easier too.

Heading off soon to Pismo beach for several days. Cross fingers nothing happens needing factory ordered parts.

 

I think the key is in the prep work.. I took all bolts out of my Jetmoto's when i was assembling them and put loctite on EVERYTHING. Blue for some bolts, red for others. I did it first thing and fought back the desire to ride it now. When you get a Chinese ATV in the crate you are the dealer.. But then again Ive done that with new Hondas too. Never wanted to get hurt because of a lose bolt anywhere. Im kinda **** like that. OK real ****. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

We all know the golden rule for Chinese motor products is to basically disassemble them and reassemble using loctite and proper torque and adjustment on everything.

What is frustrating is these products get a very well deserved poor reputation because of all the problems arising from the lack of proper assembly (ie: loktite). Parts loosen then fall off, get lost, twist off, break, or otherwise fail.

I'm glad you are there to help with parts and build quality. Eugene hopefully can find a way (financial) to improve in this area. At a minimum, if the initial build uses a dollar's worth of loctite to secure all bolts, Jetmoto will stand above the crowd. It just can't cost that much more labor to do it right up front.

Second, my ATVs have had far too many parts fail prematurely. For example, most recently, the swing arm bushing on the 150 failed. I don't think this should not happen for a long time. The upper rear shock bushing on both 150 and 200 are shot. Again, it seems like these should never fail. Improving parts quality will be more of a challenge but it seems with smarter sourcing you can get improved quality for a very minor increase in cost.

My comments apply to everything except the engines and transmissions. For some reason, my own experience and that of many seems that they are pretty darn reliable. Maybe you can glean some insight as to the methods and practices in place for motors to bring up the level of the rest of the vehicle.

Lastly, one other novel option would be to offer kits. Everything in a box and customer built. If the customer is expected to take a fully assembled unit apart to loctite, it is actually easier to just assemble from scratch. That way bike is fully loctited and likely to operator at a higher level than a stock unit as well as being cheaper.

Time is ticking away and the Chinese ATV opportunity is narrowing with each new announcement of a smaller product from the big six.

Do great things Joel! I'd sure like to buy another Jetmoto but only if it is built better and has better quality parts.