I guess I should go ahead and do the bearings/zirks while I'm at it. I was given a nice jack for free, and when I find a good place, I'll be able to lift the whole rear up easy! =)

Much better than the blocks I was using to hold it up while I worked on the sprocket hub. I'm still waiting on the new sprocket so I can send it off and have a 50 tooth replacement built with 3/8" holes. I'm flying from SC, to PA tomorrow to pick up a 05' Sentra SE-R Spec-V w/ 8k miles on it (I'll put another 650 on the way back.) So, at least I have something to do besides wait for a sprocket. I'm itching to put a turbo-charged 3.5L Maxima engine in it (500+hp), but the wife wants kids *now*. haha

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Well maybe the rear shock should be stiffer.... to help carry the extra weight from the money I have left over. </end quote></div>
LMAO! There have been at least 2 stiffness reductions because of younger kids bouncing off of the quad. The issue may be that the rear suspension is just too short. I would think this would cause the ideal weight load window to be smaller, and when they reduced the spring rate, they went too far and put us fatty riders in a bad place. I bottom out the spring before the shock can even fully actuate, and the rear springs compress a lot from just the weight of the quad. I'm going to be taking pictures when I get back thursday (finally was able to buy a new camera cable) to send to Eugene, at his request. Plus I'm going to make a thread here because he is looking into a "Lift Kit" shock/spring replacement that would be designed for really fat riders, or even raising the upper shock mount and going with a bigger shock on future models. It's all in the air ATM. Wow, I rant. Sorry!

-JNY

 

I know this is "Raceway's" forum but... go to Rightway atv and look at the Eagle quads. My son's friend has one of the 200cc water cooled quads. I don't know if the pictures show it but the frame is the same as the Jetmoto with a few changes. The front is extended out further to increase the wheelbase, and the rear shock is much longer, and is mounted to the frame where the Jetmoto battery sits. The battery is under the left fender in a box mounted to the frame rail. The whole bike sits higher than the Jetmoto does. I've thought about making a spacer to go between the lower shock mount and the linkage, but I can't decide if it would screw up the leverage of the linkage.

The Eagle comes with a neat digital readout guage. I've wondered if it could be fitted to my son's 250. I also would like to get one of their radiator fans to mount up to the oil cooler. Also the cover over the front end that has the headlights in it is designed differently. The Eagle headlight is a single bulb, but looks like it might be better at throwing out light than the Jetmoto. I do like the water cooled engine too. Same motor as the 250 Sport, but with a water cooled cylinder/head. The rightside engine cover is different because it houses the water pump.

All that being said, the quality of some of the parts did NOT appear to be up to Jetmoto's standard. I wasn't impressed with the rear brake setup. It looks cheap compared to what's on the Jetmoto. Also not too impressed with the battery location, but I guess it had to go somewhere.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: billl2099













just because they're haft the price of a jap atv doesn't mean they should be haft the quaitly. they should be almost identical in quality, having the shocks break, swing arm bearing wear quickly, the rear spocket bolts shearing off is totally unacceptable, i can understand the some bolts backing out and falling out , but the swing arm bearing should last for years not days, the reason the japs atv are a little more money because they spend alot of money on advertising, R&D, and a great deal of money on sponsorship. which the chinese don't do. when's the last time you seed a tv ad for jetmoto or any chinese atv? never, R&D , the chinese buy cloned engines and just about everything else is off the shelf. were the japs design their own products and test them before going into production. on sponsorship, been to a irl race or a super cross lately? honda dominates irl racing. no the jetmoto doesn't do everything a jap quad can do, last for years (not months) and have good resale valve. no i'm not against the chainese quads, i think they're great for the 4-12 year old beginners, on a limited budget for riding around in the back yard or fields. very poor choice for intermediate and above riders</end quote></div>


To each his/her own but, I will replace a $14 set of bearings and drill and tap a few holes anyday to save $3000-$5000. Honda dominates everything they attempt almost. They have an endless supply of money to throw at problems.

I've yet to see anything the Jetmoto cannot do, don't understand that statement. As far as resale, really who buys a motorcycle/quad and even considers resale value when they buy it. IMO simply beating something to death to show your testosterone level is a sign of extreme imaturity. I know, I see it everytime I go out riding. My son's Jetmoto is able to go anywhere I can go on my Polaris...and then some. And it's NOT in the backyard.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>To each his/her own but, I will replace a $14 set of bearings and drill and tap a few holes anyday to save $3000-$5000. Honda dominates everything they attempt almost. They have an endless supply of money to throw at problems. </end quote></div>

QFT (quoted for truth)

I think the Honda 250 sport model is only around $2000 more, not 3-5, but I'm sure there are more expensive 250s.

The only place I feel the need to bitch heavily about the quad is:
1) the lack of an airbox (more work than anything you describe)
2) lack of documentation (will be fixed, we hope)
3) the sprocket hub bolts shearing off which is a serious safety issue
4) the rear shock being too weak for big riders on an "Adult-sized" quad.

1) Snorkling is easy, and seems like it is going to offer more power at the result of much lower fuel economy (fine by me!!!)
2) Knowing which nuts are left-handed is important.
3) I was only going around 10mph when it happened, but if it happened at higher speeds someone could definately get hurt or killed. It's not hard to fix at all (and I don't mind doing it!) but most people who buy one aren't going to even know about the flaw until it happens.
4) I think Eugene is looking into getting rear shocks with harder springs (and maybe fronts as well) as a "lift kit" to get heavier riders better dampening.

I'm sure the issues not listed here will be handled in production (new rear bearings, grease zirks where they should be, etc.)

-JNY

 

why do ypu think you saved $3000-5000? raceways jetmoto 250 is $1999, locally i can buy a 2006 polaris 250 trailblacer new for 2995, hondas tx 250 retails for $3795, i seen them for 3495 plus tax. but thats not my point, the quaitly on jetmoto or any of the chinese quads should be close to the japenese, but they're not even close

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>why do ypu think you saved $3000-5000? raceways jetmoto 250 is $1999, locally i can buy a 2006 polaris 250 trailblacer new for 2995, hondas tx 250 retails for $3795, i seen them for 3495 plus tax. but thats not my point, the quaitly on jetmoto or any of the chinese quads should be close to the japenese, but they're not even close </end quote></div>

Of course they aren't close... in a lot of ways they are better. There are just a couple things to work out, and I'm sure the 08 models are going to be MUCH improved. Jetmoto makes constant improvements at the factory. They don't wait for a new production year to change things for the better (as was done with the rear springs at least 2 times so far this year.)

Do you own one? oh, no you don't.... hrms... go ride your quad. We really aren't interested in uninformed, mislead, biased misinformation here. At least, I'm not.

-JNY

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: billl2099

very poor choice for intermediate and above riders</end quote></div>

I would have to agree with this part of your statement.

 

The thing that seperates Jetmoto from "just another piece of crap from china " is what is going on right here in this forum. People have bought a first run sport quad from Jetmoto. They are having problems with the quads, there is no denying that. But when they come here and voice their complaints they are listened to, and are sent replacement parts. More importantly Jetmoto is listening and making changes as the complaints come in. When a better part is found for the problem areas, any customer who ask's is sent the upgraded part. The front sprockets are one example. The jets are another. (Im pretty sure Honda doesnt send out jets to all the owners of CRX's that come from the factory jetted lean. I doubt Yamaha does it for all the WR's they sell either) The shocks and bearings that are failing will be the next. Jetmoto isnt running and hiding, or even better...changing their name and getting new stickers for the exact same quad they were selling last week. Jetmoto is here to stay and its owner, Eugene, is very serious about making "Honda quality at Jetmoto prices". Is he there yet? Nope. Has he quit trying? Nope. Are the current Jetmotos better than last years models? Yes. Not to mention being light years ahead of the very first Jetmoto's. I t

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: pimpsmurf

Of course they aren't close... in a lot of ways they are better. There are just a couple things to work out, and I'm sure the 08 models are going to be MUCH improved. Jetmoto makes constant improvements at the factory. They don't wait for a new production year to change things for the better (as was done with the rear springs at least 2 times so far this year.)

Do you own one? oh, no you don't.... hrms... go ride your quad. We really aren't interested in uninformed, mislead, biased misinformation here. At least, I'm not.

-JNY</end quote></div>

Well I have to side with billl2099 100% on this one. Everything he has stated is true. For pimpsmurf to say that he is uninformed, mislead, biased misinformation is silly. You guys post your problems and issues here in the forum and I have drawn the same exact conclusions as he did. Also the Jetmoto's are in no way better than a name brand quad period. If you think so then I have Ocean front property in Arizona for you.

I was a big Jetmoto supporter in the beginning, but now I would not recommend the 250 to my worst enemy. The quads have potential, but there is just not enough quality control and testing done with them before they are released. You guys are spending your money on R&D for Jetmoto, in turn Jetmoto/Raceway sends you free parts. Oh, and the parts they send you last just as long as the originals.

After reading all the posts, I must say the Jetmoto 250's did turn out to be another Chinese piece of CRA_, plain and simple. I knew they would have some issues, but there are just too many. The issues range from minor on up to issues that are major safety concerns that could be potentially harmful if not deadly to a rider.

Now if you think I am not informed, here is something for you. I met up with mywifesquad to take some video of his 250. The quad did not even make it an hour and a half before it was put out of commission. Yes it went through a tough ride, but it still should have made it back from the ride.

All I have to say is for those of you with the Jetmoto 250 just be careful on those POS. Do not make too many jumps or continually bottom out your quad. It will break.

Anyways good luck with those 250's.

Happy reparing.

Now where did I put that wrench? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

SB

 

I'm not saying Jetmoto is honda quality, BY FAR. I was talking about features...

Honda TRX250EX vs Jetmoto Sport 250:
Engine:
JM: oil-cooled 229cc
Honda: air-cooled 229cc

Suspension Travel Fr/Rr:
JM: 8"/9"
Honda: 5.9"/5.7"

Brakes:
JM: disks front and rear w/ stainless steel brakelines
Honda: rear drum, 2 front disks

Shaft/Chain is a toss up. Chains are easy to regear, but requires more maintainence. The JM Chain is garbage, so tack another $35 for a decent chain
Honda has less ground clearance, but bigger tires. Jetmoto has issues, which will be worked out over the next year. Look, I stand up for my Jetmoto, but I'm not a zombie... When I have problems I'm very vocal (sometimes too much so) and people who frequent here know this. Jetmotos require some simple assembly, an oil change, jetting and changing the sprockets which all together takes about 2-3 hours for someone without any idea what he is doing.

I agree that honda is a much better all around quad. Most definately. No one would argue that it isn't. What I'm saying is that Jetmoto has more than potential. It's got other flaws also. The welding looks like a 13 year old freshman built it in shop class. The rear hub is 70s technology and nothing besides a new sprocket and hub with a larger bolt pattern is going to fix that. Eugene tried to suggest that the sealed bearings in the rear axle carrier were to blame which is bullshit. The hub is too small, and the bolts aren't the right size for the sprocket. It will probably be fine with 3/8" grade 8 bolts, but larger rear sprockets are going to put even more presure on the bolts.

There are other problems too, which we have described, and if you don't want in on the ground floor here, go away. Jetmoto has a chance to do something no one else has, if they get an engineer in there who knows how to speak chinesse and knows better than the rookie BS stupidity that lead to the issues we have. All were avoidable if the manufacturer wasn't so hell bent on using cheap, commonly available parts anywhere they can (the grease zirk on the rear axle for instance.)

If you don't want a Jetmoto vs another quad, I don't blame you, but this was my only chance to get a quad this big before having kids. Plus I love it, dispite it's flaws.

-JNY