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How much do you pay for a "better" Chinese scooter?

I've owned both a "cheapo" (Longbo 150) and a "better" (Strada Eurojet rx150i) Chinese scooter as well as Honda, Yamaha, SYM, and CPI, around 10 or so total. Add about a dozen or so motorcycles on to that list and I do all my own maintenance and repairs, I hope that qualifies me for a meaningful opinion.

If you compare a "cheapo" $900 Chinese scooter to a $3500 Honda or Yamaha scooter in the 150cc size, I would rather spend the extra money, even though the price difference is quite large.

If you compare a a "better" $1300 - $1600 Chinese scooter to a $3500 Honda or Yamaha scooter, you could possibly justify the savings vs. the higher quality of the name brand Japanese. If you are adamant about maintenance and can repair it yourself, then indeed you can get some decent mileage out of a "better" Chinese scooter provided you don't ride it too hard (what some people call abuse, but you can ride your Honda or Yamaha like that all day long).

Or you could compare your "better Chinese scooter to a "budget" Taiwanese scooter? This is where the Chinese scooter loses it's credibility, at least for me.

$1800 for a Kymco Agility 125, $1899 drop shipped for a Tomos Nitro 150 (made by SYM), $1995 for a Lance 125 (made by SYM), or $2200 for Lance's 150cc models. There are some Eton 150cc (made in Taiwan) deals out there on new leftovers for $1500.

I am currently riding the made by SYM Tomos Nitro 150. Out of the crate it does an actual 65 mph on level ground bone stock. I tuned my variator with some Dr. Pulley sliders and turned the air/fuel screw 1/8 turn richer and went from a #108 main jet to a #110. Added a 55/60 watt halogen round headlight and put some Duro HF903 dual sport tires on it.

I challenge anybody with a "better" Chinese scooter to ride it like we ride the Tomos Nitro 150.

55mph+ all day long riding two up. Offroad through mountain ranges up to 9000 feet in elevation and to remote places were we've gone 50 miles without seeing another vehicle or human being.

One time we rode up a rocky switchback mountain pass that was so rough and steep we puttered up at 5-10 mph. Before we got to the top we could smell the clutch burning. Not only did we make it to the top, but all the way home without a single hiccup. I disassemble the CVT and the clutch pads were a little glazed and the clutch bell had turned blue from the heat. But it was still true and balanced and after lightly sanding the pads and lubing the sheave it still works perfectly. The extreme heat compromised the stock Bando belt and it broke a couple of hundred miles later, I replaced it with a genuine Gates powerlink for $24.

I changed the oil (dino 10w 40) every 500 miles when riding at highway speeds. I've checked the valves four times and adjusted them twice even though they were still in spec. We get 80 mpg riding the crap out of it, or as some would claim, abusing it. This is what a GY6 engine is made for, simple, rugged, durable and reliable.
With proper maintenance you shouldn't have to "take it easy".

5000 miles and counting, the Tomos Nitro 150 is still running like brand new.

My point? If you want a premium scooter that will run forever but don't want the premium price, buy a "budget" Taiwanese scooter. If people are willing to spend a little extra to get a "better" quality Chinese scooter, why not spend the same or a little extra to get an even better quality?

If anyone has any doubts about the bulletproof nature of the Tomos Nitro 150, just go to symforums.com.
I have documented many fabulous journeys with pics showing how to ride a GY6 scooter like it was really intended.