How good or bad are Tao Tao?

sbcwinn · 05-15-2013, 03:56 PM

I was thinking of purchasing a second scooter for my kids. TOMOS Canada seems to be now distributing TaoTao scooters They call the model the TOMOS Magic. Its not on their website but it is at my dealer. See here... (if you look closely the scoot says TaoTao in the pic)

http://www.zonemotos.com/catalog/ite...25/9830763.htm

Now here is my question. I have heard that TaoTao scoots have sealed carbs. The carbs run too lean which causes the engine to run hot and burns the rings.

True or not true?

I trust TOMOS to keep a generous parts inventory which is why I am interested in sticking withn them. I feel that my Nitro 50 rides too rough for me to buy another one.

What is the ride quality like on the Tao Tao? I believe that the Magic is really a TaoTao CY-50T3.

Notice the price? I checked the same model in the USA is $799. God beless America!

**inuyasha** · 05-15-2013, 04:28 PM

Hi
Its a crap shoot with Tao Tao, some are of excellent quality some not
If your not a wrencher imho i would look at other brands
And yes a lot of them do come with small jets making them run very lean and sealed carbs
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

millsc · 05-15-2013, 04:28 PM

carbs are sealed yes, but the tao t3 magic is a nice scoot and rides great, i never keep the stock carb i always replace it

ventoman · 05-15-2013, 06:00 PM

I have tao t3 with over 14000 kms on it. keep maintenance up on it and it will do just fine. I like my Vento better tho.

cookees · 05-15-2013, 10:18 PM

Haven't tried their scooters, but have been less than impressed with the quality of their atv's. They are a drop-shippers wet dream.

prodigit · 05-17-2013, 02:42 AM

I've had good luck with all my taotao's.
It seems the 2012 batches and up are doing great!

So far, I've got 4,xxxk KM (~3+k miles) on my ATM, and the only thing I've really had was a pinched tire (slowly leaking, I'm just pumping air every week or two), and blinkers stopped working due to a 2 day heavy downpour.

My EVO150 hasn't had any issues yet, I only have a good 600 miles on it though.
It came with problems in the beginning, but they could have been avoided if I had done the PDI more thoroughly.

Generally speaking, on every TaoTao I've owned, I had to gap the spark plug, reset all fuel and vacuum hose clips, and tighten/double nut the exhaust bolts.
They all act like champs, and are much easier to work on, than my BMS tbx 260

**inuyasha** · 10-18-2013, 04:33 PM

Hi
My new E21 is of excellent quality and runs great

Tao Tao E21 001 by inuyasha50, on Flickr
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

prodigit · 10-19-2013, 01:39 AM

The EVO150 I had came with 2x25W HID headlights, which seemed to burn the headlight switch. If you have 2x25W HID's in your scoot, change it to 1x35W, or 2x20W or something. Those light switches will burn at 50W.

skuttadawg · 11-09-2013, 12:17 AM

I had a TaoTao it was a POS and I hated it . I was used to Honda quality and it was no where even close . I would NEVER buy another TaoTao unless I got a super deal on a used one to be a project . Since your in Canada I would get a CPI GTR which is not only better made , it has 17 inch wheels , a more sporty 2T ( 2 stroke ) engine which is LC ( liquid cooled ) where most are AC ( air cooled ) . Plus it is one the most sporty looking models that looks more like a motorcycle than a traditional Vespa style . Here is a a link http://www.cpiscooter.com/Accueil%20E.html

05-15-2013, 04:28 PM	#2
inuyasha Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Haven CT Posts: 1,165	Hi Its a crap shoot with Tao Tao, some are of excellent quality some not If your not a wrencher imho i would look at other brands And yes a lot of them do come with small jets making them run very lean and sealed carbs Take care and ride safely Yours Hank __________________ "4wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul" Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. Douglas MacArthur Last edited by inuyasha; 05-15-2013 at 06:16 PM.
	0

05-17-2013, 02:42 AM	#6
prodigit Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 389	I've had good luck with all my taotao's. It seems the 2012 batches and up are doing great! So far, I've got 4,xxxk KM (~3+k miles) on my ATM, and the only thing I've really had was a pinched tire (slowly leaking, I'm just pumping air every week or two), and blinkers stopped working due to a 2 day heavy downpour. My EVO150 hasn't had any issues yet, I only have a good 600 miles on it though. It came with problems in the beginning, but they could have been avoided if I had done the PDI more thoroughly. Generally speaking, on every TaoTao I've owned, I had to gap the spark plug, reset all fuel and vacuum hose clips, and tighten/double nut the exhaust bolts. They all act like champs, and are much easier to work on, than my BMS tbx 260 __________________
	0

10-18-2013, 04:33 PM	#7
inuyasha Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Haven CT Posts: 1,165	Hi My new E21 is of excellent quality and runs great Tao Tao E21 001 by inuyasha50, on Flickr Take care and ride safely Yours Hank __________________ "4wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul" Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. Douglas MacArthur
	0

10-19-2013, 01:39 AM	#8
prodigit Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 389	The EVO150 I had came with 2x25W HID headlights, which seemed to burn the headlight switch. If you have 2x25W HID's in your scoot, change it to 1x35W, or 2x20W or something. Those light switches will burn at 50W. __________________
	0

05-15-2013, 06:00 PM	#4
ventoman Join Date: May 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 56	I have tao t3 with over 14000 kms on it. keep maintenance up on it and it will do just fine. I like my Vento better tho.
	0

11-09-2013, 12:17 AM	#9
skuttadawg Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 127	I had a TaoTao it was a POS and I hated it . I was used to Honda quality and it was no where even close . I would NEVER buy another TaoTao unless I got a super deal on a used one to be a project . Since your in Canada I would get a CPI GTR which is not only better made , it has 17 inch wheels , a more sporty 2T ( 2 stroke ) engine which is LC ( liquid cooled ) where most are AC ( air cooled ) . Plus it is one the most sporty looking models that looks more like a motorcycle than a traditional Vespa style . Here is a a link http://www.cpiscooter.com/Accueil%20E.html
	0