I've done something terrible....bought a Chinese moped......!!!

Hi Guys,

In a moment of weakness I bought a used 2012 Directbikes DB50QT-11 Sports (ha ha ha ha) Scooter with 1400km on the clock.

Looking at it from a short distance away and all looks good, close up and things start looking a bit iffy once on it and started its a bit 'oh dear'.
It might be just mine but I wanted to get your opinion & advice on it.

BAD BITS So far...
1. Front brake disc looks like only half of the pad width is wearing (contacting) the disc - as the outer 25mm of the disc only about half of that is shiny.

2. It seems it needs to be started and left to 'warm up' for 3-5 minutes - if you start it and try to ride it you don't get anywhere, even with very gentle throttle the revs go up then stop then it sounds like its going to cut out. Don't even think of revving it - just stalls.

3. Just idling in traffic the revs vary and it seems like if there is an inclide this affects the idle speed and it has cut out on me a couple of times waiting in traffic. Same on the centre stand, if you lean it forwards the revs change when it is leaning on the back wheel.

4. The throttle grip seems to have a couple of spots where it feels like it is catching on something and you can actually turn the throttle FORWARDS from the stop position.

5. The control pods on the handlebars have play in them - rotate round a bit at various times.

6. The ride is like being on a jelly - wobbly and going over speed humps is bouncy! The shock absorber looks like it has come off a radio controlled car!

6. No speed or acceleration - when you give it throttle it sends you an appointment for next week when it will be doing 30mph. Moving off happens in stages, 0-5, 5-10, it gets to 15, then 20 to 25, after about 30 seconds 30. After about a minute the speedo points to 40 as long as the road is flat. Going downhill it goes to 45. I've already had 2 bouts of road rage from women drivers behind me on 40mph roads and my reputation as a biker is in tatters.

I wasn't expecting the earth but if the Chinese supposedly copy western goods/cars then they are even getting that wrong.

Its about 12 years since I had my first moped - Suzuki Katana 50cc but that was a rocket compared to this.

I understand these Chinese 50cc 4 stroke scooters may be restricted - carb/cdi/variator.

So I have removed the bolt from under the carb vacuum cylinder cover so the vacuum piston can now slide all the way up.

BUT this doesn't seem to have made much difference - so I will look into the CDI/variator restrictions.

My commute is currently 2 miles so a 50cc is fine but its on 40mph roads and involves roundabouts and my town is full of crap in a rush to nowhere drivers - so being able to have a bit of acceleration is required probably more so than outright top speed.

Does anyone have experience of Chinese 4 stroke scooters and derestricting them?

Is there anything else I need to check 'at this stage' to improve the idle/acceleration?

Is there anything I can check/tweak to improve the handling and reduce the wobbliness?

Any ideas on the front brake disc not wearing in fully before I take it apart?

Thanks,

Mark. (missing his Piaggio 125 :-( )