Skywing 50cc

SailorSam

I'm not selling Ebikes, they just seem a good idea. I've been looking at them 'cos i'm worried i may need to give up the car, the push bike i've got at the moment seems heavy and hard work to me, but then i only go out on sunny days so i'm not much of a rider and the bike itself is probably rubbish i got it for less than £100 yrs ago from Makro.

pogofish

The_Mighty_Gusset wrote: »

The 'Skywing SW50F' was made by Jialing Industries, a large Chinese company, but the bike appears to be basically a 1980s Honda PA50 Camino.

It also looks very like the Puch Maxi.

Either way, yes - Avoid like the plague! :eek:

no_more_cards_for_me

SailorSam wrote: »

I'm not selling Ebikes, they just seem a good idea. I've been looking at them 'cos i'm worried i may need to give up the car, the push bike i've got at the moment seems heavy and hard work to me, but then i only go out on sunny days so i'm not much of a rider and the bike itself is probably rubbish i got it for less than £100 yrs ago from Makro.

Ebikes just seem to be a lot of money that could be better spent. About 4 months ago i started the 11 miles commute to work. The original idea was to drive so far then cycle the last bit. I eventually gave up on that because it was too much of a faff to get the bike off the car. 11 miles when I started was a long way, on a mountain bike with nobblies.

Now I've changed to slicks and can cycle up the hills that used to defeat me. if you think you exisitng bike is heavy then try an electric . My current bike weights about 32lbs, most electrics are the other side of 40lbs. The road bike i've just ordered via cycle to work is 19lbs.

Whilst the weight of the rider if obviously important, lighter bikes with good gears and brakes make cycling much easier. If you bought an ebike then once the fitness got a big better you would be cursing the extra gear.

Cheapest electric bike at Evans £794, that would buy a good mountain bike like a Rockhopper (good frame and light) or a road bike like an specialized allez. The road bike would be more comfortable, fun and lighter and more likely to tempt the rider out more often. Hills limit the range, the cheapest ebike on Evans has 2 reviews both commenting on the poor range at about 10 miles. A normal bike has infinite range

Personally I would avoid an ebike, maybe buy a decent mountain bike with slicks or better still a mid-range road bike. Cheapest Allez for example is £559. Go for a good name and servicing, quality etc.

[Deleted User]

You'd be better off getting a used Yamaha or Gilera 50cc bike than buying a cheap and nasty Chinese thing.

forgotmyname

Gilera runner 50cc, Derestricted from new by the dealer. 50+mph

Bit pricey but you do get what you pay for. Brother in law bought a cheaper bike
within 6 months it was in a right state, Bits of exhaust trim had dropped off, electrical problems
using lots of oil.

[Deleted User]

forgotmyname wrote: »

Gilera runner 50cc, Derestricted from new by the dealer. 50+mph

Bit pricey but you do get what you pay for. Brother in law bought a cheaper bike
within 6 months it was in a right state, Bits of exhaust trim had dropped off, electrical problems
using lots of oil.

I had a second hand derestricted Gilera Runner 50cc 7-8 year ago. Great bike for commuting across town to work.

It's still on the road according to the taxdisc.direct.gov.uk numberplate lookup site.

asbokid

The Skywing is probably no worse quality than the Honda Camino. Maybe the Skywing is just a rebadged Honda that was made in the same factory at the same time by the same staff. Or else the Chinese manufacturers bought the machine tools when the Honda plant ceased production. Much like the MG Rovers now being built by the Nanjing Automobile Corporation of China are identical to the vehicles that rolled out of the Longbridge plant in Birmingham.

The automotive press has a vested interest in ridiculing cheap Chinese imports. It does so on behalf of its main advertisers. Remember, newspapers and magazines derive 90% of their income from advertisers. Just 10% of their money comes from the cover price. And as with any business, you never bite the (biggest) hand that feeds you.

Times is hard. So bring on the Skywings!

At just US$230 for quite an attractive scooter, you could afford to buy a garage full of them, just to keep as spares!

Derivative

Seconding buying a good road bike or hybrid instead of a crap 50cc moped.

In fact, buying a 50 at all is daft unless you plan to derestrict it.
125's have pretty much the same fuel economy as a 50, but can do 60mph. Also can be ridden on L's.

For inner city though I really wouldn't give up on the bicycle. I've recently upgraded to a road bike from an argos monkey metal "bicycle" and the difference is night and day. On a smooth flat road you'll do 20mph without feeling it.

£500 for a decent bicycle sounds a lot, but keep in mind with the exception of a few bits and bobs like inner tubes, chain lube etc that's all you pay. None of this insurance, tax, petrol, gear malarkey (bicycle gear is generally a lot cheaper/less essential than motorcycle stuff).

hugoifyouwantto

thanks everyone who contributed I decided to stick with the push bike in the end if that matters probably avoids arguments with the wife anyway thanks

vtr2007

Hi there,
sorry this post is old I know but I have one of these is there anywhere or anything else I can get spares off for it as the engine is incomplete?