Hellcat a good choice?

Bigmd · 02-25-2019, 02:21 PM

Hey guys new to the site. Been researching bikes lately. I have a 79 Kawasaki KZ650 that’s in perpetual project mode . I’ve been looking for something else to cruise for fun and came across the TaoTao hellcat. For the price it’s very appealing . I was also looking at the CSC SG250 but for some reason the Hellcat keeps pulling me back. Would it be a good choice ? I’m not into speed and just want to cruise a bit and I love modifying things. I’m sure my buddies will bust my chops as they have full size bikes . Any info is appreciated.

chuck · 02-25-2019, 03:03 PM

The most fun you can have going 40 mph,no lie.Have 2 larger bikes but the little one get used the most around town.

Bigmd · 02-25-2019, 04:28 PM

Excellent thank you sir.

RedCrowRides · 02-25-2019, 08:43 PM

I think you will have to look long and hard to find more fun for your money than a Hellcat. The Chinese Grom clones are very affordable and respond super well to modifications, plus they are a plain blast to play around on.

I find myself riding my VADER ( same as a HellCat) twice as often as i do my Sportster because it's just so much less work to get on and go .

wlfpck · 02-26-2019, 10:53 AM

No real big difference between the Taotao hellcat, boom vader, and icebear fuerza.

Check out the Icebear Fuerza too if you're still shopping around. Comes with a longer rear swingarm than the hellcat, vader, grom.

cbrfxr67 · 02-26-2019, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

The most fun you can have going 40 mph,no lie.Have 2 larger bikes but the little one get used the most around town.

this^^^ I have other bikes and definitely ride my vader the most

Bigmd · 02-26-2019, 07:34 PM

Thanks for all the input. Leaning towards the Hellcat . Been reading about the necessary upgrades and have them all on my eBay watch list, haha.

wheelbender6 · 02-26-2019, 07:46 PM

Unless you are a tall fella, the Hellcat should do fine. Taller guys would be happier with the Kymco Spade 150.

Bigmd · 02-26-2019, 07:52 PM

Is 5’09” tall ? Lol

RedCrowRides · 02-27-2019, 05:48 AM

I'm an even 6 feet tall, my Vader is the Gen 2 that has a slightly lower seat height than the Gen 1 -

I "fit" on the bike just fine ,but I will say that when i changed the bars out , i did stick some 1" risers under there ,and later i switched to a Grom Gen 1 seat which is a lot "flatter" which allowed me to slide back more than the "locked in " hump style Vader seat did.These 2 things taken together gave me plenty of room to be comfy whether
cruising or stunting ,at 5 foot 9 you probably wouldn't need to do any of it but swapping the bars is worth looking at solely because the stock bars really have a "blah" bend and look ,you can find some Renthal ctyle bars on Ebay that are $30 instead of the 70$ real Renthals are that will work just find, in your choice of anodized colors.

scoot newb · 03-07-2019, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

The most fun you can have going 40 mph,no lie.Have 2 larger bikes but the little one get used the most around town.

Does it really top out at 40?

Whisky · 03-07-2019, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoot newb

Does it really top out at 40?

No. I can hit 65 going down hill with a 40mph wind at my back.

scoot newb · 03-08-2019, 12:57 AM

For real though, with your pipe, carb, and 17t front sprocket it can't cruise at 45mph on level ground?

I like that pipe I wonder if it will bolt right on to a Hellcat.

RedCrowRides · 03-08-2019, 09:11 AM

45mph cruising with or without pipe, carb, sprocket change is completely doable. BTW, you will be amazed at how significant the increase in power is with these bikes as they break in, even without mods. Mine was okay at 10 miles on the odometer but by the time i hit 300 , and then 500, it REALLY picked up ,especially on top end speeds, that is a recurring observation in threads here . With pipe/filter carb /sprocket changes 50-55mph cruising is doable with absolute top end being 62-65 mph .
Speeds well beyond that are doable with the Zs190 engine swap ,partly due to the increase in CC's, and partly due to the Zs190 has a 5 speed tranny vs the stock 125's 4 speed box.

scoot newb · 03-09-2019, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedCrowRides

With pipe/filter carb /sprocket changes 50-55mph cruising is doable with absolute top end being 62-65 mph .

This is where I'd like it to be at.

Mine should be here Friday. I was set to order the front sprocket, carb, air filter and pipe before it even shipped but after reading a bit I found reports newer Hellcats come with a 16t front sprocket and a larger 25mm carb but I can't confirm.

Do you know which pipe is a direct fit? I've seen a couple I liked but they required some fab work I won't be able to do.

02-25-2019, 02:21 PM	#1
Bigmd Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 4	Hellcat a good choice? Hey guys new to the site. Been researching bikes lately. I have a 79 Kawasaki KZ650 that’s in perpetual project mode . I’ve been looking for something else to cruise for fun and came across the TaoTao hellcat. For the price it’s very appealing . I was also looking at the CSC SG250 but for some reason the Hellcat keeps pulling me back. Would it be a good choice ? I’m not into speed and just want to cruise a bit and I love modifying things. I’m sure my buddies will bust my chops as they have full size bikes . Any info is appreciated.
	0

02-25-2019, 08:43 PM	#4
RedCrowRides Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida Posts: 759	I think you will have to look long and hard to find more fun for your money than a Hellcat. The Chinese Grom clones are very affordable and respond super well to modifications, plus they are a plain blast to play around on. I find myself riding my VADER ( same as a HellCat) twice as often as i do my Sportster because it's just so much less work to get on and go . __________________ 2001 Mustang GT 2004 Sportster 2018 VADER 2020 Orion RXB250L
	2

02-26-2019, 10:53 AM	#5
wlfpck Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 249	No real big difference between the Taotao hellcat, boom vader, and icebear fuerza. Check out the Icebear Fuerza too if you're still shopping around. Comes with a longer rear swingarm than the hellcat, vader, grom. __________________ 2020 Honda Grom 2017 Icebear Fuerza (Daix PMZ125-1) - Sold
	0

02-26-2019, 07:46 PM	#8
wheelbender6 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,902	Unless you are a tall fella, the Hellcat should do fine. Taller guys would be happier with the Kymco Spade 150. __________________ "Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride"
	0

02-27-2019, 05:48 AM	#10
RedCrowRides Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida Posts: 759	I'm an even 6 feet tall, my Vader is the Gen 2 that has a slightly lower seat height than the Gen 1 - I "fit" on the bike just fine ,but I will say that when i changed the bars out , i did stick some 1" risers under there ,and later i switched to a Grom Gen 1 seat which is a lot "flatter" which allowed me to slide back more than the "locked in " hump style Vader seat did.These 2 things taken together gave me plenty of room to be comfy whether cruising or stunting ,at 5 foot 9 you probably wouldn't need to do any of it but swapping the bars is worth looking at solely because the stock bars really have a "blah" bend and look ,you can find some Renthal ctyle bars on Ebay that are $30 instead of the 70$ real Renthals are that will work just find, in your choice of anodized colors. __________________ 2001 Mustang GT 2004 Sportster 2018 VADER 2020 Orion RXB250L
	1

02-25-2019, 03:03 PM	#2
chuck Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 436	The most fun you can have going 40 mph,no lie.Have 2 larger bikes but the little one get used the most around town.
	3

02-25-2019, 04:28 PM	#3
Bigmd Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 4	Excellent thank you sir.
	1

02-26-2019, 07:34 PM	#7
Bigmd Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 4	Thanks for all the input. Leaning towards the Hellcat . Been reading about the necessary upgrades and have them all on my eBay watch list, haha.
	0

02-26-2019, 07:52 PM	#9
Bigmd Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 4	Is 5’09” tall ? Lol
	1

03-08-2019, 12:57 AM	#13
scoot newb Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 403	For real though, with your pipe, carb, and 17t front sprocket it can't cruise at 45mph on level ground? I like that pipe I wonder if it will bolt right on to a Hellcat.
	1

03-08-2019, 09:11 AM	#14
RedCrowRides Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida Posts: 759	45mph cruising with or without pipe, carb, sprocket change is completely doable. BTW, you will be amazed at how significant the increase in power is with these bikes as they break in, even without mods. Mine was okay at 10 miles on the odometer but by the time i hit 300 , and then 500, it REALLY picked up ,especially on top end speeds, that is a recurring observation in threads here . With pipe/filter carb /sprocket changes 50-55mph cruising is doable with absolute top end being 62-65 mph . Speeds well beyond that are doable with the Zs190 engine swap ,partly due to the increase in CC's, and partly due to the Zs190 has a 5 speed tranny vs the stock 125's 4 speed box. __________________ 2001 Mustang GT 2004 Sportster 2018 VADER 2020 Orion RXB250L
	1