New purchase questions -2006 Roketa 200cc DB-06

[Landsvw]

Originally Posted by Mudflap

Knowing that the Beta was a combo trials/enduro/street bike explains the Roketa's unusual features. Short travel suspension, reversable foot pegs, large diameter forks, extra tough swing arm, low seat height, straightish handlebars, super low gearing, etc.. Wonder if anyone has used one of these as a trials bike?

Do you think the Beta frame is/was actually made in China by any chance? And that they came from same factory? Mine came from the Chongqing Shineray factory.

I'm also curious if the Beta Alp rear shock would work on the Chinese version, with actual bearings in the swing arms and etc although that might get really expensive to buy, since it's Italian...

I really want a Beta Alp now, lol! Although I guess technically I have one. 😊😊😊

[Mudflap]

It's interesting that more than one Chinese company makes such a strange little bike, Shineray and Zongshen, maybe more. My guess is that Beta had most of the Alp 200 parts made in China except the engine, shipped the parts to Italy, then assembled the bike with a Suzuki engine. Just a guess.

I prefer rubber bushings over needle bearings on the rear suspension of a light bike. Cleaner, smoother, maintenance free. The Beta parts would probably bolt right on but may not be any better. A trials bike needs a tough, short travel suspension.

The light weight, low center of gravity, and short travel suspension work very well on the road. One of the most flickable bikes I've ridden.

Originally Posted by Landsvw

Do you think the Beta frame is/was actually made in China by any chance? And that they came from same factory? Mine came from the Chongqing Shineray factory.

I'm also curious if the Beta Alp rear shock would work on the Chinese version, with actual bearings in the swing arms and etc although that might get really expensive to buy, since it's Italian...

I really want a Beta Alp now, lol! Although I guess technically I have one. 😊😊😊

[Landsvw]

Ok here's another weird thing about my bike. The first part of the VIN is A1Z.

This returns a country of origin as South Africa. Lol! Can't find anything about it being China's. Haha! So weird!

[Landsvw]

In fact, after some Google research, I came up with this, which isn't anything near my bikes vin.



Also, manufacturing plant code is S, which I haven't found a link to either.

[Landsvw]

I did find that ZA is Italy. Coincidence ? So, a Beta Alp would have ZA etc. but my Beta clone has A1Z.
If I literally translate the first 2 digits I have a South African Chevrolet. Hmmmm... I'm thinking they just made up a vin and never really paid attention to the US standard.

[Mudflap]

The VIN on mine starts with 5RYE5 which comes up as Roketa made in the US. It had never been registered when I bought it a couple years ago so I called the Oregon DMV to make sure I could get plates. Good enough for the Oregon DMV.

My 07 Lifan starts with LF3YCM which indicates made in China. In 08 or 09 the EPA fined Lifan for falsifying emissions data which caused them to stop selling in the US. Neither of these bikes had catalytic converters or exhaust air injection.

Is your engine a 167FML?

[Landsvw]

Mine starts with A1ZRD. Engine is 167FML. And mine did have air injection and a catalytic converter which I have since removed. And is also cleanly registered in Oregon.

Really nice scooter vin site, but of course,
mine isn't listed. http://2strokebuzz.com/scooter-vins

And then, I found this...



Don't know if it's true, but could be an explanation for my weird vin.

So, the possibility exists that Shineray Co did not make the bike, but possibly even a Beta factory in Asia. Who knows!

[Landsvw]

This is the exact bike too... But it's a 2006 Kinlon JL125

[Mudflap]

Whoever made these bikes, they're not bad. Better fit and finish than my Lifan 200 and probably just as reliable, although mine will never get as much use. Riding it, if I don't look down, reminds me of my 74 Vespa 200. Riding position, weight, power, handling are all similar. It would be fun to put sticky street tires on it to see what it would do on mountain roads.

Are you going to put the tank plastic back in place or leave it off?

[Landsvw]

Originally Posted by Mudflap

Whoever made these bikes, they're not bad. Better fit and finish than my Lifan 200 and probably just as reliable, although mine will never get as much use. Riding it, if I don't look down, reminds me of my 74 Vespa 200. Riding position, weight, power, handling are all similar. It would be fun to put sticky street tires on it to see what it would do on mountain roads.

Are you going to put the tank plastic back in place or leave it off?

I couldn't find a thing about a Beta factory in China, but I'll bet there is one and that at least some of these parts are coming from there. Heck, maybe even frames that don't pass final inspection or whatever.

The bike reminds me of my old TC125. Low center of gravity and just a pleasant all around ride. My XRL scares me sometimes in the back woods because of its height and weight.

As far as the plastic goes, the left side was shattered so I won't be putting it back on. I have the right side if anyone needs it. Free except for shipping costs. I'm in Oregon. Near Roseburg.

And, since I teach school in winter, I'm available for any dual sport adventures if anyone is in the area during the summer. I have one mapped out logging road ride I'd like to do, which ends up in Brookings, from Canyonville, going through Agness.

[Landsvw]

Here's another great wmi list, but of course, mine isn't on it...

https://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/bulletins...t_09262013.htm

[Landsvw]

Here's a good link for Roketa info.

ftp://safercar.gov/MfrMail/01-022-N11B-10815.pdf

[Landsvw]

I wrote a Facebook message to a Chinese bike company. Here's the conversation I got...



So, now I know where my bike was made! Still have no idea about the crazy vin, but am not gonna pursue.

[Landsvw]

Evidently it may be a DB-05, and they are still selling them?

[Landsvw]

My rear suspension had no dampening action. Spring only. Boing boing boing, down the trail. I may try later to graft an xr100 shock to it, but for now, here is what I did. I noticed that it has a detached reservoir. I figured it wouldn't hurt to pull it apart. When I did I noticed it was oily inside, but it was actually completely empty. I filled it with tranny fluid, reassembled with the piston all the way back, and installed it. Wow, 100% different and better. Dampening has returned and is functioning correctly. Probably has leaks, but this will work for a time. And, I know how to refill it.