02-25-2019, 02:21 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 4
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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.
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02-25-2019, 08:43 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 759
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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 .
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2001 Mustang GT 2004 Sportster 2018 VADER 2020 Orion RXB250L |
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02-26-2019, 10:53 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 249
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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. |
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02-26-2019, 04:12 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: HOuston
Posts: 357
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this^^^ I have other bikes and definitely ride my vader the most
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BD125-15 |
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02-26-2019, 07:46 PM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Houston area
Posts: 1,902
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Unless you are a tall fella, the Hellcat should do fine. Taller guys would be happier with the Kymco Spade 150.
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"Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride" |
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02-27-2019, 05:48 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 759
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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.
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2001 Mustang GT 2004 Sportster 2018 VADER 2020 Orion RXB250L |
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03-07-2019, 08:35 AM | #11 |
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 403
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Does it really top out at 40?
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03-07-2019, 05:55 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 286
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No. I can hit 65 going down hill with a 40mph wind at my back.
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2018 BD125-8-x21rs ZS190/Genuine PE28 Kepspeed GP1 Exhaust Protaper se x110 bars/grips 1/4 MotionPro throttle Kepspeed Braced swingarm Chimera rear hub assy Grom Intergrated tail light Superlite Sprockets 17/32 custom made from Japan Chimera Swing Arm Bolt RK MXZ Chain #420 All Balls wheel bearings Motodynamic fender eliminator Coremoto ss brake lines Composimo 2.5 lower link Grom Calipers-w/ebc pads/rotors Michelin tire 140&120 13x4/13x7 fatties Grom forks |
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03-08-2019, 09:11 AM | #14 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 759
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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.
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2001 Mustang GT 2004 Sportster 2018 VADER 2020 Orion RXB250L |
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03-09-2019, 03:39 AM | #15 | |
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 403
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Quote:
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. |
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