Partsforscooters.com May 2010 Newsletter

May 6th, 2010

Product Review: CFMoto Glory 150

CFMoto Glory 150cc This spring Partsforscooters.com teamed up with Sargents Motorsports from Portland, Oregon to do some product reviews on the 2010 CFMoto scooter line-up. We've heard good things from our customers about the models this year, so we had to find out for ourselves. The first bike we tested is the CFMoto Glory 150.

For anyone who doesn't know much about them, here's a quick rundown. Zhejiang CFMOTO Power Co., Ltd is part of ChunFeng Holding Group. Founded in 1989, ChunFeng (CF for short) started as a little parts company who decided to start building CB125cc engines around 1996. They built their first CN250, liquid-cooled Honda clone engine in 1997 and started manufacturing scooters and motorcycles shortly after. They experienced quick growth from 2003-2007 due in part to the popular V3/V5 motorcycles and manufacturing a solid OEM engine line. CFMoto has been rapidly expanding their vehicle selection with their sites set on quality products at an affordable price. They're definitely a contender in our highly competitive industry and poised to be one of the top Asian brands emerging from China. 2010 should be a defining year for all manufacturers and it should be interesting to see how CFMoto keeps moving forward.

The CFMoto Glory has many features that one would not expect from a scooter at this price point. The MSRP is $2,699.95 with a limited 2 year warranty that also includes labor. It's powered by a liquid-cooled, Ducati fuel-injected 152cc four-stroke engine that runs stock at almost 11 horsepower: (While in Taizhou, China this summer and visiting various manufacturers, I noticed they were referring to this engine as a "GY7"). The transmission is automatic CVT and the scooter weighs in at 330 pounds with a seat height of 30 inches. A hydraulic telescopic fork covers the front suspension while dual shocks handle the rear. The front tire is a 100/80-14 and the rear tire is a 110/80-14. It has both front and rear disc brakes and the fuel tank holds just over 2 gallons.

Overall, the scooter has a contemporary design and the handle switches and controls are well placed. A couple of issues I had were the mirrors and turn signal control. The turn signal cancel button was positioned further out than the turn signal switches which was a bit clumsy to use. The mirrors are just plain cheap. I like adjustable mirrors, but that shouldn't include constant adjusting and that's what you'll do with the stock set. The fuel cap is lockable and is located on the upper left side of the leg-shield. To me the placement is familiar and easy to use. In Oregon you don't pump your own gas (it's actually illegal to), so pulling up and letting the attendant fill it hassle free is great. Some like the fuel cap under the seat, but I like the external placement. Only two states don't allow citizens to pump their own gas, so for Oregonians and New Jerseyans it could be a big plus by having it that accessible!

CFMoto Glory 150 The dashboard is digital and easy to read with the speed displayed in the center. The fuel gauge, turn signals, headlights and odometer are within the display cluster. A clock is included at the bottom of the instrument display.

Storage isn't so great and the seat bucket is small in comparison to the scooter. It can't hold a 3/4 helmet and you'd think there would be more room considering the fuel cap placement. The Glory does not include a trunk standard issue, but it does offer a solid rear rack. Adding a quality after-market trunk such as a Coocase top case may be a better bet for customers. Considering the mirrors I think CFMoto made a great choice by not including a cheap trunk on the Glory.

The Ride

The scooter started easily and only needed a couple minutes warming up. I took off from Sargents and immediately noticed the power. It was more than I expected and ohhh so nice. The acceleration was excellent and up to par with other scooters in its class. I have a standard route to follow when doing testing. There are some hills, a few rough patches, a long straight away with a speed stretch and a series of stops. I like to put 'em through their paces so to speak.

Having good tires on a scooter makes a noticeable difference with handling. The diameter and width of these tires works well with this scooter and the cornering is fantastic! The Glory is the most stable 150cc I’ve ridden and is in fact better than many higher priced machines. During my ride I managed to hit a pretty nice pothole while making a tight left hand turn. The wince I made in anticipation of the thud was more dramatic than the impact. This same corner usually unsettles other scooters, but the Glory made it happen. It's definitely comparable to larger wheeled bikes in terms of its handling characteristics.

CFMoto Glory 150 There is no exaggeration with the top speed on this scooter. I hit 65 m.p.h easily. I have heard some complaints about the accuracy of the Glory's speedo, but it felt fast enough to me.

Overall the ride on the Glory is smooth and stable with a responsive power train. The seat is wide and has a nice shape that will easily hold a passenger comfortably (for a little while at least). Although the seat is fairly low and the wheels are larger, a tall rider should have ample leg room. The only thing keeping the Glory away from rivaling the likes of Yamaha, Suzuki or Honda is the fit and finish of the bike. They just can't seem to get that polished look that comes from the big guys. The plastic panels on the Glory do feel slightly brittle and the paint had some factory blemishes, but we can tell there is an effort being made to better their plastics and finish processes. Practice makes perfect ...right?

A liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 150cc engine is the perfect set-up for everyday riders or anyone looking to upgrade from a 50cc. The price and quality of this machine is a serious value for your scooter-buying dollar. Fuel-injection is the standard now and this scooter delivers that and features not normally seen on comparable scooters. If you're looking for more features and solid performance at a good price then the CFMoto Glory is the way to go. It's the type of scooter that makes me want to keep riding scooters.

Interview: Steve Patmont, President of Patmont Motor Werks

We had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Steve Patmont, the inventor of Goped brand scooters and originator of stand-up gas scooters.

Patmont Motor Werks has been manufacturing scooters since 1985. Their strong dedication to innovation, customer service and dealer support has helped their growth. Throughout the past decade GoPed has had as much success as they have had challenges. The surge of Chinese gas and electric scooters was one of the toughest they've had to face. They've seen companies such as Bladez, Mosquito and others come and go while staying true to their heritage.

Please tell us about your business and a little about how you got started.
When I started our business, I had just finished up a career in aviation with several major air carriers such as TWA and American. In the early to late 70's I also helped pioneer the first hang gliders and early ultra light aircraft. In 1985 I was working as a Process Engineer for a memory disc manufacturer in Silicon Valley during the day. On those weekends and evenings I prototyped the first folding portable transportation device now known as the GoPed in my Pleasanton, CA garage with my wife Hannelore and two young sons Gabriel and Timothy. That was the beginning of Patmont Motor Werks. I patented what I could with the first scooter idea, and trade marked the brand "GoPed". In 1989 I had to quit the day job to keep up with the exponential sales growth rate. 25 years later, my family has worked hard together ever since.

You must have a lot, but is there a good early story about your business that stands out in your mind?
In 1994 the U.S. Small Business Administration awarded us the "Small Business Exporter Of The Year" award, as about 50% of our production was being exported all around the world.
In 1998 we were greatly honored by the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. as they requested to preserve that first prototype and original patent and trade mark documents.

As a leader in the motorized scooter industry, what's your take on where it's headed in the future?
Ever since my first thrill of experiencing how such a small, portable, yet efficient personal motorized transportation device can lift the feeling of freedom to the human spirit, I knew these would one day be a very important form of alternative transportation when the conditions and
"state of the art" inevitably will eventually agree.
I strongly believe the future is still quite bright for folding motorized scooters while conditions for their use as transportation products are continuing to improve.

Who within your business, other than someone in management, best exemplifies your business and can you give an example of that behavior?
I'm most encouraged by the many loyal dealers that have stuck with us for so many years: Sam at Myron's, Dale and Dave at DDM, all the guys at Urban Scooters, Larry at Myer, just to name only a few. There's many many more. Their unending belief in our products and service to their customers are a very important reason why we still exist.

Is there a customer experience you are most proud of?
During the GoPed racing craze years, it would bring tears to my eyes to see the many incredible and exciting experiences that so many kids and families were having around that little idea that came out of our family garage.

Did you see an affect on your business from the economy?
Through the 90's Patmont Motor Werks and others in this new industry had an amazing experience of explosive growth. That was due to novelty and the early adopter craze. Actual transportation purposes didn't really yet catch on. For very many reasons, the last several years have had a significant down turn and many competitors were not equipped to survive. Needless to say, it's been tough for Patmont Motor Werks as well, but the reduced competition, low dollar value that opens up a vast international market place, and a continually evolving and improving product line has us very well positioned and optimistic for the future of this still fledgling industry.

Do you have social web spaces you utilize to promote your company?
Yes, GoPed has its own Facebook and Twitter sites. I love picking up friends on my "Steve Patmont" Facebook site. The cool place for GoPed enthusiasts is the very successful and the industry's longest running www.gopednation.com, and there's just too many Youtube fun and instructional videos to mention.

Do you do any charity or non-profit work?
Yes, my wife and I feel it's very important to give back for the many incredible blessings our family and business has had and continues to receive. We help with the American Red Cross, National Arbor Day Foundation, a Christian orphanage in Kenya, and village water wells in West Africa as a sample (until now anonymously doh!).

What do you see as potential challenges you'll face in 2010 and what are some of the greatest challenges in your business?
Our greatest challenge is to continue to provide new, useful, and profitable products in a very challenging economic climate presently hostile to American small businesses, especially the American manufacturer.

What is an interesting story about a customer interaction you had?
There are very many, but the most recent may be the most interesting. We're presently in negotiation with a very big Chinese customer to supply our "High Quality American Brand" to the developed Chinese market that's now growing hungry for such items. Even though the U.S. market was opened to China in 2000, China has required 167% duties on American made products such as ours into China.
Wish us luck, but more importantly thanks for your prayers!

Please tell us about all of the new products you have.
Our Lithium-ion powered electric ESRex, Hoverboard, and I Ped scooters are really starting to take hold with the commuters and city dwellers, my earliest dream for these devices. Check out the three cool videos on our front page at www.goped.com

We're most proud of our just released "ProPed" and "ProQuad" ultra clean LEHR propane powered 4 stroke GoPed scooter and GoQuad pocket kart. The 25.4cc LEHR propane engine has recently received many awards including the EPA's "2009 Clean Product Award", Popular Mechanics 2009 Product of the Year award, and endorsements from California Air Resources board (CARB). Finally, a California legal internal combustion powered portable transportation device.

Other new products include the "Trevair Chair" manual wheel chair 7.5" suspension for which we have just received FDA medical device approval. Videos of that product in action can be found on Youtube.

Though not available, you might enjoy checking out the "Shocker" Lithium-ion powered Tri Sport (street, dirt, freestyle) motorcycle that Gabe and I've been working on. Go to Youtube and type in "shocker testing"!

A big thank you to Steve for sharing his insight and experiences with us. GoPed is a true legacy and the Patmonts have been pioneers and supporters of the industry that they helped create. We can't wait to see what they come up with next.

New Products

Slipstreamer Universal Mount Windshields

We have 3 new styles of Slipstreamer Handle Bar Mount Windshields in stock and ready to ship! Choose from our CF-30, CF-40 and CF-50 models.

Slipstreamer Universal handle bar-mount windshields have a scientifically designed wind-flip top edge. The wind-flip creates a wind stream that carries rain, dirt and bugs out and over the rider's head. They are manufactured with 3/16" thick, transparent acrylic and anodized aluminum hardware, easily adjustable for height, position and shield angle.

Company News

Partsforscooters.com sponsored the First Annual 2010 Twist and Gone Scooter Drag races! The T&G is a Heads Up 1/8 mile drag race held in southern Indiana. The races were on May 1st, 2010 at the Brown County Drag way. Our one and only Kate Celestian competed in the 100cc Open class. Kate has been with the company for 4 years now and we were excited for her to race and cheered her on! We're glad to have organizations such as Twist & Gone promote the sport of scooter racing within the U.S.!

You can check out the results and other stories from the races on our blog.

Interesting Facts

*56,093 motorcycle thefts were reported in the U.S. in 2009, a 13% drop from the 64,492 thefts in 2008.

*The top five motorcycle brands stolen in 2009 were: Honda (13,688); Yamaha (11,148); Suzuki (9,154); Kawasaki (5,911); Harley-Davidson (3,529). These 5 brands totaled 43,430 thefts, which is 77.4% of the total number of motorcycles stolen in 2009.

*The top five states with the most motorcycle theft in 2009 were: California (6,273); Texas (5,526); Florida (5,009); North Carolina (3,045); and Georgia (2,067). These five states accounted for 21,920 thefts or 39% of the total.

*The time of year was a factor also, with the most thefts reported in July (6,319); August (6,079); and June (5,672). The fewest number of thefts were reported in December (2,927); February (3,100); and January (3,570).

*76% of scooter and motorcycles are stolen from their owner's house.

*The typical rate of recovery for stolen bikes is 25-30%.

These are good statistics to share with customers. Bike theft is a serious problem and only comes to mind when it happens. Be proactive in your approach with selling theft deterrents and be sure to stock plenty of locks and anti-theft devices such as our Master Lock Disc Brake Lock in your showroom.