Tao Tao Roman 150cc Chinese Scooter Essential Upgrades
Before placing my order for a TaoTao Roman 150cc gasoline scooter from China, I did a lot of research. From what I found, the basic design of these inexpensive Chinese scooters is sound and the engines are reliable, but certain components are often made of inferior materials and are likely to fail. Most people who were fans of the scooters recommended replacing these ‘weak link’ parts immediately to avoid problems down the road.
After ordering the scooter, I placed an order for my upgrades. The parts to be replaced included the gear oil and engine oil, the spark plug, the fuel line, the inline fuel filter, and the vacuum line. It was also recommended to purchase some blue thread lock to help minimize parts vibrating loose during operation.
Here is a list of the parts I purchased:
- Pico 1/4″ ID Vacuum Line Tubing 4ft
- Helix Racing Products Colored Fuel Line – 1/4in. x 3/8in. 3ft
- NGKÂ CR7HIX Iridium IX Spark Plug
- Visu-Filter Slimline Compact Body Fuel Filter
- Penzoil Gear Oil 80W-90, 1Qt
- Loctite Threadlocker
- Pennzoil 20W-50 Motorcycle Motor Oil – 1 Quart
It was also recommended that I replace the valve stems on the wheels, but I they didn’t seem as urgent as replacing the engine components and fluids. So, I decided to wait on that for now. The battery is also on the upgrade list, but I want to take the included battery to the store to make sure any replacement fits the available space.
Beyond the replacement parts, I had a couple extra items I would need for this scooter to be an effective car replacement. I needed to replace my briefcase with a sturdy backpack, and purchase a DOT certified helmet to protect my delicate skull.
Here are the options I chose (the helmet is an excellent color match for the scooter.):
All told, I spent about $150 on these upgrades and gear. My total investment is just slightly over $1000 at this point. I’ll need to add a chain and lock to this list before I’m done, but I wanted to get the scooter assembled first to determine the best solution for security.
In a few days I’ll be assembling the scooter and prepping it for the first ride. I can hardly wait.
Andrew, please contact me. I am about to purchase a Tao Tao Roman 150 and want your feedback on quality. I am also 6″ tall with long arms. Is this a good scoot for me?
Steve Flannery
From San Antonio Texas
Andrew, please post a follow up to this review. I just purchased a blue TaoTao Scooter!!!
: )
Mine is blue.
Steve
Steve,
I’ve been happy with the overall quality of my scooter. It’s not a precision engineered machine, but it’s fun to ride and has worked very reliably for me.
I’m 5’9″ and have no issues with the proportions of the scooter. I don’t think you’ll have any significant issues with the dimensions of the scooter.
Andrew
Congratulations on your new scooter!
I have been driving mine steadily now for over a year and a half. It is my primary transportation to work every day. I drive when it is warm, when it’s cold, when it’s sunny, and when it’s rainy. Fortunately, I have not had to deal with snow. My commute is very short, but the hills around my neighborhood are pretty steep so it gets a bit of a workout.
So far the scooter has performed extremely well. I am using the factory supplied battery (most people recommend replacing it) and it starts up without issue every day. The scooter gets wet pretty frequently, and it has developed a bit of surface rust in spots – the chrome exhaust cover shows the rust worst. A little Rustoleum paint on the metal parts keeps the rust in check.
I haven’t had to do much upkeep beyond the initial oil change and basic upgrades. The front brake pads are in need of changing, but that’s about it.
I’ve wiped out a couple times and had to replace a broken fender. The first time was pilot error and the second was an unexpectedly slippery patch of pavement during a rain storm (it was a steep hill leading to s stop sign and the second I touched the brakes it lost traction.)
My experience so far is very positive. The scooter is fun to drive and I get lots of smiles when folks see me go by. The young kids in my neighborhood love it. I have gotten more than my money’s worth from my scooter when you factor in the low cost of insurance and tiny fuel bills (I use premium gas per the user manual.)
Enjoy your new ride!
Andrew
Hi Andrew, I just purchased the exact same model of taotao scooter (Roman 150cc) and I’m having trouble changing the gear oil. Did you also run into trouble changing this? I believe I found the filler plug but can’t seem to remove it. Thanks.
Were u buy ur upgrades parts andrew??
I ordered off Amazon. I probably could have found them locally if I called a cycle shop.
There were two separate plugs, a larger on bottom toward the front and a second smaller one in the back. They both opened without much effort on my scooter. I drained the oil mostly from the lower plug opening and refilled it using the upper opening.