I just purchased the ATA-250D from VBike.us.
I've changed the oil and lock-tite'd every bolt on the unit. It starts fine but the problem I have is shifting. When the engine is cold it will shift through all gears, although with difficulty. After I run it for 30-60m I can shift to reverse and 1st gear and that is it.
If I bring the engine to a stop while in first gear and by hand shift the gears, I can feel it try to engage but 90% of the time it will not.
I've tried adjusting the clutch.
I fear the first poster is going to tell me the shift forks are screwed up.
Or have I over looked something more simple.
Can some one share some knowledge?

Best regards

Wildwoody

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Best Regards

Wildwoody

Edited: 05/09/2008 at 06:32 AM by Wildwoody

I would say if it was not a simple clutch adjusting problem I would contact Vbike and see how they want to warranty it. It sounds as if it may be something quite bad with the tranny you my not want to dig into. This is what warrantees are for!

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UPDATE. I'm rather disappointed with vbike despite all the posts I've found stating otherwise.
I video'd the problem for anyone interested.
Basically there's a problem with the transmission. It will shift to 1st gear neutral and reverse. No 2nd 3rd or 4th.
Tim at vbikes first solution is that I just crack open the case.....yeah right like that is going to happen.....I'm a network engineer....kinda reminds of that commercial with the guy on the phone to the surgeon who's going to walk him through surgery on himself over the phone.
Second solution; I pull the engine and ship it back....OK I can do that but I'm going to have to ship it back......freight ain't cheap. An with this kind of problem I real skeptical of any replacement I get....someone else problem they shipped of to me....

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Best Regards

Wildwoody

Wildwoody,
I have the same Taotao 250 D atv and have had no problems with it shifting, maybe you just got a bad one. What is the engine model number under the shifter, mine is 171FMM. Replacement engines cost about $450 for the 250 D so I would work with Vbike and just ship it back if he is willing to replace the engine for free minus the freight.

Slydog

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Taotao 250 D ATV

i know what the warranty states,but since this quad is new v-bike should issure a call tag for the atv and have it picked up at their expence and replace it at no cost. i know for a fact racewayatv would, we purchased a sunl 90 from raceway nov 05, the frame broke in haft 04/06, we called raceway, all they said in put it on a pallet and they're have it picked up, within 3 days later a truck came and got it, a week and a haft later we had a new 110. with no out of pocket expence on our part. Wildwooddy should not have to remove the engine nor should he hafta pay to ship back a defective engine.

honestly.....Tim is making me nervous. I fear if I send the engine or quad back at this point I'm going to end up getting stiffed.
Bums me out.....vbike has a lot of really reviews out here, that is why I bought from them.

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Best Regards

Wildwoody

I fully agree Wildwoody should not have to pay to ship it back, but does Vbike offer a warranty in writing that is legally binding ? I have never dealt with Vbike but they are basically a Taotao dealer that re-badge's their products Vbike. Raceway from what I have read is one of the rare few that actually stands behind their warranty on these chinese ATV's and most just use it as marketing to get the sale. If Vbike doesn't help you I would contact Taotao directly and see if they can help since they are the manufacturer of your ATV. Best of luck.......

http://www.taotao.us/index.htm

Slydog

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Taotao 250 D ATV

it would be completly differant if the quad was 3 or more months old, but since the quad is brand new it's not wildwoody reponsibilty to fix the factory screw up, what he needs to do is if he paid by credit card he needs to dispute the charges, and call v-bike up and demand they pick up the quad.

Latest update. I've contacted TaoTao directly and VBike again.
Before forewarned VBike will tell you they will do anything should there be any problems when you buy something from them but they won't do anything reasonable after you've bought it.
Basic fraud and misrepresentation if you ask me.
TaoTao had me speak with a woman who spoke less than a lick of the queens english and said she'd tell me exactly how to take the engine apart to fix it. Stay tuned for that adventure.
It seem to me I bought an ATV to ride not repair.
Are there any attorneys in Dallas that hang out here?

If anyone has the private email or phone number to the TaoTao USA president please forward that on.

Keep you all posted!!!

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Best Regards

Wildwoody

the video of the problem. Its a 20mb quicktime mov so you've been forewarned.

click me click me

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Best Regards

Wildwoody

Vbike's warranty as stated on their website................


WARRANTY:

WE GUARANTEE OUR PRODUCTS FROM DEFECTS WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU RECEIVE YOUR ITEM. WARRANTY IS ON PARTS EXCHANGE BASIS ONLY. VBIKE.US WILL SERVICE YOUR VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO ADDITIONAL COSTS. HOWEVER, IT IS BUYER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SHIP OR BRING IN YOUR VEHICLE TO OUR FACILITY FOR WARRANTY SERVICE(S). ANY OUTSIDE REPAIR, LABOR CHARGES, DOWN TIME, TOWING, OR SHIPPING CHARGES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WARRANTY PERIOD STARTS FROM THE DATE YOU RECEIVE YOUR VEHICLE. WARRANTY COVERS FACTORY DEFECTS AND DEFAULTS ONLY. WE DO NOT COVER MISUSE OR BROKEN PARTS CAUSED BY THE USER OR BY ANY OTHER EVENT. HOWEVER, IT IS BUYER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SHIP OR BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE TO OUR FACILITY FOR WARRANTY SERVICE(S).

TO FILE A WARRANTY CLAIM, PLEASE LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITE VBIKE.US AND SEND US A WARRANTY CLAIM VIA E-MAIL. DEFECTIVE WARRANTY PART(S) AMY BE ASKED TO BE EXCHANGED FOR NEW REPLACEMENT PART(S). NEW REPLACEMENT PART(S) UNDER WARRANTY WILL BE SHIPPED TO YOU AT NO ADDITIONAL COSTS. PLEASE RETURN YOUR DEFECTIVE PART IN ORDER FOR US TO SHIP OUT YOUR REPLACEMENT PART(S) AND GUARANTEE WE SHIP YOU THE RIGHT PART.



REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE SHIPPED WITHOUT CHARGE, BUT IT IS CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PHYSICALLY INSTALL THE REPLACEMENT PARTS OR BRING YOUR VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE.

LIMITED PARTS WARRANTY DETAILS:

WARRANTY IS EFFECTIVE ONLY IF:

(1) THE PRODUCT IS COMPLETELY AND CORRECTLY ASSEMBLED BY A CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE OR MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN.
(2) THE PRODUCT IS USED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSES.
(3) THE PRODUCT RECEIVES ALL NECESSARY MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS.

RETURN POLICY: NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED.


REFUND POLICY: ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUND OR RETURNS.



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Taotao 250 D ATV

Classic "if it aint in the contact it aint in the contact" right?

Well here's where the issues get real gray.

picture this hearing broken English

Tim says to me (and any number of other persons who've bought from him) "I tell you is simple to put ATV together, is no problem, I tell you exectly how to do it, anyone can do it; it easy, you don't need a mechanic"
Tim also says "VBike the best. If you have problem then you call and I fix it, that easy, no problem. I have many customer happy my service"

This is where CLASS ACTION becomes reality. How many persons bought from VBike and heard these same lines or similar lines?

"WE GUARANTEE OUR PRODUCTS FROM DEFECTS WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU RECEIVE YOUR ITEM."
This is not part of the warranty this is a GUARANTEE. In many states this is separate from a warranty.
This guarantee both verbally and written expressly implies my product will be free from defects when I recieve the item.

I'd like to invite any one else who purchased a product from VBike to reply with what Tim said to you.

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Best Regards

Wildwoody

For the price of these bikes including freight sometimes there is going to be a defect.Unfortuatly we have to be prepared to be able to do our own repairs and warrenty work. Thats why we buy thru the internet and save hundreds.Tim has been a good dealer for me and srveral others in this forum as well as another forum I am a member of wich is primarily a duel sport site.
It sucks that on a brand new bike the transmission is no good I would be bumed.
If Tim was to raise his prices by five or six hundred dollars then I could see a different situation as far as a bike replacement.
I'm sure Tim will replace your motor wich is what is clearly stated in his warranty.If he dosn't live up to the warranty agreement then I will be in your corner.

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Vbike 250-V4s
Roketa ATV-56A 150cc

Edited: 05/09/2008 at 01:25 PM by kczukiman

Tim hasn't done me wrong, I also would be irritated that the tranny didn't work. I know Tim will honor his word and ship you a replacement engine.
I needed a replacement part and he shipped it really fast.

Hi Kman, hope all is well.

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Vbike 250 V4S (Red, black trim)
TaoTao ATA-150B Utility (Red)

Hi Colorado,Everything is going great thanks for asking.Hope all is well with you!

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Vbike 250-V4s
Roketa ATV-56A 150cc

Alrighty update. Apparently Tim does read these forums

Late last week he conceded to send me an engine cross ship so I don't have to wait on it to arrive and so I can have something to package the defective engine for return.
I'm waiting impatiently for it to arrive.
In the mean time I've picked up the 13 tooth gear and an aftermarket 428 chain. I'm lucky enough to have IronPony right out my back door. The chain only cost me $7!!
Also picked up an NGKSEA-9 plug while I was at it.
I figure I'll throw all that in with the new engine.
Meanwhile I got some 1st gear riding in out in the muddy fields with the boy.

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Best Regards

Wildwoody

Wildwoody,

Glad to hear Tim is sending you an engine and that things are working out. You will really like the 13 tooth front sprocket as it makes the Taotao 250D have more low end power and torque while putting the higher gears in a more useable RPM. Best of luck and keep us updated how your new engine and return process goes with Vbike.

Slydog

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Taotao 250 D ATV

Good to hear your getting things worked out Wildwoody.I have delt with Tim on a few occasions and its been nothing but positive.He is basically a one man opperation and seems a little overwelmed at times but he has always seems to take care of his customers.Keep us posted on your endevers.

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Vbike 250-V4s
Roketa ATV-56A 150cc