E-ton Matrix R4-150 Scooter Review

by Paul Afek
(Tucson, AZ)

Riding in the rain

I needed a scooter that could easily go 45-55 MPH for my commute to work. I looked at a number of scooters, and bought the E-ton Matrix 150 scooter. I have been riding it now for 5 months, and it is great!

It has lots of power (150 cc engine), and will easily go 55-60 MPH, yet I am averaging around 75 MPG. It has front and rear hydraulic disk brakes which are excellent. It feels very solid and easily maneuverable, and is very comfortable to ride- I have a ten mile commute each way, and have been riding rain or shine.

It has a decent amount of under-seat storage- you can get a full-face helmet in, but not with much else. It is a little finicky to start in cold weather- it has a manual choke, but I have gotten the hang of it now, and have no problems with it.

Reliability has been great so far- no problems after just over 1000 miles. This scooter has more leg room (I am 6'2"), yet was quite a bit cheaper than some comparable models, and I highly recommend it!

-->

Comments for
E-ton Matrix R4-150 Scooter Review

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 12, 2011
Rating

re: now getting 89.2 MPG NEW
by: Anonymous

you remind me of a friend of mine who bought a first generation Prius- he would do everything to get the maximum gas milage- like slowly coasting half a block to a red light with everyone angry and honking behind him! My Matrix also has around 4000 miles, and the last time I checked I was getting around 76 MPG. Your idea for shutting of the engine sounds good (drivers routinely do this in Europe, and my old Prius does this on its own), but I hope you don't wear out the starting motor early, which would cost a lot more than the gas! I hope the work situation improves soon.
Paul

Aug 12, 2011
Rating

Now Getting 89.2 MPG NEW
by: Tim K

I've recently experienced significant increases in my MPG on my Matrix R4-150 scooter.

First let me say, I'm an economy freak when it comes to gasoline. I hate buying the stuff. I hate paying for it. I hate the war's it causes, the pollution it causes, the funding of foreign governments, everything. I drove a Honda CRX-HF (50 mpg) for 8 years (really nice when gas was $1.50 a gallon).

My Matrix has over 4,000 miles on it. It is badly in need of oil change and general servicing, but I'm between jobs at the moment and so that will have to wait.

When I bought the bike at Ride-Now Chandler, Az. the sale person told me to put premium gasoline in it - which I've always have done.

When I first got the bike it seemed like I got 82mpg. Later on it seemed like I got as low as 75 mpg.

For the last two months, I've used only Shell's highest octane fuel. My gas mileage seemed to improve right away, but I couldn't prove it.

In the mean time, I've read all about the Honda PCX 125. This is, in my mind, THE premium scooter, but it also cost twice as much as my Eton. But that bike gets 110mpg. However, it also has a stop/start feature (which it doesn't include on the PCXs that Honda sells in the U.S.).

The stop start feature automatically turns the engine off when the bike is stationary for 3 seconds. As soon as you accelerate, the engine immediately comes alive.

I noticed that my Matrix starts with just the slightest touch of a button. So I thought, why can't I just do the same thing on my own? A sort of manual "start/stop" function.

When I get to a light, especially one that just turned yellow, I hit the kill switch. As soon as the engine dies, I put the kill switch back on. I hold the break lever down, and I hold my thumb over the start switch. As soon as the light changes, or is about the change, I tap the start switch, the bike fire's right up and I'm on my way.

I also cheat in other ways. When I come into my subdivision, it's a down hill coast for 4/10ths of a mile, so I turn the engine off then too.

Jan 13, 2011
Rating

Progressive NEW
by: Paul

I decided to check out Progressive's rates on-line- they do have 3 types of policies. Two of them are cheaper, but don't give much coverage, and I don't think even meet the minimum standard for Arizona. (such as not having uninsured motorist coverage) The policy equivalent to the one I have from GEICO is $339, which is slightly cheaper, but not a huge difference. I guess the rate would therefore depend on how much insurance you want.

Jan 13, 2011
Rating

Insurance NEW
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the advice!

Jan 11, 2011
Rating

Check Progressive NEW
by: Kathi, Site Owner

For my Genuine Buddy 125cc scooter in Idaho, I pay under $100/year for insurance from Progressive. Geico didn't come anywhere near as cheap when I got a quote back in 2007.

Jan 09, 2011
Rating

insurance NEW
by: Paul

I have my scooter insured through GEICO for $364 a year. I'm sure the rate also depends on age, driving record, location, etc. I would shop around quite a bit.

Jan 09, 2011
Rating

Insurance NEW
by: Anonymous

Question...
Who is your insurer? I have heard scooters cost around $100 a year to insure, but I just got a quote from statefarm for about $75 a month!! Pretty steep in my book. For some reason not many insurance reviews online for motos/scooters...

Any advice?

Nov 23, 2010
Rating

Improving Seat Latch Function NEW
by: Tim Kane

I was having trouble shutting my seat, and increasingly, opening my seat, for stowing my helmet and fueling up on gas.

A friend of mine looked at the latch and suggested it was too tight. He applied some sewing machine oil to the latch and now it works fantastically... perfectly. I'm quite happy.

So if you are having problems with your seat latch, try putting some lubricant on it.

Jun 09, 2010
Rating

luggage box for Matrix NEW
by: Anonymous

I bought the detachable one since I store my scooter in a bike shed which is not long enough for the scooter and the luggage box. This way I detach the box when I put the scooter away. The box is not too bad, a little on the cheap side for what it cost, but it works well. The Matrix deluxe box looks nicer, and has lights that can be connected to the scooter electrical system. It is gresat to have the extra storage room!
Paul

Jun 09, 2010
Rating

Question for Paul on Detachable Rear Container NEW
by: Tim Kane

There appear to be three options for rear containers for the Matrix. The delux detachable, a middle grade one specifically designed to integrate with the Matrix and an economy model.

Did you look at all three? Is the delux a better value than the middle grade ones? Would you get the delux one again? Is the detachable functionality of value? Does it work well, or do you foresee a problem with detaching?

Please respond to this, even if it is a long time after I post. I am on the road right now and won't get to my bike until early September.

Thanks in advance.

-->

May 19, 2010
Rating

I concur - but I found the manual lacking NEW
by: Tim Kane

I've put 1000 miles on mine. My experience has been the same as everyone else's here.

I'm 6' 2" as well. I weigh over 240lbs. The thing goes over 60mph and I got about 80 mpg. It is a great ride.

On the down side it uses a carburetor instead of fuel injection and it doesn't have a glove box up front. I know, I know, consider the price. On the upside it has both front and back disc brakes. The suspension is fantastic. I quickly learned I didn't have to worry about riding over bumps. The machine rides great.

It is a model of utility and functional efficiency. You just twist and go. It couldn't be easier. Motorcycles have more cultural cache, but motorcyclists envy the storage capabilities of a scooter: both under the seat and on the back. If you have additional storage needs I suppose you can get a scoot boot (http://www.scootboot.com/). When the weather is good there is just nothing more fun to ride.

My understanding is that Honda perfected the engines and overall architecture for scooters in the late sixties and early seventies - and basically most every scooter engine/drive train is a clone of Honda's basic architecture. As a result, fairly decent quality is fairly ubiquitous amongst most manufacturers who have any amount of good will invested in their brand name. Certainly this scooter so far appears to be solid.

My big complaint is in the documentation that came with the bike. It was almost worthless. The oil change information listed three different kinds of oil. The pounds per square inch they call for in the manual for changing the oil was way too high. These are basic things they should get correct. It renders the whole manual as untrustworthy.

Documentation aside, the machine itself is as sound as a pound. It is hard to imagine paying less and getting more. It is easy to imagine paying more and getting much less. What a deal!

May 09, 2010
Rating

E-ton Matrix 150 NEW
by: Paul

LOL, no the sale was completely legal- they still have the promotion going in Tucson.

It is a great deal!

May 09, 2010
Rating

WOW!!!! NEW
by: Jim Zeiser

$1500, Did you buy it out the back door?? This is the MSPRs for Eton scooters according to their web site:

http://www.etonamerica.com/s150.html

You saved about $900. I was basing my statement on MSRP where a Zuma is $3100 and a Matrix undercuts it by $700. Heck I'd buy two Matrixes for the price of one Zuma. You got one heck of a deal.

May 08, 2010
Rating

the "Rodney Dangerfield" of scooters NEW
by: Paul

it does seem to me that the E-ton scooters are the Rodney Dangerfield of the scooter world, as they don't get no respect! E-ton is actually a well-known Taiwanese company (the parent company is Jai-Ee)that makes ATV's, scooters, and parts for many brands of cars.

I bought mine at Ride Now in Tucson for $1500 new, which was 2.5 times less than a 125 cc Zuma. The E-ton has more leg/knee room, has better brakes, is more powerful and faster, and according to the dealer's mechanics, just as reliable as the Yamahas, Suzukis and Hondas they sell.

It has nice features such as both a center stand and a kick stand, excellent headlights, and larger size wheels than many scooters in its class.

It is also important to have a dealer nearby who will do all the servicing and repairs- I did pay for an extended warranty just in case. I also just bought a detachable rear luggage box, which was on the expensive side for a fairly cheap plastic box, but which fits well, and can be removed when I put the scooter in my community bike shed. (the shed isn't long enough for the scooter with the box).

At 1200 miles with no problems, I would say that this scooter deserves a lot more recognition than it gets, especially for the price!

May 05, 2010
Rating

Right You Are NEW
by: Jim Zeiser

This little known scooter has all the specs and is built for speed. Plus it's built in Taiwan and its MSRP is less than a Chinese built Yamaha Vino or Zuma which are only 125s and not as fast. You're right about what a great scooter it is and, while its parent company is more interested in selling ATVs, hopefully one day they'll get with the program and start pushing their scooter line.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Reviews - Other Scooter Brands

When you're done here, you may also be interested in reading some of these popular pages:

If you like to talk scooters, check out our motor scooter forums!

A battery tender like the Battery Tender Jr. can make all the difference in whether your scooter will start right up each spring, after being stored for months.

Just about every scooter owner needs to have a battery tender, sometimes called a trickle charger. Unless you are lucky enough to live in a climate where you can ride all year long, chances are your scooter will be put on ice, figuratively-speaking, for at least a couple months every winter.

One of the key steps in winterizing a scooter is to protect your battery from draining during its "rest" period. This can – and will – happen if you leave your battery sitting untended in your cold scooter over the winter, even if it's in a garage or shed.

Read our review or go right to Amazon.com to buy this highly recommended Battery Tender Jr NOW...

Go to Motor Scooters Guide home page

Search This Site:

Subscribe To This Site

Advertise on this Site
Advertising Disclosure

Attention!

I'm Back!

Yes, I have been noticeably absent from the site the past few months. I recently lost my mother to a long battle with COPD and was subsequently plagued with a bunch of minor health problems. But I'm better now & back full swing.

I had to delete over a hundred questions that had been submitted, some because they were too old for answers to still be valuable and many because they were written in text speak, which I don't accept on the site. PLEASE... use proper capitalization & punctuation, so I can publish your question/review, etc. without editing. Thanks! :)

Wondering why your scooter question never got posted?

Chances are, there is a good reason. Did you...

If you "checked yes" on any of the points above, then I've deleted your post. Sorry, but I have standards. Feel free to re-submit, following the instructions I have everywhere on the site.

Also... all submissions have to be reviewed by me, and that can take a few days sometimes. Comments go live without approval, but still take 30 to 60 minutes to show up, so don't repost them, please.

This Week's Highlights

Your Help Needed!

We have lots of unanswered questions... can you help? Also, check out our newest eScooter Club members We are growing every week!

Keep Up to Date

Help Us Grow

Review your scoot!

Ask/answer a question

Share your adventure!

Support This Site

I support this site by using affiliate marketing and running Google ads. I earn a small commission when you purchase items here, which helps to keep the site afloat. Thank you for your support.

Please, help this site continue running by donating $5.00

Click to buy parts for scooters made in Asia and China

Browse the gorgeous scooter jackets at GoGo Gear!

Turn your hobby into $$$

-->

Subscribe To This Site

E-ton Matrix R4-150 Scooter Review