Prodigy 150cc Scooter Review

by Nina Saini
(Richmond, VA)

I am not too happy with this Prodigy scooter, and I'm starting to think that you get what you pay for. An amazing $789 for a 150cc, 16 inch wheels. Nice looking. $239 for shipping.

I have owned it 2 mos and put on 45 miles. I am afraid to get on to the big roads so ride it in my neighborhood. When it arrived, it did not start properly and eventually the battery died. The brakes didn't work.

I had to get it repaired from Apollo scooters in Houston TX for $300. Now it runs, but stalls at almost every stop sign. I am so disappointed. It has carburetor issues and I am going to get a motorcycle mechanic to look at it.

I am so disgusted with Happy Scooters in California.

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Prodigy 150cc Scooter Review

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Dec 03, 2011
Rating

Great Scooter but parts are hard to find
by: Beetle Scooter

It's a great scooter but the parts are hard to find. For instance, I broken the right break lever and some of the dealers who sell the Prodigy scooter can't find the part for it.

So beware.

Nov 18, 2011
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I like my prodigy scooter now :)
by: NINA

it took a while but I got my bike tweaked and tuned..... its riding well now and I used it to commute to work (8 mile roundtrip) I have got it gong as fast as 60 mph.
I had to have the battery area modified. These Chinese bikes have acid batteries that are designed to lay on their side. This is not right and can be dangerous because acid can leak... and thus the battery can lose its connnectivity. A friend of mind made adjustments and remodelled the foot floor area so that the battery stands up vertically.
I am wondering of anyone else has had problems with their battery laying sideways>?

Nov 18, 2011
Rating

nice bike
by: gregory aiken

Very happy with mine. had it going on 12 months only problem ive had was the casing that holds the light,speedomiter etc, broke off the frame of the bike and I had to strap it down with 'click' strips. Ive put 5000 miles on it and it 'cranks up still on a dime'SATISFIED CUSTOMER

Oct 25, 2011
Rating

Agree with Jim
by: Chakra

I own a Baja 50cc scoot and worked on three other Chinese scoots following scootdawg's forum's PDI guideline http://x1scooters.com/pdi.html on prepping the scoot out of the box. Chinese scoots should only be bought by someone who is willing to give up some free time, willing to get their hands dirty, and have some wrenches to turn. What you save in money upfront you will need to pay for with time, but if you spend that time in the beginning and eliminate the small stuff then it becomes like any other bike and you're simply doing maintenance.

I've put about 5k miles on my scoot since I did the PDI and the only things I did was optional services like going with a kevlar belt and better tires after the PDI. On one of my friend's 150cc scoot, a Roketa I had to adjust her valves since it was dying at intersections and it came from the factory clamped down too tight and out of tolerance. My friends don't put as much mileage on theirs as I did mine but the seem to be responsible and most people don't know what they're getting into when they buy these. These bikes aren't simply pay and drive, it doesn't have the polish of a local dealer's scoot lineup with mad customers coming back in front of new customers with visible complaints, and have to realize that labor is usually the first thing compromised on any item of discounted value.

Jun 27, 2011
Rating

Do Your Research
by: Scooter Rider

If you value your money in buying any scooter (or any product for that matter) do your research.

Since you had your heart set on going online to buy a scooter you should have stopped by scooter dealers in your area and asked questions about the vehicles. Heck, you can go on YOUTUBE where there is a treasure trove of information on scooter maintenance, tips and troubleshooting.

The original poster problem is that there were no PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) which means the owner did not go over the scooter with a fine tooth comb and did things like tighten the screws, drain both the gear and motor oil, put high octane gas in the tank and/or use gas additive, check all the lights to name a few.

If you are not willing to turn a wrench you should have bought it from a dealer.

Apr 14, 2011
Rating

Thanks for Providing Some Balance...
by: Kathi, Site Owner

Thanks to the previous poster, the dealer, who gave such detail on how buying a Prodigy scooter can be a good choice, as long as you know what you are getting into.

Your comments reinforce what Jim Z. has said over and over throughout this site. Having a local dealer/mechanic or being able to do the work yourself is ESSENTIAL. Chinese scooters can be a great deal, if you understand how to take care of them.

Thanks again for your detailed comments.

Apr 13, 2011
Rating

PRODIGY REVIEW
by: CAMPUS SCOOTERS

I am a Longbo Dealer and have sold numerous Prodigy models. The main thing about these bikes buy them from a local dealer. Bikes bought online are never dealer prepped and adjusted correctly. I have over 13000 miles on my Prodigy. No major mechanical issues, just routine maintenance.

Buy local! I hardly ever see our local sales in for service, versus the online shipped bikes calling because a bolt is loose or the carburetor need adjusted. The Prodigy is a wonderful product but you do have to have them prepped and assembled by someone with some motorcycle experience.

They will not start right out of the box. It takes time for the gas to get to the carb and fill the bowl. Most batteries will run down. Remove seat, prime carb by sucking on vacuum line or prefilling carb and it should start.

Online sales are totally different from local sales. A local price for a Prodigy will be $1500-1800. An internet price will be $900-$1000. You are saving the dealer prep and not paying for the expertise of the local shop. Dealers do have to make a profit, pay labor, lights and overhead.

Online sales average a profit of $80-$200 per bike. You will get very little if any service. I am located in Missouri and it is hard to service anything in New Jersey. If you are not capable of changing a spark plug, adjusting a carburetor, bleeding brakes, and changing oil I would highly suggest to not buy online.

If you are mechanically inclined, it is a great opportunity to save some money and get a really good bargain. Brand is irrelevant. Very few bikes (no matter the brand) run perfectly out of the box.

The Prodigy is a great bike for the money. The appearance is very similar to the Honda 150si. It will do 70mph ad get 75-85mpg. The 16" wheels make it handle great and it is a very good bike for taller riders over 6'. The Honda is $4299.

Scooters are supposed to be affordable transportation. The Prodigy has been just that. My two year cost is: bike cost $1500, 2 tires, $150, battery $50, CDI $15, 4 fuel filters $20. 13 oil changes ad 6 gear oil changes $130, 5 spark plugs $10, coil wire $15, brake pads $30, throttle cable $20. Total two year cost and maintenance $1940.

That is an ownership cost only 15 cents per mile. Are they as good as a Honda? Probably not, but a good alternative. I would rather take by family to Disney World with the extra $3000 saved... Jonway is another really good product for the money. Hope this helps.

Apr 04, 2011
Rating

Valves
by: Jim Zeiser

If it's stalling at stops it's either time to check the valve clearances or the connection at the CDI unit. Or the CDI unit is going bad, it happens. Don't go ballistic. They're cheap. I got one for $15, shipped, from a parts place.

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Prodigy 150cc Scooter Review