Looking at an 02 and an 03 Chetak - also considering others

Hi,

I am looking at some different options for scoots. I haver heard that the 02 and 03 chetaks have had vintage specific issues but they are so affordable and the mileage is awesome. I am considering both Bajaj, lightly used Stellas and vintage Vespas. The Bajaj looks like a great, reliable daily driver but since they are no longer produced I am concerned about the maintenance/ parts future. I want a bike that will last a long time (10 years min?), is reliable and can deliver decent to great mileage with 50 - 60 MPH capability for me and a passenger. I am not too concerned about mods but do want to have fun and get around safely. Anybody's thoughts are helpful.

P.S. I used to have a 2 stroke Aero 125. It was a blast but became too much $$ and effort to find parts to keep it around. I sold it as a parts bike.

Others here have far more experience than I do with different scoots, but we will all agree that you can't go wrong with a Bajaj. They are reliable, and are built like tanks, but will need some maintenance at various points and of varying degrees, as any vehicle does. They are more reliable than a vintage vespa, gas mileage is good, top speed is ok, satisfactory for most. Lots of folks have had concerns about parts availability, but so far that has not been an issue for most. Sometimes it might take a little time to get them, but they are available. There have also been several of our brethren in India who have said they can get any part we need, but again I think pretty much everyone has been able to get what they need from our US dealers.

You can't go wrong with a Bajaj. If I were buying another Bajaj as my main ride, I would look for a later model. The older models have been fine for folks, but it seems like they need just a few extra little things done if they haven't already been. Most of the issues specific to those models have been corrected by current owners, and there's lots of info here that would help you out.

That's my $0.02.

Cheers,
Bailey

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2005 Chetak

Go for the '03, it has most of the issues resolved before it was shipped.
my 2¢ Very Happy

(Bailey, you can get the "¢" symbol by holding [Alt] and pressing "0162")

¢ is Option 4 for those speaking MAC

There were a couple of vintage issues, but all are relatively minor and not guaranteed to afflict every bike. Something about the clutch basket ??, '02 axle upgraded in '03, and the "regulator/rectifier" issue on early scoots.

The reg/rect issue was a quality issue from the parts supplier. Matty and I both ride (or rode in his case Smile

) '02 and have not had issues. But an upgrade part is a $40 fix. The axle deal can be avoided with Loctite & proper torque on the rear hub nut, i.e. normal PM as with any clutch issues.

Yea, mine shot craps which I am documenting elsewhere [see Bajaj in a Basket], but having seen the inside I am quite impressed with the quality of the casting and internal components. The suspension and frame are tried and true. They are at least NOT knock-off-pieces-o-crap. The Bajaj company itself does make today lots of motorized stuff, LOTS.

So we may have 'parts issues' as the future unfolds, and I doubt that 10 or 20 years from now a scoot you purchase today will fetch $5K on Ebay. Rolling Eyes

In the meantime most folk ride the crap outta these things, pile up tons of low cost miles, and there's damned little plastic on these things.

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"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

	Quote:
	Bailey, you can get the "¢" symbol by holding [Alt] and pressing "0162"

or I could use 2/100ths of a dollar Wink

unless that is like totally 2005... I like to know that I can do ¢ too, thanks. Smile

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2005 Chetak

It's down to an 03 Chetak with 2000 miles and an 07 Stella with 700 miles. Both are about $2K. I know this is a Bajaj forum and I know that they are different bikes (2 cycle vs 4 cycle and them some) which one would you choose? Thanks.

The basic difference between the bikes will be performance, the Bajaj will have more torque and the Stella capable of more speed and potential engine mods. The stock tires on a Bajaj suck. Given you've provided no info on what your needs are other than what's posted it's difficult to say.

You can get good service on both in your area, and Tim at Columbia Scooters would probably give you straight-up advice on this issue. How much of your own maintenance do you want to do? Any 2T experience?

Have you ridden either one?

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"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

I worked on my Aero a little bit. Cleaned the carb, drained and changed the oil. I would have done more work but I lived in an apartment and didn't have a garage. I need a reliable, safe and relatively low maintenance daily driver with speeds of 50 - 60 mph. That's it. The stella appeals because I feel that I can work on it myself with the help of a good manual. I like the low emissions of the Bajaj. I haven't ridden either one. I need a beginner bike to get used to manual shifting with. I am leaning towards the Stella because I know working with 2 cycle is simpler than 4. Thanks for all your advice.

Well, if you can work on a 2T then you can work on a 4T.

I'd say it would boil down to ride each one before you make the call. See what the difference really feels like.

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"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

	Trim Lover wrote:
	It's down to an 03 Chetak with 2000 miles and an 07 Stella with 700 miles. Both are about $2K. I know this is a Bajaj forum and I know that they are different bikes (2 cycle vs 4 cycle and them some) which one would you choose? Thanks.

I'd buy both, and resell the Stella for $3000.

The best advice has been given.....ride both and decide then............at the end of the day it's up to you, they are both good scoots................the Chetak maybe a buck or two over priced...just my opinion.

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Keep the thing upright

	rufusswan wrote:
	Well, if you can work on a 2T then you can work on a 4T. I'd say it would boil down to ride each one before you make the call. See what the difference really feels like.

Really, 4T and 2T require the same level of effort to get into? I was under the impression 2T was much more basic mechanics than 4T. I will ride both and see how they feel. Thanks.

Trim Lover wrote:

	rufusswan wrote:
	Well, if you can work on a 2T then you can work on a 4T. I'd say it would boil down to ride each one before you make the call. See what the difference really feels like.

Really, 4T and 2T require the same level of effort to get into? I was under the impression 2T was much more basic mechanics than 4T. I will ride both and see how they feel. Thanks.

I don't think Rufus was saying that the each requires equal effort- I think he meant that if you can work on one you should be able to work on the other. 2t's do have less parts and are easier to work, but you work on them more because they inherently fail more often. As far as changing spark plugs and cleaning fuel systems and airfilters etc- that will be the same on either and actually need to be done a lot less on a 4t engine. Effort involved varies with each particular cycle. I have two 4t chetaks and one is much easier to tell what is amiss when it starts acting up and I can usually get it tuned and humming real quick. The other Chetak is always a pain in the ass mystery that takes three days to figure out what is screwy when it starts acting funny.

The golden advice Rufus gave was to ride each one. If you can do this it can make your decision a piece of cake. I have talked myself into a ton of shit looking on the internet and seeing pictures-reviews-discussions about products only to get them in my hands and think "who the hell would want this?" Everyone has preferences and hands on research is the best.

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It was just an innocent gas pump fight...who would know it could be dangerous?

Thanks everyone. I rode the Stella, it was hot off the line and I really liked the feel of it. It reminded me of the old Aero 2 stroke I used to ride. The Bajaj owner didn't pick up his phone. I talked the Stella seller down to $1800 and took it home. Can't wait to put a new pipe on it. I haven't given up on Bajaj, my girlfriend still needs a ride. Do you think when Stella releases their 4 stroke it will be the same engine as the Chetak? Thanks again.

You got a good deal on the Stella Very Happy

, ride safe and have fun.

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Keep the thing upright

	Trim Lover wrote:
	Do you think when Stella releases their 4 stroke it will be the same engine as the Chetak? Thanks again.

The stella 4 stroke engine will be a different engine than the Bajaj.

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It was just an innocent gas pump fight...who would know it could be dangerous?