Please help determining model of this scooter!

[DrizzGA]

Hello everyone!

I recently purchased a used scooter and I am not completely sure of its actual make or model (I am 99% sure it is a Vento scooter). The company listed as a manufacturer on the title is "Baldwin Powersports".. but some with some research I found out this company is no longer in business and has no residual customer support.

I am desperately trying to determine the model of this vehicle so I can buy the correct repair parts for it... however, without knowing the actual model this is quite difficult.

Does anyone know of a good way to determine this information? Here is what I have so far:

1. A manual from "Baldwin Powersports" indicating to request replacement parts from their now-shutdown parts department. There is a small caption in this manual that clarifies: either parts from authorized Baldwin Powersports or Vento dealers.

2. The VIN number begins with "LAE"- I researched this (http://2strokebuzz.com/scooter-vins) a bit and found that some Vento models are constructed with a VIN number prefix of "LAE".

3. The model is either 2006 or 2005. The date of manufacture was 7-2005. The manufacturer title states it is model 2006. The 10th digit of the VIN number is "5" which would indicate it is a 2005 model (this caused some confusing getting insurance).

4. There is a large decal which reads "R5" on both sides of the body. This would somewhat line up with other Vento models.

5. The engine is a Qingqi GY6 clone.

6. The most unique feature of this scooter is that the mirrors are mounted to the front side panel, which is slightly unusual.


Here are some pictures of the scooter:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mcallisterdu/ScooterModel?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RLZT8ktGMD1Uz_gdqHuDvQ?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4GP0E4MBueMhIiItXc9pnQ?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Mx6Em8VglKP0LxO4tpU8gA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pXWeFYAFVetbTlwz5Jv5qQ?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZYxuO-9xd9q2fmWEvJPPUw?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BNrMD8w8tBlZHQONf2zlkA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yB6KMyGzrauZ47H6STETHw?feat=directlink



Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[fakinventobrah]

It's not a Vento. It's a 2005 Wildfire R5, made in China. Also marketed as 'Adventure'

[lhumpolick]

He's right the disturber/importer is in Ohio www.wildfiremotors.com They Are The worst people to deal with .I purchace a new 2008 150d from them Last year and now it's in my lawyer hands. attorney general was no help (saftey Issue Cased a major accdent)
You can Find parts all over the place on e-bay or you can check Craig's list for a Donner scoot. That's how i found my 1005 vento 150 phantom with 394 miles for $400 bucks
Good luck

Larry

[DrizzGA]

Many thanks for the help on this! Finally after weeks of scouring the net I am making some progress! :)

I checked the online catalog on their site and have made a visual match to many of the parts I was looking for. I am fairly certain the model I own is the 2005 "WFH 150-T"- I'm guessing the "R5" logo denotes the model year of the scooter..

However, I'm a bit confused on which manual to reference for the scooter specifications.. the person who sold this to me provided a really horrible manual from the Dealer, Baldwin Powersports (photo-copied from a Vento manual, barely readable) which has conflicting information from the Wildfire manual. The Baldwin manual specifies to use regular unleaded 87 octane gasoline.. while the Wildfire manual specifies mid-grade and up (89-93 octane). Could you advise on which manual is genuine?

Thanks!!

[Carlson]

The octane rating of the gas to use is fairly easy to determine if you know the compression ratio. On a stock scooter, anything 10:1 or below should be OK with reg 87 gas. A higher ratio usually requires an octane of 90 or above. Also another very simple test is pinging. If the engine pings while under a load, go to a higher octane rated gas. If not, then it is not necessary. Most advise to avoid gas containing ethanol.