Moped Riders Association

[Carl]

Anyone know anything about the Kinetic TFR mopeds /pros/cons?
How does it compare to other mopeds?
Thanks, Carl

[Smitty]

The Kinetic TFR has affectionately be called by some people the "Road Mule" of Mopeds. They aren't fast (avg. top-speed of 28-32mph), and making one reach speeds around 40mph requires LOTS of modifications.
Depending on how the TFR is initially assembled and prepped, they are pretty sound bikes. There are however some areas that need to be rechecked, and some places that really need locktite, to keep the 'ped from losing parts.
Parts are readily available from Kinetic Dealers, and / or through Cosmotors.com
You can do a search here on this forum and find lots of info on them.
Here's one post that I started just for this purpose:
http://www.mopedriders.org/viewtopic.php?t=4569&highlight=kinetic+owners+survey
Hope this helps.

[steamboat]

Cosmo had a special sale. I bought 2TFRs and found both to be well made and reliable. As Smitty said, they are not speed demons. I recently bought a 1975 Puch Maxi. I know it is tough to compare bikes that have a 30 year difference in manufacture date but I think of he TFR as the Maxi of today. Jim. PS Having a Vespa clone engine also helps. IMO Jim

[Carl]

Great! What kind of perfomance parts do you put on your Kinetics Smitty? / pipe...
Do you sell these and how hard are they to install?
What kind of mph will they enhance the moped?

[Smitty]

Vespa Moped engine performance parts. Two I have recently built are the Malossi, and the Polini Evo'.
For pulling power, the Polini Evo is an excellant puller.
For speed and acceleration, the Malossi Rules!
As for exhausts, I prefer the Proma Circuit.

The Vespa Grande (much heavier than the TFR) that I built the Malossi for will run somewhere around 45mph ... maybe break 50mph once broken-in, and / or with higher rear gearing and high-performance variator.

I have three bran-new TFR's left that I am trying to get sold before I move in a couple of short weeks. I doubt you'll be able to buy a bran-new one for cheaper than I have mine right now. They no longer sell for $399 like they once did! Now the average sale price across the internet is normally around $900-$1049.
Cosmotors carries lots of accessories for the TFR as well.

[steamboat]

Some interesting cost info. Jim
http://moped2.org/aspforum/display_message.asp?mid=4814
price for Puch Maxi 1980=$635
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
What cost $635 in 1980 would cost $1612.68 in 2005

In 2005 the TFR probably cost < $700

[Smitty]

That's just wrong Jim, just wrong!

[steamboat]

Hey Smitty, Zippy wrote the article. What's wrong? Jim.

[steamboat]

Here are some TFR prices in the box without the Smitty touch, assembly or prep. Jim
http://www.cosmotor.com/Kinetic.htm
The NEW! TFR-USA Moped Up To 150 MPG.
The New 2005 Moped Fuel Fighter Sale
Regular Price $899.00 Fuel Fighter Price $799.00
Just Add Gas, Oil And GO!

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NTESearch?storeId=6970&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=kinetic%20moped&Nty=1&D=kinetic%20moped&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial
Moped
Item# 59202
Discount Price $999.99
Sale Price $899.99

[Targa5150]

They are hell to work on... lol, from my own experience.

Seem to be solid runners though

Alan (Myrons Mopeds Team)

[Smitty]

They're not really all that bad to work on, they just take some getting used to, and knowing which angle of attack to persue, lol.

Someone on here taught me to remove both lower shock mount bolts, and open the frames, to get to the carb MUCH easier.
The wiring isn't really even as hard as, let's say, a Puch, LOL!!!
The engine isn't even that difficult to remove and reinstall, once you've done it, and figured-out which way to twist it out and back in.

The hardest part of working on the TFR that I've found so far is removing the freewheel sprocket, or changing the rear tire ... I hate fighting with the rear wheel, but even that's not that hard if you remove the exhaust first. While everything else seems to either almost fall off, or isn't difficult to remove, the freewheel sprocket always gives me a fit.

Just invest in some locktite, and keep check on everything, as they do tend to vibrate the nuts and bolts loose.

[Carl]

Thanks for the advice and common sense. Right now my wallet says TFR. Wish I could work out the shipping for one of yours Smitty. Looks like i will get one from this dealer-http://www.fiveflagsmotorbikes.com/TRF.htm
Best deal I have seen yet other than Smitty.
Carl

[Targa5150]

[lemon]

They accelerate very very very slow. it takes mine 5 seconds to get to 10 MPH

[Smitty]