It’s a scooter? It’s a motorcycle? It’s a Diamo Velux!

I can’t remember if I mentioned this before, but my buddy who smashed his car decided not to replace it at this time and the other day we were talking about a scooter-type thing. Moments after having one of these discussions someone drove by in a Velux Diamo so we chased him down to get some info. So we went to look at one yesterday, and hours later walked out with one! It’s an electric start convertible 150cc motorcycle with CD/MP3 player (the things that look like armrests are speakers) a “trunk” and it gets 75-80 MPG and goes 65 MPH. There’s an optional LCD GPS/DVD you can get too! More photos of scooters here. I’ll get some photos of him on it later!

44 responses to “It’s a scooter? It’s a motorcycle? It’s a Diamo Velux!

  1. i have talked to people who have a velux scooter and have mention some minor flaws with the machine. I wonder have you had any mishaps or flaws with your vehicle?

  2. My friend has had many problems. Most dealing with the brakes. The real problem surrounding this is that it takes them forever to get parts when he has a problem.

    Forever=weeks sometimes.

    When the repair guy says “you haven’t actually got to drive this much have you?”, you know it’s been in a lot…

  3. I have a Diamo Velux 150 2004
    and have had nothing but problems with it. The brakes are horrible, it won’t start unless I plug it into an AC outlet overnight and now I have a problem with the fuel valve shut off.

    It is very top heavy and I feel like I’m in a death trap.

    I’m selling it

  4. I’d like to find a used one Inda – where is yours located? What do you want for your deathtrap?
    Thomas

  5. I’ve had a diamo velex for a year and have had it in the shop 4 times. I’ve had it apart myself 6 or 7 times. Mine are mostly electrical problems. I wouldn’t trust taking it out of town or any long distance. I like the bike and everyone thinks it’s neat. If i could get the bugs out of it and find a repair manual it would be nice. My dealer worked on it several times until the warranty ran out and said that he won’t sell another one and no longe keeps them in his store. His top mechanic said that there is no manual or instructions on how to repair them and the parts are almost impossible to get. Loks like i’m stuck with a neat looking lemon.

  6. Well looks like there is nothing but negativity about this bike from everyone, And I have negative and positive about the bike. I have a 2006, The very first day I took delivery of it, The starter relay went out, Then the battery went down, The radio would’nt hold any presets, The dealer fixed all of that. Then not one but two voltage regulators were replaced, and this was all in the first 3 weeks of owning it. So far its running fine (knock on wood) and I have 5 months left on the warranty. (lets see what happins next)

  7. I just bought a 150cc Diamo Fury about 4 weeks ago and have went through about 4 exhaust gaskets. Parts take forever to come in and when they do as I have found it was the wrong kind of gaskets. Still waiting on a replacement gasket that will work.

  8. i was in the process of purchasing a 2006 250cc velux, with 6 miles on it until i read these comments. I would like to know if anyone has had any problems with this particular one, please?

  9. Anthony; Most of the problems we had were electrical. My 150cc bike have a very good engine and is reliable. I hear 250cc are better. Ever since I had my voltage regulator replaced, my bike’s been running fine. I believe that if you drive these Diamo scooters with respect and don’t “Dog em” than you will have a decent scooter. Also regular mantenance plays a very important part too.

  10. I purchased the 250cc Velux and drove it for just 9
    days when it quit.

    Steve Wade has had it over 4 weeks and hasn’t repaired
    it yet.

    As I was driving down a major street at approimately
    35 MPH during morning rush-hour I drove thru a small
    dip in the road and the rear bottom panel broke away
    from the mounts.

    I called Steve to see how much it would cost for the
    piece; he told me $47.00. I personally thought it
    should be warranty, but he said no. I drove through
    that dip every day on my way to work and it was not a
    problem with any other vehicle. I drive a Kia
    Sportage, a Ford F150 supercrew cab, a Ford taurus
    station wagon and the Scooter didn’t make it once.
    Steve said the piece was bolted too tight and that’s
    what broke it. Sounded like warranty to me.

    I took it to his shop and he tells me that the exhaust
    system was installed incorrectly and that he would
    have to completely clean all of the old oil out
    because the dealer in Frostproof that I purchased it
    from had not done the 300 mile re-oil service. He
    told me that it was time to change all of the fulids
    also. He charged me $75.00 to change all of the
    fluids and 3 hours to change the piece that was broken
    @45.00 per hour, $13.00 to put a gasket on the exhaust
    system that wasn’t there in the first place (more
    warranty work as far as I’m concerned). He reported
    to me that he fixed all that was wrong with it and
    told me that it was running great now. I pointed out
    some scratches that were new, located on the bottom of
    the trunk. It looked like he had taken the trunk lid
    off and sat it on its end on a rough surface like
    concrete. The kid denied taking it off. Steve claimed
    responsibilty for one of them. I had waxed the bike
    one day before it quite and there was not one scratch
    on it still and I kept it garaged; after all, this was
    my baby. His nephew lost the standoff on the left
    side for the cable that holds the trunk lid so he just
    screwed the cable to the frame. I noticed it right
    off because the cable was sticking out of the trunk
    and when I opened it and tried to tuck it back it in,
    it would not pivot and kept sticking out. Steve
    claimed that it wasn’t there, but he just got done
    telling me that his nephew had done all of the work on
    it, so how would he know anyway??? I knew that it was
    there because I checked out how it worked when I
    bought it and I thought of changing the cables to
    thicker ones and wondered if I would have to change
    the standoffs also. Steve asked his nephew where he
    laid it and his nephew pointed at the trunk lid. So
    why take the standoffs off if you didn’t take of the
    trunk (and probably sit it on the concrete, yeah,,
    right!!!! Steve then had his nephew pull a rusty one
    off the 150CC velux he had and put it on mine.

    I have a lot of pride in my scooter and you know that
    I checked it out when I bought it and I had friends
    that checked it with me. There was not one scratch on
    it and the standoffs were both on it. Steve then
    noticed that there was no water in the cooling system
    and his nephew didn’t notice that. Nor did he know
    which was the windshield wiper water tank. Steve then
    had me go inside with him and do the paper work while
    his little nephew finished fixing the scooter that was
    alledgly done the day before.

    I paid him $320.00 to get it back (I just wanted it
    back and I wanted it out of there before anymore
    damage was done to it). That that was the last time I
    would use him and his nephew. I then went to drive it
    home and it didn’t make it 2 blocks, it choked, it
    spat and sputtered, it quit 3 times. I turned around
    and brought it back. Steve was in his car, getting
    ready to leave; of course the person that dropped me
    off there was gone, and Steve left me stranded. I
    told him that this was the second time that he had
    told me that my scooter was ready to drive home the
    previous day and it wouldn’t start (the first time) or
    it wouldn’t stay started when he was done with it. He
    was kind enough to let me call from his office phone
    to have my friend come get me and take me 12 miles
    home. You know I wasn’t happy, and he told me that I
    stranded myself. I guess I did rely on his work and
    his word, Silly Me…

    He actually told me the day before that he had
    completed all of the repairs, but when I got there at
    5:30 pm the next day, the kid was still working on it,
    just like last year.

    They never engaged the throttle once. It’s almost
    impossible to believe that the kid working on it, his
    nephew that’s not old enough to drive without his
    mother’s permission, if he has a license, never once
    gripped the throttle and gave it some juice. It idles
    fine, but would not accept anything for power.

    For the past 4 weeks Steve kept telling me that he was
    working on it, I talked with him every week. I
    believe that he just put it on the back burner and
    didn’t give a hoot about my scooter, he already had my
    money. What is it with your dealers and my money????
    Aren’t any of them required to have ethics??? I just
    want my scooter back and running right and be happy
    riding it again.

    Steve has known this for over a month, but as he
    explained to me, “Diamo doesn’t pay me for warranty
    work, they only give me a credit and I need to do the
    work that pays cash first”. I was at his mercy. I
    can understand a week, maybe two, but it’s going on 5
    and he’s just getting around to it. He told me that
    the only people that will do warranty work for your
    company are Diamo dealers. There’s the one I bought
    it from about 100 miles away, and there’s another one
    35 miles away.

    I found out that the changing of all the fluids was
    not scheduled to be changed when he said, but I let it
    go. He tells me (and this was before it quit)not to
    use the 15 W 45 oil, but 10 W 30 instead. He tells me
    not to change the oil for 1500 miles not the 600 like
    the book says. He said the book is wrong and that
    those chinese don’t know what they are talking about.
    This is the guy you told me was really good at his job
    and that he’s a real good guy.

    I joined a scooter club the week I purchased it and we
    are having a group ride to the Leesburg Bike Fest
    tomorrow. I was going to be so proud to show off the
    Diamo Velux there. No one in the group has seen my
    scooter because it was to be my first rally with them
    and they were all excited about having one in the
    group. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that I
    won’t be making it. I can’t tell you how happy I was
    to have finally got one.

    I can’t tell you how disappointed in the fact that
    this is the 3rd one that I’ve dealt with and it has
    broken down on me. I can tell you that I will tell
    the truth about my experiences with Diamio product and
    with the Dealers. I was hoping that it would be
    different and that someday you would have heard that
    some of your sales were due to me recommending the
    product and the professionalism of your organization.
    I know you probably find that hard to believe, but
    it’s the truth. I’m an extremely honest person, it to
    a fault and gets me into trouble, but with a clear
    conscience.

    There’s nothing you can do about any of this. I just
    wanted you to know. I don’t actully think you care in
    the least, but I feel better knowing that you know
    what a dismal product and organization you have in my
    opinion based on my experience.

    Brenda J. Fisher

  11. Bob in MKE

    I purchased my TANK in January of 2006, and I love it! All you wusses who are complaining about reliability and electrical problems have obviously never owned a Fiat or a Jag. I drive year round in Milwaukee, except in snow :0 No electrical problems so far, But I’m on my third drive belt…got about 14,500 on the odometer, which traslates to about 7500 miles after correcting for speedometer error (.83) AND the fact that my odometer SAYS “miles”, but clocks kilometers. OOP.

    The cool part is that, here in “Harley Town”, all the riders on their $30,000 scoots are checking mine out…HA HA HA HA! One guy pulled up next to me at a light and shouted over his Vibrator “What the hell is that?” I shouted back “$4,000, 70 mpg, and I’m sittin in the SHADE! What the hell is THAT???” I worked at Harley for almost ten years, and I can tell you for sure, the TANK is easier to push.

    So, enjoy the ride. If you want perfection, get a Honda or a Beamer. But I use my TANK as basic transportation to and from work; my $30,000 truck (20 mpg) sits safely in the driveway, I stay dry, and no bugs in my teeth. How good can it get?

    ENJOY YER TANK!

  12. I bought a Velux a year and a hlf ago and have had nothing but problems with it. First the battery will go completely dead if you leave the scooter set for more then two days without keeping it on a maintenance charger. Screws and bolts have fallen off the scooter in more places then I keep track. The whole front disk praticaly fell off. The gas fill leaks (see recall). The radio stopped working. It blew one regulator already with only 3000 miles. It rattles and sqeaks like it will fall apart at any second.

    I’m stuck with it, no one will buy it. I have gotten a few miles three different times only to have it towed back to the shop. The shop owner raved about it when I bought it and now says they are junk and no longer carried them and will not work on them in the future. You can’t get parts. I waited over 8 months for parts only to get the scooter back and have it break down on me the moment I rode it away from the shop. Don’t buy one, unless you are a qualified mechanic or just like to be laughed at while you are pushing it down the road.

  13. Macho Mike in MKE reminds me of my Dad’s neighbor who bought an Olds 5.7 liter diesel. Great car. No problems in over 60,000 miles, except for replacing the engine 3 times.

    The Diamo is a junk bike with a great engine. If you want one to ride, get a Benelli Adiva.

    He’s right, if you want a bike that runs, pay the extra. If you can do your own rebuilds and have a spare bike or two, go ahead and save a bit up front with these bikes and wait to see how long it take for repairs to burn through the money you saved.

  14. Thank for the infomation. I was going to buy one but not now.

  15. I have been researching this type of convertible scooter and found out today that the Tank model, the Courier 150, has been discontinued. Tank says they may bring it back in ’09 in slightly revised form. Diamo brags that the Velux is made with parts from Taiwan, but it appears from this forum that this fact does not ensure quality.

  16. Who REALLY makes them ?? If you have a 250cc roof scooter, look at the metal plate and see who the MFG. is.
    Please post what you find. Thanks

  17. hi just purchased a vouge 150 cc roof top scooter started it but would’nt start thereafter i was wondering if you guys could tell me wats wrong?

  18. I’ve owned the Velux now for 2 yrs.The only major problem I am experiencing is vibration in the muffler system at a certain speed or rpm. The reason for dropping a line is I live in Tampa Fl. and I would like to pick up the 250cc model.Also finding someone in the Tampa bay area who has parts & accessories .PS. LS Motorsports in Tx.on-line gives u the run-a-round,no parts.

  19. I wish there was a local maintenance shop for scooter then there would not be so many complaints. I had a Lincohn, it took six services before it ran well. I had also a Mark seven and ended up given it away when it stopped running. A local repair shop would do us a lot of good. Wish there are someone still interest in going to school of machanics.
    HJC

  20. I have 2006 150cc Velux and had to order a gasket 4x before the correct one came in. So far it runs great with only 3,000 miles, but I don’t run it at full speed often. I’m selling mine so that I can get a biodisel, because I don’t think it will last very many miles. It was a great concept for a bike but I don’t think it is very tuff.

  21. yes i have a diamo it was nice , so am rideing it and it will turn off like i turn off the key wont start till it cool off any idea on this problem they fixed the key swicth and the kill swicth and still stoping thanks

  22. I have a 2005 Diamo Velux. Got it new in 05 only put 500 mils on it.only rode in campgrounds very little on the road never got a tag for it. had no problems yet I think i will sale it i dont need it only thing is when i bought it i only got a bill of sale did aney of you get a title when you bought yours and do you know how i can get one and do you wont to buy my scooter for 1/2 what i paid you can see it at craigslist.com for sale

  23. I bought a new velux scooter in 2005 I don’t like it and never ride it .so i am saleing it for 1/2 what i paid for it to get it out of my garage. but when i bought it i did not get a title, did you all get titles with yours and do you know were i can get a title. THANKS

  24. I sure wish I had read this forum before I bought mine. So far, I have had it to the shop twice, walked home 3 times and now it is sitting in my garage (yes, leaking gas).

    Do your homework and pay a few extra bucks if you want a reliable scooter.

  25. This post is about the 150CC
    Velux; I am not sure about the 250CC version.

    The Velux (all varieties) is actually made by Zhejiang Lingyun in China, given the Diamo name, and imported by LS motorsports. ZL discontinued the Velux style in gas-powered form, but continues to make this style in electric.

    The 150cc Velux uses the MOST COMMON small engine design, the air-cooled single cylinder engine perfected by Honda, the GY6 engine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_GY6_Engine

    This design is so good that it is it is pretty much the industry standard for any basic 4 stroke engine light vehicle engine (scooters, gocarts, ATVs, etc.) Now that you know this, it should be obvious that parts for this engine are ridiculously easy to find. Just look for “GY6 parts”. If your mechanic cannot find parts for your scooter, or it takes a long time to arrive, they don’t know what they are doing. You can basically rebuild one of these things (except for the body) with generic parts you find on EBay.

    Speaking of that, the engine design is so simple and elegant that it is a great place for you to start learning about engines. Most repairs, once you have the parts, take minutes. The hardest part is getting the body panels off; the rest is like changing light bulbs.

    Why do things break on this? ZL China used cheapy components in some places. They are easy to replace. As for being top heavy, come on, what did you expect for a scooter with a roof? Doesn’t it look top heavy? If this is a problem, just take the roof off permanently. Actually, you can take a lot of this apart and make it into a normal scooter, because it sits on a normal scooter frame; the “Velux” pieces are more or less the body panels (e.g. seat back, arm rest, etc.)

    I paid next to nothing for mine used. I am used to patching things together to get them to work. Because the Velux uses generic parts, it is also easy to try out custom or high performance upgrades.

  26. I have a 2006 Velux with 1800 miles and it and no problems. I think it’s because I bought it from a dealer who rode it himself for the first 160 miles and checked it out. The user group on Yahoo has a lot of into about this scooter.

  27. We specialize in scooters with tops and sell a scooter that is not a Velux but looks almost like it but different it has a roof and is called Galaxy from Rainy Day Scooters located in the Seattle, Washington Area and is popular and reliable here in the Great Northwest check out our website at rainydayscooters.com

  28. Velux 2006

    I just wanted to let everyone know that we have acquired several of these scooters and have a lot of parts to go with them. All of them have come directly from the factory and are still new. If anyone would be interested in purchasing something for their scooter please contact James at 832-474-0561.

  29. I have heard that the Diamo Velux has had a lot of problems, but the rainy day scooter “Galaxy” is a much better and reliable scooter check out the website at rainydayscooters.com

  30. As I write this I was looking to buy a repair manual. My first problem was a sticking choke. Then the electrical problems started. I bought the Velux for my wife, who has yet to ride it because every time I take it out it breaks.
    We bought it new as a 2006 left over and thankfully got a third off the MSRP. I have tried to sell it but no takers.
    Right now the regulator located behind the fly wheel has fried itself and I have to take the bike apart to get to it.
    While I am at it I will cut the side stand down so the bike won’t blow over and break another mirror. It also fell over on the side stand side and broke the left side mirror as well. All the body panels are junk. I would blow the thing up except I am an eternal optimist and hope that by replacing the Chinese electrical parts with Japanese parts the reliability will improve. Anyone locate a maintenance manual?

  31. Warren Kiefer

    I am in desperate need of a Diamo Velux Motor Scooter Owners Manual. I will pay for a copy of yours.

  32. Fragile Habitat

    I just boght one for 400 bucks and it is cool.
    Won’t start.
    Got new spark plug coil
    No spark.
    Could it be in the brake?
    Do you have to hold the brakes in to start it?

  33. I live in the plains and am considering a 2005 Velux 150cc, tomorrow. I wish I had a clue how many people have these scooters, how many are really happy and how many are not. It would be nice to have a realistic number of successful owners.

    I am lucky… my mechanic lives next door, but I would really like to have a repair manual, too. My mechanic is excited about my possible buy and said he thinks it would probably be a good deal for me, if the size works for me.

    Does anyone know how much these weigh? I realize it looks a little top heavy. I am only 5′ tall and weigh about 155 pounds. Do you think it might be a good size for me? I will probably already have decided before you answer, but I’m still interested in your opinions.

    I really like the TANK vs. Harley conversation in the post above. It made me laugh.

    I would like to hear from anyone who is short or a lightweight. I want to know if it is very easy for you to handle.

    How many of you have had wrecks on yours? Were they laid down by you, or did someone else hit you? How did you fare in the accident?

    Thanks in advance for all the responses!

  34. have a 2004 Diamo Verlux and I really like mine. I have all the published manual and leaflets that came with the scooter plus more!!! you do know there is a kill switch on the right handle (blue).

  35. I bought a 2004 Diamo Velux in February. I am just starting to fool around with it … hoping to get it on the road by warm weather. Hopefully, it will be reliable enough to get to the market, bank, and children’s school when needed.

    I need to purchase black side mirrors (both of mine are broken). I also need a battery charger (I would prefer one that has jumper cables as well). Finally, I would like to obtain an OWNER’s Manual & a REPAIR Manual. Could anyone advise me as to where I might locate these items!!! THANKS!!!

  36. I have a 2005 Diamo Velux for sale. Asking $1,300 or OBO. I live in Olympia WA. Sandy. e-mail: skams46@comcast.net

  37. I have a 2004 scooter sellling it for $1100 7863570017

  38. Hello,I have got in my possesion a 2006 diamo velux and used ,but at 1500 miles the midi box went bad and it was not driven for a few yrs with two mice nest in front faing abd trunk and old gas ,so cleaned carb 3 times and finally got it going good besides the junk electric choke not working and then the seal for tires were a problem but had the filler hose problem so bad it leaked fumes so i put in a rubber plug thats adjustable to expand or contract.so is it easy to get the recalled hose and cap?because i need them still.but with the battery problem you have to put a wood shim under kickstand on all bikes to not ground out battery.my wipers are not moving again but motor works ,so i guess it needs a quick access to lower front to keep up with repais instead of screws and more screws to do anything in timely fashion. Belleville Mich

  39. Hi,do you still have the diamo velux scooter? Are you still selling it?

  40. I wish I had seen before I bought a 2006 Diamo Velux. I’m a 69 yr. old disabled veteran, and want to ride this thing just around my small town. I have a bad heart, and couldn’t push this thing if I had to. Can anyone post what Chinese parts I should have replaced with decent parts? Also I would like to find an owners manual Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

  41. I’m selling mine 2005 .

  42. I still have my Diamo Velux scooter and is looking for parts. especially the right and front cover. Willing to buy entire scooter for the right price. Contact me via email dhicks212@gmail.com

  43. Got a 08 250cc velux for sale with 65 mikes on it.. In Beacon NY..

  44. Carlo Vivio

    Hello, wondering if you could give me a hand? I have a 2006 Velux 150cc the drive belt broke right where the size should be, so I don’t know exactly what size it takes. Do you know? I tried a 842 20 30 but seems too tight. Thanks in advance

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