TaoTao TBR7 Review & Specs: Out Of The Box.

Hello everyone! I am psyched about buying my first motorcycle, a 2021 TaoTao TBR7 dual-sport motorcycle, and especially getting the motorcycle put together.

My goal for this post is share my intial 2021 TaoTao TBR7 review, and I will compare those specs(objective review info) to my opinion(subjective review info).

So Big picture, what is the TaoTao TBR7?

To paraphrase as much of the TBR7’s manufacturer and fill in with my observations:

 The TaoTao TBR7 “250” is a street-legal (Except CA) full-sized dual-sport motorcycle manufactured by Tao Motor, A Chinese company. Featuring a five-speed manual transmission with a dash displayed gear indicator and both electric and kick start options, with a 229cc carbureted engine. 

Company Source: https://taomotor.com/products/motorcycles/tbr7/

So In My Words, What Is The TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle?

So the company TaoTao’s description accurate?

• Yes, the TaoTao TBR7 is a dual-sport motorcycle.
• Yes, the TaoTao TBR7 has a 229cc internal combustion carbureted engine.
• Yes, the TaoTao TBR7 is listed as made in China.
• Yes, the TaoTao TBR7 has electric start features.
• Yes, the TaoTao TBR7 has a manual kick-start option.
• Yes, the TaoTao TBR7 has a 5-speed manual transmission.
• Yes, the TaoTao TBR7 has a dash-mounted gear indicator.
• Yes, the word is California doesn’t like the TaoTao TBR7, so not street legal in California.

Many Yes’s, I am a glass-is-full type of guy, and since I now own a TaoTao TBR7, I have a decision bias. So expect me to sound very optimistic about this motorcycle’s features, but I will give an honest, out-of-the-box review.

Now that was a brief overview of the 2021 TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle; even with my paraphrasing of the manufacturer’s information, that synopsis doesn’t fully describe the TBR7. So I will do my best to review this motorcycle as best as possible, basically as a new owner and a new motorcycle rider.

FYI, post about my planned TBR7 upgrades: My TaoTao TBR7 Upgrades To Do List.

Big Picture Review Of the TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle’s Size.

Small bites of information, breaking down this TBR7 review into small parts.

TaoTao TBR7’s Listed Motorcycle Dimensions(per website and manual).

• Overall Length: 80 inches(website) / 2040mm (manual) 
• Overall Width: 33 inches (website) / 840mm (manual)
• Overall Height: 47 inches / 1200mm (manual)
• Seat Height: 34 inches (website)
• Ground Clearance: 11.2 inches(website) 
• Wheelbase: 55 inches(website) / 1345 mm(manual)
• Net(dry) Weight: 286 LBS(website) / 130 Kg
• Max. Load: 150 kg, including driver (manual)

Now the above motorcycle dimensions read precisely like a table you get in a textbook you slept thru in school. I would ask, “what does that mean for me?”  

Here is information about me to help you better understand my options and what this bike feels like for me.

2021 TBR7 Motorcycle Rider’s Dimensions.

Weight: (approx) 86kg / 190 lbs.

Height: 5’8″, 1727mm

Inseam: (based on pants) 30 inches, 760mm

The TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle Fit and Feel.

Extra Information:  The TBR7 dual-sport motorcycle comes with an adjustable preload rear shock. A compression ring and lock ring that applies pressure to the rear shock. I read in a motorcycle forum adjusting this shock’s preload raises and lowers the rear, so my current results of how the motorcycle feels for me might change, and it might make the bike ‘softer’ as well as ‘lower.’ I will update you on changes to the TBR7’s rear shock.

My review of what it feels like when I handle the TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle:

• When sitting, I can flat foot only one foot.
• When sitting, I can move the motorcycle on the balls of my feet.
• Mount from the ground, I can clear my leg over the motorcycle.
• Mount from the left foot peg, I can clear my leg over the bike.

This step might seem extreme for a review, but this is very important for me as a new motorcycle rider and might be important to you.

I laid down the motorcycle on its side in my driveway to test how easy I could lift it and lift the bike back to the kickstand with some effort.  

FYI, as a new motorcyclist, you should be practicing how to lift a dropped motorcycle under controlled conditions before getting on the road. Lifting a dropped bike on the side of the road is stressful. I know. 😀

1. Squat lifted, back to bike only using legs was easy.
2. Dead lifting, facing a motorcycle, holding handlebars, and grabbing the seating area was challenging but doable. Also, achievable without bending back too much.  

Note: I have a “bad” back that I frequently nurse with stretching exercises to relieve disc pressure, and recently was diagnosed with shoulder problems that I am in physical therapy. I say this since I want to give you the impression although this dual-sport has a steel frame, it can be managed with smaller, or in my case, weaker riders.

Review Of The TaoTao TBR7 Stock Kickstand

It’s a kickstand, you would think there would be nothing to say about it, but there are two things so wrong I have to mention them.

1.- The kickstand is too long and makes the bike stands tall, and it almost looks like the bike is ready to tip over the opposite side. Some owners posted they changed out or cut their kickstands to shorten them. Not doing any mods to the kickstand, but I feel it’s on my to-do list.

2.- The kickstand doesn’t lock in place well. I found out the hard way how the kickstand fails to lock. I was parking the motorcycle, and it was slightly on a hill. The motorcycle was facing downhill, and even with the bike in gear, when I put down the kickstand, the motorcycle rolled forward, and the kickstand started to fold up. The bike didn’t fall, but the motion was enough. I rapidly grabbed the bike and panicked.

Now I know this, a good warning is always to ensure the motorcycle is in gear when picking up a downed TBR7. Also, ensure the kickstand doesn’t collapse when standing the bike upright.  

Review Of The TaoTao TBR7’s Engine.

Just the TBR7’s Motorcycle Engine Information, the transmission will follow.

2021 TBR7’s Listed Motorcycle Dimensions(per website and manual).

• Cooling: Air-cooled 
• Type: single-cylinder four-stroke gasoline-fueled
• Displacement: 229cc, 67mm(Cylinder Bore)×65mm(Stroke)
• Compression Ratio 9.1:1
• Max Power: 11kW @ 6500 RPM, 14.8 Horsepower(My Conversion)
• Max Torque: 17.5N.m @ 5500 RPM, 12.91ft-lbs (My Conversion)
• Starter: Electric start and kick start back up
• Ignition: Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) Read More Here: URL
• Idle RPM 1500 RPM ±150
• Carbureted (SEALED)
• Fuel Requirements: Gasoline Octane Minimum 91.

Again, textbook stuff, what does this mean to me as a motorcycle rider?

As before, I am about 190 lbs(86kg), not a tiny person, but not a large person.

Sometimes the engine doesn’t want to start, and I have had to play with the engine choke to get the throttle to keep the TBR7 alive.

After the engine is warmed up, the power isn’t what I imagined for a motorcycle. The TBR7 seems very under-powered for its size. I mean, I’ve ridden electric bikes, a loaner from a friend, that was very light, so the power in the electric motor was subdued. The TBR7 should have a higher ‘felt’ power to weight ratio.

After the engine is fully warmed, I am still breaking in the machine; I had a few full-throttle rides, and the engine “Bogs” down. It even stalled once or twice, just popping the throttle wide open. As far as engine performance, not impressed. As for a new motorcycle rider’s first motorcycle, it seems fitting. For now, the bike ‘fits’ me.

The TBR7’s Engine Fuel Requirements And My Review

Fuel issues, this is a mixed review. I have tried 91 octanes and less and felt no difference, and I know a higher octane is necessary to prevent pre-ignition damage with higher compression engines.  

The TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle engine has a 9.1:1 compression ratio. By no means does this seem high compression compared to race bikes. Also, according to the forum posts by fellow Chinese bike owners, the octane level is inaccurate for the US states value I read. The minimum gasoline octane is supposed to work for the TBR7, but you do your research. I hate buying more expensive gas than needed, but the manufacturer recommends this.

Just putting out there, I have run both high and minimum octane gasoline through my TBR7 and didn’t feel any difference, but this review is basically out of the box, so that I will update you more about my finding later. In the meantime, follow TaoTao’s recommendations for the TBR7.

Review Of The TBR7 Engine Valve Clearances

If you read the online resources, my initial valve clearance problems might be expected, but I was not happy this happened. The engine valve clearances were ‘tight.’ I wasn’t mentally prepared for opening the engine as soon as I had the motorcycle together. According to the manual:

TBR7 Engine Valve Clearances:

• Intake Valve:0.04mm~0.06mm
• Exhaust Valve:0.04mm~0.06mm

If you read the online forums, the valve clearances are listed twice. Once for the intake and once for the exhaust. This way, you don’t assume your settings have to be precisely the same between the intake and exhaust valve clearance.  

These two separate requirements are why some TBR7 owners say leave your intake clearances at about 0.05mm and have your exhaust at the higher limit of 0.06 due to exhaust valve expansion when heated.

Yes, TBR7 valve clearances are adjusted on a cold engine.

I found that I had no clearances on both the intake and exhaust valves out of the box. I didn’t know this was a problem and had a rough time starting the motorcycle out of the box.  

After the engine valve clearances were done, I selected 0.05mm for both the intake and exhaust valve clearances, the engine ran. The engine ran longer than my first attempts. My first attempts were so bad trying to start the engine; I will not go into it here, but I highly recommend you check and adjust your valve clearances out of the box. A New Post: Checking & Adjusting Valve Clearances, Without Removing The Tank.

Now I feel my engine problems are associated with the fuel system of the stock carburetor and will make upgrades later. I will keep you up to date.

Review Of The Stock TaoTao TBR7 Spark Plug

The spark plug specs as per the TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle owner’s manual:

• Spark Plug D8EA
• Spark Plug Gap 0.6mm~0.8mm

Many Chonda-owners(TBR7 and Hawk 250, for example) suggest out of the box to change the spark plug. I looked over the spark plug, and it appears ‘OK.’ Although I plan to upgrade the spark plug to an iridium type, for now, the stock spark plug is good for me.

Note: I’m not too fond of the spark plug boot, and it looks like something made from a tin-can. As I further operate and examine the TBR7 over time, I’ll give a better view of the spark plug boot, but it’s ugly and cheap-looking for now.

The “Infamous” TaoTao TBR7 Battery.

I will go into why the TBR7’s Battery is considered ‘infamous,’ but first, the batty specs, per the TBR7 manual

• 12v 9ah

That is all that is said about the battery.  

The TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle battery is a known weakness of the motorcycle. Many TBR7 owners complain about receiving the battery empty and filling the cells with battery acid in a weird bottle sent alongside the battery.  

Often spilling acid on the battery, the floor, and themselves. Why I highly recommend eye and hand protection anytime working this motorcycle.

Also, the TBR7 stock motorcycle battery is known to have a very short lifespan; why a tip new TBR7 owners get from online forums is how to replace the battery when it finally dies. My long-term goal is not to have a dead battery in the future, by using a battery tender.

The Stock TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle Battery I Got!

I got a lead-acid sealed battery. Yup! The battery was sealed and looked like a no-maintenance battery. There is no spilled acid, cells are filled at the factory, and maybe this battery upgrade will allow for a longer-lasting battery.

Other TBR7 owners got sealed stock batteries, but there again, there are complaints about the life expectancy of these batteries. For now, I am glad I didn’t have to play with battery acid.

FYI: A Trickle Battery Charger/Tender For My Motorcycle?

Review Of The TBR7’s Manual Transmission

Per the TBR7 Manual, Transmission Gear Ratios:

• 1st gear 2.909
• 2nd gear 1.867
• 3rd gear 1.389
• 4th gear 1.150
• 5th gear 0.9545

So what does this information mean for the TBR7 rider?

I felt the first gear was very ‘low.’ When I ride and start from a complete stop, I feel I have to get out of 1st gear as soon as I start moving. This ‘low’ gearing is excellent for hills, it seems, but it makes me have to shift faster into 2nd than I feel I need to.

My only other motorcycle experience is the Pa Motorcycle Safety Course (Pa’s MSF); read previous posts: URL, a small 250cc street ‘cruiser’ so that motorcycle was geared for the roads. So that you know my experience as I explain.

My intended riding style was mostly street, and I picked the TBR7 dual-sport since it closely matches my riding experience on a mountain bike. Face it; the TBR7 looks like an oversized mountain bike. However, again, I plan to ride almost always on the street for now.  

I heard that changing the front sprocket will give you more range in the lower gears while increasing the top end of the TBR7 motorcycle. But for now, in my review of the transmission, the lower gears are close together and require faster shifting.

TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle Out-of-box Finding Neutral Problem.

I have been having problems with shifting the transmission. Also, others have.

Let me cover what I found. I cannot go into neutral from 1st gear, and I have to go to 2nd and shift down into neutral. Also, the neutral indicator is not perfect, so if you think you are neutral, let off the clutch slowly to check you are neutral. Don’t base it on if the neutral light is on or off.

What other TBR7 owners found, there is a ‘false’ neutral between 4th and 5th gear. I have not experienced this, but from the many posts, there seems to be a spot where you up-shift from 4th gear into 5th gear, and the engine goes into neutral. I will monitor this going forward and report back my findings.

Again, finding neutral is a problem, and the indicator is also a problem. I am figuring this work itself out as I break the motorcycle in.

The TaoTao TBR7 Top Speed(As Listed):

Per the TBR7 owner’s manual:

• Maximum Speed ≧90km/h, ≧ 56mph (my conversion).

Is this true? The TaoTao TBR7 top speed is 56 mph? Well, if going downhill. As I stated before, I feel the TBR7’s engine power isn’t impressive, and the manual transmission seems very geared ‘low.’

RPMs topped out, I can get 55 mph on the motorcycle speedometer, (breaks 50mph on the GPS of my phone).  

Note: I am still breaking the motorcycle in, and there might be tight clearances robbing the engine of putting out more power. I am also trying to be gentle on the machine. After the break-in period, I plan to run synthetic motor oil, increasing the engine’s overall performance.  

Quick review: I believe the combination of low transmission gearing with the stock carburetor and stock exhaust might be limiting the TBR7’s top speed. The TBR7 might have a lot of potential with future upgrades.

TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle Drive Chain

The TBR7 transfers power from the engine via a front sprocket, a chain, and then the rear sprocket. 

Not A Motorcycle Mechanic, but the chain looks ‘light’ or ‘thin.’ Will do more research, but overall the motorcycle chain looks in good shape.

The motorcycle chain came with some thick lube, with everything I found on done to the TBR7 by TaoTao, this ‘lube’ might be just a rust-preventative.  

I didn’t wait. I started lubing the motorcycle chain with thick gear oil.

Per the TaoTao TBR7 Motorcycle Owner’s Manual:

Lubricate every 300 miles (500 km) or sooner if chain appears dry.

TaoTao TBR7 Owner’s Manual

The chain lube frequency seems about right.  

However, the motorcycle manual never tells you what to use, only states: 

“Always use high qulity all-condition lube that is compatible with all O-ring and non-O-ring chains.”  

TaoTao TBR7 Owner’s manual

Yes, there is a typo, ‘qulity‘ versus quality.’ Reading the motorcycle manual makes riding the motorcycle scary at times.

So overall, the TaoTao TBR7’s motorcycle chain looks OK in these layperson’s eyes.

The TaoTao TBR7 Ignition System Review

Per the manual and the electric schematic, the ignition system is a CDI system. CDI systems are known for their simple reliability. One drawback is they have no advancing circuit or at least the stock TBR7’s one for changing the firing timing of the spark plug.

I feel no difference. I have minimal experience with motorcycles to notice anything weird about this ignition system, so my review is basic. It works! The TBR7 initially was tough to start; it might be operator error, but once running, the engine runs like a champ unless I try to do performance maneuvers like ‘high’ speed runs or ‘quick’ acceleration. 

As I said before, the TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle engine ‘Bogs’ down on quick throttle twists, but I feel this is more associated with the stock carburetor instead of the ignition system. 

Review Of The TaoTao TBR7 Instrument Cluster

What Information Is On The Stock TBR7 Cluster

• Speed (MPH)
• Neutral Indicator
• Gear Position Indicator
• High beam headlight indicator
• Odometer (distance? Unsure right now).
• Trip Odometer (distance? Again, unsure right now).
• Fuel Gauge (or Fuel “Guess,” cover this later).
• Turn Signal Indicator(Not which one, just one is on.)

TBR7’s Speedometer Review

The MPH is always wrong. How wrong, it depends. The indicated speed for the TBR7 is always higher than the GPS speed from my phone. Like I said, unsure about how wrong. Sometimes 5 over, 8 over, 3 over, etc. 

Nice thing bout the speedometer; if you drive the posted speed limit, you should never get a ticket for speeding. In theory. 😀

The Motorcycle’s Neutral Indicator

Again, this often doesn’t seem right. Sometimes the motorcycle transmission is neutral, with no power to the rear wheel, but the light is out. Sometimes the gear indicator says I’m in 2nd gear, but the neutral light is still on. I do not trust the neutral indicator, and neither should you.  

The Gear Position Indicator

Sometimes I am driving, clearly in gear, and the gear indicator is unlit. No number. Again, use the gear position and neutral indicator as suggestions, not what is happening with the motorcycle transmission.

The High Beam Indicator

This blue light turns on when your headlight is switched to a high beam. I’ve had no problems with this indicator, and it works out of the box.

The Odometer

Well, it turns. Not too sure if it’s KM or Miles, and it seems like the numbers increase faster than I would expect for kilometers but slower than anticipated than for miles. What is confusing is if you look at the “Maintenance Schedule” in the TBR7 owner’s manual, it uses the label “mileage,” but the columns have headers in Kilometers.  

I will research these odometer issues further and do an update post. Having an odometer that reads correctly is necessary for good motorcycle maintenance.

The Trip Odometer

It turns, and it appears I have some concerns about the trip odometer I have for the main odometer—I will update when I figure out what is going on here.

The Fuel Gauge

Wow, I’m not too fond of this fuel gauge, and it read low out of the box. Other TBR7 owners made the same complaint, and there are several posts on how to fix this fuel level problem.

One solution is to swap out the stock TBR7 fuel float with a TT250 version.  

Another solution is to bend/adjust the float arm.  

Both are too much work for what I plan to do. What I plan to do, is to keep the tank full and realize the fuel level will show empty long before the tank is really empty.  

The Turn Signal Indicator Light

This indicator works. If the turn signal is set up for a left or right turn, the light comes one with no problems. Nice to see something else working out of the box.

TaoTao TBR7 Review Of The Stock Motorcycle Tires

Per TaoTao TBR7 Owner’s Manual Sizes:

• Tires Front 90/90 – 19
• Tires Rear 110/90 – 17

My option, I selected the TBR7 over the RPS Hawk 250 because of the size of the wheels the motorcycle comes with. The Hawk 250 wheels are larger for off-road use, and the TBR7 wheels are smaller, which leads to better on-road use.

Also, the stock tires the TBR7 comes with are more road-like versus the knobbies the stock Hawk 250 tires.  

That being said, now that I have the TBR7 and have been riding the motorcycle, the TBR7 stock tires. They are smooth. Compared to the tires on my mountain bikes, there seems to be hardly any sound coming from the tires or any vibration. The center tread on the tires seems almost continuous, with smaller gaps and wider gaps in the tread along the tire’s sides.

Overall, the stock tires might appear like oversized bicycle tires; they ride very well on the road. Now that being said, I would guess they aren’t the best off-road tires, but again I do mostly road riding.

My Review Of TaoTao TBR7’s Brakes

From the Owner’s Manual:

• Brakes Front Hydraulic Disc
• Brakes Rear Hydraulic Disc

On assembly, the TBR7’s front brake was already installed, I just had to install the front wheel, and it was completed.

The rear brake assembly required more work, and I have to say it’s ‘clunky,’ meaning the brake seems either engaged or not. Not much smoothness to how the brakes feel. On the good side, the brakes are not all that great. You must almost stomp on the brakes to lock up the rear tire, and therefore skids or loss of rear tire traction is limited.  FYI: If you are having problems assembling the TBR7, or Hawk 250’s, rear brake pedal this post might help: TBR7 Rear Brake Assembly. (Hawk 250?)

See how I try to find the good in things? Let’s see how positive I am about the TBR7 right out of the box.

My Review Of The Fit and Finish Of TBR7.

One word, Junky. Yeah, I am so far a fan of the TBR7, but how TaoTao put the motorcycle together has me concerned. Bolts are loose, and welds look bad. 

I have tightened several bolts out of the box and have to say it feels like the steel is very ‘soft.’ Like the edges of the nuts and bolts are easily rounded off. I might put time into actually replacing these parts as I go along. I use a blue thread locker to ensure parts don’t come loose when riding the TBR7.

Tip: Remember to mark the nuts and bolts(sharpie works for me) you tighten so you can see which ones still need to be re-torqued.

As for the welds on the TBR7, the welds look sloppy. I am a layperson with minimal weld experience, but the flaws are apparent. 

I’ve seen photos in online posts with people with broken Chonda frames. I have not experienced this and am very glad not to.

However, the welds have many pits and holes, and rust is already developing in some areas, especially where the paint didn’t adhere well. 

Again, you might think about taking some spray paint and using cardboard to protect other components and touch up areas where the welds are, and the paint is already failing—just an idea.

My TaoTao TBR7 Overall Review, Out-Of-Box (minimal riding time).

The TBR7’s Good Features:

1.- The Price. I know I didn’t go over how much I spent here, but I have to say the motorcycle is very low priced compared to its counterparts. It made getting into motorcycling easier and less scary. I don’t want to drop the bike learning how to ride, but it was done with a very low-priced motorcycle if I do now.

2.- The Gearing. The transmission is very low geared, which seems to orient the TBR7 for hill climbs and torque situations.

3.- Not mentioned here, but upgrade options. There are so many parts of the TBR7 that have aftermarket parts allowing me to fine-tune this motorcycle from its current status to what I ultimately want.

4.- Good ground clearance. You don’t need to go into detail here since the TBR7 is a dual-sport motorcycle.

5.- Adjustable rear suspension. It might be a very primitive way to adjust the rear suspension, but it’s adjustable, which is a plus in my book.

6.- Road-oriented tires and wheel size. I covered this and am very happy with how the TBR7 rides on the streets.

7.- Weight. This ‘good’ character is weird since the motorcycle’s weight is heavy compared to other motorcycles of the same engine displacement. I have a mending shoulder and a bad back, but I can upright the TBR7 by myself. The weight is another plus in my book for the TBR7.

8.- Bullet Proof Engine History. The TBR7 has an engine designed from a very reliable older engine (CG-125) and then an over-bored cylinder making it more significant for more power output. It’s a working engine, made to work under many conditions continuously. I admit I am having starting problems, but this might be an operator error, as I stated before.

The TBR7’s Bad Features:

1.- The Power, specifically the stock carburetor. One of the first upgrades other TBR7 owners recommend is to change out the stock carburetor for a Mikuni-type carburetor; a VM-26 is recommended. This upgrade seems to wake up the motorcycle and allow you to fine-tune the jets for your riding environment.  

The stock TBR7 carburetor is sad and lacks power, and I am looking forward to upgrading from the stock carburetor. As I said, everyone says the Mikuni VM-26 carburetor is a drop-in replacement, and a carburetor upgrade will wake up the TBR7.

NOTE: Later post about upgrading the stock carburetor to the Mikuni “Clone” version: Completed My TBR7’s Carburetor Upgrade.

2.- The TaoTao TBR7 top speed it’s low, and the TBR7’s good point is geared low for good torque and climbing abilities. So this can be adjusted (I’m sure) with a front sprocket upgrade and a rear sprocket upgrade. FAQ: TaoTao TBR7 Top Speed.

3.- I already covered the quality of construction, design, and assembly. The TBR7 is a Chonda Bike, and it’s a cheap copy of an older motorcycle, and I mean cheap.

4.- This might be right now, but putting it out there for this review at this time. Unreliable, the motorcycle stalls, bogs out and is tough to start at a time.  

Again, I feel the carburetor has something to do with how the engine is running, but to be truthful, for now, the bike is pain out of the box.

I still can’t get the motorcycle to start via kick-starting at all. 

The TBR7 might be just a rough motorcycle, and there might be much operator error. However, the TBR7 might not be idiot-proof if this idiot is having problems.

Overall Conclusion Review About The TaoTao TBR7

First, I am happy to get into motorcycling, and I am pleased that my first motorcycle is the TBR7. The features, and manageable flaws, at a price it’s sold for making an excellent beginner motorcycle for the road.

The cult following Chonda motorcycles has created a great community of knowledge and advice to fix up, tune and customize the TBR7. I like the tinker, the reason I chose to receive TBR7 unassembled so I could get my hands dirty. The TBR7 will get you dirty, even if you only ride on the streets like me.  

I have spent much time wrenching on the motorcycle, and as I do, I find problems and solutions to making the TBR7 better.

I don’t regret buying the TBR7 and don’t regret getting the TBR7 over the Hawk 250 (previous post: Hawk 250 vs. TBR7)

Thank you for taking the time to read this first review of my new TaoTao TBR7, and as I get more riding time with the motorcycle, I will update my thoughts. I hope this was helpful, and again, here is my motorcycle.

FYI, this is my first motorcycle, and the bug has bitten me. I’m now constantly looking for motorcycles for sale.

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Click To See My Recommended
TBR7 Upgrades

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Sources:

TaoTao TBR7 Website: https://taomotor.com/products/motorcycles/tbr7/

TaoTao TBR7 Owners Manual Page: https://taomotor.com/products/motorcycles/tbr7/2019-tbr7-owners-manual/