12/11/2018 Classic Alpha Since the popularity of mopeds has lasted for several generations, today on the streets of Russian and Ukrainian cities you can still see the old “Riga” and “Verkhovyna”, which were produced back in the days of the Soviet Union - surprisingly, they continue function properly.
However, Alpha and Delta, which had already become famous, surpassed even Verkhovyna and Karpaty. There have been, are and will be debates about them forever. One half of the owners hate this motorcycle, the other considers it one of the most flexible and reliable. Let's try to figure it out.
Types and modifications
There are many different types of Alpha and Delta and they all differ in wheel design, tank, color - in general, all sorts of little things. The only really important feature of this moped is the engine. There are such modifications of motors according to the cylinder volume criterion:
- Volume 49.9 cubic meters - pure moped;
- Volume 72 cubic meters - noticeably different in power from a moped, but still have “moped” dynamics.
- The volume is 110 cubic meters - until recently it was the most powerful Alpha moped and has quite motorcycle performance, capable of competing in dynamics with all scooters and even the Yamaha ybr 125.
- The volume of 125 cubic meters has only become an actively selling product in recent years - a full-fledged motorcycle engine.
- Two-cylinder V-shaped engine Alpha with a volume of 250 cubic meters (2 x 125) - no one has seen it, no one has driven it, but they made a video about it, so everyone believes in it. It was not and is not on sale.
Here is the famous video (500 thousand views - half a million hopes of mopedists) about the two-cylinder Alpha:
Each of the above types of engines (we are not considering the 2-cylinder one, since it does not exist for sale) exists in the following two modifications based on the type of gearbox:
- semi-automatic - there is no clutch, it is automatic: these engines were considered progressive by the Chinese at one time, so they were installed on sort of sports alphas from the G-max company.
- Mechanics are the most popular and convenient type of gearbox.
G-max racer is not the most successful invention.
The Delta moped is the same as the Alpha. All characteristics are similar. Anyone who seeks deep difference is doomed to failure, since there are no differences. The only differences are external. The Delta is more rare, more rustic, it has a square, somewhat dated headlight, and a rectangular speedometer, the tank is located as part of the frame, which allows you to use the free space for the pannier.
Alpha/Delta engine
The Alpha moped, unlike the Delta, is equipped with a large motorcycle tank, a tachometer, and round (occasionally a pair of round) motorcycle headlights. In other words, the Alpha is a little more motorcycle-like in appearance, because the Delta (even with a 125 cc engine) is a doomed moped.
The Alpha 110 moped is the most popular model; all motorcycle stores in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan are filled with spare parts for this particular motorcycle. Its engine costs 10,000 rubles. And this is the price of a new one! With very careful maintenance, it can travel 35 thousand kilometers without failures. Now tell me, is there a more profitable motor on the planet? 3.5 kilometers of engine life costs exactly 1 ruble! Is the motor broken? Throw it away, buy a new one and you have a new alpha again. Yes, this is exactly why everyone loves this moped. There are about 2 dozen factories producing Alpha engines. Zongshen is considered the best.
There are myths, and sellers are very fond of misleading them, that there is a Japanese engine for Alpha. It is not true. The last Japanese engine for this technique was created in the late 80s and was no longer produced.
general information
The Alpha motorcycle, the photo of which is presented above, has a power of from five to eight horsepower, depending on the modification. The model is equipped with a power unit with a rotation speed of eight and a half thousand rotations per minute. Starting is done with an electric or mechanical starter. The engine is coupled to a four-speed gearbox.
The drive from the engine to the wheel has a chain device. The dimensions of the equipment are 1 meter 80 centimeters in length, and 1.0 and 0.5 meters in width and height, respectively. The moped's weight of eighty kilograms makes it easy to transport it through wetlands or obstacles in the form of steps or ledges. Drum brakes are controlled using levers located on the steering wheel. The wheels of the unit are seventeen inches.
Characteristics
The Alpha 110 motorcycle can be used both for riding on city streets and for long trips in the countryside.
Alpha. 2018 model
The latest Alpha model, which left the factory in 2022, received a number of updates:
- a quieter muffler, although many “alfists” for some reason, on the contrary, try to give the muffler more roaring sound;
- higher quality, grippy rubber;
- the updated speedometer-tachometer panel is a real gift for mopedists, since the design of the double aluminum can is already pretty boring;
- more contrasting colors of the motorcycle;
- Availability of new generation safety bars.
Officially, Alpha 110 belongs to scooters. But despite this, its appearance is more suitable for a motorcycle. Among the distinctive design features of the Alpha 110 moped are:
- Large wheels;
- Large front fork;
- Rear view mirrors;
- Lots of components that were made from high quality metal.
Disputes about the quality of the metal from which these motorcycles are assembled continue forever. However, if you regularly service the moped, then the metal is really quite reliable.
You should understand! Our people, unlike foreign drivers, have this trait - the more expensive the equipment, the more careful they are with it. Due to the fact that Alfa is a budget motorcycle, it is driven through pits, puddles, and sand. If this motorcycle received even half the attention that Japanese bikes receive, it would last for many seasons and even for long trips.
Also among the distinctive features of this scooter are its rather large dimensions and representative appearance. You can also remember the pleasant bonuses - elegant stands designed to place your feet, and a muffler made in the shape of a saxophone. By the way, the muffler produces a rather pleasant melodic sound.
Among the interesting features are special light bulbs located on the instrument panel - their task is to inform the driver that the low or high beam is on, as well as the direction indicator that is currently functioning.
In order to provide the driver with a safe ride that is not devoid of comfort, the moped has a convenient space for panniers and side bars made from high-quality metal pipes - thanks to them, the side bars do not deform even in the event of an accident or fall.
Review results
Despite the fact that the Alpha motorcycle (moped) is a Chinese-made product, the use of advanced technologies and Japanese developments made it possible to bring the vehicle in question into the ranks of leaders among similar variations. The combination of affordable price and good quality has become the defining moment in this matter.
By following the manufacturers' recommendations and operating rules, you will receive a reliable two-wheeled “iron horse” that will last for many years, overcoming problem areas of rural roads and briskly maneuvering within the city.
Technical characteristics of the Alpha 110cc moped
The advantages of the Alpha 110 moped also include excellent technical characteristics. One could even say that it is thanks to them that the Alpha 110 is one of the most prominent representatives of Chinese motorcycle technology.
Among the distinctive features of the technical part of this moped are:
- Alloy wheels and tachometer included;
- Transmission operating in four stages;
- Performance of 8500 revolutions per minute;
- Rear-mounted and front-mounted (drum) brakes;
- Seven horsepower;
- Front-mounted hydraulic shock absorbers;
- Load weight limit of 120 kg;
- Rear-mounted spring shock absorbers;
- The weight of the motorcycle is 81 kg.
Preparation for purchase
It is advisable to drive as many hours as possible before purchasing your iron horse - and not only on smooth asphalt. It is worth organizing rides along forest roads in order to learn how to stay in the saddle in extreme conditions. You will need to pass a category M license. Obtaining this category is allowed from the age of 16 on the territory of the Russian Federation. And you can go on your first trip on your own motorized vehicle.
Moped license - category M
The undeniable advantage when choosing a moped is its efficiency - consumption is about two liters per hundred kilometers, with a gasoline tank capacity of 4 liters this is quite acceptable. A definite plus when deciding to own an Alpha. And even if you have to ride throughout the warm season, the efficiency of a moped will allow you to partially save your budget. "Alpha" has five horsepower at a maximum speed of 7500 per minute.
Engine
The Alpha 110 moped has a four-stroke engine. The volume of such a motor is 110 cubic centimeters, and it is cooled by air. By the way, this engine has one interesting distinctive feature - despite not having the largest volume, it is capable of developing a high level of performance.
In addition, the electric starter is launched using this motor. Moreover, in the event of a breakdown of the electric starter, the driver can always switch to the kickstarter.
Recipes for increasing 139 FMB power at home
The most common way to increase the power of an Alpha moped engine is to replace the piston group with a version with a larger cylinder volume. As a rule, such a replacement adds power to the motor, but does not greatly affect the increase in the speed of the moped. There are other ways. The simplest is dual ignition. You can make a step on the protrusion located on the generator rotor housing by cutting off a 0.5 mm layer from half of its metal surface, from the edge that first touches the sensor during the working stroke of the rotor. This will give an increase in power by 5-10%. The diameter of the intake and exhaust valves can be increased. To do this, you need to bore holes in the cylinder head for wider valves taken from the 139 FMB piston group with a larger cubic capacity. This operation gives an increase in power by 15-20%.
Fuel tank
It is worth recognizing that the volume of the fuel tank of the Alpha 110 moped is not very large - the maximum amount of fuel it can hold is four liters.
You should know! These are the passport data, but for unknown reasons the tank holds 6.5 liters. Apparently, this restriction is intended to prevent the driver from overfilling fuel when cornering while leaning.
At the same time, due to the fact that the maximum gasoline consumption per 100 kilometers is two liters, the fuel tank can be characterized as an economical solution by the manufacturer. This fuel tank can only be filled with gasoline of the AI-92 or AI-95 series.
Tests were carried out and 98 and even 76 gasoline were filled. From the AI-76, the carburetor began to malfunction, the float chamber became clogged and the motorcycle stalled. The equipment ran well on the AI-98, but the cylinder overheated too much.
Vibration damage
Some moped breakdowns may be associated with the destruction of its load-bearing elements. The plastic front wing on the Alpha lasts longer than the metal one, since it is less susceptible to the negative effects of vibration. Engine mounting points on the frame can also be damaged due to vibration. To avoid this, you need to weld wide washers onto them. After 2-3 seasons, the battery loses up to 50% of its capacity, so its regular replacement is also advisable. Electrical clutch and turn signal sensors must operate normally. Both safety while driving and correct control of gear shifting depend on them. The standard rear shock absorbers on the Alfa wear out, which can lead to unwanted friction between the rear wheel and the inner surface of the rear wing. There are luxury rear shock absorber options for the Alfa that allow you to put fat tires on the rear wheels, as they can help raise the rear of the bike a little. If you handle fasteners with care, serious problems with the repair of this moped are unlikely.
Advantages of the model
First of all, it is worth noting that some characteristics of the Alpha 110 moped exceed the distinctive features of two-seater mopeds. For example, this motorcycle is equipped with a comfortable seat for a passenger and a capacious trunk. The seat itself is quite comfortable, and, moreover, even two adult men can fit on it. There have been cases when this moped carried three people. This is unsafe and should never be done, but the fact remains.
The Alpha moped climbs any hill without any problems
Also among the advantages of the moped is that you can make steep climbs on it without much difficulty - this is possible thanks to the four-speed gearbox. An experienced driver is quite capable of achieving maximum performance from a moped engine.
It is also worth noting the electric starter, which in case of unexpected unpleasant situations on the road allows you to start the moped - it is quite high quality.
The main advantages of a moped also include an increased level of comfort while moving. Thanks to this, the driver is able to make even particularly long trips. If we talk about the driver's seat itself, its seating position is quite high and comfortable, and the footrests are located exactly where needed. The steering wheel has a delicate smooth bend.
It is worth talking separately about the dashboard - it is quite informative, and due to the large size of the speedometer and tachometer, a quick reading of their indicators is possible even during bad weather conditions.
What are users saying?
“Alpha” is a motorcycle, reviews of which are predominantly positive. Owners note its efficiency, ease of maintenance, modern design, good maneuverability and maintainability. Most users are satisfied that the moped is equipped with safety bars, chrome inserts and two starting methods.
As for negative impressions, they also exist. Some consumers note that the assembly is not entirely reliable, the light elements are weak, and the paint wears off quickly, which exposes some elements to corrosion. It is worth noting that a driver’s license is not required for models with a volume of up to fifty cubic centimeters, and to operate more powerful modifications you will need to have an appropriate license.
Conclusion:
In terms of build quality, the Soviet moped is much better than the Chinese moped, but in terms of comfort and attractiveness it is inferior to the Chinese moped, because tell me that it is much more pleasant to change gears with your foot and start the moped with a button, rather than with a kick.
But since this is a comparison, I give my vote in honor of the Soviet automobile industry, but I myself ride a Chinese moped. You just need to take a frame from the Carpathians and put a Chinese engine on it, and it will be just an armored vehicle
But as for the quality, I can really say that the Soviet moped is much better in this regard, because once, while riding a Karpacz, I flew into a ditch, I kept thinking about the moped, well, I kind of drove diagonally down a hillock from the road, and then he rolled it out onto the road and examined it and saw that only the headlight on it was bent upward, not even the glass was broken. I adjusted the headlight, sat down and drove on. But on a Chinese moped one day in winter it simply fell on its side, and the driver’s footrest immediately broke off and the plastic was all cracked.
Good speed
The speed limit for this moped is 70 km/h, which is quite enough for highway driving. The Alpha's weight is small, and controllability at higher speeds is noticeably lost. Some fans of this technology are trying to modify the Alpha moped (72 cc), install a more powerful piston, a zero-resistance filter, sprockets with an increased gear ratio, modify the ignition system, setting it to advance, and achieve an increase in speed to 90 km/h. But for driving around the city in traffic jams, on country roads, on dirt and gravel, the speed capabilities of the Alfa are quite sufficient even without all these modifications; moreover, with an increase in power and speed capabilities, many important components and assemblies of the moped begin to wear out faster.
The design of the Alpha allows it to be equipped with more “solid” engine options, increasing its power to 8 hp. With. But Alphas with such engines more often require repairs, the service life of the most important elements of the chassis is noticeably shorter, and they also begin to experience dangerous vibration damage. A more powerful motor would require an increase in the mass of other structural elements. This would be a loss of many advantages, especially in cross-country ability and efficiency, which the Alpha moped (72 cubic meters) has. The speed characteristics of these mopeds are perfectly balanced with the lightness and strength of their structure and chassis.
