buying a Scooter

[T2urtle]

first off i'm expected all you big shot 600cc/1000cc+ bike riders to make fun of me and etc. I've quoted prices on 600cc bikes and then scooters. $3k for my on a 600 ninja VS $300 for a 50cc or $600 for a 125cc scooter.

I'm considering getting one of these to use. Not sure how much i'll use it yet. kinda makes sense and i wanna have a little fun. my normal travel is 10 miles one way to work on highway. GF and shopping places/food/school are all about 5miles within. My current g35x gets really 17mpg in the city.

the scooter revolution hit me. my friend has a honda ruckus and i like it BUT not much storage, you can mod the crap out of them but one seater. I saw a 50cc/125cc Zuma that i really like the idea of. but haven't drove one yet. These guys are running $1200 or less for a 50cc used and $2800 new for the 125cc. Fits 2 people, some storage and etc. Plus its an auto so other people can use this as well.

I ran all the numbers for me to own this in chicago would be $100 for stickers and plate register and etc. $300/600 insurance for the whole year (which covers theif) . $20 to get my L lincese to ride the 125cc. I dont need anything for the 50cc.

Only thing i cant plan for is maintence. was told tires are done in 5-7k and they need constant valve adjustments. I'm somewhat handy on a car. I've haven't done much engine work but i'll see.

You guys think i'm dumb for getting a scooter? I'm a 24 year old male. I'm not a yuppie or anything, not a tree huger. I just want to use it for fun, i might covert it to my DD in the warmer months but in chicago its always crazy.

I've been on this scooter rage all week and money in my pocket for a while now. I wanted originally a miata for the same purpose but it would cost me roughly the same insurance wises and etc but i need a place to store it in the winter. Winter storage around here for a car is about $100/month, the scooter i can put in my basement.

 

[punjabiplaya]

my friend is shopping around for one too, 25yr old male, not anything near a hippie, just wants something cheap and very fuel efficient to take him to work and back. He drives a lot at work, but a vehicle and gas money is provided by the company. I would look into a scooter too, except I drove my aunt's in India and I am forever scarred/scared.

 

[T2urtle]

your in texas, pretty much another plus to own a scooter as you can drive all year round.

i'm most likely going to pull the trigger on the zuma 50cc right now to see what the fuss is, if i dont like it, i'll just flip it. Be out maybe $500 at most in terms of stuff i buy and fees.

 

[Greenman]

First off, scooters are cool. They are are loads of fun to ride and cheap to operate. What more could you want?

Don't let the squids or Harley fags influence your decision, both groups have delusions of grandeur.

These are world class cool, I'd almost give up my V-Rod for one.

http://pinktentacle.com/2008/05/japanese-custom-scooters/

 

[Zap]

Go for that Zuma 50cc. That's what I would get if I got a scooter, and I've considered them in the past. They look like a hoot to ride, plus if you get bored of the stock performance there's a huge aftermarket for them that easily doubles top speed.

 

[Greenman]

Go for that Zuma 50cc. That's what I would get if I got a scooter, and I've considered them in the past. They look like a hoot to ride, plus if you get bored of the stock performance there's a huge aftermarket for them that easily doubles top speed.

I've often wondered about that. I was thinking about getting one of those little pocket bikes and putting a blower on it, may nitrous as well. It would nothing short of awesome to have one of those things that would turn a 12 second quarter.

 

[Zap]

While it sounds impressive, a "doubled top speed" means 70MPH instead of 35MPH. This is possible partly because scooters are artificially limited in top speed so that (in most places) they are considered mopeds and don't need special licenses to ride. As I understand it, just removing the limiter (however that is achieved) should add an easy 10MPH by itself.

 

[Kroze]

dude get the Honda Elite. They're selling for $2500 (from $3k msrp) and have a huge amount of room, fuel injected, liquid cooled, and extremely capable of doing 50+mph

 

[T2urtle]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcy/1764625500.html

this is one in my area 2007 elite $1900 700 miles. It doesn't look as nice.... i saw the website where it was all the specs u said but i think those are BRAND new models.

$3000 is a lot of cheddar for something I MIGHT not like/use all the much. the zuma 50 is running aound $900-1300 easily. i'm on a zuma forum learning right now.

 

[RedRooster]

Scooters are awesome for urban commuting, but if you plan to ride 10 miles on the highway, the novelty will wear off very fast. Unless heavily modded, the 50cc ones are pretty much useless on any roads over 40mph or so and you'll just end up being a roadblock. Definately go with a 125 if you can swing it, the 50s are for in town use only.
The wife has had one for the last few summers, and I refuse to take it on the freeway(50mph speed limit). Even with a pipe its not even close to keeping up with traffic.

 

[MiataNC]

Nothing wrong with scooters. I am planning on getting one and I ride a Triumph 1050cc Speed Triple every day. In fact scooters are intoxicating fun, but consider the following....

1. YOU ARE JUST AS UNPROTECTED/VULNERABLE ON A SCOOTER AS YOU ARE ON A MOTORCYCLE!! - Most scooter riders never think to wear "All The Gear All the Time" (helmet, gloves, boots, pants, and a jacket), but you will suffer the same types of injuries a motorcycle rider will if you go down at the same speed.

2. What are the speed limits (what people drive NOT posted) on the routes you plan to take. You don't want to be slow on any type of 2 wheeled vehicle in commuting traffic. You are just asking for it if you are. - Get a scooter with enough HP to do at least 10mph MORE than what people typically drive.

3. If you determine that you will need a 250cc and up scooter to keep up with traffic, you will find prices MUCH higher than a typical new or used "starter bike" (Ninja 250R, Ninja 500R, Honda Rebel 250, and even the larger Ninja 650R and Suzuki SV650). Prices on larger scooters are insane compared to smaller motorcycles.

Whatever you decide to get take the MSF training course in your area. Just because scooters don't require shifting doesn't mean you should skip professional training for basic motorcycle/scooter operation.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Personally, there is no way I'd take a scooter on the freeway. Typical freeway speeds here are 80mph and those little scooters are more susceptible to wind and truck blasts blowing you around at higher speed than a motorcycle.

 

[AMCRambler]

Nothing wrong with scooters. I am planning on getting one and I ride a Triumph 1050cc Speed Triple every day. In fact scooters are intoxicating fun, but consider the following....

1. YOU ARE JUST AS UNPROTECTED/VULNERABLE ON A SCOOTER AS YOU ARE ON A MOTORCYCLE!! - Most scooter riders never think to wear "All The Gear All the Time" (helmet, gloves, boots, pants, and a jacket), but you will suffer the same types of injuries a motorcycle rider will if you go down at the same speed.

2. What are the speed limits (what people drive NOT posted) on the routes you plan to take. You don't want to be slow on any type of 2 wheeled vehicle in commuting traffic. You are just asking for it if you are. - Get a scooter with enough HP to do at least 10mph MORE than what people typically drive.

3. If you determine that you will need a 250cc and up scooter to keep up with traffic, you will find prices MUCH higher than a typical new or used "starter bike" (Ninja 250R, Ninja 500R, Honda Rebel 250, and even the larger Ninja 650R and Suzuki SV650). Prices on larger scooters are insane compared to smaller motorcycles.

Whatever you decide to get take the MSF training course in your area. Just because scooters don't require shifting doesn't mean you should skip professional training for basic motorcycle/scooter operation.

4. If you have a fat ass add 50cc, lol

 

[T2urtle]

Personally, there is no way I'd take a scooter on the freeway. Typical freeway speeds here are 80mph and those little scooters are more susceptible to wind and truck blasts blowing you around at higher speed than a motorcycle.

i'm NEVER going to consider taking it on a highway. a friend with a 600cc almost smashed into a big rig cause of the wind.


I do 10 miles highway to work, i'm taking local streets there, it might end up being 12 miles. But actually i might not use it for work and just for school and play.

 

[Plugers]

125cc if you don't want everyone passing you all the time.
I had a 83 Yamaha Riva 180 and it got about 65mpg and would hit 65 mph.

I drove mine on the highway, I got a lot of WTF looks as a riva180 sort of looks like a 50cc if it's not sitting right next to one. Only in the 55mph areas through the city though.

 

[BUTCH1]

Personally, there is no way I'd take a scooter on the freeway. Typical freeway speeds here are 80mph and those little scooters are more susceptible to wind and truck blasts blowing you around at higher speed than a motorcycle.

X2 for that, I drive only 12 mi/day on I-95 and am constantly amazed at the stupidity and disregard I see on a daily basis, you need some power to get you out of trouble if needed and 50/125cc just ain't gonna be enough..

 

[Billb2]

We have a Yamaha Vino Classic (50cc) as one of out pit vehicles for our SCCA race team.
It's extreemely durable, incredible gas milage, and simple to operate. It looks cool too. Has about 2500 miles on it now. As for maintenance, clean it up once in a while and add gas.

It never sees the street though. It would be pretty much useless on anything other than a 25 mph side street

 

[LTC8K6]

Personally, there is no way I'd take a scooter on the freeway. Typical freeway speeds here are 80mph and those little scooters are more susceptible to wind and truck blasts blowing you around at higher speed than a motorcycle.

IIRC, it's illegal to take such scooters on the controlled access highways here.

 

[T2urtle]

^ yes it is...

i googled bicyle route today on my way home from work. it showed up 8.8 miles.

I drove home 30mph. it was pretty nice, there is a bike path that i could use if anything. I shouldn't run into any trouble POSTED speed limit was 25 but no one on the road at 6am when i go home.

Only trouble part i can see if i had a zuma is this bridge i have to go over. Otherwise i just have to cross one big intersection with no turning light and i'm GOLD to go home at a 35mph pace. Lots of stop lights and stop signs. Along the way home there was PLENTY of guys on bicycles going the same way or other way to work so i'm not exactly alone. I feel good/safe going this route on a scooter...

 

[Vette73]

Since you talk about storage I would lean toward a 100cc+ for extra weight to maintain speed and ease of driving.

That and, like a TV, no one complains about going bigger. :awe:

 

[JulesMaximus]

i'm NEVER going to consider taking it on a highway. a friend with a 600cc almost smashed into a big rig cause of the wind.


I do 10 miles highway to work, i'm taking local streets there, it might end up being 12 miles. But actually i might not use it for work and just for school and play.

600cc motorcycle? I've ridden thousands of miles on the freeways on my SV650 with no problem passing trucks even at speeds up into the triple digits. You definitely feel the wind, especially on a naked bike like mine, it but it's not overly dangerous.

Scooters are definitely more susceptible to wind than a motorcycle because they are smaller and lighter. The main reason I would never take one on the freeway is because of the top speed of a scooter. You just don't have any power and you are limited to a lower top speed than most of the traffic around you, even on a 150cc.

 

[MiataNC]

Scooters are definitely more susceptible to wind than a motorcycle because they are smaller and lighter....

They also have MUCH smaller wheels. This reduces the gyroscopic effect (which makes bikes more stable and harder to turn/lean the faster they go), making them less stable at speed than motorcycles.

 

[Vette73]

Also just noticed that the 50cc's are 2cycle while the 125cc's are 4cycle so the 125cc is more then just size as far as power goes.

 

[pukemon]

IIRC, it's illegal to take such scooters on the controlled access highways here.

I think it depends on the state. In my state, you can take a 250cc-class scooter or motorcycle onto the highway. Whether you really want to is something else.

Then again Suzuki makes a 650cc scooter, and Aprilia makes a 500cc. Considering those nameplates, that's not entirely surprising. Those actually look like a lot of fun...

 

[T2urtle]

there are a lot of bigger engine scooters. in the state or IL / city of chicago... under 50cc you dont need a different license, just your normal driver's. The 50-150 needs a C class and 150+ needs a M class.

I need to get a license for the 125cc, sadly none are even on the market in terms of used sales, i guess they are the keepers, which means good thing for thoses who own it but not for me since i most likely need to buy new at $3000-3500.

I passed up a deal on a 2008 50cc zuma at $1500, seeing how the new 2010 models run for $2200. I thought $1200 would of been the selling point. But he listed at $1500 and was FIRM as hell. Jokingly i threw out $1450 and no go either.

no name china scoots are $1000 brand new. being chinese myself it was somewhat tempting but i rather stick with something KNOWN and a mod community rather then something cheap.