Anyone ride a Scooter? (highway, road, traffic, Saab)

[Mac_Muz]

If you were my wife you would be on a bike too. The reason why, is the smaller wheels don't mix well with bad roads and pot holes. I live in New Hampshire, and we have roads that resemble WW-2 bombed out roads due to winter.

It is a better idea to take the MSF courses too, that what jackie did. In NH anyone on 2 wheels must prove they can ride at the state police testing areas, UNLESS they take the MSF course, which is training over a simple weekends worth of book and hands on learning.

You can get just as dead on a scooter as you can on a bigger bike.

[Nepenthe]

Originally Posted by John1960

Here is a site for information on Yamaha Majestys.

MajestyUSA: Yamaha Majesty Enthusiasts Forum and website.

The gallery was pretty cool!:

MajestyUSA: Yamaha Majesty Enthusiasts :: View topic - 01 fully custom majesty

I had a Yamaha Riva 180Z back in the late 80s into the early 90s. It had so much more torque than my friend's 49cc two-stroke Spree.

There are two scooters on my list of bikes I have to ride before I die:

Aprilia Scarabeo 500: Aprilia

Just love the larger wheels on that thing, seems like a capable and fun one-up commuter and short tourer.

Yamaha T-Max: 2010 Yamaha TMAX Home, information

The TMax has a 105 mph top speed and goes 0-60 in the low 6 second range, putting it on par with the Ninja 250. It's got a fuel-injected 499cc parallel twin, beefy 43mm forks, the engine is sprung weight (on many scooters the engine is unsprung weight), 15" radial sport tires in 120mm and 160mm widths, aluminum frame, nice cornering clearance, CVT transmission with centrifugal clutch, dual disc front brakes, bright lights, and it can swallow a helmet.

[Nepenthe]

Originally Posted by Magnulus

It definitely is risky, which is why you should wear a good helmet (I would recommend a modular flipup or full face helmet), boots (not shoes), heavy pants (jean are a minimum, textile or leather is better), motorcycle gloves, and a leather or heavy textile (motorcycle) jacket. You should also take a motorcycle safety class, even if you have to learn to ride a motorcycle in the process (it won't hurt to know how, and it isn't that hard).

Great advice!

[catman]

In my opinion, the scooters would be more fun if they still had manual transmissions. The old Lambrettas were loads of fun! But I like to shift gears.

[Wilkester2010]

I've owned a Yamaha Vino Classic and currently own a Yamaha TMAX. The Vino Classic supposedly gets 110 miles to the gallon. I can verify it gets at least 85. Fill ups were dirt cheap though part of that was because it only has a 1.2 gallon gas tank. Because it was under 50cc, you didn't need a motorcycle license or have to take the motorcycle safety course. The top speed of the Vino was 40 mph unless you were going downhill in which case, who knows what speed you were doing. Because of that lack of engine power, you were prohibited by law from going on roads that had a posted speed limit higher than 50 mph. The Vino is very easy to ride and had some decent storage space under the seat.

The TMAX is what is known as a super scooter. As Nepenthe mentioned, it has a 499cc engine which means you have to take the motorcycle safety course and get a motorcycle license to ride it. This makes sense as the TMAX is very much on par with most motorcycles out there. I've taken mine up to 95 mph with no problems and, I've heard it will do 110 mph. I haven't gotten enough nerve or insanity yet to find out if it really will do 110. I can state absolutely that you can store a full face helmet in the storage compartment underneath the seat. That's where I store my helmet when I ride mine to work. Gas milage wise, it allegedly gets 47 miles to the gallon. I can vouch that it gets pretty close to that. I've seen around 41/42. It has a 4 gallon tank so that gives you range of at least 160 miles. It claims you can tour on this bike. Yes, if you have one iron butt. Personally, I found after riding the TMAX for over 90 minutes, I started trying to find a softer spot on the seat and, there wasn't one. The TMAX like all scooters is fully automatic gear wise which makes it easier to operate than your standard motorcycle i.e. no changing gears. Also like other scooters, both brakes are operated by brake handles on the handlebars which makes that simpler too. Because of the TMAX's speed, you can ride this bike on all normal roads. It has an electronic starter which means it starts EVERY time. I had problems at times getting my former Vino Classic to start. One down side of sorts to the TMAX is that it is priced very much on par with motorcycles. The list on my 2009 TMAX was $7999. The price went up $450 for the 2010 model. It has very sporty looks and handles really well. Trying to open the storage compartment under the seat can be tricky. Another nice feature it has is where it will tell you when it’s time to get the oil changed.

[Anthony Pepperoni]

Originally Posted by stock66

I am seriously considering getting a scooter (Vespa type). My husband is dead set against the idea, he keeps saying I will kill myself
Anyone have any experience with them? I have been looking at the low end Yamahas. I don't want to make a huge investment since this is all new.
I just plan to use around town (Los Angeles). I don't want to get on freeways, probably no more than a 10 mile radius of home.

I have one of these. http://www.motorcycle.com/specs/site...People_150.jpg

It's for sale. I've had 2 scooters, a moped and 3 different motorcycles. The scooters and moped were the most fun of them all. This bike is a blast to ride. I'd give you a great deal if you were in PA. I'm giving up 2 wheels after 3 decades of riding.

[jc76]

I owned a Honda Metropolitan and loved it. However, I live in a flat area. L.A. has some hills and twists I'd recommend at least a 100 or 150cc Vespa for that city.

[KoobleKar]

My Brother called me one day and said he'd like me to go with him to help him decide on what scooter to buy since he knows I've been riding motorcycles for over 40 years.

He told me to bring my helmet since he didn't have one (nor does he have a motorcycle license) and someone would have to ride the thing home is he bought it.

Well, he settled on a Honda Silverwing scooter. He got it registered with a temporary plate and we left the dealership with me on board the scooter.

First of all, I was impressed with the grunt of the engine. It would pull you up to highway speed in no time at all. What I did have trouble with was that there was no foot pedal for the rear brake...it being a lever that took the place of the clutch lever.

So I'm following him home and he decides to take the Turnpike!!!!!

I can attest that the Silverwing will haul you at 80+ MPH because I had to do that to keep pace with him. Let me tell you, I was white knuckled at times passing 18 wheelers on this thing at 80.

Then to humiliate me completely, a long like of H-D bikers came along and passed us. There I am with my full face helmet with Triumph decals, and my ballistic nylon jacket looking like a real biker, but I'm on this pathetic scooter!!

[jamaicabound60565]

If it's just for around town I don't necessarily think its a bad idea.

You can pick up a used scooter real brand not some chinese make for probably less than $1000.

I agree still not a bad idea to take a MSF course, learn how to be more visible, what to watch out for, etc. Heck you may even decide you'd like to get a bike.

One thing I find odd is many people seem to be less intimidated by scooters than bikes, I guess smaller, not as much power, and automatic instead of manual. I think people also think of it as being safer.

As somene else eluded to scooters are more dangerous than bikes. The small tires can easily be swallowed up but even a small pothole or hitting a board in the road or rock which on a bike may not be an issue will be on a scooter. Also you sit lower so your less visible and you have less power to get away from danger.

I ran into a guy recnetly riding a scooter, said his wife woudn't let him get a bike so a scooter was the next best thing. I find this realy odd as I think scooters are more dangerous providing you ride your bike responsibily and not like an idiot.

[minibrings]

Concur with all to take the MSF course.

I started looking at a 50cc but the sales guy told me they recommended a 150cc to start. So I took the MSF class and got my motorcycle license (you need one to drive over 50cc). When I was on the market for a 150cc (I wnated new) I found a leftover new 2009 Aprilia Scarabeo 500 (460cc) for less than what a new 150cc cost (I paid 4,200). I was second guessing my choice until I drove the scooter and found it so easy to drive with the automatic transmission. I no have 400km on the scooter; I've driven on highways, city and country roads, night, daytime, have had to battle crosswinds and traverse highway bridges.. with no worries. I don't regret the choice and knowing what I know now, a 150cc bike would not have been powerful enough for my needs, or at least I would have outgrown it quickly.

I'm a very safe car driver (25 years no accidents or speeding tickets) so I'm very cautious on the bike.. the MSF course taught me valuable skills I use everyday (I ride the scooter ever day). Even if you get a 50cc scooter, still take the course.. you'll be glad you did. I think it actually made me a better (car) driver. I'm more careful around motorcycles/scooters and when you are on 2 wheels you have a better view of bad driving habits... so you learn what not to do.