Anyone ride a Scooter? (driver, motor, miles per gallon, braking)

[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.

[John1960]

Hi, I own a 2005 Yamaha 400cc Majesty Scooter that gets up to 60 miles per gallon.

2008 Yamaha Majesty Home, information, info


John

[Steve-o]

Check out the Yamaha Zuma. I rode them a few times and, heh heh, actually enjoyed it.

**waiting for lightning to strike me at any moment**


It cost less than $3 to fill the tank, and we rode them for hours on end and didnt even use 1/2 a tank. Top speed was almost 50 mph, and it was actually quite comfortable. Theyre effortlessly easy to ride and are quite fun.

[foma]

I think that's a cool idea as long as you're staying off highways and sticking to "quiet" roads. It is dangerous though. I visited my cousin and Taiwan a few years back and she took me in her scooter EVERYWHERE, including the hwy. I mostly grabbed on to her digging my nails into her skin and closed my eyes the whole time!! Traffic is of course different here than it is in other countries so I think you should be OK ... but I understand your husband's concern!

[stock66]

Wow, the Majesty is a big luxury ride! I am thinking Zuma or Vino Classic. Being in LA I will certainly be in traffic. How do scooters compare to motorcycles? My husband has had a motorcycle and says if I must have something like this he would prefer the motorcycle as he feels it is safer.
I think the scooter seems more comfortable and I have heard they are easier to handle.
Thanks for you input!

[John1960]

Scooters have automatic transmissions and motorcycles don't.


John

[Magnulus]

I have ridden a scooter for 1 1/2 years and done about 4,000 miles riding. My current ride is a Honda Reflex (250) and a Vino 125. The Reflex tops out at about 85 mph and gets about 65-80 mpg, the Vino tops out at about 50-55 mph and gets about 65 - 90 mpg. I've done some expressway riding and as long as it isn't busy, it is actually less nerve wracking that riding streets. I also occasionally ride my dad's Honda Rebel motorcycle just to top up the battery when he's gone (he works in DC, lives in Orlando, rides not all that often), or for a change of pace.

The Zuma is good for roads under 40-45 miles per hour and has very good brakes and suspension, but is a two stroke and "only" gets about 55-75 miles per gallon- the throttle has a really short throw, too (so it is mostly either on or off, not really like a car's throttle). Vino Classic is also OK but the 4-stroke engine is not as spirited and the suspension is not as competent. The Vino 125 is another good choice and has alot of get-up-and-go and is a 4-stroke. The Yamaha C3 has been getting good reviews, tops out about 40-43 mph, and it gets about 120 miles per gallon and is fuel injected (it doesn't carry alot unless you add a topcase, though)

Vespas and Piaggio's are all good. So are Honda's. I started out on a Metropolitan but I feel the suspension is a little too soft and it has some handling issues, it wouldn't be my first choice as a beginner ride; the suspension is very soft and the handling is very touchy. Still, with a little care it might make a good beginner ride. It also gets amazing fuel economy at about 100 - 110 miles per gallon. The Elite 80 is an older model still being made and IMO is outdated: unless you buy used it isn't worth it.

I would buy used if you can, you save alot of money. You might want to check out urbanscootin.com Honda Metropolitan Scooter :: Index.

I believe in California you need some kind of license or endorsement. 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). I don't necessarily think a motorcycle is safer than a scooter- especially on cruisers the braking tends to be a bit more tricky than on a scooter since you often have a foot pedal and more weight (and on smaller motorcycles, softer brakes). On either machine, it is more demanding than riding a car and requires alot of skills to do with even a modicum of safety- if you are a bad car driver you won't make a good rider. You have to be very good at reading traffic and always expecting the unexpected.

[LINCOLNSHIRE]

Originally Posted by John1960

Scooters have automatic transmissions and motorcycles don't.


John

Modern ones do [hairdryers ] I had original 60s Vespas in the 70s and they were proper,,,,Looking at taking on a project at the moment to rebuild a 60s model,,Not cheap, not only in cash but time,,But will be worth it in the end,,

[John1960]

Here is a site for information on Yamaha Majestys.

MajestyUSA: Yamaha Majesty Enthusiasts Forum and website.

John