Is there a S.D. area where scooters seem to be prevalent (San Diego: neighborhoods, live)

[Beware_of_Dog]

Any community or town where one would see people riding Vespas, Honda Helixes, and the like in S.D. county? I always liked those small towns in Italy where everyone seems to ride scooters everywhere, even down those little streets that are too small for cars to go down.

[bloom]

Scooters are a death trap, a suicide rap.

[moved]

Ride one, you'll get killed.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by Beware_of_Dog

Any community or town where one would see people riding Vespas, Honda Helixes, and the like in S.D. county? I always liked those small towns in Italy where everyone seems to ride scooters everywhere, even down those little streets that are too small for cars to go down.

All of the neighborhoods surrounding Balboa Park is where I have seen the most scooter riders. N Park, S Park, Hillcrest, Bankers Hill.
There is also a very popular and longtime Vespa/Scooter dealer in South Park on 30th.

I almost bought one until I decided to leave the Downtown area. They are quite convenient for getting around town within a 10 mile radius if you know you are only taking side streets. For example getting to the farmers market in North Park on Sundays makes it pretty nice vs hopping in a car trying to find a spot.

[bradleyyo]

Oh lord. I LOLed

[Clevelandgal]

Motorsport Scooters used to be on 30th in North Park, but just moved to 3955 Pacific Highway. Their reputation is second to none. http://www.scooterwest.com/about. I highly recommend considering a reliable brand such as Genuine, Vespa/Piaggio, Kymco, Sym,or any of the Japanese models over the fly by night brands made in China. My neighbor thought he was smart getting a $1100 wildfire and broke never to be repaired at 6 miles. I know many stories similar. I have a genuine buddy with over 10,000 and no problems, just maintanence and it was $2500. I won't talk about my Vespa. It has been reliable but a bit pricier to maintain. Scooter central from what I can tell is North Park and Hillcrest areas and even downtown. San Diego is a great scootering town. great weather and fairly mindful drivers believe it or not. As far as safety there are safety and riding classes available. I took them in another state (both basic and expereinced) and cannot recommend them highly enough. As far as being a "death trap" well yes accidents on bikes, motorcycles and scooters can cause more harm than a car...but must people go through their entire lives without one. The joy they bring is immeasurable too!

I also would not bother with a 50cc unless you are using it for right in the neighborhood. 125-250 is best and fine for everything but freeway...250cc plus for freeway.

edit/add- my Buddy get around 100 mpg, the Vespa 250 78mpg. When gas hit $5.00 plus in a few months, good luck trying to get a scooter.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Near SDSU
but

you'll shoot your eye out kid

[MAK802]

We got one at the store that used to be on 30th in North Park last year. It's a 250cc. When we lived in Hillcrest, we took it everywhere. Downtown, all around town, farmers markets....while everyone was driving around looking for parking, we parked wherever we pleased without any issues and never had to leave early to find parking. It didn't feel like a scooter, since it's bigger than most motorcycles, so not sure it really compares to say the Vespa. Scooters are no more of a death trap than motorcycles, we've never had an issue getting around and we used it daily to go out at night.

[NYSD1995]

Try scooterville, it's next to the hammock district

[sdurbanite]

^^^What he said!