Anyone own a scooter?

[cKGunslinger]

So, my plan was to buy a used motorcycle next year - maybe a smaller Honda Shadow or such, but now I'm looking at starting out with a small scooter for commuting to work:

150cc Scooters @ $1300

Does anyone have any experience with them? Is the insurance cheaper? Easier to drive? Need a special license? Do they really get ~80-90mpg?

They say top speed is 65mph, depending on weight - being a small guy, I'd think I could probably take it on the highway on my way to work, instead of having to stick to the back-ways. Is ~25 miles each way too long to have to ride on one?

 

[nakedfrog]

It probably depends on the state, but in general if it's under a certain cc, there's no license required.

 

[cKGunslinger]

I love how this "enthusiast" site managed to put of the dorkiest picture of a man riding a scooter I've ever seen: Text :laugh:

 

[Jahee]

Scooters are such fun i love riding them. Really easy to drive yea, just like a pushbike with a motor really, same characteristics you ride them the same way, i do anyway.

65 for a 125 sounds about right, but i'm not sure if they'd like being driven that hard for 50 miles a day as you'll be right at the engines limit.

Not sure about 80-90 MPG, maybe more like 50-60 for a 125, 50cc's may get that.

I used to ride this

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Jahee
Scooters are such fun i love riding them. Really easy to drive yea, just like a pushbike with a motor really, same characteristics you ride them the same way, i do anyway.

65 for a 125 sounds about right, but i'm not sure if they'd like being driven that hard for 50 miles a day as you'll be right at the engines limit.

Not sure about 80-90 MPG, maybe more like 50-60 for a 125, 50cc's may get that.

I used to ride this

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. Good mileage, but I might be killing the engine pre-maturely with the distance. I could take the back roads and drive 30mph for the most part, jumping on the highway if need be.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: Jahee
Scooters are such fun i love riding them. Really easy to drive yea, just like a pushbike with a motor really, same characteristics you ride them the same way, i do anyway.

65 for a 125 sounds about right, but i'm not sure if they'd like being driven that hard for 50 miles a day as you'll be right at the engines limit.

Not sure about 80-90 MPG, maybe more like 50-60 for a 125, 50cc's may get that.

I used to ride this

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. Good mileage, but I might be killing the engine pre-maturely with the distance. I could take the back roads and drive 30mph for the most part, jumping on the highway if need be.

That would be my plan.. If you need to get on the motorways get a bigger engine like a 250 or somethin..

 

[voodoojc]

I have a 150cc Vento Phantom R4i. Get about 55 mpg and only goes up to 55mph. I would never take it on the freeway. Insurance is only $75/year, but might be more if you tell them you use it to commute to work. As for a license, in GA you don't need a motorcycle license for scooters under 50cc. Check to see if you have motorcycle safety classes in your state, which usually give you a motorcycle license after you graduate the 3 day class.

 

[ValValline]

A rated top speed of 65 is most likely on a flat road with no headwind wringing the little things neck. If your going to ride on the freeway, you need something with some headroom (top speed of 75 or 80) so you can get up to speed quickly when merging and keep up with traffic if it is flowing faster than 55-65. The last thing you want to be is the slow guy on a freeway with only 2 wheels under you.

I think scooters are great, but make sure you get one that suits your needs. Once you get up to the 250cc mark you are starting to hit a price range for motorcycles, and at that point you may be better off getting one if that is your ultimate goal.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Yeah, I think for my current needs (distance + potential highway use,) I might be better off sticking with the smaller motorcycle.

 

[drpootums]

In my area I've seen 800-1200cc used Suzuki's from the mid 80's for around $1000-1500. The bikes don't look like racers, and probably only get 40 mpg (50 tops), but they're more than fast enough and are high quality bikes.

Look at used ones in your area, I'm sure you'll find something.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Personally, I think they are getting to motorcycle territory, and it's ridiculous that one can own and drive a scooter with no license or insurance.

 

[Budmantom]

it's very metrosexual

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Budmantom
it's very metrosexual

LOL. Fortunately, I've moved past the state of giving a flying fvck what other people think about the things I do.

But yeah, I'm sure I'd have to bear the brunt of more than a few snickers if I tooled around on a 150cc scooter.

 

[SearchMaster]

I wouldn't drive one for a 25 mile commute. 5-7, maybe, but 10 is probably the max. They're not made for freeway commuting, but are great for "around the city".

 

[jagec]

For tooling around town, scooters are nice because they're light and you can park them anywhere. Once you even think about getting onto the highway, get a motorcycle.

My DL650 has been getting 60MPG on my commute lately, and according to the internet it runs a 12.5 quarter mile, which IMHO is plenty of power to keep out of trouble on the highway. Plus, it's a lot bigger and more visible than a scooter, and I haven't had many problems with people trying to merge into me that lots of riders report. It's been a great commuter for me. If you have to do a lot of slow-speed tight turns, it's a little top heavy, whereas a scooter would not be, but it's a better compromise IMHO than trying to ride a scooter on the freeway.

 

[dustmann]

Get a motorcycle license and find yourself a used kawi 250. It's got plenty of headroom for highway speeds, gets about 60mpg and can almost pull of the sportbike look. It'll get less laughs than a scooter anywho, and it's a helluva lot more fun to ride.

Mine's an 05, bought it with 480 miles on it in 05 for $2100. I commute 30 miles to work every day (well, not in the rain, I know I'm a weeny ) Used ones go for ~1500, they haven't changed since 1989.

Ninja 250 FTW

 

[dustmann]

My insurance is only 15/month, but I only have liability with comp/collision on it. It went down quite a bit when I turned 21, I think it went from 25/month to 15. The 250 is a great beginners bike too, so it won't wheelie out from under you (unless you really want it to). Top speed is an indicated 110, probably more like 95mph. Runs 80mph at about 10500 rpm and runs outta juice at about 12500.