Decided to grab the bull by the horns, gettin' a scooter

[Rayme]

After much thinkering and Math, I came to the conclusion buying a scooter to go back and forth to work just make sense. I recently sold a car I wasn't using and can pay it cash. And its actually FUN to drive!!!!..and has a dual seat for romantic gethaways with the GF..

As a plus, it will reduce wear and tear, maintenance cost and keep my car's resale value. I know.. I drive a WRX..I promise my next car will be better on gas

Oh btw, its a 2005 BEEWEE !!!!! (BW'S in canada, zuma in USA)



People report a solid average of 80 MPG +. I'm planning on hypermilling on it

[R.I.D.E.]

I say why not, they are very popular in places where gas is much more expensive than here in the US.

Now getting my wife on one would be a miracle.

We just leave her 21.8 MPG Murano in the garage and take my 50+ MPG VX.

regards
gary

[fumesucker]

Jacket, gloves and helmet at a minimum..

When you come off you will put your hands down without thinking, it's nice to have something other than flesh and bone grind against the asphalt.

Everyone else on the road is a cretinous homicidal psychopath in a multi ton death machine, they are out to get you and it is only your ability to evade their frantic efforts that stands between you and the long dirt nap.

Nice little machine it looks like, kind of like a Bugeye Sprite on two wheels..

I have a fondness for Yamahas.

[Biffmeistro]

I myself am getting a scooter tomorrow. A 2005 Honda Metropolitan.

[Rayme]

Ditto on that ! I'm looking at full face helm already and all the nice stuff they have for bikes at the store (a padded jacket sounds overkill though).

It'll be fun...filling the car last time cost me 75$ !!! I'd rather see my money go elsewhere than to the oil company even if it means I break even on my purchase.

Originally Posted by fumesucker

Jacket, gloves and helmet at a minimum..

When you come off you will put your hands down without thinking, it's nice to have something other than flesh and bone grind against the asphalt.

Everyone else on the road is a cretinous homicidal psychopath in a multi ton death machine, they are out to get you and it is only your ability to evade their frantic efforts that stands between you and the long dirt nap.

Nice little machine it looks like, kind of like a Bugeye Sprite on two wheels..

I have a fondness for Yamahas.

[OokiiMamoru]

Originally Posted by fumesucker

Jacket, gloves and helmet at a minimum..


Everyone else on the road is a cretinous homicidal psychopath in a multi ton death machine, they are out to get you and it is only your ability to evade their frantic efforts that stands between you and the long dirt nap.


I have a fondness for Yamahas.

I've thought about a scooter in the past, then I looked out at the state hw.... errr I mean auto bond, and decided I'd rather have steel wrapped around me.

12 miles both ways with expressway ... 18 mpg
24 miles both ways without expressway ... 80 mpg ... path for scooter, bike, or walking. If it was an option, I'd just walk. Darn river and power layout planing. No Public Transit worth mentioning. I work retail (big box superstore) so I pick up everything I need at work, or mail order it.

Granted I'd slightly double my economic range, but what about time and safety.

A motorcycle would probable do me better.

O well.

[JESSE69]

I like this one, would get it if I lived in Chicago.

http://www.cobrasales.com/delivery.htm

[Bruce]

Are there any 50cc bikes out there these days without a CVT? 50ccs would be great for mileage, but a manual transmission would be better for efficient pulses and hill climbing (wide throttle at low RPMs to minimize pumping losses.)

The old Honda CUB had a 50cc and 3-speed tranny with centrifugal clutch, and it could be bump started. Probably not as efficient as bikes with modern engines and aerodynamics, however.

[RoadWarrior]

Hmm if you ask me, the cub looked more aerodynamic

[Rayme]

Well here's the beast finally.



I got 68 MPG on my first thank! I think I can do better..that tank included driving with the GF 2 times and some "definitly needed" WOT

The EPA rate those at 123 MPG, but from what I read on the Zuma/BWS forums..that's being quite optimistic...

Very happy with my purchase!



I "Can't" wait for those tires to wear out, I want to buy some semi-slick (road) tires.

[OdieTurbo]

Maybe I should get the old Riva out of storage...

[Hateful]

I saw one being tailgated really close today in a 45mph zone. There was no reason for it as it was ahead of me entering the highway and turned left downhill to another red light. The scooter had to get into the left lane to get to the turning lane into the gas station. People are just mean when smaller vehicles are around them.

[MiddleMike]

Originally Posted by Hateful

I saw one being tailgated really close today in a 45mph zone. There was no reason for it as it was ahead of me entering the highway and turned left downhill to another red light. The scooter had to get into the left lane to get to the turning lane into the gas station. People are just mean when smaller vehicles are around them.

Yep. It's like they absolutely seeth hatred sometimes. Bicyclers, scooter riders, even Prius owners, tend to take an inordinate amount of crap from the "I'm entitled to get 8mpg!" minded drivers on the roads.

People would do a lot better in life as individuals and as a collective if they'd stop being so pre-occupied with being mad at the choices others make, imo.

Vino 125cc owner here, btw (and a Boulevard motorcycle as well). Love that little scooter, even though I look kinda weird driving it since I'm a 6'3" guy. But hey, 80mpg is 80mpg.

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by OdieTurbo

Maybe I should get the old Riva out of storage...

do it ! These are so cheap to fix, I bet that thing have years of life ahead

I'm currently looking at Honda Ruckus'es(?) as my next scoot, they are 4 strokes and supposely get a pretty solid 100 MPG, though it's a little bit slower and only sit one (big downside).

And yea, people need to share the road a little more, tailgating a 2 wheel from a couple feet is different than tailgating a car.

[dkjones96]

Originally Posted by Hateful

I saw one being tailgated really close today in a 45mph zone.

Honestly, people like that make me so mad I'd probably come to a stop buy that guy and slash a tire on his car right before the light greens... I got the Rebel this weekend so maybe I should leave the knife at home now? lol

[QDM]

I'd be tempted to rig a spray can of paint remover or brake fluid aimed toward the rear that could be activated with a cable.

Q

Originally Posted by Rayme

And yea, people need to share the road a little more, tailgating a 2 wheel from a couple feet is different than tailgating a car.

[Hateful]

I often stay behind them in the 45mph zones just so they can make it to the next turn without being hit. Usually they aren't going very far. Maybe a 1/4 mile before back on city streets where they can run the speed limit. I did get close ( about 3 feet)at the first traffic controlled light because I don't think it's heavy enough to trip the light.

[bobc455]

I looked at these and was all gung-ho until I looked at the purchase price! For $6-8k for a new one, it would be a LOT of commutes before I made up the difference. I'd have to do a payback schedule to be certain, but since I can only use it with good-enough weather, it would probably be many many years before it pays for itself.

[BIBI]

Originally Posted by bobc455

I looked at these and was all gung-ho until I looked at the purchase price! For $6-8k for a new one, it would be a LOT of commutes before I made up the difference. I'd have to do a payback schedule to be certain, but since I can only use it with good-enough weather, it would probably be many many years before it pays for itself.

$ 6-8K For what a vespa maybe but you a 50cc NEW is less than 3k, for a 125cc (a vino) 3.6k new.

For $ 6-8K you actually get a nice Honda reflex 250cc that is pretty much a small motocycle with the style of a cruiser (2 seats, adjsutable suspension, 3 transmission mode (a sport one!). These things go on the interstate easily. Yamaha also offered a 400cc that is pretty much like the relfex. I added the picture of the yamaha.

Its good and all for the price, the MPG, the inssurance price (because its a scooter) but the only thing I dislike its that you actually need to have your motocycle license, and I do not have them! It would cost me about 600-700$. Anyway I would have money for one now so I'm just waiting to make up my mind.

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by bobc455

I looked at these and was all gung-ho until I looked at the purchase price! For $6-8k for a new one, it would be a LOT of commutes before I made up the difference. I'd have to do a payback schedule to be certain, but since I can only use it with good-enough weather, it would probably be many many years before it pays for itself.

Ugh what? lol, the scooter like mine is about 2200-2400 $ US new depending on the offers. If you want a 1 seater like teh Honda Ruckus or Yamaha C3 / Vino they are even cheaper. A brand new Kawasaki Ninja 250 which is a nice sporty bike won't even tip the 5000$ scale and gets nice MPG. But you probably want the bigger machines eh?

[dkjones96]

There are also those Chinese knock off scooters that are so loaded with stuff and cheap (150cc for 1,000 USD) that even if it doesn't last two years it still pays for itself.

[OdieTurbo]

Oops, almost forgot! Rayme, that's a neat-o scooter

[Snax]

Freakin' gas hogs, all of them!

I know it wouldn't work for everybody, but I've got a 2-stroke 50cc frame mount bike kit on the way. It's supposedly good for 120-150 mpg without pedalling.

[Hateful]

back in the 70's I met someone who had a model airplane motor and propeller mounted on the back of a bicycle. I'm sure the issue was not gas, but no NC drivers license.

[MiddleMike]

Originally Posted by bobc455

I looked at these and was all gung-ho until I looked at the purchase price! For $6-8k for a new one, it would be a LOT of commutes before I made up the difference. I'd have to do a payback schedule to be certain, but since I can only use it with good-enough weather, it would probably be many many years before it pays for itself.

My Vino cost $2,400 out the door, new (2005). The same dealership offers used but good condition low mileage scooters, some that go 68mph, for $1,100 to $2,000 on a regular basis.

As with anything don't go with the first thing you see on the internet or at a dealership. Most scooters are so reasonably priced that you make up the cost with gas savings in a year, tops (weather permitting). Then it's pure gravy my friend, pure gravy.

[ZugyNA]

DIY?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7wid_8k_7k

[TANGOJETTA]

Originally Posted by OdieTurbo

Maybe I should get the old Riva out of storage...

I got the same scooter, is yours a 180cc or 200cc?

[bobc455]

I must've done a poor web search then. But yes, the ones I saw were Hondas & Vespas, I assumed they were middle-of-the-road and that's why I abandoned the search.

Hafta look into those others, they would have a lot quicker payback period...

-BC

[dkjones96]

Originally Posted by bobc455

I must've done a poor web search then. But yes, the ones I saw were Hondas & Vespas, I assumed they were middle-of-the-road and that's why I abandoned the search.

Hafta look into those others, they would have a lot quicker payback period...

-BC

You should check out local dealers. You might be surprised how cheap you can get a used scooter for.. craigslist is also a good place to start if you aren't worried about feeling like a cheap *** by trying to talk someone down on a price.

Overall I think motorcycle dealers are much easier to work with than car dealers.

[Rayme]

I picked mine up for 1800$ with only 1500 KM.

These are easy to fix yourself or bring to a friend, buy those used are very different than cars. Even if the engine goes you're looking at a 200$ fix.
Tires are like 35$, etc... They're fun as hell to scoot around in the little subdivisions.

I know the mileage sucks for the engine size (The engine is around 30-36 time smaller than a small car inline-4 and only gets rougly 4x the gas mileage). But you need to keep in mind the load and almost WOT usage...also due to the CVT these little buggers almost revs in the 6000-9000 RPM, carbed. Still not too bad