Scooters

[emiller]

With gas prices on the rise and no relief has anyone bought a Scooter to get around, I'm looking to purchase one.
P.S.
My 1972 Ford F-100 LB is for sale $2000.00
6 cylinder 300 cid
c-4 tranny
4 barrel holley 390 cfm
front disc brakes
lowered 4" in the front 6" in the rear
tonneau cover
sliding back window
new wiring
new front fenders
new tires

[cuyeda]

I was just looking at the Vespa website yesterday. Does that count? Vintage, new, vintage, new, vintage, new. The new ones look NICE. Have you considered looking into a hybrid scooter?

[emiller]

Looking at a new one. Vespa's are cool.

[QuietOutdoorsman]

I had thought about a scooter, but am going the used motorcycle route instead. In WA you need a motorcycle endorsement for anything 50cc and up, which I think is pretty common in other states. Most 50cc (49.5cc ) will top out around 30 mph. 150cc will get you 45-50 mph. There are some in the 200-250cc range that will get you highway speeds. If you spend the time looking, you can find a quality used motorcycle in the 500-750cc range and spend less than a new or 2-3 yr old 150cc scooter. I've been trolling Craigslist all spring and have seen a lot of junk, but also some nice bikes. I'm hoping to pick up a 1980 Yamaha 650 tonight for $900 - $1000. Guy says it runs great, solid mechanically all over, and gets 40+ mpg on the highway.

[MrBuzz]

About a month ago I ordered a new scooter online. It's a 150cc vintage/vespa looking thing. Rides nice, easy to handle...goes over 50 mph even with a big guy like me on it. The mileage is 59-63mpg so far.
It was shipped from the west coast and packed very well. I had to do some assembly...front wheel, mirrors, handlebars, light, battery...but it wasn't that big of a deal.
It's absolutely a kick to drive...and I figure everyday I ride it and park my car I'm saving abouy $8 !!

[emiller]

Yep that's a cool ride.

[Moonage_Daydream]

We have two Kymco scooters. They're a lot of fun, cheaper than a Vespa, but good quality.

[dhazard]

This is my scooter, it’s only displaces 88ci. I use it to commute about 133 miles a day. At 80mph it will get about 38 mpg.

[emiller]

That bike costs more than both my cars put together. That isn't the type of savings I'm looking for.

[Elumia]

Sometimes you save more by keeping what you have....

My Sister in Law traded in a Land Cruiser for a Highlander Hybrid. She got taken on her trade in (gave her next to nothing) and they raped her for the hybrid. But she will save a few dollars every fill up.....

Mark

[billnut]

Two 12 volt Batt. 10 mile per hour top speed 15 mile range.Long cord required for fill up.
Bill

[swissarmygirl]

Borrowed this from a friend to practice and take the motorcycle test:


Everytime I pay $45 to fill up my Malibu, the thought of using this for everyday transportation becomes more and more appealing.

[mrchuc]

We have two Kymco scooters. They're a lot of fun, cheaper than a Vespa, but good quality.

My wife and I also have two Kymcos. I can't say enough good about them.

Denice's is the People 150 cc. It tops out at about 55 mph, handles great, and gets 75-85 mpg. She loves it.

Mine is the 250 cc Grand Vista touring scooter. I use it nearly everyday, summer and winter. I ride in the cold and I ride in the wet. I just don't ride in the cold AND wet. That's too dangerous. I have nearly 10,000 miles on it and it is running great. It tops out at about 75 mph (if you want to go that fast!) and, if I am careful, gets up to 70 mpg. It handles nicely and has plenty of underseat storage room.

Both scooters are CVT automatics, making them very simple to operate.

Vespas and Aprillia's are wonderful scooters, but the Kymcos are of the same quality at about a grand less. You can't go wrong with any of these high quality brands.

Whatever you do, don't get one of the cheapo unsupported scooters that are made in mainland China. I can't tell you how many times I have been in the scooter store when someone came in asking if the shop could work on their weird named scooter. Each time the techs told them, sure we can work on it. Just tell us where we can order the parts.

Scooters (and small motorcycles) are a great way to save gas and have a lot of fun. Never forget, however, that riding two wheels is far more dangerous that riding in the four wheeler cage. Wear protective gear and ride defensively. Have fun!

[Roly Nelson]

Bought a Yamaha 90 about 45 years ago, hit a jeep head-on in the mountains, the first week I had it. Spent the next few weeks on crutches and now own a Yamaha 250 which I haven't ridden for 20 years. I can't risk it, since I don't heal up as fast at 75 as I did at 30. Just one minor accident would change both of our lives forever, (since the wife is in a wheelchair) and having both of us laid up would mean Nursing-home-ville! Sure had fun riding the cycles though. Meanwhile, I will just have to bite the bullet with the 29 mpg I get with my 4 banger 02 Camry.
Roly

[tddriver]

Like many others, I found Kymco to be good quality and reasonably priced. I got the Grand Vista 250. It is fast enough and the mileage is good...65 to 70MPG if i don't get too crazy.