looking into scooters...

Originally Posted by mullman

I could not recommend Vespa enough.
Anything 150cc+ is fine for around town and a jaunt on 55 mph roads.
For longer time on the highway definitely 250cc+
65-80 mph (GTS) for gas tanks (2.4g) at a time? No problem.

I plan on getting a new 150cc Vespa this summer after selling my GTS in March.
Sure it's more expensive, but....I just didn't like the look of the regular Piaggio or Silverwing stuff, sorry.
I like the retro look of the Vespas, which has very little plastic - mostly metal.
It's classic.

Just know if you are going to be riding these machines with great regularity you will go through tires much faster than a motorcycle (more rotations due to small wheel size). If you are not doing your own wrenching, service varies considerably from dealer to dealer.
THAT is where they make their money, not on selling you a scooter.

Gotta love the storage!

how much are tires nad how hard is it to change them?

i would like something that can do a bit of highways simply because i don't want it to be straining to do 40 on local roads when the top speed is 45.

Originally Posted by chivas

how much are tires nad how hard is it to change them?

i would like something that can do a bit of highways simply because i don't want it to be straining to do 40 on local roads when the top speed is 45.

1. removed wheel with worn out tire.
2. take same to motorcycle/scooter shop along with new tire you bought online ($40-100)
3. $10 and 10 mins later leave with wheel with new tire installed
4. reinstall on your scooter.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this add about $60 for a shop to do all the dirty work.



A Vespa 150 with the new four valve water cooled engine will easily hold 55 mph with bursts to 60+/- all day long for tanks of gas at a time.
If you want more 'go' get the 250cc GTS or Super.

Originally Posted by mullman

1. removed wheel with worn out tire.
2. take same to motorcycle/scooter shop along with new tire you bought online ($40-100)
3. $10 and 10 mins later leave with wheel with new tire installed
4. reinstall on your scooter.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this add about $60 for a shop to do all the dirty work.



A Vespa 150 with the new four valve water cooled engine will easily hold 55 mph with bursts to 60+/- all day long for tanks of gas at a time.
If you want more 'go' get the 250cc GTS or Super.

what sells me on the vespas would be the disc brakes. some are drum and makes me wonder.

that looks easy enough. hell, if i can do the suspension on the 540, i can most definitely do this.

Originally Posted by chivas

what sells me on the vespas would be the disc brakes. some are drum and makes me wonder.

that looks easy enough. hell, if i can do the suspension on the 540, i can most definitely do this.

Y, F+R discs.

Just order a shop manual and know how to use a torque wrench.

Let us know what you decide!

the maitiance on a bike/scooter is easy. it's no different from the work on a car. i also heard that you can buy a tune up kit, that will allow some of the slower scooters to go much faster. i would also recomend that you pick up a motorcycle driving manual form the dmv. you know the ones that you study for getting a permit. i know that you dont need to be license to ride a scooter, but you'll learn good motorcycle safety, and how to ride with out getting hurt.

Originally Posted by lild

the maitiance on a bike/scooter is easy. it's no different from the work on a car. i also heard that you can buy a tune up kit, that will allow some of the slower scooters to go much faster.

TRUE with the old two-stroke motors w/ carbs, but the modern FI four-strokes see very little difference.

Originally Posted by lild

i know that you dont need to be license to ride a scooter, but you'll learn good motorcycle safety, and how to ride with out getting hurt.

FALSE.
You'll need a motorcycle endorsement to ride anything over 49cc [legally] on the street.
You will not need a license to ride a 49cc unit, 'liquor cycle', government mandated top speed ~ 35 mph.

my bad. i thought that depended on a state to state basis. i think they just passed or going to pass a law for anyone that rides a scooter to have a license. becuase of the accidents that are happening at a rapid pace because of the high volume of scooters over the pass few years. i almost hit a couple of kids last year on my motorcycle, because they didn't know the rules of the road. but i thought i would suggest getting a safety riding manual for that purpose. when your on two wheels it helps to know what to do and how to ride, reguardless of the cc engine size.
but thanks for pointing out the mandate thing.

mullman: went to the shop again today and looked at vespas again. once again a different salesman was telling me all about the 300 super and its the only one that should be considered... big help there...

my question is if i do not intend for highway use, is the 250 overkill? of course i like power, but would a 250 be too much for city/town commuting?

250 cc for city/town commuting is overkill, imo.

The only advantage for having the bigger motor is, obviously, power. You will encounter instances where you're gonna need the "holeshot" (i.e. QUICK acceleration).

I'm not so sure that these smaller scooters can provide that.

The only way to find out is to rent one, or see if the dealership provides demo rides.

Originally Posted by mullman

Uh....do you know any civil unrest the rest of us don't know about.

Originally Posted by 3LOU5

Uh....do you know any civil unrest the rest of us don't know about.

OMG, i just noticed what's in there. Imagine that, a scooter drive by shooting.

I just bought two Winchester white boxes myself........except mine were 9mm rounds.

Originally Posted by jeff330i

mullman: my question is if i do not intend for highway use, is the 250 overkill? of course i like power, but would a 250 be too much for city/town commuting?

Overkill, no.
Handy, yes!

I had a 250 (GTS), but am getting a 150 if that tells you anything.
BUT I never plan to take it on the highway.
In town ONLY.

Originally Posted by 3LOU5

250 cc for city/town commuting is overkill, imo.

The only advantage for having the bigger motor is, obviously, power. You will encounter instances where you're gonna need the "holeshot" (i.e. QUICK acceleration).

+1

I've toyed with the idea of picking up a C1 but never gotten too serious about it.

There are 5 on eBay. . .

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-BMW-C1-RE...3A1%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-c1-125cc_W...3A1%7C294%3A50

Originally Posted by Andrew*Debbie

I've toyed with the idea of picking up a C1 but never gotten too serious about it.

There are 5 on eBay. . .

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-BMW-C1-RE...3A1%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-c1-125cc_W...3A1%7C294%3A50

too bad it's none in the US.

Originally Posted by chivas

too bad it's none in the US.

I don't know if the C1 is legal for the US. Still you could bring one over but what is the point if you can't ride it.

C1s are kinda rare here. Might still get one someday...