Scomadi??

[WALRUS]

Hey folks!

So a mate and I are planning a stupidly long ride, inspired by the chaps from 44 Teeth and their "Budget Bike Battle" taking a pair of old shitters from the UK to Africa.

We're thinking a 4,000km-ish ride and we're trying to think of something dumb to do it on and I just stumbled across Scomadi Scooters.

They look pretty schmick, and the ghastly and ostentatious Chrome (effect) and Carbon (effect) finishes are appropriately terrible and I reckon would be perfect for what we have planned!

The only thing is that it is really hard to find any information about them or decent reviews (at least of the TL200 model we're looking to get a pair of). I'm wondering if anybody on here has come across one in their travels and could offer a little knowledge?

[Voltaire]

For sale here for 5K.
200cc DOHC and water cooled.
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/plusw/730162039.jpg
I'd ride it, looks more comfortable than my 89' PX200

[WALRUS]

Yeah, they look alright. It's interesting how hard it is to find information about them though. I've even tried to contact the company directly but I haven't heard anything back from them, which sucks.

[Zipper2T]

The radiator is under the floor directly behind the front wheel. I'd have to wonder about its vulnerability especially on a 4000km trip. No storage space under the seat either.

[WALRUS]

Two good points.

With the radiator, I did think about that.. I might be able to get some "Radguard (https://www.radguard.com.au/)" type arrangement for it (or potentially a custom one fabricated)

As for storage space, I travel very light haha!

[Zipper2T]

Here's a review of the Scomadi TL200. I don't know whether I would be willing to trust their quality/reliability on a long trip even if they do look cool.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bikes/83669340/scomadi-tl200-is-a-crouching-panther-hidden-lambretta

[WALRUS]

Funnily enough, I heard back from them after emailing their head office explaining what I want to do and asking if one would be up to the task at hand. They said they were excited by the idea and forwarded my email to their distribution rep' for Aus/NZ whose reply was pretty much along the lines of "It won't be able to make it" haha!

Which sucks because I was really keen on getting one (or two, if my mate comes) and having a hilariously underpowered, long and tedious ride along the length of the country.. It looks like I'll have to go back to the original plan of getting something cheap and of dubious reliability from TradeMe when I/We arrive.. Proper Top Gear style, set a budget, get a bike/scooter, undertake long adventure xD

If I'm going to get something which will probably break down, I may as well get something a bit more exciting and something that has an excuse to break, compared to a brand new machine that even the Rep has no faith in haha!

[vandem]

Something more interesting than a Scomadi 200? Try an old school manual shift 2 stroke scoot. Either Vespa PX200 or PX150 (2nd hand in NZ around $3000 - 4000 depending on condition) or a Belladonna (PX150 clone, made by LML in India, who used to make the Vespa PX150 under license from Piaggio, 2nd hand $1500 - 2500). With a stock engine they will cruise at 90 kmh.

Link below is a tidy Blladonna sold last month for $950. Find a similar one, get it checked / serviced by a specialist (e.g. Retroscooter in Auckland, Not A Motorcycle Shop in Wellington) for $300 - 500, and you could be on your way on a reliable-ish classic scoot for under $2000.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-1627440550.htm?archive=1