Can anyone help?

[kave]

My grandfather is trying to get back onto two wheels, after a lifetime of working on and riding bikes. He feels that a scooter would be the best option, and is looking for anything cheap that is capable of handling two up riding so probably 250cc and over, and is cheap, as he is on a very limited budget. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[ManDownUnder]

If he has a full licence he can get what he wants... go for a 400 or 600 maybe? Cruiser or Bandit type bike to have a more upright/less aggressive riding position.

A 250 will probably get him along quick enough though... I'd get him to a bike shop to find a style of bike he likes and is comfortable with - and take it from there.

If he wants/needs it checked I'm sure we can find someone to do that too.

[MSTRS]

Cheap...250...scooter...? Not a lot of options in that bracket. Suzuki Burgman is 650 but they are big, heavy and doubt you'd find one 'cheap'.

[Macktheknife]

How about a little more info?
Not sounding too achievable just yet.

[Maha]

Cheap...250...scooter...? Not a lot of options in that bracket. Suzuki Burgman is 650 but they are big, heavy and doubt you'd find one 'cheap'.

They make a 250....insane1 owns one....but the key phrase here is 'after a lifetime'...he could be in his 70's...:rockon: go Gramps!

[kave]

I found this on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=104718865&key=354209 , and was wondering if this would be powerful enough for 2 up riding around town. He seems pretty set on getting a scooter as opposed to a cruiser/commuter/tourer.
Thanks for the advice.

[kave]

They make a 250....insane1 owns one....but the key phrase here is 'after a lifetime'...he could in his 70's...:rockon: go Gramps!

Yup, he is in his 70's

[MSTRS]

They make a 250....insane1 owns one....but the key phrase here is 'after a lifetime'...he could in his 70's...:rockon: go Gramps!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categoryattributesearchresults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0001-0026-1255-&sidebar=1&39=Scooters&40=&153=&9=250%2C250&24=0%2C0&51=0%2C0&x=43&y=11&sort_order=price_asc
there's a few 250+ scooters here...but why would you when there's a world of 'proper' bikes out there?

[jafar]

My grandfather is trying to get back onto two wheels, after a lifetime of working on and riding bikes. He feels that a scooter would be the best option, and is looking for anything cheap that is capable of handling two up riding so probably 250cc and over, and is cheap, as he is on a very limited budget. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

How limited is the budget ?
You can get a brand new 50cc scooter for around $2000.00

[kave]

How limited is the budget ?
You can get a brand new 50cc scooter for around $2000.00
$2000 is within the range. 50cc probably wouldnt be powerful enough, but I am wondering if a 200cc 2-stroke would be better than a 250cc 4-stroke, or would power be similar for both?

[MisterD]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categoryattributesearchresults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0001-0026-1255-&sidebar=1&39=Scooters&40=&153=&9=250%2C250&24=0%2C0&51=0%2C0&x=43&y=11&sort_order=price_asc
there's a few 250+ scooters here...but why would you when there's a world of 'proper' bikes out there?

Twist & go rideability, step through body, underseat storage, no oily bits hanging out all over the place and best of all nobody lumping you in with all those uncouth "bikers".:dodge:

[MisterD]

$2000 is within the range. 50cc probably wouldnt be powerful enough, but I am wondering if a 200cc 2-stroke would be better than a 250cc 4-stroke, or would power be similar for both?

A 200cc 2-stroke, and there is only the Vespa PX, will just about do 100kph. But it handles like sh1t and has tubed tyres....compare that with the GTS250 which will do 140 all day on way less gas and 12" tubeless tyres....

[Conquiztador]

I found this on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=104718865&key=354209 , and was wondering if this would be powerful enough for 2 up riding around town. He seems pretty set on getting a scooter as opposed to a cruiser/commuter/tourer.
Thanks for the advice.

Dont know anything about that one. Buts scoots at 80K/h + are not the bees knees. Wind throws them around. Small wheels. The few times I been on a scoot in my youth I always wished I was on a bike.

And buying of Terry, he can be a strange guy if he has his period...

[kave]

I'd much rather he got a bike instead of a scooter, but I am not keen on debating the merits of bikers vs scoots with someone who has far more experience than me, especially since once his mind is made up its almost impossible to change. I guess I am just happy that he is trying to get back on two wheels, and has asked me to help him find something suitable.

[MisterD]

Dont know anything about that one. Buts scoots at 80K/h + are not the bees knees..

Pah! My Lammy at 120 is rock solid and that's on 1960's suspension technology

[danchop]

pluses of owning a larger over 250 scooter and there isnt much choice in new zealand especially 2nd hand since most kiwis are in the mindset as a few posters here in that you may as well buy a real bike,so tell him to give up or sell his house for 12.8million which he probably bought in 1946 for bugger all and up his buying power,big merits for buying a large scooter over a normal bike is the automatic riding and the fact on long trips you can move your legs about and are not limited to one set of pegs

[oldguy]

Hi, a GN250 would be a good bike, there are a lot of good second hand ones around,

I,m a granddad, and I find my firestorm is good for my back, I don,t like sitting upright.

[Conquiztador]

Pah! My Lammy at 120 is rock solid and that's on 1960's suspension technology

Ok, not that I know much about Lambrettas, but I would assume that the front end setup that is on the one in your profile is a modification to the brilliant 1960's suspension technology???...

[lb99]

And buying of Terry, he can be a strange guy if he has his period...

I second that, I've dealt with him a few times.

still, he seems harmless, and for some one who hates scooters he sure sells a few

[jafar]

$2000 is within the range. 50cc probably wouldnt be powerful enough, but I am wondering if a 200cc 2-stroke would be better than a 250cc 4-stroke, or would power be similar for both?
Honda
COMMUTER
Dylan 150 $5,995.00
NXR125 Commuter $3,495.00
Lead 100 $2,795.00
Today 50 $2,195.00

Suzuki
AZ50UDK6 $1995.00
AN125K7 $2495.00
UZ125GK6 $3395.00
AN250K6 Burgman $9995.00
GN250 $3300.00
AN400K7 Burgman 400 $10995.00
AN650AK7 Burgman 650 Executive $15495.00

Stolen from their websites:innocent:
Does anyone still make a 2 smoke skooter???????

[kave]

Does anyone have any views on the honda fusion?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=104005450&key=676120

[Pogo2]

and he could buy a Piaggio MP3. 250cc and 3 wheels. Had a look a one a few weeks ago. Looked ok but don't know how it handles. Overseas reports seem to think their ok, quite radical though.

Not really the cheap option huh

[davereid]

Yeah, lots of two smoke scooters still around. Peugeot Speedfight 50cc / 100cc good bikes. TGB make great 50cc two strokes as well as good 4 stroke 125cc & 150cc scooters.
And Peugeot make a 4 stroke 125 with ABS brakes and all sorts of goodies. You can even get it with a supercharger !

[MisterD]

Ok, not that I know much about Lambrettas, but I would assume that the front end setup that is on the one in your profile is a modification to the brilliant 1960's suspension technology???...

No, spring and damper setups like that were on Lammys in the 60's....I've yet to get around to fitting progressive springs and uprated dampers. The outboard disc is a modernisation though.