Looking to get a scooter, but what? [Archive]

HungusMaximist

12th February 2009, 13:44

Yea I am sure threads like these has been done to death however I just like to add my own personal one.

The only scooter that I've ridden is the Advertising trailer laden Piaggio Vespa LX 125/150cc scooters. Good shit those, take a hiding however I want one of my one and aren't prepared to pay premium.

Want some something that is reliable as a corolla and can take a bit of a hiding.

Heard some good shit about the Suzuki 125ccs, something 40km to a litre of petrol.

I really don't know much about scooters but hoping to learn as much as possible. The most brilliant idea is to go and ride heaps and heaps of scooters at the shops to get a feel for all of em.

Budget 2k, chur, chur.

AllanB

12th February 2009, 14:13

At 2k I'd stick to the name brand Jap ones as they have a proven record of surviving constant full throttle running!!!!!!!

However

I have also heard good things about V-Moto scooters (huge in Aussie apparently) and parts are cheap.

klingon

12th February 2009, 14:15

...Budget 2k, chur, chur.

Hmmm... well that might be the limiting factor...

My partner has the Piaggio Hexagon (4 stroke) 180cc and absolutely adores it. This is his first ever scooter, despite having ridden bikes for [ahem... many] years. His current weekend bike is an SV1000S which he still enjoys blatting around on, but I think he grins just as much when riding the Hexi.

A friend has the 2-stroke Hexi and also loves it.

If I hadn't just had to do some expensive repairs to my bike, I would be getting the Piaggio Fly. It's now available in 150cc, but anything more than about 6 to 8 months old is 125cc. I took one on a test ride and it holds motorway speeds well and IMO would make a fantastic commuter.

Squiggles

12th February 2009, 14:21

Take it on a club ride bro.... Have you seen me mums one? Suzuki AN125... goes alright, good economy, cost 2100 from memory, new from colemans

Del Fuego

12th February 2009, 16:51

Suzuki UZ125! better performance than the UZ and I believe if you have a look in the scooter section I think a bloke had one for sale for 2k with 2k kms on it... bloody bargain! go buy it... stop talking... go now!:scooter:

HungusMaximist

12th February 2009, 21:03

Selling off my CBR929, and in the market for anything to be honest, gotta be smaller than a 600cc though. Dual purpose, 250s, scooters, possible at 600cc or 650 but prefer something small to jump on.

Love those cafe racer style bikes, old thought, and can't be assed with maintenance...

R6_kid

12th February 2009, 21:44

MisterD

13th February 2009, 06:58

Go for an old beat up Vespa 150 - pre 1990. I had a super 150. Same setup as the LML/PX150/Belladona, but much simpler. Cheap to run, cheap to maintain, reliable as, easy to rebuild when it needs doing, can also buy larger barrel/piston kits to get a bit more pep out of them.

I had a 1976 Bajaj Super 150 (Indian made Vespa), was good for 110kmh at a push, cost around $6 to fill up (when gas was $1.20), and ran a couple of hundred km's on that.

Here you go:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-201432948.htm

The owner is a serious scooterist - it's old, but will have been well looked after by someone who really knows what's what.

HungusMaximist

13th February 2009, 12:29

Go for an old beat up Vespa 150 - pre 1990. I had a super 150. Same setup as the LML/PX150/Belladona, but much simpler. Cheap to run, cheap to maintain, reliable as, easy to rebuild when it needs doing, can also buy larger barrel/piston kits to get a bit more pep out of them.

I had a 1976 Bajaj Super 150 (Indian made Vespa), was good for 110kmh at a push, cost around $6 to fill up (when gas was $1.20), and ran a couple of hundred km's on that.

Hey thanks for that idea bro.

I am ant too clued up on the older styled scooters or the new ones. But I am leaning against the newer ones, pre 90's would be considerably more reliable or am I wrong?

I do really like rustic look of those older style scooters, and some of the ones I've heard are extremely loud. Haven't ridden one with gears and clutch, but guessing it's just like riding a motorbike.

MisterD

13th February 2009, 13:27

Haven't ridden one with gears and clutch, but guessing it's just like riding a motorbike.

No, gear change is a twist on the left hand grip. Your left foot does nothing except hold the bike up whilst you're stationary...makes hillstarts much, much simpler.

mattian

13th February 2009, 13:31

No, gear change is a twist on the left hand grip. Your left foot does nothing except hold the bike up whilst you're stationary...makes hillstarts much, much simpler.

Another reason why the scooter is really a bike for ladies.:eek:

klingon

13th February 2009, 13:36

No, gear change is a twist on the left hand grip. Your left foot does nothing except hold the bike up whilst you're stationary...makes hillstarts much, much simpler.

I test rode a Belladonna and I can't imagine ever getting used to that system! :pinch:

MisterD

13th February 2009, 14:58

Another reason why the scooter is really a bike for ladies.:eek:

:finger: There's a reason why Lambrettas and Vespas are icons of style and design and it's because they're not just engines lashed into modified bicycle frames with a fuel tank and a seat plonked on top and random pieces of plastic occasionally nailed to the sides...

Dave Lobster

13th February 2009, 16:28

:finger: There's a reason why Lambrettas and Vespas are icons of style and design and it's because they're not just engines lashed into modified bicycle frames with a fuel tank and a seat plonked on top and random pieces of plastic occasionally nailed to the sides...

Yours might not be.. Mine is.. :blink:

mattian

13th February 2009, 17:30

marty

13th February 2009, 17:52

a bit like 250cc suzuki 'cruisers' really.

you might think they look the part, but they just scream gayness. at least on a scooter you just look like a girl

scootnz

13th February 2009, 17:53

Yawn....

Yes vespas were designed so they could be ridden easily without requiring special gear to keep off mud and oil and grease. And obviously so they could be ridden by women, but also men in normal everyday clothing rather than specific motorcycle gear, as was required way back then if you rode those old motorcycles.

The vespas didn't need great big boots to kickstart them. Most stuff was enclosed rather than open. And you could just step off them rather than dismount.The very early vespas were just leaned up against kerbs - didn't have stands.

This actually meant that two wheeled transport was suddenly available to ordinary everyday people - cheap and easy transport for the masses. If motorcycles were so great back then far more people would have been riding them.

Get over it. Its so boring.

mattian

13th February 2009, 18:19

a bit like 250cc suzuki 'cruisers' really.

you might think they look the part, but they just scream gayness. at least on a scooter you just look like a girl

No, cruiser style motorcycles were not designed specifically with women in mind. Why do people get so upset whenever the statement is made???
Lets review the facts. The "step through" design was specifically invented so that people who wear skirts and dresses (such as you Marty) wouldn't have to expose their knickers or look "unlady like" while getting on. The hand gear selection, so that open shoes such as high heels could be worn without any worries of changing gears.
If you want to get all upset about it then by all means go ahead........ just don't take it as some kind of personal insult of your manhood everytime its discussed.:nono:

carver

14th February 2009, 11:16

tri boy

14th February 2009, 11:25

Dual purpose, 250s,

Best option for a rider down sizing.
Safer in commuter role. (higher view over traffic, bigger rims that will not get swallowed by pot holes, cheap to run n maintain).
Look into KLX/XT/TTR/DR 250's.
And join the adventure, and trail rides. Way more bang for your buck. MHO

carver

14th February 2009, 11:49

a bit like 250cc suzuki 'cruisers' really.

you might think they look the part, but they just scream gayness. at least on a scooter you just look like a girl

thats a good point.
and i have just had a good idea

UberRhys

16th February 2009, 09:44

you might think they look the part, but they just scream gayness. at least on a scooter you just look like a girl

Big girl number 1, the Duke...
http://www.lekov.gr/PHOTOS/History_Moto_Vespa/Vespa%20JohnWayne.jpg

HungusMaximist

17th February 2009, 16:29

Best option for a rider down sizing.
Safer in commuter role. (higher view over traffic, bigger rims that will not get swallowed by pot holes, cheap to run n maintain).
Look into KLX/XT/TTR/DR 250's.
And join the adventure, and trail rides. Way more bang for your buck. MHO

Thanks, you got any recommendations? All the ones I've seen are all non road registered and don't have any road legal bits. Chur.

mattian

17th February 2009, 17:44

Big girl number 1, the Duke...
http://www.lekov.gr/PHOTOS/History_Moto_Vespa/Vespa%20JohnWayne.jpg

HAHAhaaa.... yep, he was an actor and, his real name was Marion.:lol:

tri boy

17th February 2009, 18:07

Thanks, you got any recommendations? All the ones I've seen are all non road registered and don't have any road legal bits. Chur.

They're out there. Keep your eye on Dual Purpose on tard me.

MisterD

17th February 2009, 19:13

HAHAhaaa.... yep, he was an actor and, his real name was Marion.:lol:

Yep, and Big Daddy's real name was Shirley...proving what precisely? That's right: some of us are secure in our masculinity, and some need to bolster it with penis substitutes...

mattian

18th February 2009, 15:22

Yep, and Big Daddy's real name was Shirley...proving what precisely? That's right: some of us are secure in our masculinity, and some need to bolster it with penis substitutes...

Do you remember when you lost your sense of humour? its called "ribbing" mate.

HungusMaximist

18th February 2009, 19:58

Ahem, back on topic, got any more suggestions chums?

insane1

18th February 2009, 23:37

even look at 250 burgmans a bit more than $2000 but not a bad scoot. colemans have a new one in now ,just go and see alastair for a test ride .

carver

19th February 2009, 04:46

even look at 250 burgmans a bit more than $2000 but not a bad scoot. colemans have a new one in now ,just go and see alastair for a test ride .

now they are gay!

MisterD

20th February 2009, 07:23

Do you remember when you lost your sense of humour? its called "ribbing" mate.

Fuck, another kid that thinks he came up with the "scooters are for girls" jibe...honestly, that joke was old when Bernard Manning was starting out...

insane1

20th February 2009, 07:45

carver if you havent anything intellegent or constructive to say shut the fuck up and let people who know what there talking about get on with it.

UberRhys

20th February 2009, 08:55

i got a 97 BWS100 running aftermarket clutch springs, kevlar belt, '75 jet, moped reg'd, and im about to drop it onto some pirreli's

And what sort of an improvement has that given it? (before & after speeds?)

mattian

20th February 2009, 16:57

First of all. My comments about scooters being made for girls wasn't a joke. Its a fact. Please recall my previous post.
I was making a joke about the hero worship of an actor, whos claim to fame was his so-called "butch" persona. UberRhys, please don't tell me you have a whole file on your computer with photographs of "butch" actors sitting astride scooters...... thats just scary man.

speights_bud

20th February 2009, 17:29

Sorry haven't read through the thread entirely... but i have a Suzuki V125 AKA the 'UZ125' and have done just over 4,000km's on it in the last 5 months or so, i ride it to work (100km/h zone) wihtough any problems, most traffic does a bit less than 100km/h around here at peak times anyways.

Works well for me :banana:

carver

20th February 2009, 17:31

carver if you havent anything intellegent or constructive to say shut the fuck up and let people who know what there talking about get on with it.

thats not very nice.

i did 5000km on a burgervan 250 in all conditions, even 2 up on gravel, and i can honestly say

burgmans are gay...
the 650 is super gay, and its slow!

And what sort of an improvement has that given it? (before & after speeds?)

im waiting on parts, i hope to get it to hit 100 kph (it does 80 atm)

First of all. My comments about scooters being made for girls wasn't a joke. Its a fact. Please recall my previous post.
I was making a joke about the hero worship of an actor, whos claim to fame was his so-called "butch" persona. UberRhys, please don't tell me you have a whole file on your computer with photographs of "butch" actors sitting astride scooters...... thats just scary man.

of course not, they are gay, thats why i have one!
i fit right in with sidewinder on the back, or should i say it fits right in?

DougB

20th February 2009, 21:39

Please PLEASE tell me how a piece of machinery can be gay.
I am sure it is anatomically impossible.

Perhaps people who say machinery is gay are either homophobic
or mentally deranged. In either case they should seek psychiatric help.

MisterD

21st February 2009, 08:16

My comments about scooters being made for girls wasn't a joke. Its a fact.

Oh just go away back to the "on topic" forums...the whole point of scooters is that they were cheap urban transport for everyone: girls, old people, teenagers, blokes that didn't want oil on their suits.

Here endeth the lesson, now bugger off.

mattian

21st February 2009, 15:38

Oh just go away back to the "on topic" forums...the whole point of scooters is that they were cheap urban transport for everyone: girls, old people, teenagers, blokes that didn't want oil on their suits.

Here endeth the lesson, now bugger off.

Girls, women ! so that they wouldn't have to hike up their skirts/dresses while mounting/dismounting........... you're half way there to accepting it! I will be so happy when you take that final step of self discovery Mister D :woohoo:

Badjelly

21st February 2009, 16:41

Here endeth the lesson, now bugger off.

Girls, women so that they wouldn't have to hike up their skirts/dresses while mounting/dismounting...

What part of "bugger off" don't you understand?

Sorry, I don't have much to offer on the "which scooter" question, as the last scooter I rode was a mid-1960s Vespa. (A piece of rubbish, to be honest, but worth owning just for the pop-pop-pop sound the exhaust makes on the overrun.) I love my Scorpio, but it does lag behind scooters in practicality. Also, it's well known you have to wear more protective gear on bikes than on scooters, which is a bit of a pain.

mattian

21st February 2009, 17:21

What part of "bugger off" don't you understand?

Sorry, I don't have much to offer on the "which scooter" question, as the last scooter I rode was a mid-1960s Vespa. (A piece of rubbish, to be honest, but worth owning just for the pop-pop-pop sound the exhaust makes on the overrun.) I love my Scorpio, but it does lag behind scooters in practicality. Also, it's well known you have to wear more protective gear on bikes than on scooters, which is a bit of a pain.

Oh my god. Nobody has a sense of humour anymore :crazy:
Maybe you scooter riders should all get together and have a party. Girls on one side.... boys on the other. You could talk about the weather amongst yourselves :yawn:

Oh yeah....... having to wear protective gear on a bike is such a pain aye..........:crybaby:

carver

21st February 2009, 17:48

i would like that, il go hang out with the boys!

Dave Lobster

21st February 2009, 19:07

Maybe you scooter riders should all get together and have a party. Girls on one side.... You could talk about the weather amongst yourselves :yawn:

Already exists (http://magnetos.org/tracker) :yes:

merv

21st February 2009, 19:16

I told you on this post http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1925986&postcount=16 that the weapon of choice I saw in Rome was the Honda SH series, fuel injected they were.

I suppose Blue Wing Honda don't bother importing them here as they only have the Dylan listed here http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/bikedetails.asp?section=spec&biketypeID=26&ModelID=174&type=

UberRhys

23rd February 2009, 09:06

UberRhys, please don't tell me you have a whole file on your computer with photographs of "butch" actors sitting astride scooters...... thats just scary man.

Sorry to dissapoint, but Google is pretty good at these types of things. But not just scary dude, creepy in a thin lipped and long fingered way... :confused:

Also, it's well known you have to wear more protective gear on bikes than on scooters, which is a bit of a pain.

Ummm, why so? I think it is mainly because city commuters don't wear ATGATT at all. Those that value their skin and more so their lives do. People that don't are not only donors but perfect nominees for the Darwin Awards.:doh:

zooter

23rd February 2009, 16:36

Far out you guys are really feeding the trolls here. They put the scoots way out in the off topic section and still they come. Just let the fuckers have the last word and carry on like they don't exist.......very soon they don't.

I think there's a hotted bajaj on trademe still. There's the odd belladonna pops up at the 2k mark. I rode mine down to the Garstonian rally and was the centre of attention. No fucker questioning my manhood either.