Adventure pushies

[CrazyFrog]

Hi Nordie ,Woodman , Padmei , Crazyfrog , & anybody else that would like to have a constructive input : Legs are buggered so am thinking of getting a scooter such as a Sym CityCom 300i , MP3 , Sym Voyager , Kawasaki J300 , these all have diffirent size wheels , CityCom having the largest @ 16inch . I still wish to be able to ride gravel back roads etc . Any experiences , advice , thoughts welcome . Thanks.

Not really the right thread for scooter advice (unless you want to push it) .... Adventure pushies? But anyway, here's my 10cents worth.

If you are really serious about considering changing to a scoot rather than sticking with your TTR, then you need to ride a couple and understand their limitations.
Yes, they can be ridden on gravel, and yes, larger wheels do help, but either way, you'll still need to adjust your riding style or it'll (ie. YOU) will end in a ditch. Adjust yer speed to the conditions really.
More CC is always good because the 125's etc are a bit gutless, but most will still do the speed limit on the highway. Lets face it, scooters are designed for the road, not gravel or adv trails.
I've taken my Gilera Runner 180 all sorts of places, including the Rainbow to Hanmer road, but those sorts of rides are a bit hard on a sport scooter. Things rattle themselves to bits, the flash plastics will shatter if you drop it and the suspension is just not up to all the bumps. And your back will take a hammering because of the riding position.

Some of those scoots you mentioned are getting up in the price range a bit, are you sure you want to drop that sort of coin on a scooter and not spend the same amount on a comfy ol' BMW F650 or sommat? They'll eat up the miles in relative comfort, but it'll most likely bore you senseless. In which case, what the hell, get the scooter, at least it'll entertain others you ride with.

If it were me, I'd get this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-730898637.htm They go like the clappers

[Padmei]

i'm pretty anti scooters as I think they are too dangerous with the small wheels tho they seem pretty popular around town. I actually would recommend an electric bike over one. I had a ride on one the other day - like having a magical pushing hand behind you as you ride.

In what way are your legs buggered? Can you not raise them above the seat height of a normal bike so need the lower scooter gap?

There is a character over in the Aussie forum on Adv rider that takes his Burgman scooter up to Cape York & of course the Paris Dakar vespa team so i guess they'll go anywhere.

[Woodman]

No experience with scooters at all Murray.

Try it, what could possibly go wrong?

[CrazyFrog]

I'm pretty anti scooters as I think they are too dangerous with the small wheels.............blah blah.

Did your mum tell you they were dangerous? Me thinks we need to have a scooter vs rat bike race up the Whangamoas I'll give you a 800cc advantage.

[Padmei]

Did your mum tell you they were dangerous? Me thinks we need to have a scooter vs rat bike race up the Whangamoas I'll give a 800cc advantage.

Actually it was my dad. When it came to bikes I shut up & listened. Don't get me wrong I rode on Pierres lil scooter & felt the speed but I think big people & small wheels are dangerous.

[CrazyFrog]

Yeah, I think adults on skateboards is just wrong. Except for Tony Hawk. Oh yeah, and those kids Razor scooters are bad news, they've got small wheels too. Ban 'em all.

Anyways, we should keep this pushie thread on track, enough scooter trash talk.

[Kickaha]

First night ride of the season tonight, 18km down the river tracks near here,9km in and my light was getting a bit dim so I turned back, swapped the batteries for the spare set and the light was fading fast by the time I made it back to the car, lucky Goober was following me with good light

It did motivate me to actually search out the charger for them though

[Box'a'bits]

i'm pretty anti scooters as I think they are too dangerous with the small wheels tho they seem pretty popular around town.

Just putting my 2 cents worth in defence of the not so humble scooter, & some unreasonable / unsupported prejudice.

I / Mandy also had / have a Gilera 180 Runner, & now a Gilera ST200 Runner.

The 180 went to the Cold Kiwi a few times, & was as stable as going up the rough gravel track leading into the site. It also went to manfield a couple of times, & whilst it didn't have the speed on the straights (145kms I recall), it embarrased a few riders round the corners. They are lightweight & easy to flick around, and huge fun in the right environment. Those bike are both twin disced, liquid cooled etc. The st200 gets phenominal mpg. They carry an amazing amount. Mandy can just about stash a fortnights worth of groceries in and around the ST200.

I originally got Mandy on a (Yamaha Passola) 50cc scooter because I considered these safer than a pushbike. At least they have better brakes, indicators, brake lights, headlight etc. And more particularly car drivers see & respect them (well as much as any motorcycle) which cannot always be said for cyclists.

Bigger wheels are more prevalent now. Vespa however is stuck a little in its own design box with 10" wheels

They are also one way of getting in future riders

Try one. They might surprise you. Just don't get a Honda Nifty 50 from the 80's

Rant over

[Woodman]

Murray says thanks for the replys guys Food for thought.

Something went pearshaped with his computer/KB/technical stuff/ we dunno.

[NordieBoy]

Just don't get a Honda Nifty 50 from the 80's

Capable little beasts though...

[Box'a'bits]

Capable little beasts though...

Nah the Suzuki FA50s & their clones were king of the heap for grasstracking. Cheap, relatively easy to get more power, bigger spoked wheels, good handling (in a relative kinda way) & much more roomy once the leg sheilds were ditched etc. Cool factor was enhanced if you left the front basket in place

[NordieBoy]

Yammy QT50 was the biz. Proper seat and footpegs helped at the bmx track...

[CrazyFrog]

Vespa all the way fellas. Y'know, horses for courses 'n all that.

[CrazyFrog]

And another

[R650R]

Those are all just shopping trolleys, here's a real scooter. Been restoring 1957 Puch MS50L. And it has pedals too ;p Have sourced and fitted some second had shrouds so head has fan cooling now.