Scooters versus motorcycles

[kaz]

Hi everyone, well I can report that I tried the GN250 but didn't really like it that much. Well it wasn't so much that I didn't like it but just that I can't rave about it or say 'ooh yeah! that made me want a motorbike'. (I hope I am not prompting too many replies saying I tried the wrong motorbike. FXR150 fans - I hear ya, I'll find one and try it if I can...)

The GN250 was also pretty gutless when me and my brother were on it together. Strangely, it seemed more gutless than doubling on the Vespa ET4 150 - but why that would be? (Maybe I'm just wrong about that?)

I didn't get to ride my brother's red MH900 Ducati but I did have a bit of a "straddle and stroke"
I can also report that my bro has now bought himself some decent riding gear (and mostly he even uses it)!

[delusionz]

Well it wasn't so much that I didn't like it but just that I can't rave about it or say 'ooh yeah! that made me want a motorbike'.

Can't say theres a scooter that would make me want 1 unless it could surprise a 250 sports or turbo car at the lights :P But this obviously isn't your motive though. GN250 is a mention because it's better value for money than a scooter over 50cc. And actually to be honest, When I was on a 2 stroke 50cc, I had a little race with a guy on a 4 stroke 125cc up a hill and he could still only dawdle along 30 - 45kph side by side with me for about 60 metres to the top before he pulled away from me. A GN250 would have smoked the both of us and by time we were at the top he would have been a dot in the distance. As you mention you don't have $6000 to spend on a Vespa. Personally I don't see how the GN250 can be gutless compared to an ET4-150 anyways - 20HP manual Vs 11HP auto. Even 20HP is a very humble figure anyway, Sure a Vespa looks alot nicer than a GN250 (Looks like crap I know) but atleast it's practical and is ($3300) almost half the price of the Vespa.

[insane1]

why not have a look at the suzuki bergman scooters 250cc auto goes well iv"e had 2 of them jus tupgraded to the 650 exec the baby burger should do you fine check out colemans in town test ride one .

[kaz]

Can't say theres a scooter that would make me want 1 unless it could surprise a 250 sports or turbo car at the lights :P But this obviously isn't your motive though. GN250 is a mention because it's better value for money than a scooter over 50cc. And actually to be honest, When I was on a 2 stroke 50cc, I had a little race with a guy on a 4 stroke 125cc up a hill and he could still only dawdle along 30 - 45kph side by side with me for about 60 metres to the top before he pulled away from me. A GN250 would have smoked the both of us and by time we were at the top he would have been a dot in the distance. As you mention you don't have $6000 to spend on a Vespa. Personally I don't see how the GN250 can be gutless compared to an ET4-150 anyways - 20HP manual Vs 11HP auto. Even 20HP is a very humble figure anyway, Sure a Vespa looks alot nicer than a GN250 (Looks like crap I know) but atleast it's practical and is ($3300) almost half the price of the Vespa.

Like you say, racing other people from the lights isn't my motivation. You've been part of this thread for a while so you can probably guess my opinion on that

I think my bro's GN250 just might be badly in need of a tune-up.

I mentioned the Vespa ET4 because that's a scooter I regularly "borrow" from my partner (ok, ok, so I get up before him and take it before he can stop me). I don't actually want to buy one though. I just like it because it's more powerful than the "Biscuit" the Mio. I mean, joggers can no longer overtake me when I ride that scooter

What I've actually got my eye on is a Gilera VXR200.

[kaz]

why not have a look at the suzuki bergman scooters 250cc auto goes well iv"e had 2 of them jus tupgraded to the 650 exec the baby burger should do you fine check out colemans in town test ride one .

I've looked at one (but not ridden one) and from all I've heard, they're a really good scooter. People who have them seem very happy. I'm not as attracted to the way they look, I have to admit, as the Gilera VXR200. But maybe I'll try one out anyhow.

[ICE180]

I think there is a Runner 1802T for sale in wellington on trade me at the moment for $2500
that would meet your expectations I am sure

[delusionz]

I just mentioned Vespa because it costs $6000 which seems to be the benchmark in pricing for a 150cc. The Gilera 200 is closer to $7000, My Ninja 250 cost $7000 ... So yeah you're already talking prices in the motorcycle range just to get a nice looking scooter with power. You're going to be ripping yourself off you know 50cc scooters are around $2000, The full shebang of upgrades wouldn't add up to more than $1500 or so you could have a scooter just as fast as the big CC scooters for $3500 instead of $6000 or $7000, Or if you actually do have that money to spend, You may aswell get a brand spankin new 250cc motorcycle. This is if you're buying brand new, 2nd hand would be a different story.

[UberRhys]

I just mentioned Vespa because it costs $6000 which seems to be the benchmark in pricing for a 150cc. The Gilera 200 is closer to $7000, My Ninja 250 cost $7000 ... So yeah you're already talking prices in the motorcycle range just to get a nice looking scooter with power. You're going to be ripping yourself off you know 50cc scooters are around $2000, The full shebang of upgrades wouldn't add up to more than $1500 or so you could have a scooter just as fast as the big CC scooters for $3500 instead of $6000 or $7000, Or if you actually do have that money to spend, You may aswell get a brand spankin new 250cc motorcycle. This is if you're buying brand new, 2nd hand would be a different story.

The above is all fair comment, but you forgot that emotion comes into these big ticket purchases and is normally the deciding factor. Just know what you are getting into, cos once you have it - it's yours. If you want to maxi-scooter then get one, if you want a bike then get a bike. I do some big km's on my Vespa touring about and commuting and would rather that than a bike anyday. If you have a money tree in the back yard buy both and then give me some so I can buy more...

[delusionz]

I checked out some GT200 reviews - water cooled - nice! perfect for a scooter racing project. Humble power (20HP@8500) as standard though and very little bang for buck, has a slightly higher RRP than a Ninja 250 or Hyosung 250 both of which would smoke it.

[UberRhys]

I checked out some GT200 reviews - water cooled - nice! perfect for a scooter racing project. Humble power (20HP@8500) as standard though and very little bang for buck, has a slightly higher RRP than a Ninja 250 or Hyosung 250 both of which would smoke it.

Very nice, good to see you have done your homework. But it was a scooter I was after and a scooter I got, not a bike. If I was into setting land speed records round town then a 2T 250cc bike would be the ticket.

Speaking of a scooter racing project, there is a GT for sale at Corsa Dismantlers http://www.corsa.co.nz/products.asp?id=50

[delusionz]

Very nice, good to see you have done your homework. But it was a scooter I was after and a scooter I got, not a bike. If I was into setting land speed records round town then a 2T 250cc bike would be the ticket.

Speaking of a scooter racing project, there is a GT for sale at Corsa Dismantlers http://www.corsa.co.nz/products.asp?id=50

Errr, Is the owner dead? Looks like the rider made the top part of a T bone. Ouch. Classic example of why people talk about power to get out of trouble, Which is only half true since that could have been avoided if the rider looked ahead and slowed down.

[Dave Lobster]

that could have been avoided if the rider looked ahead and slowed down.

Genius. I must remember to look where I'm going while second guessing what myopic fools in side roads are going to do..

[danchop]

its cheap $2700 new,fuel injected,4 stroke,disc on front,its so small in size you can breeze through any car jams or slow motorway traffic,i brought one in march and have just clicked over 18000kms already in 5 months,its the best thing for auckland riding ive found and i even went over the harbour bridge the windy night the bikes were sposed to be banned with no problems,to give you an idea i use it for my job as a courier and picked up a job on queen street and delivered it to the airport in 19 minutes last wednesday at 10.30am so they can get around and the only thing i find it chews through is front pads im on my third set

[UberRhys]

its cheap $2700 new,fuel injected,4 stroke,disc on front,its so small in size you can breeze through any car jams or slow motorway traffic,i brought one in march and have just clicked over 18000kms already in 5 months,its the best thing for auckland riding ive found and i even went over the harbour bridge the windy night the bikes were sposed to be banned with no problems,to give you an idea i use it for my job as a courier and picked up a job on queen street and delivered it to the airport in 19 minutes last wednesday at 10.30am so they can get around and the only thing i find it chews through is front pads im on my third set

that looks like quite a sharp scoot, (just googled it) I've not seen one of these before. Do they get good economy? Performance? For the price it is a good buy. Much better than the bargin basement Jog's gor $1k more.

[danchop]

performance is best off the mark beats 99% of cars at the lights so you have no problem going to the front of any traffic que and come out first,top speed in neutral wind is 105km/h and it takes a strong headwind to slow you down,i wiegh about 75kgs and these bikes are very light so you have to take that into account,very good handling and stopping,i cant fault it whatsoever yet apart from i go through a front set of pads every 6000kms but then its is ridden very hard all day long and thats the main reason i picked it over any european scooter and i wouldnt even consider chinese even the suzuki assembled chinese bikes,theres also tons of performance parts for these and custom kits from japanese websites but theyre not cheap,as for fuel economy to be honest i dont know and havnt checked cause i dont really care but i put in about $8 aday and cover around 200 kms i spose