Considering a scooter

[Geogaddi]

Yeah, that's right bitches, I'm considering buying a scooter for a daily commuter. It feels wasteful driving a 3000 pound car back and forth burning $100+ a month in gas plus $75 in insurance just to transport me and my backpack.

So far the best choice looks to be the Genuine Buddy.
It has a stupid name but it's very well reviewed. 125cc and up to 70mph or so should suit my needs for around town use.
http://www.genuinescooters.com/scooters/buddy/buddy_3.html

Pros:
1. Price - around $3000 new with a 2 year warranty and 1 year roadside assistance. 90+ MPG and insurance that runs somewhere around $80 a year, even for a young male. It pretty much pays for itself within a year or two.
2. Fun/Freedom - Although I've never ridden any type of motorbike, I can imagine the appeal. It would be nice to go riding just for the hell of it, and I could afford to do that if it cost $4 for a full tank of gas. If gas prices were to triple it wouldn't be that much of a problem.
3. Cool factor, conversation piece, saving the environment, other shit I don't really care about etc... (Motorcycle riders my scoff, but I don't give a shit.)

Cons:
1. Safety - Bike are dangerous, especially small ones. Car drivers are stupid.
1a. I would have to buy expensive safety gear (helmet, jacket, gloves) if I don't want to be filleted alive by the pavement. The MSF rider's course is a good idea but costs $225 and takes up an entire weekend.
2. Not fun in the rain. The weather here is fairly warm year round but it rains a lot.

Neutral: Storage is better than a motorcycle (The Buddy has a good amount of underseat storage plus lots of racks, baskets, and other shit you can buy) but worse than a car obviously. Carrying a passenger is inconvenient as you need two sets of gear and if you give a male friend a ride he has to hold your waist. (Maybe not a bad thing)

I currently use a loaned car that I have to give up when the owner wants to use it. I'm grateful for it but it gets old.

I could, of course, get a cheap used car that would cost me more monthly than my current transportation does and would break down within a year or two.

Ideas? Advice? Thoughts? Recommendations? Ridicule?

 

[Mr-Fusion]

If i were you i'd wait a bit longer for the Tata Nano.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Nano

It's 4 wheels, so immediately safer than a 2 wheel scooter also probably cheaper than that scooter...brand new!

 

[Vegeta897]

Get yellow.

GET YELLOW

 

[Krynn72]

I cant help but lol every time I see someone on a scooter. People just look so ridiculous on them. So if you can put up with random people laughing at you then go for it. Otherwise, i'd just get a real bike, or a better car.

 

[Kula Meenur]

Don't do it mate, they're coffins on wheels.

 

[xcellerate]

Honda just released a 125cc Zuma. I like them...

 

[Geogaddi]

I cant help but lol every time I see someone on a scooter. People just look so ridiculous on them. So if you can put up with random people laughing at you then go for it. Otherwise, i'd just get a real bike, or a better car.

That's fine by me. I'll laugh internally at their inferior huge inefficient fuel suckers.

Get yellow.

GET YELLOW

I was thinking maybe black to minimize the gay factor.

Don't do it mate, they're coffins on wheels.

Care to elaborate?

Honda just released a 125cc Zuma. I like them...

I think it's Yamaha?
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=yamaha zuma&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

 

[Cpt Tenacious]

Scooters are like fat chicks, fun to ride untill your friends see them!

 

[Geogaddi]

Scooters are like fat chicks, fun to ride untill your friends see them!

Because then they'll want a ride!

 

[Kula Meenur]

Care to elaborate?

Enough power to get into trouble, not enough to get out; not counting that it's a under vehicle medium that most ****ers have absolutely no comprehension of.


Geo, please buy a bike and learn instead mate. A scooter is a lazy option!

 

[Darkside55]

Get a vespa.

 

[repiV]

Concur with Koola. The other problem with scooters is that the combination of tiny wheels and odd weight distribution makes them very unstable, especially in poor conditions - and it's not unusual to hear of people going sliding down the road for no obvious reason as these machines are just shite at gripping the road.

At the least, get a proper 125cc motorbike like a Honda CG125 - still very efficient (80+mpg), but a lot more stable, safer and more fun. Otherwise something like a Honda CB500 is good for 120mph, 0-60 in 4 seconds or so, peanuts to buy and insure and will still return 60mpg.

Scooters are good mainly for putting 16 year olds off bikes forever...

 

[jverne]

Concur with Koola. The other problem with scooters is that the combination of tiny wheels and odd weight distribution makes them very unstable, especially in poor conditions - and it's not unusual to hear of people going sliding down the road for no obvious reason as these machines are just shite at gripping the road.

At the least, get a proper 125cc motorbike like a Honda CG125 - still very efficient (80+mpg), but a lot more stable, safer and more fun. Otherwise something like a Honda CB500 is good for 120mph, 0-60 in 4 seconds or so, peanuts to buy and insure and will still return 60mpg.

Scooters are good mainly for putting 16 year olds off bikes forever...

is it just me or have you never driven a 50cc scooter before?

i have been driving it for 8 years now and the things you're talking about really didn't pose no problem to me.

of course i had mine tuned so it went 80kph instead of the legal 50kph. for short trips (especially in urban areas) nothing beats it.

 

[repiV]

Of course you haven't noticed the problems before...you don't have a real bike to compare it to. Your scooter has very little grip and stability compared to a bike because of the skinny tyres, very low weight, budget parts and unstable design.

Reminds me of when I was learning to ride on 125cc bikes...when they put me on the 500s to do my unrestricted license I thought they were going to be much harder to ride, but the total reverse was true. Far more stable, more planted on the road, easier to control and they command much more respect from other road users. Not only that, but it feels like your guts are being sucked out through your spine when you accelerate.

Real bikes are much better all round and as long as you stick to the 500cc commuters or below, still very economical. It's when you go into 600 territory they start costing way more than cars to run.


Funny thing is though, if I had the money to spare, I'd get a car for short trips and use the bike for longer ones...the hassle of wearing/carrying motorcycle gear can be infuriating, especially in bad weather. Going to the pub (or food shopping!) when it's freezing cold or chucking it down with rain is beyond inconvinient. If I'm going to work or travelling 200 miles then it really doesn't matter if I wear specialist clothing and it takes me 10 minutes to put on.

But then, I didn't think that way when I lived in London.

 

[Kula Meenur]

is it just me or have you never driven a 50cc scooter before?

i have been driving it for 8 years now and the things you're talking about really didn't pose no problem to me.

of course i had mine tuned so it went 80kph instead of the legal 50kph. for short trips (especially in urban areas) nothing beats it.

/facepalm...facepalm, facepalm, facepalm.

 

[Geogaddi]

Koola and reverseviper, what kind of experience have you had with scooters? Which models have you ridden specifically?

 

[Kula Meenur]

You're asking for our experience on two wheels? I'm choosing not to take that question as an agressive one. If you're gonna ask the same question again, rephrase it.

Been riding since 11, socially from 13, professionally since 18. I've ridden track motocross, trials, free roam navigation, stokies, 125's to 1300's on the circuit, quaddies, scramblers (for a short while), vintage trials and mud scrambles. While you can never get too much road experience, i've had enough to know that the moment i hop on a two wheeler that has an engine capacity of about one-fortieth of the average car, my odds aren't good even with a shitload of time on two wheels. The scooter defies natural gravitational physics and natural human controlling functions, which makes it a shitload less safe than a bike. These factors aren't even including external focuses of the physical scooter itself.

Don't question the experience of bike riders from your own two feet, if you had any experience whatsoever you'd know that scooter riders get themselves killed quick on the road. I hope you take the advice given by experienced riders contently, ask it in person the same way you did you may find yourself at the wrong end of a brawl. I'm not answering you looking for an arguement, i'd rather have this one with you in person. As this ain't possible, instead of passing information off from experienced riders take it on board and consider it. You're odds on the road on a bike aren't good already. On a scooter, you're pretty much ****ed.


Take it on board.

 

[Geogaddi]

Woah there, that wasn't any sort of challenge. I concede that it was badly worded, but I think that threatening to fight me was a bit of an overreaction.

I only asked because scooterists and motorcyclists seem pretty polarized on whether scooters are safe (relatively) or controllable. I was simply asking what your background was and if you'd had practical experience with both. I've talked to some people who ride both and recommend both bikes and scoots. I'll definitely take your advice on board, but seeing as there doesn't seem to be a consensus, I'm just going to test drive some scooters and small motorcycles and decide for myself.

 

[Kula Meenur]

Woah there, that wasn't any sort of challenge. I concede that it was badly worded, but I think that threatening to fight me was a bit of an overreaction.

It was more directed as a warning if you said the same to somebody else in the same profession. Speak your mind in the same way to the wrong bloke and you could find youself planted, but you agreed it was worded a bit bad and i'm in no right mind to have a barney with ya. If i was ever to have a go, we'd be lookin at each other.

Anyway, at the end of the day the choice is always yours, and it sounds like you've made the right decision. Choosing what is physically and mentally right for you is extremely important in bike safety. Wieghing the facts and making your own decision is the best option you could possibly get. Not gonna be your mom but whatever you do be careful, too many arrogant ****s on the road get it in their head that they know the game well. Our latest wet season claimed us of about 25 bike riders, most of them inexperienced, and have to ride past their crosses on the side of the road few times a week.

Keep her upright and keep us updated.

 

[kineaesth]

Speak your mind in the same way to the wrong bloke and you could find youself planted, but you agreed it was worded a bit bad and i'm in no right mind to have a barney with ya. If i was ever to have a go, we'd be lookin at each other.

That was the most adorable torrent of slang I've ever heard. I love Aussies <3

I've always considered a scooter, but damn they're loud and silly looking. If you do get one, make sure it looks as silly as possible.

 

[Kula Meenur]

That was the most adorable torrent of slang I've ever heard. I love Aussies <3

<3 KA




Kinetic Awesome

 

[Fliko]

Aye, I'd suggest getting a bike instead of a scooter for safety reasons as well.

 

[<RJMC>]

you americans and your "OMG scouter are like gay cuz they are small and funney lololo"

in my country tons of people use scouters,and in europe too,so why not own one? especialy in this time of financial crisis and oil costing a lot

you will se when you wouldnt be able to pay gas for your cars and you all will walk or do nothing cuz are too stupids to use a scouter

 

[No Limit]

Scooters are awesome...if you happen to have a vagina.

 

[jverne]

You're asking for our experience on two wheels? I'm choosing not to take that question as an agressive one. If you're gonna ask the same question again, rephrase it.

Been riding since 11, socially from 13, professionally since 18. I've ridden track motocross, trials, free roam navigation, stokies, 125's to 1300's on the circuit, quaddies, scramblers (for a short while), vintage trials and mud scrambles. While you can never get too much road experience, i've had enough to know that the moment i hop on a two wheeler that has an engine capacity of about one-fortieth of the average car, my odds aren't good even with a shitload of time on two wheels. The scooter defies natural gravitational physics and natural human controlling functions, which makes it a shitload less safe than a bike. These factors aren't even including external focuses of the physical scooter itself.

Don't question the experience of bike riders from your own two feet, if you had any experience whatsoever you'd know that scooter riders get themselves killed quick on the road. I hope you take the advice given by experienced riders contently, ask it in person the same way you did you may find yourself at the wrong end of a brawl. I'm not answering you looking for an arguement, i'd rather have this one with you in person. As this ain't possible, instead of passing information off from experienced riders take it on board and consider it. You're odds on the road on a bike aren't good already. On a scooter, you're pretty much ****ed.


Take it on board.

the question was never meant as aggressive or to diminish repis credibility.
it's probably true that repi has experience with 50cc bikes, but there is still the possibility that some bikers go directly for the big bikes skipping the small, or not giving much attention to them. i know a few guys who never really gave a damn about scooters (50cc) and skipped them.

second i never wanted to compare 50cc bikes to the big ones.
all i said was that the problems repi mentioned really aren't so dramatic like he vigorously points out.

the only comparison (if we can really call it that) is in tight urban areas such as alleys, tight streets with obstacles or in dense (halted/slow moving) traffic jams where the light 50cc has more maneuverability. and for short city trips where the speed never exceeds 50 kph scooters are quite handy, it's easier to back them up, to lift them over the sidewalk. to drive past pedestrians. this are all areas where the speed is really slow, where maneuverability is crucial and where accidents normally don't end in serious outcomes.

both types of bikes have their advantages and disadvantages...my guess would be that a 125cc is a good compromise between lightness and power.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Get a vespa.

You mean a Faggio.

 

[Kula Meenur]

the question was never meant as aggressive or to diminish repis credibility.
it's probably true that repi has experience with 50cc bikes, but there is still the possibility that some bikers go directly for the big bikes skipping the small, or not giving much attention to them. i know a few guys who never really gave a damn about scooters (50cc) and skipped them.

second i never wanted to compare 50cc bikes to the big ones.
all i said was that the problems repi mentioned really aren't so dramatic like he vigorously points out.

the only comparison (if we can really call it that) is in tight urban areas such as alleys, tight streets with obstacles or in dense (halted/slow moving) traffic jams where the light 50cc has more maneuverability. and for short city trips where the speed never exceeds 50 kph scooters are quite handy, it's easier to back them up, to lift them over the sidewalk. to drive past pedestrians. this are all areas where the speed is really slow, where maneuverability is crucial and where accidents normally don't end in serious outcomes.

both types of bikes have their advantages and disadvantages...my guess would be that a 125cc is a good compromise between lightness and power.

I don't want a big troll convo, but in short get more experience. I can cut holes in that arguement like tissue paper.



edit: what the hell i'll go for it. I don't intend for my statements to sound aggressive, soz if i offend.

the question was never meant as aggressive or to diminish repis credibility.

Already passed that mate.

it's probably true that repi has experience with 50cc bikes, but there is still the possibility that some bikers go directly for the big bikes skipping the small, or not giving much attention to them. i know a few guys who never really gave a damn about scooters (50cc) and skipped them.

No shit. People die for their ignorance.

all i said was that the problems repi mentioned really aren't so dramatic like he vigorously points out.

Yes they are.

the only comparison (if we can really call it that) is in tight urban areas such as alleys, tight streets with obstacles or in dense (halted/slow moving) traffic jams where the light 50cc has more maneuverability. and for short city trips where the speed never exceeds 50 kph scooters are quite handy, it's easier to back them up, to lift them over the sidewalk. to drive past pedestrians. this are all areas where the speed is really slow, where maneuverability is crucial and where accidents normally don't end in serious outcomes.

If you're halfway any decent you can do all that on a bike of any capacity.

both types of bikes have their advantages and disadvantages...

No they don't. The only usefulness i could find for a scoot would be in their own environment. Even so, I would still choose a low capacity bike.

...my guess would be that a 125cc is a good compromise between lightness and power.

Unless you want to wring its kneck to go anywhere. But then again, some blokes like that. And what are you talking about wieght for, they add wieght to low class bikes to keep them manouvreble and safer!

 

[eraser]

You mean a Faggio.

This. Get a Faggio, seriously.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

I saw a dude on my campus riding the small ass Tata, god damn it looks so baaaaaad. But he's saving shitloads of money so good for him. Swallowing his pride like that.

 

[lefty]

This. Get a Faggio, seriously.

I was gonna say that too.

 

[MRG]

Several years ago before I got married, I rode a bike. An old 1979 Kawasaki KZ400. I only got it to commute back & forth to work, but the time I had it, it was absolutey fantastic. I Bought it for $100 from a junkyard. That scooter you link to is... cute. Any type of motorized bike is dangerous to ride for obvious reasons. My wife has worked at a local hospital up in the IUC for the past 8 years. Ever since then, I have not been *allowed* to own a motorcycle. Years back, a friend had a small scooter, for the sole reason of commuting back & forth to school. It was around 100cc, if not maybe a little more. He was of average height & weight, & so it worked jsut fine for him. Me on the otherhand, i'm 6'4 & 275lbs. The scooter did not like me riding on it.

I rode this old clunker & loved it.

-MRG

 

[repiV]

you americans and your "OMG scouter are like gay cuz they are small and funney lololo"

in my country tons of people use scouters,and in europe too,so why not own one? especialy in this time of financial crisis and oil costing a lot

you will se when you wouldnt be able to pay gas for your cars and you all will walk or do nothing cuz are too stupids to use a scouter

Neither Koola, Fliko nor myself are American...

Scooters are gay, nonetheless. Seriously, I can understand why people look at them for economical urban transportation, but they're not cool. If it was for the love of it, why the hell would you ride a bloody scooter instead of a bike?! It's like buying a Nissan Micra instead of a Ferrari.

The only things less cool than scooters are those awful G-Wiz electric cars, the Toyota Pious and shitty chavved up econoboxes.

Besides which, with a proper bike I only need to own one vehicle which is perfectly capable of getting me to work and back, doing the 400 mile round trip to visit "home", hooning round the backroads, touring Europe or anything else I feel like doing on it. Which is more economical than owning a scooter and a car.

the question was never meant as aggressive or to diminish repis credibility.
it's probably true that repi has experience with 50cc bikes, but there is still the possibility that some bikers go directly for the big bikes skipping the small, or not giving much attention to them. i know a few guys who never really gave a damn about scooters (50cc) and skipped them.

Why would anyone who was into bikes give a damn about scooters - especially when you can buy a bike that annihilates expensive sportscars for less than the price of a scooter?

second i never wanted to compare 50cc bikes to the big ones.
all i said was that the problems repi mentioned really aren't so dramatic like he vigorously points out.

You can't possibly say that because you don't have the experience of riding a proper bike to compare it to.

the only comparison (if we can really call it that) is in tight urban areas such as alleys, tight streets with obstacles or in dense (halted/slow moving) traffic jams where the light 50cc has more maneuverability. and for short city trips where the speed never exceeds 50 kph scooters are quite handy, it's easier to back them up, to lift them over the sidewalk. to drive past pedestrians. this are all areas where the speed is really slow, where maneuverability is crucial and where accidents normally don't end in serious outcomes.

I don't know where you live, but I don't know of any city where the speed never exceeds 30mph. In London, the traffic is either stationary, crawling along or travelling at 35-40mph. Consequently, scooters get ****ed over. On top of all this, it's usually safest to be travelling slighty faster than the rest of the traffic on a bike because that puts you in control of the situation, rather than leaving you at the mercy of everyone else on the road. You do not have this option on a scooter.

It's also true that the level of riding displayed by scooterists is far, far below that displayed by both car drivers and motorcyclists, whereas the standard of riding demonstrated by motorcyclists is usually far higher than the standard of car drivers. I'm certainly concerned by your talking about riding on the "sidewalk"! You shouldn't need to reverse if you're riding properly anyway. For what it's worth, the ease of filtering on a bike is more about your slow control skills and how balanced the bike is then the actual weight of the machine. I find my bike to be much easier to ride at 1-2mph in a straight line than a 125, and I've ridden bikes bigger than mine that I could actually balance at a standstill for 4 seconds feet up. I can't do that on mine.

It's probably a combination of lack of training, the fact that scooter riders are just trying to get to work whereas motorcyclists are usually enthusiasts, some kind of feeling of invulnerability and the stupidity that asthmatic acceleration and a low top speed fosters in terms of never slowing down for anything.

I came across far more idiotic scooter riders commuting across London than I ever did car drivers or bikers. Being taught to ride a proper bike is therefore likely to make you a far better and safer rider than if you just jump on a scooter.

both types of bikes have their advantages and disadvantages...my guess would be that a 125cc is a good compromise between lightness and power.

125cc bikes are great for city riding, but they suffer again from the lack of power problem if you want to ride them on faster roads.

Several years ago before I got married, I rode a bike. An old 1979 Kawasaki KZ400. I only got it to commute back & forth to work, but the time I had it, it was absolutey fantastic. I Bought it for $100 from a junkyard. That scooter you link to is... cute. Any type of motorized bike is dangerous to ride for obvious reasons. My wife has worked at a local hospital up in the IUC for the past 8 years. Ever since then, I have not been *allowed* to own a motorcycle.

You got whipped.

 

[Moto]

Whoa, chill out guys. Everybody's getting all e-tough with their motorcycle experience.

Scooters are not "gay" and they don't "defy natural gravitational physics and natural human controlling functions." You just have to give yourself some time to get used to riding a motorcycle in general and ride the scooter as it was meant to be ridden. It's not a race bike. I have a Yamaha Zuma for commuting to school. I don't think it's gay at all. In fact, I think it's rad. It's incredibly easy to ride, handles nicely, has a top speed of about 45 MPH, and will run FOREVER on one tank of gasoline.

I remember a topic on this site about how you should break your new motorcycle in. Everybody made it sound like it was some complicated, delicate process that had to be followed exactly or your bike would explode into a thousand pieces. That's what this topic reminds me of. Some of you guys make riding a motorcycle sound way too complex. "Don't get a 125 if you want to go 200 MPH down the Autobahn, they're not fast enough." (I made that quote up). Seriously, the guy just wants to get a scooter to commute with. He doesn't want to break land speed records or look like the raddest thing on two wheels.

 

[jverne]

Yes they are.

well then...i must be an exception, because they don't pose any problems to me and somehow i still live after 8 years of driving them.

If you're halfway any decent you can do all that on a bike of any capacity

so what are you trying to say that a 130kg bike is as nimble and maneuverable as a 70kg scooter?
you have a strong back if lifting that much weight is not a problem to you.

i tried doing an "8" (same dimensions and span bith times) with two bikes a small light one probably in the range of 50kg and one in the range of 80kg. the heavier one was stable but it's response time was slower.

No they don't. The only usefulness i could find for a scoot would be in their own environment. Even so, I would still choose a low capacity bike.

i've always believed that dense urban areas are their environment, not fast highways.

Unless you want to wring its kneck to go anywhere. But then again, some blokes like that. And what are you talking about wieght for, they add wieght to low class bikes to keep them manouvreble and safer!

it depends on how you perceive maneuverability.

A controlled change in movement or direction of a moving vehicle or vessel, as in the flight path of an aircraft.

controlled as in stable or as in response time?

a light object has less inertia and thus making it more "nimble"....actually nimble is a better word to define a scooter, maneuverability is to vague.


i'll get back to you repi, i'm late right now

 

[repiV]

Whoa, chill out guys. Everybody's getting all e-tough with their motorcycle experience.

Not at all. Opinions were asked for, and opinions are being given.

Scooters are not "gay" and they don't "defy natural gravitational physics and natural human controlling functions." You just have to give yourself some time to get used to riding a motorcycle in general and ride the scooter as it was meant to be ridden. It's not a race bike. I have a Yamaha Zuma for commuting to school. I don't think it's gay at all. In fact, I think it's rad. It's incredibly easy to ride, handles nicely, has a top speed of about 45 MPH, and will run FOREVER on one tank of gasoline.

At the end of the day, if he wants to get a scooter, that's fine. But the only benefits that I can see are storage capacity, economy and ease of use - and ease of use can be a bad thing because it encourages complacency when it comes to developing the right skillset.

Plus, if he gets a bike, there's a good chance he'll learn to love biking and become one of the clan.

I remember a topic on this site about how you should break your new motorcycle in. Everybody made it sound like it was some complicated, delicate process that had to be followed exactly or your bike would explode into a thousand pieces. That's what this topic reminds me of. Some of you guys make riding a motorcycle sound way too complex. "Don't get a 125 if you want to go 200 MPH down the Autobahn, they're not fast enough." (I made that quote up). Seriously, the guy just wants to get a scooter to commute with. He doesn't want to break land speed records or look like the raddest thing on two wheels.

Riding a motorcycle is complex. The first time I got back on my bike after my accident to ride it 80 miles home from my mechanic's workshop, I was physically and mentally drained and needed to take a rest after only half an hour, because I wasn't used to it.

It's also an activity which can and will punish you with serious injury or death for minor oversights in skill or concentration. It makes sense to give it due consideration. Scooters being safer because they're slow is not as true as some might think, someone I know suffered life-threatening injuries from a 10mph accident and very nearly died - and they were wearing race-quality gear.

 

[Kula Meenur]

*big snippy*

Come back with some well ridden hours under your belt. It's pointless chatting with you otherwise.





MRG that is beautiful! Used to ride an old Kawa XJ650, one of the most balanced bikes i've ever ridden.

 

[Sheepo]

I'm considering buying a scooter for a daily commuter. Rather than going to Hooters, I chose to type on my computer, searchin for tutor, and when I reboot her I want info on the perfect scooter for the daily commuter....

Fixed

yo yo

 

[Qonfused]

Repiv + vehicle thread = disaster

 

[DEATHMASTER]

I just stop reading when a post is over 2 paragraphs when the rest has been below that.

 

[Sheepo]

/me is waiting for praise for post, slightly irritated he hasn't received it already