Motor Scooter Anarchy?

[billy backstay]

Retiring very soon, and would like a Vespa scooter, or something similar to go to the store of Post Office.  It appears there are dozens and dozens of different choices, and Vespa's are pricey, compared to many.  I would love to get a motorcycle again but haven't ridden in 40 years, and with so many distracted drivers texting and other stuff, I think it's possibly not a good idea.   Good friend of ours who is 4 years younger than my 66, started riding a few years back, as her SO is an afficianado, owning restored Nortons, a newer Ducati and BMW.  So naturally she wanted to ride with him and his friends.  In the last 5 or so years, she has twice been hit by aging guys who probably should not be stilll driving.  Broke her Femur the first time, and shoulder the 2nd time.  I think that a 50cc Scooter and a bicycle helmet, should be a safer way to get back into 2 wheel motoring.  Opinions from the SA Peanut Gallery, please?  

 

[Mrleft8]

I'm with you 100%. But even on a scooter I'd probably die a horrible painful death fairly quickly around here.

 A neighbor/friend has an "Indian" motorized bike  (More like a Mo-ped than a Vespa) that I was looking at seriously before I fractured my spine.... Now... I'm not so sure....

 

[justsomeguy!]

  I think that a 50cc Scooter and a bicycle helmet, should be a safer way to get back into 2 wheel motoring. 

No safer than 1000 cc and a DOT approved helmet.

You'll be a smaller target for the distracted drivers, so there's that.

 

[warbird]

View attachment 456001

I await delivery of this, this week maybe.  Sent my last M/C off with my son 20 years ago and have only riden 3 or 4 time since.  However, as stated above a REAL helmet is the way to go and treat every car and intersection and driveway as a potential threat.  I did my knee dragging 30+ years ago so a fun powerband, low (er) performance bike to tool around on was my goal.  Scooters can be fun, brother had a Chinese knockoff vespa that he enjoyed.  Be safe.

 

[Chris in Santa Cruz CA]

Get a used Aprilia Scarabeo 200 scooter with large wheels, skip the little wheel scooters. Some used Honda Passports still around for surface street only use but even then they are a little slow for 45 MPH streets but I like them.

 

[Ventucky Red]

I have been looking at one of these for putting around town.. I have used up all my motorcycle 9 lives four times over..   dare not get on another one...

 

[DA-WOODY]

Retiring very soon, and would like a JET SKI, or something similar to go to the store of Post Office.  It appears there are dozens and dozens of different choices, and JET SKI's are pricey, compared to many.  I would love to get a Boat again but haven't boated in 40 years, and with so many distracted Fucks texting and other stuff, I think it's possibly not a good idea.     Opinions from the SA Peanut Gallery, please?  

F'n FOOL ya is

Get a Honda 250

if yer ass don't matter get a hoverboard or eScooter and sum spandex tights

Yer ASS is gunna be ridin on The TOOL ya buy

no amount Saved skrimpin will cover the Hospital Stay

 

[167149]

F'n FOOL ya is

Get a Honda 250

if yer ass don't matter get a hoverboard or eScooter and sum spandex tights

Yer ASS is gunna be ridin on The TOOL ya buy

no amount Saved skrimpin will cover the Hospital Stay

i  think , to me leastways, the bottom line was the only bit here that made any sense

 

[SloopJonB]

The use you describe makes an electric scooter perfect.

One of my old staff bought one about a decade ago - looked like a Vespa, ran on a motorcycle battery (had a spare onboard), operated under bicycle regs and cost $800 at the time.

Can't remember the range for sure but I think it was about 50 miles, then the second battery went in and he went home.

Perfect for short stuff like the Post Office, pizza pickup etc.

 

[Bump-n-Grind]

View attachment 456001

I await delivery of this, this week maybe.  Sent my last M/C off with my son 20 years ago and have only riden 3 or 4 time since.  However, as stated above a REAL helmet is the way to go and treat every car and intersection and driveway as a potential threat.  I did my knee dragging 30+ years ago so a fun powerband, low (er) performance bike to tool around on was my goal.  Scooters can be fun, brother had a Chinese knockoff vespa that he enjoyed.  Be safe.

is that a 650?

 

[dacapo]

meh, I got a RAD 1000watt Fat Tire E bike. I get 60 miles to a charge and a was able to get the top speed up (shh) over the class 3  speed of 28...I get her up to 32 mph.   

 

[floating dutchman]

What are the cycle lanes like where you live?

E Bike is an option.

Also there are more options in electric motorbikes too. don't know anything about them but could be worth a look.

 

[Dorado]

Honda PCX or Yamaha SMAX would work well for you. Vespas are more style than substance. And way over priced. 

My current ride is Suzuki Burgman 650. But that's a different animal altogether opposed to what you're looking for. I'm having a lot of fun with this bike currently.

 

[IStream]

For going to the store or post office, get an electric. There are a bunch of models coming, with Ola getting a lot of buzz for early 2022:

https://olaelectric.com/

 

[DA-WOODY]

If you get a rear flat on a scooter you are pretty much fucked as you can't stand on the pegs to maintain control 

 

[DRP]

Most of Berkeley's women's beach volleyball team get from class to practice on one of these:

https://powersports.honda.com/street/scooter/metropolitan

You need to be smart to get into Berkeley so how could you go wrong?

Bought my daughter one last weekend after she told me she was riding on the back of her team mate's scooter.

I figured her chances of survival were better if she was driving.

 

[Ease the sheet.]

E bike.

Pm point break

And don't fucking die!

 

[justsomeguy!]

I figured her chances of survival were better if she was driving.

They might be, if it's up to the scooter's driver.

I rode motorcycles for many years and got lucky, IMO. And not without some broken bones.

Now the boat gives me plenty of adrenaline, thankyouverymuch.

 

[MikeHunt]

I ride scooters every single day. Never been over 90mph on one (two-up), so take what I say with a grain of salt.

They make great trucks... so much so that my truck is very rarely used.

Best bet - a Honda Wave.  Geared, so good if you get off-road.  I've ridden this one up the Elephant Trail, where the dedicated dirt bikes were falling by the wayside...

Carrying a couple of DRZ wheels there.  Three more of mine here.  That's the missus sitting on the one the daughter in law rides to work  Behind her is the shopping cart - a twist and go Yamaha Fino.  Getting a bit old... but now fitted with a bamboo basket.  It does the market runs.  Behind it is my Honda Click 150 - far better value than a Vespa.  Good machine.

This one is my shopping cart.  Too big for just the local shops... it weighs 192kg - and is 300cc... but I can keep it ahead of a lot of bigger bikes, so long as there's no major uphills.  It tops out at 140 kph.  I've had a total of 43kg of mostly pork and liquids on it - totally contained in the topbox and under the seat.

It's in the hire fleet - hence the scratches.  Here's another mate with his Forza on a mountain run with us.  He kept up to my Ducati 1100 and my Ops Manager on the Honda 500 fairly well... and was right on our tail unless we got really serious

Main thing with riding a scooter... assume that you haven't been seen by any other road user.  Only way to stay in one piece.  Always lane filter to the front of the traffic (so you don't get rear ended)... and go hard.