Author Topic: Any scooter riders in the house?  (Read 6932 times)

brianeboatman

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 18
Any scooter riders in the house?
« on: January 19, 2014, 08:53:37 AM »
I drive a 2009 Yamaha Vino 125 to work for 9 months out of the year getting around 70 mpg. Anyone else scoot? What's your ride?

BlueMR2

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2313
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2014, 11:56:39 AM »
Not yet.  I was seriously eyeing the Yamaha Zumas while back though.  Ultimately couldn't find a used one and new was too pricy.  Ended up with a Katana 600 for thousands less than a Zuma would cost.  Can buy a lot of gas with the thousands I saved while I'm still looking for a Zuma.  :-)

KeyWest

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2014, 12:08:32 PM »
Zuma rider here. 50cc of Powa!! $3 per week of 91 octane.

brianeboatman

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 18
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2014, 02:19:17 PM »
I love the zuma too. I really have been eyeballing the Honda Ruckus 50cc! Way cool!

FuckRx

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 793
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2014, 02:29:29 PM »
do you guys also commute with the scooters or more for weekends and short trips?

brianeboatman

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 18
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2014, 03:28:59 PM »
I live in a very small nevada town, West Wendover. Out weather is pretty good for about 9 months of the year. I commute about five minutes to work on my scooter. I also make trips to the grocery store and try to do date night with my wife in our scooters too. She has a 2009 honda metro! It get about 100 mpg!

KeyWest

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2014, 02:45:23 PM »
I ride mine everywhere. Parking is hard to find downtown in a cage and usually it costs. Scooters however have free parking right up front at most places I want to go.

uppy

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 217
  • Location: Belize
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2014, 03:04:14 PM »
What's the distance cut off on those things? Can they make it up hills? Do you have to register them just like cars?

There is a whole scooter world of which I am totally ignorant...

Russ

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2211
  • Age: 32
  • Location: Boulder, CO
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2014, 03:12:55 PM »
What's the distance cut off on those things? Can they make it up hills? Do you have to register them just like cars?

There is a whole scooter world of which I am totally ignorant...

yeah get me into the scooterlife. I'm thinking about transportation options for next summer... I love riding bikes everywhere but the hour ride to anything social is kinda crampin' my style.

brianeboatman

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 18
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2014, 09:10:20 PM »
In many states if your scooter is under 50cc's, you don't have to register or insure them. Nor do you need a motorcycle endorsement. In my state, Nevada, this is the case. My scooter is a 125cc. I DO require the license, plates and insurance. I get about 70 miles per gallon and more importantly, ENJOY the heck out of riding. My bike has a 1.3 gallon tank (I believe), so you do the math. I have a short 3 mile commute to work each day so no biggie. My scooter (2009 Yamaha Vino 125) will go up to 50 miles per hour. I wouldn't get one if you are required to drive on the highway. A road with a speed limit of 45 would be about tops. Also, if you live in an area with HEAVY traffic...I might be cautious. I live in a small town with relatively light traffic, especially in the morning when I head to work. I've had Honda's, Harley's and large Yamaha's and I prefer my little "twist and go" scooter! Fun, fun, fun!

Brian

DDrake

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 38
  • Age: 35
  • Location: Minneapolis
  • Why buy new when extremely used will do.
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2014, 08:10:29 PM »
I picked a mildly wrecked ruckus 50cc two years go for a screaming deal and I have to say, it is the only way to travel. 

Registration is $13 a year in MN. 
Insurance is $75.
Maintenance is minimal if you buy a name brand scooter. They are about the simplest thing to work on any way, not really a whole lot going on.

I have had 0 problems in almost 3,000 miles on mine. I have never gotten under 107mpg  and I check every tank.  I would say average is 110-115. Although I am a light weight, so that probably helps.   In real terms I cut my gas expense from $2,000 to $1,000, although some of that was habit change of driving less in general, shortening my commute ect.   

Cons
Its slow, it only goes 35 or so.  So you need to be creative in your routes to and from places.  I was amazed at how easy it is to find a way to most places, but it may not be so easy else where.

Biking is still a much better option, I consider my self lazy every time I ride it less than 5 miles.

Thats really about it.  Every one else has a car, so if you need a ride some where or to pick something up, you could always throw some on a few bucks to borrow theirs. 

If not for winter, I would sell my other vehicle in scooter year round. Yes I am a pansy.

But this about sums up how I feel on mine:


nordlead

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 146
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2014, 07:47:53 AM »
What's the distance cut off on those things? Can they make it up hills? Do you have to register them just like cars?

There is a whole scooter world of which I am totally ignorant...

It depends on all sorts of factors. In NY, it isn't based on CC, but speed for moped classification. A little 50CC scooter may only do 30mph and struggle up a hill with a huge person on it. Or a big 250CC scooter will easily do 90 (and 100 with the wind to your back :-) ) The distance covered would depend on the tank size and the speed you are going. Tanks range from less than 1 gallon to 5 gallons.

I drive a 600CC motorcycle. I get 32-45mpg (+75mph kills your fuel efficiency, but I could probably get it back if I tucked behind the screen) and on my previous 600CC bike I could get up to 55mpg. Both had a 4.8 gallon tank giving you over 153 miles before a fill up but you could get up to 200 miles or more. If I were to downgrade to a Ninja 250CC motorcycle (which I've been tempted to) I would expect to get ~60-70mpg, and have a 4.8 gallon tank or ~300 miles.

b4u2

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 639
  • Age: 46
  • Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2014, 07:54:30 AM »
When it's warm I ride my Harley Electra Glide Classic. I only live 2 miles from work but I prefer the motorcycle than biking. I get a little over 40 mpg. I would consider a scooter or an electric/gas powered bike. In the winter I would prefer a trike and kinda thinking about maybe building one this summer. To cold right now and my garage is crowded with car and workout area. A scooter would be fun though.

jamaicaspanish

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 131
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2014, 09:26:58 AM »
Rode my Vino 125 for 5 years.  Loved every second of it.  Low insurance.  Low gas expense.  And always fun.
I did take the MSF course before I started riding--it was a fantastic investment (maybe $200 and two weekends).
I rode throughout the winter (not on snow and ice, but in temps well below freezing), but I bought the all-weather riding suit, so there was that expense.
I never rode more than 20 minutes or so at a time.  And I wore a Hi-Viz vest or jacket and a helmet every time.
When we sold our house and household goods to move overseas, my little scooter was the only thing difficult thing to say good-bye to.  I had to turn my back as the new owner rode away.

forward

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 198
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2014, 10:14:45 AM »

I have contemplated getting a 50cc scooter and then for a while I really looked into building an electric bike.  I realized that for me I was better off just continuing to invest everything I could towards FI.  Everyone's situation is a little different, the scooter transport seems really fun, I'm envious!

ohio4life

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 80
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #15 on: January 27, 2014, 10:32:34 AM »
2006 Vespa LX 150 in Columbus, OH. I paid a bit too much for it, but I assume I can get most of my money back if I don't wreck it. I previously had a 600 CC motorcycle (Buell Blast). I'm kind of wanting to go back to a motorcycle, but am waiting until I have a garage (if ever). I can keep my scooter in my smallish shed for 2 to 3 months out of the year. It's fun for Saturday morning trips to the farmer's market and nice to ride to work when it is extremely hot out. I'll also ride it to work if I have an errand to run immediately following work. I prefer riding a bike to work if the temperature is below 80, though. I can park in a garage attached to my building when I ride a bike. I have to park my scooter on the street a good quarter mile from work in the motorcycle parking zones ($50 a year cost). I haven't really tried winter riding much. I guess I have too many low cost transportation options.

MrFancypants

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 605
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #16 on: January 27, 2014, 11:03:47 AM »
I've had a number of two wheeled motorized vehicles, but the last one was a KLR-250, which I thought was fantastic for short commutes.  I don't know if I'd ever want a scooter, I have friends who have been into them, but I've always preferred smaller displacement motorcycles to them.

Baylor3217

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 291
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #17 on: January 27, 2014, 10:32:15 PM »
Livng in a metropolian area with a 5 mile commute with mostly 40 mph roads wouldn't make me feel safe on a scooter. Are there better more visibl options that are cost effective?

MrFancypants

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 605
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #18 on: January 28, 2014, 06:49:47 AM »
Livng in a metropolian area with a 5 mile commute with mostly 40 mph roads wouldn't make me feel safe on a scooter. Are there better more visibl options that are cost effective?

I wouldn't call scooters unsafe in that environment, although I think motorcycles might have a slight visibility edge because they're taller.  The area you just described is pretty much the perfect environment for scooter ownership.  If you really want to be visible get some clothing with either hi-viz green or orange on it, the more the better, along with super reflective tape.  If you can find a helmet in a hi-viz color you'll be impossible to not see.

uppy

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 217
  • Location: Belize
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #19 on: January 28, 2014, 06:53:17 AM »
Livng in a metropolian area with a 5 mile commute with mostly 40 mph roads wouldn't make me feel safe on a scooter. Are there better more visibl options that are cost effective?

I wouldn't call scooters unsafe in that environment, although I think motorcycles might have a slight visibility edge because they're taller.  The area you just described is pretty much the perfect environment for scooter ownership.  If you really want to be visible get some clothing with either hi-viz green or orange on it, the more the better, along with super reflective tape.  If you can find a helmet in a hi-viz color you'll be impossible to not see.

Also FLASHING lights. The other night I passed two bicyclists in my car, both of them had head/tail lights, but one of them was flashing. I was amazed at how much easier it was to see the flashing lights. The other ones could have been the reflections of cars' headlights on a puddle or something.

b4u2

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 639
  • Age: 46
  • Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #20 on: January 28, 2014, 07:03:26 AM »
For winter riding I would consider a trike. I googled scooter trike and actually found some. Decent prices too.

thepokercab

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 484
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #21 on: January 29, 2014, 08:43:33 AM »
I had a question for folks with scooter experience.. 

I'm thinking of purchasing one and am wondering what kind of scooter, and specifically, what kind of engine I might need.  I normally work from home, but need to start commuting to the office two days a week, which is about 16 miles away. Apart from that, I would probably use it for a few other errands as well.  I'm a pretty big guy-  6'1, 260, so i'm wondering if a 150cc engine would be sufficient, or if I should consider something as high as 250cc?  I doubt that I would have the cajones to go out onto the freeway, but I live in the Phoenix area, and people regularly go 45-50 on the surface streets- so I need something that will have some decent power.  Any thoughts or suggestions? 

brianeboatman

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 18
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #22 on: January 29, 2014, 09:19:33 AM »
I love my 2009 Yamaha Vino 125cc scooter. It carries my 250 pound frame around. It goes 50 mpg and gets up to speed quickly...for a scooter. You'll need a motorcycle endorsement and insurance.

Undecided

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1237
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #23 on: January 29, 2014, 10:02:59 AM »
Livng in a metropolian area with a 5 mile commute with mostly 40 mph roads wouldn't make me feel safe on a scooter. Are there better more visibl options that are cost effective?

I wouldn't call scooters unsafe in that environment, although I think motorcycles might have a slight visibility edge because they're taller.  The area you just described is pretty much the perfect environment for scooter ownership.  If you really want to be visible get some clothing with either hi-viz green or orange on it, the more the better, along with super reflective tape.  If you can find a helmet in a hi-viz color you'll be impossible to not see.

That's more like what scooters are best for. Especially in a place where you can filter and lane split.

nordlead

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 146
Re: Any scooter riders in the house?
« Reply #24 on: January 29, 2014, 01:53:48 PM »
Livng in a metropolian area with a 5 mile commute with mostly 40 mph roads wouldn't make me feel safe on a scooter. Are there better more visibl options that are cost effective?

I wouldn't call scooters unsafe in that environment, although I think motorcycles might have a slight visibility edge because they're taller.  The area you just described is pretty much the perfect environment for scooter ownership.  If you really want to be visible get some clothing with either hi-viz green or orange on it, the more the better, along with super reflective tape.  If you can find a helmet in a hi-viz color you'll be impossible to not see.

That's more like what scooters are best for. Especially in a place where you can filter and lane split.

Lane sharing is only leagal in California in the United states. Which really sucks, as the ability to filter forwards at lights reduces the chance of getting rear ended and it saves a ton of time when the highways are standing still.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!