Scooter for LinziMom?

Linzi · 12-05-2005, 02:54 PM

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was bending my mom's ear about the benefits of scooters. She seemed genuinely interested for the purposes of commuting, short trips to the grocery store, etc. She lives relatively close to her town's downtown area (and works downtown), but I don't think a 50cc would suffice for short errands and such, as she lives close to some major roads on which she'd need at least 55 mph to avoid becoming a Cadillac's new hood ornament. She needs something that will easily hit at least 60, have enough storage space for two bags of groceries, or a purse, or whatever. She's not at all mechanically-inclined, so it needs to be reliable. Also, it needs to be relatively inexpensive. LinziMom ain't made of mon-ay. Any suggestions? Am I asking for the perfect scooter?

I think a 150-200 would be perfect for her, but I really don't know what's out there.

Edit: I should also note that it needs to be an automatic.

kdude · 12-05-2005, 03:24 PM

I'm looking for the same type of ride.... Leaning towards the Yam Vino 125. I'm still open to suggestions. Anyone else wanna chime in ???

Bake · 12-05-2005, 05:16 PM

Good used Honda 250 Helix.

jktpa · 12-05-2005, 05:33 PM

A Vespa ET4 will do what your looking for or even better one of the newer 200cc Vespas.

Frank Warner · 12-05-2005, 06:00 PM

Go second hand if you can. They are very 'popular' here at the moment, but some buy and then decide they are not for them ... buy one of those. Save some $$.

What to get? Don't know. Get something with luggage space, a dealer near ... that ois about all I can say?

VespaFitz · 12-05-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakernks

Good used Honda 250 Helix.

Yep. I'd like one of those myself.

Photog · 12-05-2005, 06:38 PM

Used Honda Helix.

Good amount of storage in the back, been around a long time, and I've seen several locally with 40K + miles on 'em and not a single belch of trouble.

There's also a pretty active used market for 'em, too--so if she ever decided to get something newer I don't think she'd have any trouble unloading one.

Linzi · 12-05-2005, 06:53 PM

I'm not sure she'd go for something as ugly as the Helix.

I thought about one of the smaller Piaggios or Kymcos, but I don't really know what's offered here. The ones with the bigger wheels like the People, etc. are spiffy, but I wonder how much storage space they have? Doesn't look like as much as the scooters have the, ummm, "fuller" rear end.

BTW, LinziMom is in St. Petersburg, FL.

Photog · 12-05-2005, 07:01 PM

I'm a big Kymco fan based on our experience with the Super 9 and local dealer--the 2 year warranty is nice.

If we buy another Kymco it will most likely be a Bet & Win 250--compact package with the 250 motor.

If you think she'd like the big-wheel scoots there's the People 250 with a top box added.

But, dollar for dollar, I think the older Helix (80's era) gives you the most bang for the buck. Plus some of them are loaded up with radios, topboxes, etc. And the rear lighting is pretty good--she'd have a nice visible profile. Theyll do 70 and cruise nicely at 65+ all day long.

BUBB · 12-05-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdude

I'm looking for the same type of ride.... Leaning towards the Yam Vino 125. I'm still open to suggestions. Anyone else wanna chime in ???

My wife and I have Vino 125's. Nice. They will run on the flat and easy 50. I had mine up to 59 the other day with a fair tailwind. They run much better when they get a few miles on them.

Linzi if your mom is a light weight the shocks probably are tolerable - otherwise they are somewhat weak.

They are simple to change the oil in the crankcase and rear end. Don't believe the torque spec's for the rear end drain plug - you will strip it out. I haven't adjusted the valves on mine - the dealer checked or adjusted the ones on my wife's - I'm thinking you need a special tool or smaller hands than I have. They took a lot of panels off to adjust the valves and they said it was so they could get to a point where it could get to TDC in that it is a twist and go and you can't get there by moving the rear wheel.

Duh. It occured to me that you can turn the engine by using the kick starter... Maybe I'll take a shot at it when the manual comes in.

Mileage is good - 80 mpg for me about 90 mpg for Bubbwife.

Bubbwife now wants a Vespa LX. Will it ever end?

ilmostro · 12-05-2005, 08:14 PM

Did you know I have a Big Ruckus for sale?

Bigger Al · 12-05-2005, 08:22 PM

I bought my wife a used Yamaha Riva 200 last Spring, and it's been great. It's closer to a full-sized ride, and has enought power to run at 65 MPH all day long. You should be able to get one for less than a grand.

Linzi · 12-05-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilmostro

Did you know I have a Big Ruckus for sale?

I'm trying to get LinziDad to get that. I tried explaining the urban benefits of the Super Sherpa to LinziMom, but I don't think she was buying it.

Lobby · 12-07-2005, 06:32 AM

Linzi,

This is exactly the thinking that I went thru for my wife's scooter. And we did end up with a 150 cc automatic.

A Malaguti Ciak 150. (I need to get off my butt and do a report on it, too.) We just found a used one at a dealership, and got a good deal for it.

The dealer is big on Diamo's (sp), and was trying to sell us one. He claims that those things are bulletproof. A new Diamo Retro would have been less than the 'guti we got, and it included a top case.

The 'guti will hit 60 mph. Has been perfectly reliable, 4 stroke so no smoke (important to my wife), and very cool looking.

How much you wanna spend?

Scott76 · 12-14-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilmostro

Did you know I have a Big Ruckus for sale?

Where at? How much? Pics?

12-05-2005, 02:54 PM	#1
Linzi ^OP Volvo Driving Soccer Mom Joined: May 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Oddometer: 15,338	Scooter for LinziMom? Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was bending my mom's ear about the benefits of scooters. She seemed genuinely interested for the purposes of commuting, short trips to the grocery store, etc. She lives relatively close to her town's downtown area (and works downtown), but I don't think a 50cc would suffice for short errands and such, as she lives close to some major roads on which she'd need at least 55 mph to avoid becoming a Cadillac's new hood ornament. She needs something that will easily hit at least 60, have enough storage space for two bags of groceries, or a purse, or whatever. She's not at all mechanically-inclined, so it needs to be reliable. Also, it needs to be relatively inexpensive. LinziMom ain't made of mon-ay. Any suggestions? Am I asking for the perfect scooter? I think a 150-200 would be perfect for her, but I really don't know what's out there. Edit: I should also note that it needs to be an automatic. Linzi screwed with this post 12-05-2005 at 03:00 PM

12-05-2005, 03:24 PM	#2
kdude orgasmatron engineer Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Montreal, Canada, Cancun Mexico Oddometer: 2,008	I'm looking for the same type of ride.... Leaning towards the Yam Vino 125. I'm still open to suggestions. Anyone else wanna chime in ??? __________________ BMWMOA 122163

12-05-2005, 05:16 PM	#3
Bake adventurer Joined: May 2005 Oddometer: 10,487	Good used Honda 250 Helix. __________________

12-05-2005, 05:33 PM	#4
jktpa X-Troller Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Fla. Left Coast Oddometer: 718	A Vespa ET4 will do what your looking for or even better one of the newer 200cc Vespas. __________________ Knick Low Tech-Hi Fun F800GS M696 ET4

12-05-2005, 06:38 PM	#7
Photog Charismatic Megafauna Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Cackalacky Oddometer: 46,091	Used Honda Helix. Good amount of storage in the back, been around a long time, and I've seen several locally with 40K + miles on 'em and not a single belch of trouble. There's also a pretty active used market for 'em, too--so if she ever decided to get something newer I don't think she'd have any trouble unloading one. __________________ Only an XR1200 owner knows why Cthulhu hangs its head out a car window. Like I like. Yep.

12-05-2005, 06:00 PM	#5
Frank Warner Traveller Joined: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Oddometer: 6,593	Go second hand if you can. They are very 'popular' here at the moment, but some buy and then decide they are not for them ... buy one of those. Save some $$. What to get? Don't know. Get something with luggage space, a dealer near ... that ois about all I can say?

12-05-2005, 06:53 PM	#8
Linzi ^OP Volvo Driving Soccer Mom Joined: May 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Oddometer: 15,338	I'm not sure she'd go for something as ugly as the Helix. I thought about one of the smaller Piaggios or Kymcos, but I don't really know what's offered here. The ones with the bigger wheels like the People, etc. are spiffy, but I wonder how much storage space they have? Doesn't look like as much as the scooters have the, ummm, "fuller" rear end. BTW, LinziMom is in St. Petersburg, FL.

12-05-2005, 07:01 PM	#9
Photog Charismatic Megafauna Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Cackalacky Oddometer: 46,091	I'm a big Kymco fan based on our experience with the Super 9 and local dealer--the 2 year warranty is nice. If we buy another Kymco it will most likely be a Bet & Win 250--compact package with the 250 motor. If you think she'd like the big-wheel scoots there's the People 250 with a top box added. But, dollar for dollar, I think the older Helix (80's era) gives you the most bang for the buck. Plus some of them are loaded up with radios, topboxes, etc. And the rear lighting is pretty good--she'd have a nice visible profile. Theyll do 70 and cruise nicely at 65+ all day long. __________________ Only an XR1200 owner knows why Cthulhu hangs its head out a car window. Like I like. Yep.

12-05-2005, 08:14 PM	#11
ilmostro Under Da Sea Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Oddometer: 29,231	Did you know I have a Big Ruckus for sale? __________________ I've got stay the fuck out of it written on a stone tablet in my bedroom. - Con Stapleton

12-05-2005, 08:22 PM	#12
Bigger Al Still a stupid tire guy Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Oddometer: 7,343	I bought my wife a used Yamaha Riva 200 last Spring, and it's been great. It's closer to a full-sized ride, and has enought power to run at 65 MPH all day long. You should be able to get one for less than a grand. __________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

12-07-2005, 06:32 AM	#14
Lobby Viel Spass, Vato! Joined: Nov 2003 Location: San Antonio, Tx Oddometer: 25,880	Linzi, This is exactly the thinking that I went thru for my wife's scooter. And we did end up with a 150 cc automatic. A Malaguti Ciak 150. (I need to get off my butt and do a report on it, too.) We just found a used one at a dealership, and got a good deal for it. The dealer is big on Diamo's (sp), and was trying to sell us one. He claims that those things are bulletproof. A new Diamo Retro would have been less than the 'guti we got, and it included a top case. The 'guti will hit 60 mph. Has been perfectly reliable, 4 stroke so no smoke (important to my wife), and very cool looking. How much you wanna spend? __________________ Gracie's Gold

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