Need some scooter enlightenment

[grecojas]

Long story short, I've been looking at getting a two wheeled form of transportation for the last few years now, and come winter will be able to finally live the dream. The downside to having so long to think about what I want is that I also have time to question what I want. Now I know that many of you own scoots and bikes and can hopefully help me with this dilemma.

I'm debating between a newer scooter and a motorcycle (older UJM / newer 650 Dual Sport / ninja 250/500). Before you all attack me for not searching, I did. And while I found much information pertaining to myself, I always enjoy more input

What am I going to do with two wheels you ask? Well, I'll tell you! I'm a family man (wife and daughter) and in the Military for the next few years. With the daughter being only 2 and just getting back from Afghanistan, long trips away on the bike are a very slim possibility (turns out I like my family ). Where I live (Clarksville, TN) there isn't much in the way of "sanctioned" off road area to Dual Sport inside of an hour's ride, so I wouldn't see dirt more than some weekends camping. I'm a helicopter mechanic, so I know my way around tools, but not having a garage limits my maintenance to weekend jobs and I'd like to do most, if not all of it myself. I own enough cars that I don't need a year-round steed, however I will ride it as much as my wife and command allow me to. My commute is only about 15mi one-way and no higher speeds than 55mph, but it has to at least go that fast comfortably (read: not pegged at 55, screaming for help). I'm also 5' 11" so fitment comfort on some of the smaller scoots has been an issue.

So now that you know what, I'll tell you how (much) $2k USD. I know, small sum. But I'm one of those responsible adults that puts money aside as well as spends it. Ok, actually I'm cheap and that's what I'm comfortable spending.

The bikes that are on my short list are the DR650, KLR650, XR650L, late 70's early 80's UJMs, pre '08 ninja 250s and ninja 500s.

Scooters I like (knowing little to nothing in comparison to what I've researched about motorcycles) are the Yamaha Vino 125, Zuma 125, Kymco Super 8, Kymco People 150, Piaggio Fly 150, or any Vespa I can afford.

So since you are probably the least biased, if not a little towards the scooter idea; do you think I could be as happy, if not happier having ONLY a scooter for now, or would it be better to get a bike now, and possibly a scooter later?

Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read and respond

[rv-rick]

From your first sentence, I'll assume, (there's that word again), that you have no riding experience,
so here's my 2 cents.
Most riders, myself included, would suggest that you start out on something around 250cc. And of course take the MSF course.
That pretty much leaves the Ninja on your list; and the '08 and up are actually more user friendly than the earlier models. Not on your list, but good first bikes would be the Honda Rebel or Suzuki GZ 250. They will cruise at 55 with a little extra.
The scooters you mention would be pretty much topped out at 55-60. A good possibility would be a Honda Reflex 250 or one of the other 250 scooters. I'm sure others will chime in with their thoughts.
Your price range does put a damper on your choices, (I'm in the same boat), but you can pick up a used Rebel for under $2K, and when you're ready to trade up, get back most of what you spent.

[RattleCanRacer]

20 years of fitting and customizing motos for people specific to their commute and physical attributes has led me to one moto I find the best for 90% of all beginners, THE HONDA 1979-81 CM400 Twin, without question.

A few reasons why:

CHEAP! Super easy to work on 8mm, 10mm, 12mm 14mm socket takes the whole thing apart, very common, light weight, parts are everywhere and super cheap, bike is low to the ground for good balance but it isn't cramped, the easiest bike to customize once you know what style you like, super reliable, 50 mpg, top cruising speed of 80 mph, top speed 90, quick off the line to stay infront of traffic, torque mild enough to keep you out of trouble, totally neutral comfortable ride, stops well, handles fantastically, maintains it's value, shifts great, you can change seat and handlebars for $100 total to change to any style or seating posture you like. Same exact guts as the CB400T.

I have owned 4 myself and own two now, one I have as a cafe racer the other is a chopper style. I've helped 20 some odd people get one and set it up for them as a first moto and they all praise me for the choice. It allows you the power and speed to handle the highway, quick and light enough for the city, seats two, nobody will steal it and you can find them for $1000 or less, I paid $700 for my last one.

Don't take my word for it there is some great websites dedicated to the building of customs on this cheap little bike. Trust me you will love it, it's no hotrod but it does everything very well. If I could choose one moto this would be it, really and I've owned 90+ bikes, my second pick would be a Nighthawk 650. But I think that is too MUCH bike for someone who isn't seasoned.

[deezildennis]

Honda helix.....

[ronnath]

Originally Posted by deezildennis

Honda helix.....

x2

[beemerphile]

I wouldn't go smaller than a 250 scooter. The Helix sounds like a good reco. I've had several KLR's and bought one for my son. They are great frugal bikes. Easy to wrench on. They have a few important upgrades that they need but you can often buy them with the upgrades already done (never happened to me).

[tastroman]

I agree with the above posters who say you should not go smaller than 250cc's. For 2k you should be able to find a used Honda Elite 250, Honda Helix, KYMCO People 250, KYMCO Grand Vista 250, or Sym RV 250. All of these scoots would meet your needs and provide great daily utility.

As long as sporting/spirited performance is not at the top of your list a scooter is more practicable IMO. I have both and my scooter gets 80% of the saddle time. Why, it's just better around town which is where I log the majority of my miles. Do yourself a favor and take one for a spin, the scooter shops around me allow test rides.

[Tacoma]

you got to look ahead and find the perpose you will use and ride the bike for, like commuting, fun rides, short or long distance rides, high speed highway rides, or short in town or city rides, friends that have bikes that you may ride with, you may need a bike that keeps up their style and rate of which they ride.
I kinda already know your answer, you want a bike that does everything well cause you may say you can't tell what your riding future may hold or may change.
In that case one of the bikes you listed: Kawasaki 500 Ninja would be an excellent choice, the dual sport bikes are nice but are not good and comfortable for long distance road riding, but excellent if you plan on doing some off road, the Kawasaki 650 and Suzuki 650 dual sports are good road bikes, better as a road bikes than off road, on the other hand the Honda 650 dual sport is geared low and is a terrible road bike, better bike for more dirt riding.
I would highly recommend a used 04-06 Yamaha FZ6, or the Kawasaki 650 Ninja or the Suzuki SV650, these bikes have tuned down crotch rocket engines that don't scream at high rpms, these bikes have a straight up steating postion with handlebars the same as a dirt bike, these bikes do everything well, even if you want to ride cross country or ride around the block, they have more than enough perfomance and are easy to ride and handle well, super reliable, great gas mileage, the Kawasaki 500 Ninja is on the low end of the 600-650 class of bikes with a more generic engine, but is more than enough capable of almost any speed you want,,, but they are much less expensive and a good buy for the money. Scooters are priced crazy now, I can't believe people are paying $10K for the Burgman and Silver Wings. The scooter market is way overpriced right now, I purchaced my scooter in 2010 when they couldn't give them away, now everybody wants a scooter and they are just too much money for what you get.

[Speedo66]

I agree with the above poster. One of the bikes he recommends, the Suzuki SV650, especially the naked or standard version, is probably one of the best all around bikes ever made.

Mild enough for a novice, yet extremely capable in the hands of a seasoned rider. Very reliable, gets decent fuel mileage, and comfortable sit up position.

Light enough for around town, but it'll also take you cross country.

The early ones, '99, '00 would fit into your price range with a little shopping around.

[kenny61]

I got a ninja 250 and an XRL650 love both of em. Ive done 200-300 mile days on both. I don't like super slab but they both are capable, the 250 cruises at 80 no problem the 650 likes 70ish more. the 650 will use oil so make sure you keep an eye on it. If your planning on street only, go with the 250. if you want to get off road and will limit Interstate highway to moslty 40ish miles each way in your commute the Dual sport 650's are a blast.

[grecojas]

So I had hoped that I was descriptive enough on the first post but I guess I left some things out. I have several years of dirt xp under my belt, taken the MSF course and am licensed for M class. Ninja650 and sv are out of the question due to shim valves and carbs on the sv and the price of the ninja. Touring is not an option for at least a few years, and I can get anywhere I want to without touching an interstate.

Thank you for the replies. I guess since I'm looking at the 150cc and 200cc scooters they're just too slow.

[kenny61]

Sounds like you would be happiest with a dual sport. I think you may even be happy with a 225 or 350.

[FoldArt]

A few other scooters to consider -

Vespa GT (200cc - will cruise at 60-65 mph, top out in mid 70's) You might find an older one for $2000

Kymco Yaeger - only 175 cc, but capable of speeds you want. You don't see a lot of them around.

SYM HD 125/200 - the 125 tops out at 60 mph, but he 200 (actually 170 cc) can hit 70 mph. Craigslist prices hover around the $2000-2400 asking price.

Aprilia Scarabeo 200 - 181 cc, and tops 70 mph. I test rode one, and thought it a great little scoot. Available used for under $2000.

Honda Sh150i - Consumer reports said it topped out at 68 mph and got over 80 mpg. Limited availability used.

Another $500-1000 will get you a lot more choices. It may also prevent you from immediately trading up at the first chance you get. Try using searchtempest.com to search Craigslist over a wide area to get a feel for prices of each machine.

I haven't owned a traditional motorcycle (only scoots), but if you are looking at commuting 15 miles a scooter will probably get the job done more effectively than a motorcycle (better weather protection, nimbler in city traffic, no shifting in traffic, actual storage built in). But you won't have the look if you want to join weekend rides with your buddies.

[grecojas]

Ok, now that I have a real keyboard (and not just the iPhone one) I can type a proper response.

Clarification on the Ninja/SV comment. I understand that I'm not going to find something fuel injected for $2k, but as I said before I'd like to do most of the maint in my backyard. Twin carbs can be synced at home, and I understand this as well, however I really dont want to have to buy too many new tools (or make one) If i dont have to, and the 650 singles off just that. The scooters came in because I kept seeing them on the searchtempest searches and I had never really thought about one until lately. I just came back from a Vespa/Piaggio dealer and I really like the fit of them better than say the Yamaha. What I'm worried about is the stress on the motor running 45-55 mph on a 150-200cc and the life of the smaller (12"-14") tires.

To clarify, I'm not trying to be stubborn, I really like the look and feel of the scooters, but I want to make sure I can live with it and not hate it before getting my hopes up. I also hold no delusions to what I would be riding. Group rides be damned, I just want to enjoy myself on the way to and from work and the few errand I run around town on my own.

[tastroman]

As far as tires go I'm getting 12,000 miles out of 12" fronts and 4,000 miles out of 13" rears. I'm paying $31 a tire plus $10 to have them mounted to the rim at a local privateer garage. If you are not concerned about interstate travel and just want something fun and economically to tool around town on, you are the perfect candidate for entry into this club.