Hey All, I currently ride a Yamaha TW200. The Tdub has been paid off so I'll probably keep it. I am thinking about adding/switching to a scooter and I really like the idea of not needing to use a clutch anymore. I would like a scooter that has similar top speed and cruising speed as the Tdub. My only real requirement is 16" wheels and something that can handle "country" roads. What are your suggestions? Thanks! Don
Any 150cc or so scooter, even the crappy ones, can do TW200 speeds (which is 50-55mph tops, right?). Any 150cc or so scooter will be light enough to do fine on country roads. Why exactly do you have to have 16 inch wheels? Have you ridden smaller wheeled scoots to compare? If not, you might be surprised how well, and how essentially scooterish, some of the smaller wheeled bikes handle. The Zuma 125 sounds like it would fit your requirements apart from wheel size. I know that the Honda Sh150i and Kymco People 150 have 16" wheels and that Vespa's don't. You could check the specs on Aprilia, Piaggio, SYM and other KYMCO models easy enough from their web pages to see their 16" offerings.
Seems like the 16's would be more stable at near highway speeds. Plus I guess I'm really looking for something that can easily cruise @ 65, so I hop on the highway as needed. I do like the looks of the Zuma 125 and it appears that there is a significantly better selection of tires for that wheel size. I've being looking hard at the BV Tourer 250 and HD200. I'm just trying to see what might be best. I don't plan on riding two up, I don't anticipate touring (at least yet) and will mostly use as a tool to obtain "daddy time". I do have a bunch of hills in the area so I don't think a 50cc scoot would work without some performance parts.
I've been told the garage is overly full of two-wheelers but the Helix and TW200 are the ones in front and get the most use. I'll acknowledge that they're an odd pair but I'm sure having fun on them. I ride with someone that keeps telling me I need bigger wheels but then I go every place he does. It may just depend on willingness and desire. Lots of Helices around here right now for $1500-$2000. I should be buying them up but then there's that problem mentioned above. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M_xAlEet2VJWPkyJGlmOyw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_XSbzVTY2w2k/TDo2Z0Ds-6I/AAAAAAAAY0A/BVedVDvtWAY/s800/IMG_4273.JPG" /></a>
The Piaggio, Aprila, Kymco all appear to be great reliable scooters. Depending on your access to dealers you might want to take a look at the Honda SH150i as well. I suspect the differences are minimal (although for me the 100 cc difference of the Piaggio and Aprila make them more appealing). The most important thing is to sit on them and check out the things you think are important- storage, styling, brake config, seat height and comfort. I'm partial to Piaggio since i have a Vespa, but get real tempted by Japanese scooters due to availability of dealers everywhere. Also, used is good- tons of scooters get sold after a year or two with very low mileage. Deals to be had!
If you are looking for a scooter that can cruise at highway speeds without killing the motor, then you should really look at a minimum of 250 cc. These will easily cruise at 65 mph all day long. The aprilia scarabeo 200 would also be a fine choice, as it performs as well as a 250 cc and has a great price. It will easily cruise at 65 mph and is supposed to be able to do 75-80 mph. The Honda SH150i would not be bad, but it would not cruise at 65 easily, and costs more than the aprilia 200 at $4500 verses $3500 for the aprilia. A lower milage used scooter also would not be a bad choice, but you should have it checked my a mechanic. Also, another great way to find a good scooter is to narrow them down by specs, and take a test ride on the scoots that you are really interested in. Good luck finding a scooter!
Just a followup here re: wheel sizes. I'd call the Helix an outlier in comparison to other machines it shares wheel diameter with. I've got an Elite and the Helix and though they share much in the drivetrain, they are night and day different handlers. Both with small wheels, the Helix gains a lot of road worthiness, far above its pay grade from its long length; most don't realize how long those wheels truly are apart. I've been surprised and delighted with how much fun the Helix is when the road gets twisty.
Doug, Boy the Helix is ugly, but then Craigslist in my area has a few around 2K. What is the tire size on those and is there a decent selection of tires for it? Is it easy to control on those rutted trails? Is there much underneath to break if it highsides?
I've got a 2003 Suzuki Burgman 650 that I bought for my wife. It is a little too tall for her so I ride it a lot. It is more fun to ride than most bikes I've ridden. I've got a 600 Shadow, a 1500 Goldwing and a BMW R1200GS and the Burgman is the most fun to ride. It will cruise at 75mph and still have plenty left for passing. Top speed is about 100mph. It is for sale. Got to make some room in my garage.
I have to admit that besides their great reputation, I was somehow drawn to the ugly and won't argue with you. Twenty years ago when they were new the attraction wasn't there for me at all. It just isn't why I buy stuff these days but that's me. 10" in back, 12" in front and I'm going back to the original Bridgestones because they seemed like a great all around tire, plus the speed/odo reads dead on with my GPS. I had a set of Michelin Boppers on that didn't last as long but held really well. There are a fair number of choices but as I said, I've found nothing wrong with the BS's. I'm not sure the scooter is easy to control but it's very doable. It has to be really bad before I won't try it but I'm careful about watching for rocks and drops that are too large. I remember it doesn't belong where I sometimes go. There are steel frame tubes that a sheet metal belly pan tucks under. Along side the tubes are the water lines, gas line, etc. I bumped the pan one time lightly last weekend, normally I don't push it that far. I know the scooters don't belong in the rough stuff but I go slow and think I'm being prudent enough to not let a soft(er) road stop me. So far, so good. We were on roads the TW would have been much better at. Previously posted, I don't always do what I'm supposed to do. http://picasaweb.google.com/coopdway/GravelEnds#5343827733202248354
Okay, I have been able to take some test "sits" on the Buddy 125/150, Zuma 125 and Sym HD125/200. They all seem to fit okay, ergos are fine on all and I like the looks of them too. The 'Beo 200 seems that it would have the same fit as the Sym HD's. I've read all the reviews and tests and forums and it seems that the HD200 or 'Beo 200 would be the best choice. However, the Buddy 125 and HD125 might be outside possibilities also, especially if I just cruise the coutry back roads and they have a lower price point. Any thoughts on these? Thanks!
SH 300i Max. Power Output 20kW/8,250min-1 (95/1/EC) Max. Torque 26Nm/6,000min-1 (95/1/EC) http://www.hondampe.com.au/repository/motorcycles/products/scooter/sh300i-09/specifications.aspx http://www.scootersales.com.au/News-220-honda-sh-300i.aspx Front tyre- 110/70 x 16 Rear tyre- 130/70 x 16 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><th valign="top"> </th> <td> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" height="6"> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" bgcolor="#d5d1d0" height="1"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" height="7"> </td> </tr> <tr> <th valign="top"> </th> <td> </td> <td valign="top"> </td></tr></tbody></table>
After really comparing the the Buddy and the Zuma, I think I'm leaning towards the Buddy line. The Buddy seems to have just a bit more floor board space to allow some extra "fidget" room over the Zuma, plus it has a little smaller footprint. I think I'm going to stay "little" on the scooter size and move up to a maxi if my needs change. Now I just gotta talk the boss into the idea, which will probably include selling the Tdub, but that's okay as I don't really have much of an deep woods offroading desire anymore.
Just for what it's worth: I've had both. In scoots, I started with a 150cc Buddy 'International' series 'Italia'. That's a good machine, a solid, quality machine. But i 'outgrew' it real quick - 'outgrew' in terms of handling, and of sheer torquey pulling-power, right out of the box. With simple final drive gearing upgrades, the fun doubled. And - when the urge takes me - the Z125 has no problem on dirt trails. Gee - if a i had some spare, geetas, i'd be all over your TW...
Got those pegs - very nice; legs stretch way out when they need to. I like to vary leg/sitting position a lot during long rides - when I first had the Buddy, one major complaint was the lack of options for foot placement and forward leg room. Pegs would've helped - issue got talked about a lot over on the modernbuddy forum a couple years ago, poss. retrofits, etc.,...
