The wife and I decided a scooter to haul in the Toyhauler would be a nice addition. Something to use when playing tourist. The side deal would be a scooter for my wife to use for some around town stuff. I insisted in at least a 250. Shopping we went and we found the Paiggio BV350 to fit what we thought would be the best compromise. Wife felt she could handle the size OK and I like the reviews it had read. It's now in the fleet. We took it on our SoCal vacation and it was a hoot. Worked well for San Diego. Good choice! Once we were home my wife decided it was time to give it a go. Turned out to be a no go. She just wasn't comfortable with the weight and height of the scoot. Damn... Enter Scooter #2. Yamaha Zuma 125. Perfect height and weight. Wife is taking it slow, for which I'm glad, and loves the thing. In a matter of a month I (we) now have 2 scooters! We're both enjoying these things. Problem is I haven't been on the GS or TW200 since buying the scooter!!! Oh well Gerg
Not just you. I have ridden my Tiger 800 a grand total of two times since buying my BV350 3.5 weeks ago. Both times I rode the Tiger I found myself wishing I was on the BV350. It's so much more comfortable. My BV has had a couple of minor issues with loose hardware, and is now in the shop with a bad rear tire (out of round, causing the scooter to "hop" at 45 - 50 mph). I've really missed commuting on it this week, can't wait to get it back.
I don't know what it is about scooters that makes them so much fun. I bought one in March to commute on (a PCX 150), thought it was a bit small for what I needed it for, switched to a Majesty 400, and I'm hooked. I loved my motorcycles, but scoots are just as much fun, and I can carry a ton of stuff to work without any additional equipment. At first I found myself saying "I've rode motorcycles for years..." to everyone. Now, I no longer care!
We've been similarly afflicted for the past several years. We've learned not to question why, but just accept it as our fate. The wife's currently bugging me for scooter #3.
Scooters are great fun. A lot more than most motorcycle riders who have never tried one probably think. I currently have 3 of them (small ones, 150cc being the biggest, I don't really care for maxi scoots at the moment, as long as I can still ride motorcycles on the highway) and have owned a few more. They do get way more use than the motorcycles. I no longer feel I need a big badass motorcycle (which is really just ego and peer pressure anyway) Now my biggest motorcycle is a 750cc cruiser, which will probably get replaced with a maxi scoot when it wears out.
A year ago, I would have scoffed... and, really, how often does one get to scoff these days? I, too, thought I needed to explain the whole I've-been-riding-motorcycles-for-decades thing. Got beyond that and just enjoy the experience. I'm thinking a new tattoo... something along the lines of: "Yeah, it's a scooter, kiss my ass!" Or, not. I shoulda stopped the whole scoffing thing a long time ago. Jim
Jim, if I ever buy a PCX, I'm giving you credit for it. You are certainly pleased, which says a lot given your experience with other bikes. I'm gonna test ride one.
I think it's the ease of driving. No concern about shifting, the pick-up on a scoot is pretty good and will get you where you need to go. It's easy to pack stuff in. It's just fun. Personally I think I'm a scooterist for life.
My dear ol' departed Mother used to tell me, "Well, if all else fails, you can always serve as a bad example." I can be a bit strong-willed... but, nothing compared to that Blonde I married when we were both kids. She wanted the scooters, not me. I just never expected them to be FUN. Seriously - why don't scooter manufacturers run ads with pictures of people grinning... no, they show people sitting all upright, looking urban-preppy (is that still a word people use?), and tell you about the miles per gallon. They should be talking about the SMILES per gallon. Don't blame me or credit me. I just feel like a dufus, 'cause I didn't know. Now, I know. I wish I would have known sooner. Jim
Jim - Reminds me of one day riding. An older guy (older than me that is! ) waved me down to ask me about my Helix. We chatted a bit and at some point I said something like "It's just so much fun, I find my self smiling while I ride." and he replied that was why he had stopped me. Said he wanted to find out why I was riding around with a big grin on my face!
Looks like there is not even storage under the seat. I carry lots of crap when I ride. Love the looks of this scoot but not practical for me.
For about $9000 OTD I could get a brand new Vespa GTS300 Super, and be in dreamland. But I just can't justify spending that much money on a scooter when one half that price is just as much fun, just as fast, just as reliable, has cheaper parts, and I wouldn't have to worry nearly as much about getting a scratch on it. A big part of the fun of riding a scooter to me is the low price of admission. All 3 of my current scooters were around $3000 new, so I can actually ride them without worry.
You keep singing the same old song jerry, but everyones situation and economics are different. We get it...you arent a 9000 dollar scooter guy. At the end of the day though you said...."you'd be in dreamland with a Vespa". Thats the key....other scoots maY be just as much fun etc but they arent a Vespa. Im not sayin a Vespa is better, but it is a Vespa. The "X" Factor is often the difference in price and thats worth the money to many who buy Vespas. Or Harleys. Or other iconic branded items.
I'm just glad he quit singing this time without making us suffer yet again though his life story, comprehensive vehicle list, mad technical skillz, and diatribe about everything he hates in this world and the next.
Before this augers in... 780 miles, just over 200 today, and this is still a hoot. Picked up my top box today and I'll post a pic as soon as I get it installed.
I've got a 2012 DR650. Last March I picked up a slightly used 2012 SYM HD200 EVO. I rarely ride the DR anymore if I'm staying on pavement. The SYM is just plain fun.