Okay...we got the Oilheads; we got the Scoot Squadron. I straddle the line. I'm thinking of trading down, in my dotage years. I've bounced back and forth between scoots and bikes; started on bikes, gave it up for 25 years, got back on a bike and along the way had a Burgman 400, about three years ago. There was a lot I liked about it; but at the time I found I missed the manual gears, and the power of a bigger engine. So three years ago I bought a BMW R1200GS. I had the money then; have less now. I have less agility now, too. I've had gout and arthritis and a few other issues going on...had my first attack of gout while traveling from Michigan to Texas on the BMW. That's a scary feeling...alluva sudden there's a question whether you're going to be able to even RIDE the thing. Stuck out in the middle of nowhere, with medical issues. In one move, I sold my smaller 250 bike...and last fall got a lead on a Xingyue Burgman clone. Got it; love it...I can't trust it because it's a cheap knock-off; but it's eminently satisfactory. Except for the brakes, which take high effort and grab. Now...I see Suzuki is looking to clear out their Burgman inventory, with their 0 percent financing. Dad gommit, I'm tempted...a new 400 Burgman with ABS...the BMW taught me the absolute value of ABS systems; they're essential in the rain. So I'm considering trading down. Buying the Burgman on credit; selling the BMW; there's a considerable market for used ones. Value around $11,000. But...I'm wondering if, expecially if I don't come apart physically like I expect...if I'll be making a mistake I'll regret. We got the Oilhead Brigade, who'll be convinced I'm committing heresy...but times change, everything has a season, yada yada. Thoughts? Will the Chinese Burgman clone have ANY value? Since I have more than one bike, maybe I should just use the clone as my beater/commuter...
The one big advantage the BMW has over any maxi scooter is the suspension to handle some rough/dirt roads at a reasonable speed and without ground clearance issues. How much do you ride off road on your BMW?? The BMW also has much more power and better handling. Do you really use that and/or will you miss it? Answer those questions and your decision should be easier to make. I used to have an R1100GS. If I win the lottery I"ll probably get another GS. Until then I'll make do with a couple of scooters and a couple of smaller, lighter and paid for dual sport bikes for my off road adventures. I paid less for all four than one new 1200GS.
That's a good point. I used to live at the end of a three-mile dirt road; that was one reason I started thinking of dual-sports. The BMW gave no quarter on road manners while being apparently rugged enough for some off-roading. Right this minute, off-road capacity matters not at all. I'm no track rider. I like the utilitarian style of the GS but not enough itself to hang onto it. But, but, but...the times, they are a-changin'. Pavement in the years ahead isn't going to increase in quality; and if things to completely to Hades, the rugged construction might make it a workable end-of-the-world ride. If one is needed. Lawd knows how things will go down. So...I dunno.
I've got a GS also, but it's not getting much use. I've got arthritis in my right shoulder, and a couple hours on the beemer and I'm done in. Scooters seem to hit the mark for me for usability and fun. As Klaviator knows I'm shopping for a newer scooter to haul on my RV. I have a feeling I'm going to find a lot more use on a good road worthy scooter than the BMW. If I could only have 1 vehicle I think I'd be shopping for the new Piaggio BV 350 touring. Once I have the new scooter I will likely put the R1200GS up for sale. Hate to see it sit.....Just think your decision through- it ain't a tattoo- if you make the wrong decision you can always sell and get another Dual Sport.
I faced a similar dilemma a couple of years ago where the pain induced by getting on and off my beloved Ultra Glide just was no longer worth the price. I fell off a roof many years ago and landed on my ass after falling 17 feet - I got out of the hospital 5 days later and found out I was 'shortened' up by 1.5". I went from 5'10" to 5'8 1/2" give or take. While that was bad enough the worst was yet to come - 35 years later and I have arthritis in my back and both hips and shoulders. 5 or 10 years ago if you'd told me I'd be riding a scooter in 2012 I'd have laughed at you. I ain't laughing any more. I had to 'divorce' the Harley before I could sell it. I rode it very sparingly the past 2 years - 1500 miles total. It was time to face reality and sell it. I sold it last month and turned around and made an offer on a very clean 2008 Burgman 650. I'm back to enjoying something I've been doing for 47 years now and look forward to many years more of 2 wheel enjoyment. A few of my old Harley buddies will hardly talk to me - thats fine - they'll have to face the same thing I did in the years to come since none of them (that I know of) are getting any younger. All of them have aches and pains and complain mightily - and their day of reckoning will come. And one more Harley will be put up for sale.
Yeah, I'm an ex Harley rider that rides a scooter now due to having too many birthdays. I just can't swing my leg over a motorcycle any more. You do what you got to do.
I'm still young enough and in good enough shape to ride any motorcycle out there and I still own two motorcycles. As much as I love my motorcycles my scooters are what I ride almost every day. I won't say they are more fun than motorcycles, they are just more practical, convenient, and fun for the type of riding I get to do most of the time.
Im not sure if you are ready to be a scoot guy if you have to ask After 32+ years, I went scoot and never looked back. You sort of know when you are ready.
Actually, even if you're old like me, you can mitigate the aches and pains quite a bit by taking 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 PER DAY along with 4 to 6 fish oil caps per day. Might take a month for it to happen. Vitacost has it on line. Plus, it greatly reduces the chance of heart attack or stroke! Ten four
Health issues put me on a scoot. I've got a degenerative condition that affects the big joints and the spine along with some other crap that's affecting the heart. I'm falling apart. I'm currently on a HD as my main ride since I'm between flare-ups but I know the clock is ticking in terms of how long I've got in terms of being able to ride it. That said, until I'm totally off a standard motorcycle for good (a hack is an option), I can ride a scoot when I'm really feeling rough, alternating between it and the bike. So perhaps it's not quite all-or-nothing...maybe you can keep a small, light m/c in the stable, or add one in after you pick out the scoot that works best for you. But don't worry about giving up too much when you go to scoots--they're a blast and I think you'll appreciate them that much more for enabling you to ride with less pain.` Others with more experience with the clones will chime in on the specific bike you're looking at. But have a look around the forum--plenty of good scoot reviews here, and there are some good ride reports in the RR forum as well. FWIW I've got a Piaggio MP3 and a Stella. PS: welcome to scoots
Damn! I am not as old as most of your riding histories, but I still love my scooters. I rode a sport bike for a month or two and considered a new Honda 700nsx, but in the end could not give up my scooter. As far as Chinese bikes go, I have had four. If this is a hobby the cheap Chinese bikes are great, like a Harley, part of the fun is working on them.......every weekend. I had a Roketa 150, Magrac 150, and a Summit 250. The 150s and the Summit were very "Chinese" in construction. I had to replace the water pump on the Summit (Helix Clone) with 800mi on it and the plastic just didn't fit right anywhere from the time it was new. I sold it to my Brother in law hoping he would wreck it and he is still riding it three years and two batteries later. Those three were crappy, but good for the price since none cost me more than $1000 I also have a CF MOTO 250 that I have put 8Kmi on with 0 problems. It is NOT Japanese quality but is pretty damn close and Honda parts fit it-this was confirmed by the dealer that services it and comments on the surprising quality. I recently bought a used Majesty and can honestly say that I understand why people say buy a used Japanese bike instead of a new Chinese one. I would not be afraid of another Chinese bike if I inspected it first, but they come in such a large range of quality that I would be hesitant of anything but a CF Moto, or Linhai for my only bike. ALSO know going in that Chinese means that you will probably never get more than $500 out of it after it has some miles on the clock.
On THIS note, in Australia recently a CF Moto JetMax 250i, along with a Piaggio's X7 300, and Kymco's Downtown 300i with ABS, were taken on a group Test Ride over 1000 km's distance: Scooter Review CF Moto JetMax 250iOur epic trip from Melbourne to Sydney, over 1000 km's of hard riding. . . . and again . . . CFMoto JetMax 250 reviewed on marathon trip What I find of particular interest, is that this Jetmax 250i wears a similar diameter tyre, both front and rear, to the Burgman 650.- <table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="490"><tbody><tr><td class="tdType">Tyres front</td> <td class="tdValue">120/70-15 230kPa Tubeless</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tdType">Tyres rear</td> <td class="tdValue">140/60-14 280kPa Tubeless</td></tr></tbody></table> When one encounters roads of indifferent quality, one doesn't really want "hoops" too small to negotiate the terrain. Again, twin-front discs plus rear disc would be uncommon equipment on scooters of this displacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . One other aspect- if you are planning to keep riding into your "sunset" years, it may be wise to check if the 'scoot' you're hankering to acquire is Sidecar, or Trike, friendly: With those options you have further bodily loss-of-strength & joint function demands . . . . covered!
I have seen those scoot-trikes; or scoot-quads (center rear wheel remains on many kits). And where I'm at, Harley Country...there's a lot of silver-heads on H-D trikes I won't go there. When I can't hold it up, I'll hang it up. Why? The thrill of riding, to me, is the banking into sweepers; the control of the ride with the hips and shoulders. The ability to take curves twice the speed cages can...cages, yes, and trikes. To turn a trike, is like turning a snowmobile or quad - only trickier, because it's all the tippier. I never did any snowmobiling or four-wheeling; it's not a memory I have. And holding on not an exhilarating memory. I'll hang on...from BMW, to Burgman, to 150cc-scoot to Vespa if it comes to that. But when I can't do that, it's lights out.
Are you certain that you'll want to be still taking corners fast in your twilight years? And then, there are Threewheelers which bank into corners! The same thing with sidecars - - - - some types retain the"Lean":
Don't sell it! In a moment of weakness and to this day I regret selling my beautiful 1985 BMW K100 Standard. I worked long and hard to afford and enjoy that BMW and I'm sure yours didn't come easy either. Don't sell it!
I wasn't sure myself until I got a fast bike. Now, in a cage...I drive...like an old man. I'm in my fifties, so I guess it's natural. On that BMW...two summers ago, I was working out in South Dakota. All those empty roads...some of them even curve. I'd never have thought I'd want to do it; but I was bumping up on triple digits pretty regularly when on the road. But then...last year this time, right here...I was free for the summer and planning to team up with a group going to Alaska. Culmination of a life's dream; and a return for me from 22 years earlier...back then I made the trip in a pickup. I wanted to go in style this time... Instead, first my back kicked up and then I got gout. On a business trip/ride to Dallas; I got gout outside Joplin, Missouri, four days after those tornadoes. NO PLACE I was gonna get medical aid, for 300 miles...everywhere facilities were overwhelmed. As I struggled to get on, and struggled more to keep going...I had a whiff of the future for me.
Bad - those health issues! Imagine being able to take medical aid along -- on a tour? I'd say that the Paramedic would be riding pillion. Complaint acts up, you pull over, and you get into the 'trailer' where the Paramedic wacks in the intravenous and the pain-killers. There would need to be a Two-Way link to call in the Medi-vac Copter if its THAT BAD!
Cute. But most people have no IDEA how isolated the Al-Can Highway is; or how far away from help you can be on the road to Watson Lake, Yukon. When you're a kid, or even in your thirties, you just go with it. When you're two decades older, and you've had warnings...and you're looking at sleeping on the ground, sometimes in the rain, no help around and nothing but other bikers nearby...and the machine and gear you'd have to abandon if you get aid from a stranger for 200 miles.. ...it's a no-go. Even in central Missouri in a crisis, I was pretty much helpless. I could go to a hospital and wait, maybe a full day or longer...gout isn't life-threatening. Neither is a compressed disc, even if it causes sciatica. So I could wait, or I could ride to Dallas. I chose to ride; and probably got aid quicker for it. But, again...when crap like that keeps coming up, maybe you should ask what the hell you think you're doing.
One other possibility is to trade the GS in for one of the new BMW scooters to be released in September or October. I bought a G650 GS which was a great motorcycle, but it wasn't comfortable for me, and I was getting pain in my left forearm whenever I rode it for more than a couple of hours. Sold it and now have a Burgman 650. No more problems in my left forearm.