Howdy, Yours truly cannot complete a re-fueling or eat at Whataburger ( the Onions grilled!) without interested onlookers asking about my Sh150i. Usually I'm patient and am delighted to tell them how much fun I'm having with my Honda, while commuting and running errands. I also get a big grin when I tell them about mpg (80-something). I count 4 times in the last 24 hours. And what about you? :) PS: One elderly fellow who was admiring my Sh150i was pleasantly surprised when I told him that I can reach 60 mph (I told him that since he's not fat like me, he'd be able to reach a good 65 mph.)
I've got the Freak Factor of the MP3 going for me. Funniest line yet was a guy who pointed at the scoot while I was filling up and solemnly announced, as if I wasn't aware if it, "Your scooter has two wheels up front." Well, yeah. The 2nd weirdest thing I encountered was a guy who got mad when I told him that yes, it does lean. "no, it won't" he insisted....loudly...and then stomped off. OK. I do get lots of questions whether I"m on the Stella, MP3, or Super9. How much was it/how fast is /what's the gas mileage are always the three questions I get. What I find interesting is that "what's your gas mileage" used to be the first question, but lately it's been "how fast does it go?" I think people are beginning to think about how it would fit into their commute and whether they'd be in the weeds like some of the slower 50's. People think "scoot" around here and think "slow". If I ever get into an extended conversation with someone who seems serious, I tell them to do the math on what the purchase price would buy them in terms of gas for their car...and then say the scoot is only economical if you're committed to riding it daily to recoup the purchase price and then then realize the fuel economy. But mostly, it's just a fun chat with people who are at least thinking about it as an alternative. I try to be a goodwill ambassador whenever I can.
Nobody promotes scooters, they are not advertized, the major motorcycle magazines ignore them, there are no TV shows building custom scooters, you're going against the grain with the rest of motorcycle owners. Most people don't understand their have been a revolution and advancements in modern scooters that not only do they get excellent fuel mileage but also increased speed and perfomance. As a scooter owner you are a threat to big bore motorcycle owners, these motorcycle owners want to see advantages their motorcycle has over a scooter, but when your scooter can hold the speed limits, maybe out accelerate them and can haul cargo under the seat and get better gas mileage their advantage fades away. It always amazes me when I have my scooter out on the highways a crotch rocket always wants to race me, I guess he wants to show me how much faster his crotch rocket is than my scooter, he thinks just because a motorcycle can go 160 mph that makes it better and it impresses me, it don't! I get called names, laughed at, made fun at for riding a scooter, I don't care, but when these same people pretend to play nice and get really interested in my scooter, I threaten and insult them, strangers walk up, first I ignore them, but when they persist I tell them to "get the f**k away from me"!
I think it is pretty easy to understand.... Indeed, nobody advertises that much for scooters as for motorcycles. And there is a good reason for it as well: scooters advertise for themselves! They are a practical thing. Once you have driven one in the city, you understand EXACTLY how practical it is and you are reminded at every traffic light, every parking space you would otherwise be looking for but do not need now, every traffic-jam you drive by with a wide grin. The scooter is the urban transportation device pur-sang. Whilst the motorcycle may be the transportation of choice for long voyages to places where no-one has gone before the scooter is the ultimate modern city transportation device. With an almost unbeatable fuel economy and a heap of comfort to go with it.... AND..... The Style..... who does not want to travel in some kind of Style? The scooter offers it all into that kind of extend that scootering has become a life-style here in Europe. Scootering is stylish, trendy, urban. It has it all, and it comes automatically. It does not need to be promoted. But the commercial world is picking up on it. More and more Scooter Magazines see the light of day, and more and more products are being made for scooters. Special "urban style" scooter clothing, with specially designed "low profile" but highly protective gear in it. Just name it. Scooters are here a long time already. And they are here to stay.
Do some research f'crissakes before you spout off this BS! And there is an other show that was on an english channel that was about a shop that rebuilds scooters. Wish I had have saved the preview I saw. I own both a scoot and a bike, guess which gets ridden more? Okay, you've got to stop this, you are thread shitting all the time! Sorry to feed the troll.
Give him a break. He probably can't afford professional counseling. He also probably has no friends. He has to do something to vent. I guess I'm feeding the Troll too. Sorry.
In southern Europe you would have to look at the number plates to find the SH fitting to your keys. I rarely receive any more questions about my Piaggio MP3. Introduced in year 2006, they are now everywhere. Scooter of all kinds rule the town. Motorcycles are the minority group which need protection and advertisement. Come to Paris, Lugano or Milano!
When I was riding my wife's Reflex, last year, I was always amazed when at stops lights (on a road with more than one lane). Cars would line up behind each other instead of getting in line behind me. Why? I'd have to think it's because they thought I was going to be slow. When I out accelerated the car next to me (not racing, just out accelerated), they'd all switch lanes to follow the "fast guy on the scooter". It was kind of funny. People would yell at me at stop lights. Mostly asking about fuel economy. I had one cruiser guy ask about my Tusk Hand Mitts and my top case. Based on his looks, I figured I'd get the normal smack talk. Shame on me for judging a book by its cover. There seems to be a lot of interest and I do see more scoots and bikes out this year. But, I also see a lot of big SUVs with one person in them.
I pulled up at walmart this morning and before I could go in I had three people asking questions about my Kymco People 150. How many MPG does it get, how fast does it go, Is it automatic, Have you been riding a long time and are you comfortable in traffic. All of them thought scooters may be an alternative with the gas prices being what they are. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
We're at least a decade behind you. I really believe that the combination of the economics of oil pricing, the improvements in scooter design/safety/speed, the general public's quest for 'green' alternatives in transportation, and demographic/population shifts to warmer states will drive more folks to consider scooters. The aberration in scooter sales in 2008 (and probably occurring again, now) due to gas costs, will become the sales norm. Hopefully, the future is brighter for the entire industry and riding public.
+1 I have several big cruiser owners comment that they may have to get a scooter for getting round town so they can save on gas.
At least the big cruiser riders will have a leg up on a cager that just gets one and gets scared to ride it (for what ever reason). And they'd probably get one that's over 50ccs, I'd say most of them would probably go 200cc and above to start with. To be honest I don't think my old scoot gets great mileage, I ride it for fun. :)
annndd.... /troll rant Well, I believe this comment kinda goes against the grain...? Umm... im just gonna say... ya watevs
you're just making a fool outta yourself by showing off your scooter to cruiser riders and,, you're making the rest of us scooter owners look bad