Help me find a scooter?

Hey guys, long time. I'm looking for a scooter to use as a dingy on my live in vehicle. I need something that is sub 300 lbs and under 200cc as well with automatic transmission.

I was thinking about a Honda Ruckus or Yamaha Zuma but I'm not sure as the scooters will see a lot of unpaved fire roads and light trails but will also need to take me to get groceries and such. I think my biggest concern is ground clearance here.

Any suggestions? Thanks ADV.

I would suggest something like the Honda Cub/Sym SYMBA. 60 million riders can't be wrong. It is not an automatic but it is a "semi-automatic"

Auto clutch? I was looking at the Honda CT90/CT110 but decided against them because lack of CDI ignition.

Is the Sym Symba a clone of the Cub? They're pretty intriguing, how would they do on rough trails?

They will do better than most automatic scooters. The Zuma is probably the best scooter for off-road. I have not ridden the Sym or a Cub but shifting can be learned in a few minutes and will reap you benefits in the long run.

IMHO, based on my readings here and elsewhere, most scooters place your feet forward of your butt. When you place your feet in front of your, you lose the ability to effectively ride while standing. Standing is the best way to minimize shock to your body while at the same time control the bike in loose ground/gravel/mud situations.

You can add riding pegs to some bikes (like the Ruckus) but you are now "re-engineering" the bike. I would rather choose the right tool for the job as opposed to modifying the wrong tool to fit the job simply because I want it to. I said the Zuma earlier is it does allow you to ride standing.

late edit: Yes, the Symba is the latest version of the Cub. SYM manufactured the Cub for Honda. So, it''s really not a clone, it is the Cub... in SYM's version of the original cub, by the original manufacturer, of what they thought it should be in today's market.

I mean, those front leg guards look kind of goofy. But it seems almost exactly what I am looking for. Can I chop them off? lol.

Them goofy leg guards will keep most of the mud off your feet.

But everyone will laugh at me.

I still think I need to research other alternatives but there isn't much out there. One thing I think I need are larger tires which makes the Symba a good candidate and the Zuma/Ruckus bad candidates.

If you are rolling it onto a boat, the lighter weight and larger wheels and less plastic will make for an easier day.

As for the MACHO factors... are you really worried about them laughing at a Zuma or a Symba. Scooters are not known for their ability to make the rider appear "more" macho. About the only thing you can do to make them laugh harder is get a pink scooter.

People that laugh at scooters have no idea how much scooterists laugh at cagers for being stuck in traffic "in a cage" when you are scooting past them. Scooters will put a smile on your face that few things will take off. Cagers have no idea how much fun they are missing.

Nah, I'm not worried about people laughing at me.

I tried to find a used one on Craigslist or eBay and I'm coming up with bumpkis. I wanted to buy used but this might put a damper on things.

I don't think anyone laughed at this guy. I'm pretty sure the leg shields came in very handy.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=592359

No leg guards here but he did go from Sydney to London on a CT110
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460631

Man, the more I read about these scoots the more I want one. I wish I could find one used though.

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4581935107_00252a53ba.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2010-MA125-02" />

Not automatic, but close to 200 lbs, and very fast and fun! I've put hard panniers on it, so now it's a mini ADV bike that could get up to 60 mph if I didn't weigh more than the bike.

I don't know why but I really don't want anything with a clutch. And if I get anything with a clutch it'll be a dual sport.

Do they make any 'motorcycles' without clutches?

My options are:

Sym Symba/Cub
Honda Ct90/110
Yamaha Zuma 125

I want to spend about 1,500. I can't find anything on my list for that except a Honda CT90/110 but I am shying away because the lack of CDI start.

techguy, SYM really made HONDA CUBS? I never knew that.

As for the bike, I would suggest a SYM Symba 110 or similar bike, as long as your riding will be limited to in town, a small amount of backroad riding, and moderate offroad. These bikes won't go on serious hardcore trails, but they will do just fine on a bumpy trail.

But on both top speed is limited to 50 MPH, but the Symba may creep up to 55 MPH if given the time.

The madass is a nice bike with a good price, but its really much more street oriented. Not to say it can't be made for pure offroad, I've seen some of those crazy custom modded versions! But it doesn't have much travel and the tires and all that are more for street.

The Zuma 125 is okay for SOME offroad. It will take a few basic mods like suspension, etc to be good for hardcore trails, but it does far better than any other sit down automatic scooter I can think of at the moment. There is are varies videos on youtube of guys doing all kinds of riding with them though! But it is also limited to 55-60 MPH, but it gets there way faster and is smoother at speed than the old CTs and the 110.

But really, if you want to do any serious offroad, just get a Dual Sport. Check out the Suzuki DR 200 and the Yamaha TW 200. They are a great bang for your buck used, and weigh a bit under 300 pounds, with the TW at 279 ready to ride with a full tank of fuel. The DR weighs 278 ready to ride. These will ride far better offroad than a scooter, and are the right tool for the right job.

BUT you say you want automatic? There are few automatic offroad motorcycles. A few were made, but not that many at all. If you NEED auto, stick with the scooters you list and maybe research some more.

Thanks. I think I want a Zuma 125, if I can find one for around 1.5k used.

I just need to make sure I can reach the ground from the 30" seat.

Thats a great choice! I think its the only fully automatic scooter that handles decent off road.

The only problem I see you having is finding one 1.5 K used. MAYBE, but it will take some serious searching. More realistically you'll need to pay around $2,000 but I'm sure there one in that range somewhere.

I found one in Portland Oregon for 1,600.

Sounds like a great deal! Also, whats cool AND bad about the Zuma 125 is it is VERY modifiable. There is a 155 cc kit, varies exhausts, shocks, etc. It sucks because its not easy on your wallet, but if you ever come across some cash you can really make it a sweet ride!

For $1,600 I'd look into it.

I'm all the way down here in San Diego..