Help please- need advice on a scooter purchase.

qxzlool · 09-19-2006, 09:44 AM

My daughter at college has killed the second car we've given her and I've run out of spares. She thinks she'd like a scooter, so I told her I'd tap into the collective ADV brain-power

and get some suggestions for her.

She's in Tallahassee, Fl.- the terrain is hilly but not severe. Her longest ride would be about 20 minutes, and she'd like to be able to carry a passenger or groceries. She's also looking for something new- I'm five hours away, not convenient for service/repairs.

And she'd probably like something "cute"- she is a girl, after all...

I appreciate any help ya'll can give!

AnnieGS · 09-19-2006, 11:16 AM

honda metropolitan. they're even covered in flowers and shit.

Srbenda · 09-19-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnieGS

honda metropolitan. they're even covered in flowers and shit.

the Met is underpowered and too small, especially to carry a passenger on. You need something with a bit more oomph, so the cheapest, most reliable "cute" alternative is a Yamaha Vino 125.

k7qz · 09-19-2006, 02:52 PM

Photog · 09-19-2006, 03:17 PM

Take a look at the 125/150 class, at a minimum. Vino 125 is good.

I've heard a few happy owners of the Stella "Buddy".

Kymco Bet&Win 150 is a nice scoot, 2 year warranty, and Kymco builds really good stuff. Check out their "People" lineup if you want a big-wheel scoot.

The Aprilia Scarabeo is nice, too.

In the used scoot department, if you could find an 80's era Honda Helix in good shape, that would be a nice college bike--plenty of cargo space for books + a jacket, plenty of get-up-and-go. Might be a bit long in the wheelbase department for a n00b who may be wanting to park it on a sidewalk or snug it next to a college building, but worth a look.

Depending on your budget, check out the used Vespa ET4's.

As usual, budget for safety gear and MSF. They're offering a scooter course at some locations that's a 1/2 day instead of the usual 2.5-ish day course.

ysr612 · 09-19-2006, 04:32 PM

how did she kill the car if she ran into something with either car maybe she shouldn't have anythng with a motor until she grows up.

thumpnokie · 09-19-2006, 06:59 PM

Wow! That must be an '06 Scarabeo because my '05 150 isn't accessorized that nicely.

qxzlool · 09-20-2006, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysr612

how did she kill the car if she ran into something with either car maybe she shouldn't have anythng with a motor until she grows up.

Fortunately she's not prone to hitting things, she just drives them to death.

ZZR_Ron · 09-20-2006, 07:41 AM

The other used choice, (I just sold one) would be the Yamaha Riva 125 or 200. Both the ones I had were solid as a rock, and they had plenty of power.

qxzlool · 09-20-2006, 09:24 AM

Oh, and say hello to my daughter, the lurker-

Heather!

Topdog · 09-20-2006, 11:27 AM

http://www.classicalwheels.com/codenew/product.asp

this place is a great source for Vespas. Toatally rebuilt ans shipped to your door. They can custom make one too.

ysr612 · 09-20-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qxzlool

Fortunately she's not prone to hitting things, she just drives them to death.

good I see to many people either get a big suv or a very small scooter for thier offspring that are too immature to drive.

If you can get them the yamaha rivas as zzron said are solid as a rock I put 9k miles on a 200 last year. If I were to get another scooter I would be tempted by this one

DIAMO VELUX 250CC or 150

http://www.diamousa.com/gallery/scoo...x/gallery.html

ZZR_Ron · 09-20-2006, 12:38 PM

I just bought this one the other day...my wife loves the seat on it!

ritchj · 09-20-2006, 12:52 PM

I'd be wary of restored older Vespas. Who knows how much bondo or whatever is under the flashy new paint.

The Buddy has been successful, and is at a good price point. One of the new Bajaj might be an option if Heather has experience shifting gears on a bike. The new Vespas are great, but on a campus the metal body might get beat up when it is hoisted to the top of the flag pole or other such college shenanigans. Plus they're pricey.

Who are the dealers in her area - maybe that's where you should look? A new Chinese import scooter from eBay (that you should buy a second one of to use for maintenance and repair parts) may not be the bargain it seems to be.

Bajaj, Kymco, Vespa (and parent/sister companies Piaggio/Gilera/Aprilia), and the usual suspects from Japan are the only ones I'd consider.

farmer fred · 09-20-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topdog

http://www.classicalwheels.com/codenew/product.asp

this place is a great source for Vespas. Toatally rebuilt ans shipped to your door. They can custom make one too.

From the website:

Quote:

The following scooters are in final assembly at our California facility. Pictures were taken when it left our overseas restoration facility.

Run, don't walk, away from these. They are cobbled together in Viet Nam and have a horrible record of reliability and general bodgery.

09-19-2006, 09:44 AM	#1
qxzlool ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Fl Oddometer: 376	Help please- need advice on a scooter purchase. My daughter at college has killed the second car we've given her and I've run out of spares. She thinks she'd like a scooter, so I told her I'd tap into the collective ADV brain-power and get some suggestions for her. She's in Tallahassee, Fl.- the terrain is hilly but not severe. Her longest ride would be about 20 minutes, and she'd like to be able to carry a passenger or groceries. She's also looking for something new- I'm five hours away, not convenient for service/repairs. And she'd probably like something "cute"- she is a girl, after all... I appreciate any help ya'll can give! __________________ Where ever I go, there I am-

09-19-2006, 03:17 PM	#5
Photog Charismatic Megafauna Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Cackalacky Oddometer: 46,055	Take a look at the 125/150 class, at a minimum. Vino 125 is good. I've heard a few happy owners of the Stella "Buddy". Kymco Bet&Win 150 is a nice scoot, 2 year warranty, and Kymco builds really good stuff. Check out their "People" lineup if you want a big-wheel scoot. The Aprilia Scarabeo is nice, too. In the used scoot department, if you could find an 80's era Honda Helix in good shape, that would be a nice college bike--plenty of cargo space for books + a jacket, plenty of get-up-and-go. Might be a bit long in the wheelbase department for a n00b who may be wanting to park it on a sidewalk or snug it next to a college building, but worth a look. Depending on your budget, check out the used Vespa ET4's. As usual, budget for safety gear and MSF. They're offering a scooter course at some locations that's a 1/2 day instead of the usual 2.5-ish day course. __________________ Only an XR1200 owner knows why Cthulhu hangs its head out a car window. Like I like. Yep.

09-20-2006, 07:41 AM	#9
ZZR_Ron Underground Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Oddometer: 7,479	The other used choice, (I just sold one) would be the Yamaha Riva 125 or 200. Both the ones I had were solid as a rock, and they had plenty of power. Attached Images __________________ Great minds think alike;small minds seldom differ...

09-20-2006, 09:24 AM	#10
qxzlool ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Fl Oddometer: 376	Oh, and say hello to my daughter, the lurker- Heather! __________________ Where ever I go, there I am-

09-20-2006, 12:38 PM	#13
ZZR_Ron Underground Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Oddometer: 7,479	I just bought this one the other day...my wife loves the seat on it! Attached Images __________________ Great minds think alike;small minds seldom differ...

09-19-2006, 11:16 AM	#2
AnnieGS Namasté, bitches! Joined: Dec 2003 Oddometer: 29,788	honda metropolitan. they're even covered in flowers and shit.

09-19-2006, 02:52 PM	#4
k7qz 73 de k7qz Joined: Dec 2004 Oddometer: 69

09-19-2006, 04:32 PM	#6
ysr612 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2003 Location: Beaumont, texas Oddometer: 9,592	how did she kill the car if she ran into something with either car maybe she shouldn't have anythng with a motor until she grows up.

09-19-2006, 06:59 PM	#7
thumpnokie Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Oddometer: 70	Wow! That must be an '06 Scarabeo because my '05 150 isn't accessorized that nicely.

09-20-2006, 11:27 AM	#11
Topdog baw chica baw waw!! Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Marietta, GA Oddometer: 817	http://www.classicalwheels.com/codenew/product.asp this place is a great source for Vespas. Toatally rebuilt ans shipped to your door. They can custom make one too.

09-20-2006, 12:52 PM	#14
ritchj Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal TriValley Oddometer: 109	I'd be wary of restored older Vespas. Who knows how much bondo or whatever is under the flashy new paint. The Buddy has been successful, and is at a good price point. One of the new Bajaj might be an option if Heather has experience shifting gears on a bike. The new Vespas are great, but on a campus the metal body might get beat up when it is hoisted to the top of the flag pole or other such college shenanigans. Plus they're pricey. Who are the dealers in her area - maybe that's where you should look? A new Chinese import scooter from eBay (that you should buy a second one of to use for maintenance and repair parts) may not be the bargain it seems to be. Bajaj, Kymco, Vespa (and parent/sister companies Piaggio/Gilera/Aprilia), and the usual suspects from Japan are the only ones I'd consider.

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