Thinking about a motor scooter...

[klenger]

I've been thinking that a motor scooter might be a good way for me to help beat the high price of fuel and maybe have some fun too. I know nothing about motor cycles or scooters, but am leaning towards a highway legal scooter. I'm been looking at the Honda Reflex Sport, which has a 249cc engine, yada, yada, yada. Since I live in sunny southern AZ, I could use it year-round, which would help justify the cost.



Any thougthts on this plan?



What are the brands and models to look at?



What does it cost to insure something like this?

 

[FATCAT]

I'd figure the $5300 price (or there about) would be better spent on diesel for the truck. But driving one of those things ... you gotta have a little respect for your self, for your image.



At least get a real bike (600 -1000 cc) ricer or get a Harley.



That Reflex thing ... man that is a real Goober-mobile.

 

[KBennett]

FATCAT is right, 250cc is too small. I would not go smaller than 750cc for highway use. If you get into a bind and need to get out of the way, it's nice to have the extra power.



One of the nice things about the Honda is it's compact size but you can probably find a few year old 750 in good condition and have some change left over.

 

[TboneMan]

WOW, I was just looking at some scooter web sites the other day. I was thinking about the same thing.



I was looking at europian models however, probably 150cc. I have the opportunity to drive on roads posted 40-45mph with wide shoulders.



The 80-100 mpg is intriguing. At $3. 25/gal. that's just $0. 04/mile fuel costs. My truck is seeing about $0. 16/mile fuel costs. These scooter run around $3000, so the recoop period is about 18,000 miles. With weather and such that would be about 2 years.



Tough decision right now, but should at "real" fuel shortage occur, I'd at least have alternate transportation.

 

[Boomer II]

I started thinking the same thing, now I'm up to an FJR1300. Gotta have room for the rain gear and stuff.

 

[BarryG]

I was down in Cozumel diving last month and those things were everywhere. They were about equal the number of cars/trucks on the road. It was almost funny seeing 3,4 and even 5 people loaded up on one. You would see a whole mexican family piled onto one scooter. Dad driving, mom in front holding a baby, then two kids on the back behind dad. How the heck they stayed on I dont know but they seemed to have it down.

 

[Jaysyl]

Barry, I saw the same thing in Taiwan, whole family on scooters. Never seen any one fall off.

 

[RustyJC]

See signature. The beemer K-bike gets about 40 MPG commuting in Houston versus 22 MPG for my Acura 3. 2TL-S and maybe 16 MPG for my truck. Not great, but certainly significant. Scooters - I dunno..... :-laf



Rusty

 

[EricBu12]

How about this one, I saw this in the store. It even have a glove box!



http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/479/0/home.aspx

 

[Boomer II]

I've seen that stuff in Cozumel, three or four people and a propane tank and Lord knows what else crammed on one of those one man scooters.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Do the environment a favor - don't buy a 2-stroke scooter.



When I was in Taiwan in October of '03... the city was completely littered with 2-stroke scooters and the air quality was worse than anything I've ever experienced.



Matt

 

[rlyons]

Check out the Susuki Burgman. It is a lot more scooter for the money and I have never heard of a dissatisfied owner. Get the larger one if you plan to do any two up riding or freeway riding. Check out www.burgmanusa.com

 

[klenger]

Thanks for the tip on burgmanusa. It looks like a good site. The scooters look nice too.