From what I've seen in the Chinese scooters, most if not all are 2-cycle (a total PIA) and break with no parts available. They are cranking them out to meet the burgeoning world wide demand, and quality control is slipping badly.
I would look at the Honda or Yamaha lines from Japan, or the Kymco line from Taiwan and if course....Vespa and Piaggio (the BEST!) It all depends on ho much scooter you want and what you are willing to spend. Check out the respective web sites for good detailed information and pricing. A big bonus is the expansive dealer network for these......where you can always get parts and repairs.
As far as etiquette goes for riders, I personally don't care what you ride......just that you DO ride. Unfortunately, this is NOT the case with many people and unfortunately, many of the guilty parties ride the big American bikes that start with 'H' and end with 'N'. It's really an attitude problem, and I will have none of it.
The Honda's are every bit as good as the Vespas or Piaggio. Probably better, I'll guarantee they'll last longer with far less maintenance costs.
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Different strokes for different folks!
I never learned from a man who agreed with me. Heinlein
When I said that I wanted the Road King to be my last motorcycle, I meant that I have a love/hate relationship with motorcycle almost like an alcoholic or drug addict. I really like the new classic Triumphs but was concerned about the meager dealer network coupled with nagging thoughts about the reliability of the real classic Triumphs.
The Honda's are every bit as good as the Vespas or Piaggio. Probably better, I'll guarantee they'll last longer with far less maintenance costs.
Do you have a new honda, vespa,and piaggio? What kind of guarantee are you offering? What specific features of the honda do you consider "probably better" than a vespa? What models of each brand are you compairing?
The good guys will end up finding each other in the end I guess.
I find it funny now. I went into a Harley store the other day and they were all impressed with the scooter, and were surprised at how big it was.
It would be nice to see pictures of everyone on their scoots and bikes - I'll see about posting one shortly.
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Here is pics of mine, side and dash, this bike has AM/FM/CD/MP3, GPS, Radar, Blue tooth to cell phone, lots of lights and chrome, custom gages, ETC.
Do you have a new honda, vespa,and piaggio? What kind of guarantee are you offering? What specific features of the honda do you consider "probably better" than a vespa? What models of each brand are you compairing?
I don't see many vintage Honda scooters on the road. On the other hand, on a daily basis I see 40+ year old Vespas and Lambrettas on the road performing beautifully.
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Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
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Here is pics of mine, side and dash, this bike has AM/FM/CD/MP3, GPS, Radar, Blue tooth to cell phone, lots of lights and chrome, custom gages, ETC.
Sarge
Wow! All the bells and whistles - nice looking bike.
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Michelle & family
(2 lively boys, 2 dogs & a hubby)
2005 25' International CCD
I think somebody should come up with a way to breed a very large shrimp. That way, you could ride him, then, after you camped at night, you could eat him.
One of the things to consider is the size of the engine that you pick for your scooter....also understand licensing issues relative to the areas you ride in. A good example is that in Missouri, you do not need to license a scooter that is less than 50cc's. The problem is that many municipalities, especially in the St. Louis area do not allow unlicensed motorized vehicles on their roads. With the patchwork of cities and towns in the metropolitan area, you can be legal and suddenly cross the boundaries into a municipality where you aren't. The quandary then goes all the way to the licensing offices where some in St. Louis will allow you to title and license a less than 50cc scooter, and others will.
Bottom line understand where you are going to ride, especially if you are using an unlicensed scooter. My recommendation is that you consider 125cc as a minimum engine size. This gives you plenty of power that you aren't a road hazard on most roads (not interstates though). It also puts you in a class of needing licensing and probably insurance (based on state laws). That gets you out of law enforcements eyes.
Take the motorcycle safety class if available, and wear proper riding gear. It is a pain sometimes but understand skin can come off at an alarming rate if you go down, and your head needs protection. Again state laws vary on what they consider required but keep your own physical safety in mind.
Jack
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Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
Jack makes some very good points that are applicable in the US and Canada. Another thing to keep in mind about engine displacement is that as soon as you get to 750cc or larger, your insurance sky-rockets. This is a huge peeve of mine, in light of smaller diplscement bikes having greater horsepower and the ability of driving a lot faster than my Triumph, but I'll not get into that here.
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Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
I agree with Jack about the minimum engine size. Here in Ontario a 50cc scooter needs to be licensed, but it's in a different category (limited-speed) with a different colored license plate or tag.
I've got a 250cc, which is the largest size that Vespa makes over here on this side of the ocean (at this point in time), but people still have the impression that it's a sewing machine on wheels. Which is probably the reason why the goof who was following me the other day decided to pull up right beside me in the same lane at a 4 way stop, instead of staying behind me where he should have.
All the protection advice is excellent as well - I've got all the gear, but see many that eschew protection. Again, many people's perception is a bit skewed when it comes to scooters. Doesn't help that this is what people tend to think of when they think of a scooter:
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Michelle & family
(2 lively boys, 2 dogs & a hubby)
2005 25' International CCD
I think somebody should come up with a way to breed a very large shrimp. That way, you could ride him, then, after you camped at night, you could eat him.
My Vespa is a 200cc 4 stroke. It will go over 70mph but it's really happy at 50 - 55mph. It gets about 65mpg. I'm, ah, fat and it carries my 240# without a whimper. Interesting, it weighs about the same as I do and I can load/unload it on the tilt carrier easily. To me, it's the perfect toad.
It's a 2006 model and approching 1000 miles. Trouble free to date.
Those 2 on the Vespa in # 149 gave me a good laugh. She's riding sidesaddle and apparently the only things keeping her from falling off is her arms around the guy. The only question is whether she take him with her when she falls off. I hope she doesn't break her heels.
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Vespa GS 200
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