Since I got my motorcycle endorsement, I was thinking about scooters and motorcycles a lot. I had lots of questions and thoughts and interests and I thought making a general thread about it would be a fun way to share what I was thinking and get answers to some questions.
First let me start by saying I got my motorcycle endorsement because every time I look over my shoulder to merge lanes I glance and notice my large rear seat going wasted. There should be no reason I drive a 24 mpg full size car when it's just myself going to and from work in a place that is over 80F and sunny 8 months out of the year. So I was looking more for a commuter replacement vehicle (fuck Houston and more globally Texas' fear and corruption of public transport). With a stop-go commute and stretches that have 50mph speed limit, so a maxi-scooter would be perfect. I also thought a scooter would be great because instead of sitting on top of a hot engine (even liquid cooled), a scooter's engine is small and behind me, well out of my way. Since in Texas anything with two wheels and a motor needs a motorcycle endorsement, I went and got it. If you would like details how I got it, that is specific to Texas, PM me.
After reading and researching models, I am looking for 170CC+ sized model for ease to get to 50mph and tires larger than 13" for smooth and stable ride over 35mph. The smaller the engine and tire size, the larger the cargo space. I was also looking at the difference between the cheapo Chinese models, the highest end brands like Honda and Piaggio (makers of Vespa) as well as the high end Taiwanese models Sym and Kymco. My top picks include the Kymco People 300GTi, the Sym Citycom 300i, the Kymco Downtown 300i, or the Genuine Blur (which has a huge following in the US and a large aftermarket). I picked those bikes because they are fuel injected and liquid cooled as well.
I was also thinking about mega "scooters" like the Honda DN-01 and Aprilia Mana 850. The former is far too expensive with far too crappy a mileage and the latter is far too sport motorcycle positioning with a manual transmission. The Honda, however, has the most maintenance free parts on a bike ever seen (shaft drive to a maintenance free hydrostatic transmission, fuel injection and liquid cooled) and also looks quite terrible in my eyes and has no storage.
Thoughts?
What are you guys riding if you do ride? Why did you pick what you ride? What gear to you wear when you ride? where did you get it?
I am sure I will keep updating this thread as I think of other things and musings.
First let me start by saying I got my motorcycle endorsement because every time I look over my shoulder to merge lanes I glance and notice my large rear seat going wasted. There should be no reason I drive a 24 mpg full size car when it's just myself going to and from work in a place that is over 80F and sunny 8 months out of the year. So I was looking more for a commuter replacement vehicle (fuck Houston and more globally Texas' fear and corruption of public transport). With a stop-go commute and stretches that have 50mph speed limit, so a maxi-scooter would be perfect. I also thought a scooter would be great because instead of sitting on top of a hot engine (even liquid cooled), a scooter's engine is small and behind me, well out of my way. Since in Texas anything with two wheels and a motor needs a motorcycle endorsement, I went and got it. If you would like details how I got it, that is specific to Texas, PM me.
After reading and researching models, I am looking for 170CC+ sized model for ease to get to 50mph and tires larger than 13" for smooth and stable ride over 35mph. The smaller the engine and tire size, the larger the cargo space. I was also looking at the difference between the cheapo Chinese models, the highest end brands like Honda and Piaggio (makers of Vespa) as well as the high end Taiwanese models Sym and Kymco. My top picks include the Kymco People 300GTi, the Sym Citycom 300i, the Kymco Downtown 300i, or the Genuine Blur (which has a huge following in the US and a large aftermarket). I picked those bikes because they are fuel injected and liquid cooled as well.
I was also thinking about mega "scooters" like the Honda DN-01 and Aprilia Mana 850. The former is far too expensive with far too crappy a mileage and the latter is far too sport motorcycle positioning with a manual transmission. The Honda, however, has the most maintenance free parts on a bike ever seen (shaft drive to a maintenance free hydrostatic transmission, fuel injection and liquid cooled) and also looks quite terrible in my eyes and has no storage.
Thoughts?
What are you guys riding if you do ride? Why did you pick what you ride? What gear to you wear when you ride? where did you get it?
I am sure I will keep updating this thread as I think of other things and musings.
