I've been thinking about getting a moped/scooter/vespa.?

Question

But I want to make sure I'm making the right choice.

I live in a pretty big city, but everything is pretty spread out. The only reasons I would be using the scooter is to get to school, work, home, and probably a few local shopping places. I'll be steering clear of busy streets, so the fastest I'd ever go would probably be 60. :P

Any suggestions on what type of scooter I should get?

Is it just a bad idea?

Anyone who owns a scooter/moped/vespa out there, could you tell me the pros and cons about owning/driving one?

Any and all advice is much appreciated! :D

Answer 1

Take a Look at the Kymco People S200.  

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooter...

This will give you a top speed of 70mph and still get you about 80mpg.  It is an excellent scooter with larger 16" wheels that provide good stability at higher speeds.  A scooter is a great idea... i bought one about 4 months ago and LOVE it... its very fun to ride and its very comfortable and easy.  It also saves a lot of money :)  There really are no cons of owning one, other than people on motorcycles looking at you like you're a 'dreamer'.  You should at the very minimum get a 150cc scooter if you want to travel 60mph, but i would suggest getting something like the 200 above or a 250 so that its not maxed out all the time.  I think the 200 i've listed will give you best performance while still getting incredible gas mileage.

Answer 2

Scooters are easier to ride than motorcycles.  They have a low center of gravity so they're very forgiving and manageable.  And they have automatic transmissions just in case you're not used to clutching and shifting.  'Real' motorcycles have advantages too, they're usually bigger, more fun to ride in a 'sporting' way, etc.

Everyone think Vespa but Vespas are actually kind of expensive.  They come from Italy, a country with a higher standard of living than we have today.  Japanese scooters are not quite as s**y but are a better deal for the money.  They are extremely reliable and long-lasting, and at least as good as a Vespa in every way except that Vespas,  I have to admit, are very beautiful.

If you're just riding around town, no faster than 35 mph or so, 50cc is a good size.  A 50cc scooter is about like a bicycle that you don't hae to pedal.  For any more serious transportation you'll want at least 150cc.  For short hops on the freeway, 1 or 2 exits, 150 will be fine.  If you want to go 10 or 15 mi. on the freeway 250 is better.  You can buy scooters today that are up to 650ccs, and can take you across the continent.

I had a scooter.  It was my first bike.  This is years ago, it was a Lambretta.  I had more fun on that bike!  I bought it, like you, just for transportation, but I ended up doing 150 mi. days on it, riding out in the country on weekends.  I know a lot of guys today who are seriously into motorcycles who look back on their first scooter and say they've never had more fun.

Answer 3

I have an EVTA R-20, it's cherry red, electric and looks like a vespa.  I have really liked it and use it to go up some pretty steep hills and all over the flat part of my town.  Can't beat it for summertime.  One charge takes me about 25 hilly miles at upwards of 30mph (2 days worth of scootering for me) with a lot of charge left.  It cost $2500 delivered to my door and it is fun!  They have an improved model coming out too.  Get a good helmet and wear good shoes - just in case.  Geico gives good rates on insurance.  The cons are that you are vulnerable to the drivers and it is tricky to carry much stuff or kids with you.  Nasty weather won't be much fun so I plan to use my hybrid Escape.

Answer 4

I own 3 bikes (a 250cc kawasaki a 636 kawasaki ninja and a 1981 yamaha maxim) i also own a car. Scooters are great on gas but if you look aroung you will notice that the 250cc bikes are selling like hot cakes at a...at a umm...a bed and breakfast full of fat people? ...anyway! The reasons? you still get around 70 mpg (mine gets 76 highway) its street legal, you can take it on the highway if you so choose (i saw why you wanted a scooter, valid reasons all of them you seem intelligent), the bike is more visable than a scooter and you are able to get on it a little more...not saying that you would but you do look cooler on a motorcycle. AND heres the kicker! a new kawasaki 250 sells for or around the same as a vespa lx50! isnt that crazy?! so do yourself a favor look around for a 250, if gas is all your concerend with thats light years better than a scooter. but the pros for a scooter are the same just subtract 10 cool points from every one (the scale is 15 cool points maxium and a 250 is at about an 8 because its not a 600cc or better so by buying a scooter your actually at -2 cool points, but whos counting?!) either way your still saving money on gas! good luck!