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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 31, 2016 3:06:45 GMT -5
Today, I rode to do errands in this most welcome 75-degree sunny January day...
So while I was enjoying the ride, I thought to myself: "Just WHAT is it I like (and dislike) about the SCOOTER I ride... Not the other guy's ride, not what might I rather have. Just my own personal choice.
I think if we riders would give our current rides an honest evaluation and jot down what we LIKE and what we DISLIKE about our current ride, it might be informative not only to ourselves, but to other members who read the posts. Whatever our rides may be, 50 cc or 750 cc, our observations should be very interesting!
So I'll start with my own scooter... 
Make: Kymco Class: 250 cc Grandvista water-cooled, short-wheelbase early "touring" scooter Age/Mileage: 2007, used, 16,000 miles (14,000 when purchased) _______________________________________
What I LIKE about it...
1. Reliability! First and foremost I like the rock-solid reliability... Just like the trusty family car... If she sits a month, the tires and battery are still up. No leaks... Just chase the feral-cats and snakes out from under her tarp, push the button and she roars to life.
2. Solid feel. Feels like a "real motorcycle" at speed, and "grooves" at any speed from 20 mph school zones to 70 mph.
3. Mechanical performance. The clutch engagement is buttery-smooth and locks up firm at a modest rpm. The engine then has the grunt to accelerate with authority at low rpm, and the CVT tranny is amazingly intuitive, keeping the rpms in the "sweet-spot" at any speed, from "walking" speed in parking lots, to freeway speeds. It runs at the lowest practical rpm at any speed, but responds instantly to a quick opening of the throttle. It feels much like a modern automobile automatic transmission. It's truly the BEST "twist n' go" setup I've ridden yet. All-out top-speed is around 80 mph under "perfect" conditions, and the realistic cruise with hills and wind is 65-70 mph. The ride is firm but comfortable, and the front and rear disk-brakes are good and predictable. Amazingly, the 2-valve, carbureted old girl also gives over 80 mpg fuel-mileage most of the time. THAT was a BIG surprise!
Note, the speedometer/odometer is about 3 mph optimistic, which I subtract from the speed/gas-mileage figures.
4. Overall ride experience. The total "mix" of acceleration, cruise, handling and relaxing ride without sacrificing nimble scooter manners in traffic are amazing. "Minnie Mouse" is "scooterish" enough to do daily errands in traffic, yet solid and heavy enough to lean back and relax at 70 mph, actually reminding me of my Harley baggers of long ago.
5. Electric folding mirrors. VERY handy for parking between my old cars, stashing in tight places, etc. The manual says they're for lane-splitting, but I never get so close to traffic that I have to fold my mirrors!
6. Good headlights and audible turn-signals ________________________________________
What I DISLIKE about it...
1. Difficult to access the engine. The seat pan and seat are one unit which must be removed to get to the engine. Once removed, it is still difficult to change the spark-plug. To test-ride engine work, you have to do it without the seat... Unhandy.
2. Digital/bar-graph gauges. While very modern (and all still working perfectly after 8 years) the bar-graph gauges for temp, tach and fuel are not my favorites. They're just too "general" and hard to read at a glance. The digital speedo is fine, being LARGE and sensitive in 1 mph increments. The smaller engine versions of the Grandvista had GREAT, simple analog gauges which I'd prefer... ________________________________________
That's about it. LOTS more likes than dislikes! "Minnie Mouse" does 99% of exactly what I bought her for: a faster, more solid RELIABLE replacement for my original Chinese Xingyue 150.
I'm used to the big bikes, so my overall satisfaction with a 250 cc scooter is phenomenal. What might I change if I could? A little more "wiggle room" on the seat, analog gauges and still another 15 mph more cruising speed. On today's freeways, I'm finding an extra15 mph cruise with a top speed of 100 mph would be a MAJOR safety improvement on the limited-access, but my freeway riding is limited. I'll sacrifice that extra speed to keep small-wheel scooter handling for the  % of my riding on surface streets, below 70 mph.
So, chime in pals, let the readers know what your gripes and loves about YOUR pet ride. Lots of new riders, riders looking to up-size, down-size, decide on a scooter or motorcycle needing your input!
Whatever you ride though...
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by pistonguy on Jan 31, 2016 7:36:54 GMT -5
Suspension and Mushy Frame. At 37 0r 40 + bikes to date these are the Worst on the Planet. Downright Dangerous with a Hot Rod Motor and Stock Suspension.   I have these Forsa Nitrogen Shocks to Mount. the Bottom is larger aid. and will have to use Hoca bracket to re-locate shock or Butcher the Case.   |
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Post by pistonguy on Jan 31, 2016 7:39:16 GMT -5
Hate the Suspension and Mushy Frame. At 37 0r 40 + bikes to date these are the Worst on the Planet. Downright Dangerous with a Hot Rod Motor and Stock Suspension. I have these Forsa Nitrogen Shocks to Mount. the Bottom is larger Dia. and will have to use Hoca bracket to re-locate shock or Butcher the Case. |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 31, 2016 8:28:18 GMT -5
what i like about my ride:
1. great MPG.
2. super cheap insurance.
3. knowing "i did it my way", meaning i don't have to rely on other peoples help or any specific part. ( kinda hard to explain).
4. ease of service, simple design.
5. the sheer thrill of WOT.
what i dislike:
1. cagers.
2. road hazards.
3. cold weather.
4. lack of carrying capacity.
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Post by wheelbender6 on Jan 31, 2016 9:42:13 GMT -5
_I like enjoying good weather while riding my scooter.
_I like to see how surprised the cagers are that my scoot (125cc) keeps up with traffic.
_I like being able to park on the sidewalk.
_I don't like bumpy roads. Feels like I'm riding motocross.
_I don't like having to lock my scooter to something with a cable to prevent theft. My scoot is light enough that a couple of guys can pick it up and toss it into the back of a truck.
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Post by cyborg on Jan 31, 2016 10:38:57 GMT -5
Lots to like with mine with a few shortcomings,,THE GOOD,,,,like the all steel body,,,easy removable side panels so service is a breeze,,great mileage well over 100 mpg when I take it easy,,carries a spare tire and has a generous glove box so tool carry is a non issue,,,a real live Kickstarter that actually works so well I often kick it instead of using the button,,a manual trans so it has a proper neutral so when I'm working on the engine the rear wheel isn't going 90mph,,,very good brakes and suspension right out of the box,,,when I finally get the mods done on the engine I see a real world 80mph+ and stable too,,,iv'e had it well above 70 with no hint of being unstable,,,could go on,,,,THE BAD,,the most fuktist uptist fuse holders ever devised by man,,changed the second week of ownership,,,the biggest ugliest rear tail light they could source,,,in a word HIDEOUS,,,changed to a Vespa ss taillight,,,all bulbs of the lowest quality that could be found,,,,very large false neutral between 3rd and fourth gear so getting the bike into fourth was a real effort at first,,,I'm used to it now but boy in the beginning it was a challenge,,,,(I suppose they selected a really tall fourth gear set for mileage)all natural rubber seals and mounts were cracked before I bought the bike,,,next winter full teardown and they will be changed,,,all original cables made by chimps at a zoo somewhere,,,failed so fast it was insane ,,,like they were on a timer,,,all changed to hi quality units,,no side stand,,,only center stand
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 31, 2016 10:50:51 GMT -5
_I like enjoying good weather while riding my scooter. _I like to see how surprised the cagers are that my scoot (125cc) keeps up with traffic. _I like being able to park on the sidewalk. _I don't like bumpy roads. Feels like I'm riding motocross. _I don't like having to lock my scooter to something with a cable to prevent theft. My scoot is light enough that a couple of guys can pick it up and toss it into the back of a truck.
Wheelbender6,
Bikes don't get big enough to prevent theft... Six outlaw-bikers got my 1970 full-dress Harley Electra Glide in less than a minute. A little neighbor girl witnessed and told me, and the police the story...
I had it blocked by my car, and chained to a steel pole with a high-tech titanium chain. Three guys at each end of my car (full-sized 1970's Oldsmobile) picked it up and moved it. Then they sprayed my "unbreakable" chain with Freon, hit it with a hammer and shattered it. Then four of them tossed my mint, show-quality Hog into their waiting maxi-van.... on its side, severely damaging it, but they only wanted the parts...
"Gone is Sixty Seconds"
That was back in 1977 and I never could afford another "real bike". Then, in 2006 I discovered Chinese scooters... Lots of value for the bucks, but lots of fixing usually needed... (STILL much better than scooters of my youth... LOL!) Now, I'm REALLY happy with my Taiwan-made old Kymco. She's "Chinese value" without all the drama... LOL!
My experience tells me to stick with a thick CABLE rather than a chain. I locked my old Xingyue 150, and now "Minnie Mouse" to a pole in my car-port with a HEAVY Coleman cable-lock.
That cable has eight years of NUMEROUS "nibbles" from bolt-cutters, but not a strand of steel in the cable has yet broken. Heavy cables DO seem more theft-resistant than solid chains.
I think this thread may bring out some helpful topics for many riders!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 31, 2016 11:20:48 GMT -5
Cyborg,
You didn't mention what kind your clutch-n'-gears bike is... Sounds like it's a solid ride even though needing some typical tweaking... No side-stand sucks... Chinese side-stands seldom stick out far enough to be really solid anyway... You can get a vintage Harley or Cushman-style swing-out side-stand and have a mounting-tab welded on your frame if you wish. I know at least one Vespa rider who did that so the scoot would lean way over and solid against "wind tip-over". I'd really miss a side-stand for short-term parking.
If the bike you describe is the one in your avatar, it sure looks good!
Leo
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Post by crawford on Jan 31, 2016 11:58:35 GMT -5
I love the gas and go and riding the smoky mnt's never get tired of seeing them.  |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 31, 2016 12:26:29 GMT -5
Sport bike like performance from a scooter and rock solid reliability from the 2009 Aprilia Sport City 250. Stable even at expressway speeds, in wind storms or tropical rains. 465 lb capacity so it can deal with picking up a few bags of cement, fertilizer, topsoil, etc from the building supply. Full filtration and fuel injection. Comfortable on long interstate rides too having 15" metric cruiser/sport bike tires. Twin disk brakes up front and sized for a 500cc bike for phenomenal stopping ability. Parts are available in town from several sources.
The only negative are that it does not have a built in sport fairing so I had to buy a Puig and they discontinued the mounting access plates in the rear body for installing side cases like on the Scarabeo.
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Post by tortoise on Jan 31, 2016 12:32:03 GMT -5
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Post by cyborg on Jan 31, 2016 13:49:47 GMT -5
Oh I forgot it's a 2013 genuine Stella,,,150cc ,,weak ,,,no power,,,but not for long,,,as for the bike in my avatar that's a 02 Ducati s4 monster with a 916 desmoquatro engine I put together a couple years ago,,,a serious bike indeed ,,,I did quite a bit of work on that one,,,extensive Ti parts list ,,0-100 times in the sub 6 second range even with my fat on it,,,I could go on for a few hours on that bike,,,just the exhaust was more expensive than the Stella ,,,but I got off the hyper exotic roller coaster ,,too hard to get parts,,,too expensive,,,crappy mileage,,,couldn't keep rear tires on it,,,,
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Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 57 
Likes: 7
Joined: Oct 8, 2014 12:52:11 GMT -5
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Post by jc on Jan 31, 2016 17:27:10 GMT -5
 2006 CPI GTR 150cc watercooled Likes: 1a. Probably the only one of it's kind in Austin, TX 1. Unique frame and bodywork design 2. paolli suspension 3. runs to 60 mph on flats highway 4. normal motorcycle size wheels, better tire selection 5. CFmoto engine so decent parts availability 6. Hydraulic front and rear brakes. 7. Did I mention the unique look? Dislikes: 1. Not much wind protection on highway 2...........nope, can't think of anything else |
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New Rider
Currently Offline
Still rid'n
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
Joined: Jan 20, 2016 20:42:44 GMT -5
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Post by tromper on Jan 31, 2016 18:13:12 GMT -5
Wonderful info folks, but please do add your model, make and year at the top of your post so ig'nant gits like me can figger out what bike you're talk'n 'bout without too much effort.
I have a couple bikes, both pretty different:
k7 Burgman 650 - Standard
Neat stuff:
Power : It'll hit 110 (on a track of course) with my fat butt and luggage on it.
Storage: The built storage is better than some bikes with a top case. If I put my case on I can almost double that, & still have room for saddlebags of some kind.
Support: The Burgman USA forum, & LeDude's site are better than the factory manual I have a soft copy of.
Downsides:
Potential Expensive repairs. If the CVT bites it, the bikes essentially a throwaway most likely. The real bad issue was long since re-engineered by this model, but there are a couple others that you need to be aware of and keep an eye on.
Belt Replacement. This would truly suck, & fortunately the belt is reportedly good for at least ~50k miles with most who run them longer reporting it good for ~75. It's an expensive belt and it takes a true tear down to replace. This is not your father's CVT belt.
Weight. This is pretty heavy for a scooter, & while I have no issues bumping around town with it, the lighter scoot's a lot nicer for that.
Now for the lighter Scoot.
k8 SYM HD200
Great Stuff:
- Big Wheels: Intrinsically better on rougher roads and a bit more CF for stability.
- Light and maneuverable: Compared to the burger this is very "flickable" and handy in town
- Great power for class of scoot: Stock, this was quicker than any other light scoot the wife checked out.
The liquid cooling does add complexity but it gives as good as it gets.
- Just overall a great little scoot. I really can't detail that enough.
Not So Great:
Some stock stuff is junk and I recommend replacing it if you haven't:
Tires - Get Michelin City Grips.
Front Brake Pads - I used a cheap Kevlar set off Amazon, lots better
Battery - If you have a factory one still I'd be stunned, but ANYTHING is better.
Beyond that it has some quibbles that are easy to fix or track, so check out the SYM Forum HD200 section for a couple minor pointers. There are some good FYIs there.
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Post by pistonguy on Jan 31, 2016 19:07:00 GMT -5
Oh I forgot it's a 2013 genuine Stella,,,150cc ,,weak ,,,no power,,,but not for long,,,as for the bike in my avatar that's a 02 Ducati s4 monster with a 916 desmoquatro engine I put together a couple years ago,,,a serious bike indeed ,,,I did quite a bit of work on that one,,,extensive Ti parts list ,,0-100 times in the sub 6 second range even with my fat on it,,,I could go on for a few hours on that bike,,,just the exhaust was more expensive than the Stella ,,,but I got off the hyper exotic roller coaster ,,too hard to get parts,,,too expensive,,,crappy mileage,,,couldn't keep rear tires on it,,,, I Gotts some Cheese for the Wine your Sipin. Waaaa, I can't keep rear tire on it  what are you in Iowa? Millage? Uhhh dont that have all that Corn Ethanol stuff in Iowa? I fully support the Fuel and Rubber Mfg's  |
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% of my riding on surface streets, below 70 mph.
