New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Joined: Sept 25, 2018 13:04:05 GMT -5
|
Post by myk on Sept 25, 2018 13:18:10 GMT -5
Hey All, I'm new to scooters and I'm looking for something to tool around town on. My wife and I share a car so typically I just bike wherever I need to get to, but occasionally I need to not sweat my off to get somewhere or need some storage capacity on my trips. From cycling, I'm pretty familiar with safe routes for slower vehicles and can get where I need to on slower streets. I also have no desire to go fast on this thing, just get where I'm going, so I'm not terribly worried about a 50cc scoot. Also, I don't want to have to deal with registration and insurance, so I'm pretty set on a 50cc. Here's the kicker, I'd occasionally like to have a passenger with me. It would be pretty rare but would like the ability. I had my heart set on a Yamaha Vino & Honda Metropolitan but unfortunately they aren't not workable with 2 people. My budget is ~1000-1500, so I'm looking at used japanese & taiwanese scoots or new chinese. The used market hasn't really had what I'm looking for so I've been looking at Chinese scoots online, specifically the ZNEN VPA: www.killermotorsports.com/znen-vpa-50-scooter.htmlIt looks like it would have enough seating space but not sure about foot space for a passenger. Does anyone have any experience with this scooter? It seems to go under a few different names but they all look about the same. I'm fairly mechanically inclined so I'm not worried about putting it together and getting it running, but I'm mostly looking for something that isn't going to require endless fiddling to get it running all the time. Any other recommendations for scoots I might like? I'm really after something with a classic look to it. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by tortoise on Sept 25, 2018 13:54:40 GMT -5
don't want to have to deal with registration and insurance, so I'm pretty set on a 50cc The most frequent scooter selection regret! If an option, rent a 50cc and experience other traffic tailgating. Select a 150cc Znen with a flat floorboard . . which offers more transport utility (gallon jugs, 12-packs, pet food). If there is a scooter dealer in your region . . support them (Kymco, Sym/Lance, Genuine, Bintelli). |
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on Sept 25, 2018 19:16:40 GMT -5
That's a nice looking scoot, but pricey for a Chinese fitty. There are other China fittys on that site for $800 or so. Passengers and 50cc scoots don't really belong in the same sentence (unless its a Chiuahua).
A 50cc scoot is good for 30mph and maybe 40mph if you de-restrict it. Your choice of appropriate roads are limited for the 50cc.
A 125-150cc scoot is good for at least 50mph. It is not near as fast with an adult passenger, but its OK on slower roads.
-I think that getting a scooter as a sort of 2nd car is a good idea.
-Depending on where you live, you could build a motorized bicycle for around $300, but the $800 scooter will be more reliable.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 25, 2018 23:47:14 GMT -5
All good advice... Have a bone on The Old Chopper Guy!
If a 50cc scoot is actually USEABLE for your needs, fine. But, I fully agree about trying to test one out before buying. Here in Texas, ALL motor vehicles MUST have license, title, insurance and plates. And ALL riders MUST have a motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license. So there is no advantage to a fifty over a one-fifty...
After many years on a 150, I finally went to a used 250 and even THAT is marginal for safety. Around here, surface streets with 35 speed-limits have 45-60-mph traffic. 45 speed-limit surface streets have 55-65-mph traffic. It's just too easy to become road-kill if your ride won't stay with surrounding traffic.
Even if a passenger will be carried only occasionally, a fifty is just not going to cut it. Trust me, even a 150 has to work to haul a passenger.
If your locality allows a 50 to be ridden without license or insurance, THAT is a biggie for sure. But if you carry a passenger even rarely, a 125-150 scooter is affordable, insurance is cheap and motorcycle drivers license is easy to get.
Just me, but personally I like the APPEARANCE of the 50cc scoots about the best of all... Slap a 350cc motor and big brakes on one and I'd buy it! Honest....
Best wishes on your hunt. Hope you get the bike you need. Do try out a few before buying if possible!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
|
|
|
|
Post by floridagull on Sept 26, 2018 10:29:17 GMT -5
IMHO, you would be best served by a Genuine Roughhouse, Genuine Buddy, or Adly from Bintelli dealers. Why? They are 2-strokes, and will give you quicker acceleration off the line. And, with greater torque, they will better serve the occasional 2-up riding.
New Adly's may just be in your budget - you would be looking at used Roughhouse's or Buddy's...
Also, you might find an older Yamaha 2-stroke Zuma...
|
|
|
|
Post by w650 on Sept 26, 2018 11:10:34 GMT -5
My only thoughts here are that if you want to use it for a second car you should buy locally instead of online. As we used to say in the old days (10 years ago) "If you buy from a dealer you will have somebody's neck to wring if things go wrong."
Killer Motorsports has been around for quite a while but if you need the valves adjusted, oil changed, tire replaced or anything else you will have someone to go to. Bintelli, Lance and Wolf all have dealers across the Country. Whatever extra you may have to pay will be long worth it in the long run. Believe me, these things don't fix themselves.
|
|
|
|
Post by floridagull on Sept 26, 2018 11:20:28 GMT -5
Check out Bintelli, Lance, Adly, Kymco, Genuine, and Wolf websites. Locate a local-ish dealer. They may have leftover new scooters they are willing to move, and may have a few used ones to check out!
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 27, 2018 1:10:53 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of the Genuine Buddy scoots. They are small, nimble and high quality.
My dealer sells Vespa, Piaggio, Kymco, Genuine, and SYM. I test-rode the Buddy line and really liked them. Very manageable and "handy" and look great too.
|
|
New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Joined: Sept 25, 2018 13:04:05 GMT -5
|
Post by myk on Sept 27, 2018 6:17:01 GMT -5
Hey Everyone,
Thanks for the suggestions. I think from your help, I'm going to narrow my focus to just used Metropolitans, Vinos, and Buddys and drop the requirement for a passenger.
Thanks!
Myk
|
|
|
|
Post by floridagull on Sept 27, 2018 9:39:56 GMT -5
The Genuine Buddy and Roughhouse share the same engine - the Roughhouse looks a tad more "aggressive", and has 12" wheels, vs. the Buddy's 10"...
The Adly's are Taiwan-made, as well...see if you have an Adly dealer near you...
|
|
|
|
Post by floridagull on Sept 27, 2018 10:12:07 GMT -5
What state do you live in, where you need no registration for a 50cc? Do you need a title?
In Florida, there is no insurance required for scooters/motorcycles, but you must have a regular license for 50cc and lower, and a motorcycle endorsement for 51cc and greater...and all must be titled/registered...
|
|
