Looking for a highway legal scooter :)  By  sike1 (Read 2,659 times)

One thing that you can eliminate IF your going to use it on 55+ highways is any 150 scoots.
If you want long distance haulers on highways then 400cc+ are your choices.
Alleyoop

Any 150cc scoot is good enough for the highway. They usually go 55-60MPH, some even go faster than 60MPH; however, if you just need it to go from one entrance to the next exit (eg: less than 5 or 10 minutes highway), they're good bikes. But not if you're doing 10+ minutes highway rides.

A 150cc in most states is the minimum allowed on highway, or freeways.

That being said, and whatever I say below, I have ridden a 50cc for 4 hours WOT, 2 hours on the interstate without problems, but generally this would be illegal, and this is what I would recommend:

Normally the bigger the better, however if you want to keep it small and affordable, here's my opinion:

If your ride is 15-25 minutes avg on the highway, get a 250cc.
If your ride is more like 30+ minutes, you're better off with a Japanese scooter or motorcycle (eg: Suzuki, or a Kawasaki Ninja). in the 250-350cc region.

If your ride is 30min-1hrs you're better off with at least a 600cc. Reliability is everything!
If it's 1hrs +, get at least a 950-1000cc.

It also depends if you want reliability for weekend or fun day rides, or something reliable for everyday work rides. For everyday work rides, you better take the next category, as even a 150cc at 10 minutes highway ride, every day, will wear out fast!

I have had several Suzuki cruisers and was happy with them all . I read where many who have the Burg love it . It is suggested to get something that has more power then needed so its not having to be maxxed out on the interstate in order to ride a safe speed without traffic piling behind you , plus the extra power comes in handy when going uphill . Where I live in certain areas on federal interstates most drive at 75+ MPH so one would need a fast scooter to not get ran over . I have taken my 2T and 150 a few times on the interstate but it was skeery ( yes I know it is spelled wrong ) as 60 is a cruising speed and above that it gets less stable . I prefer to be relaxed instead of nervous . Turbulence from other cars more so with dump trucks and semis have blown me around . I found if I see one I let up off the throttle some and duck helps . The Honda 150s are nice but for that much money I could get a sweet used 600cc or so cruiser . I saw a few Honda Silverwings on the road and they are fast but again pricey . Unsure on the Burgs MSRP but if it is close or not too much more I would get it .

Take a look at Kymco and Aprillia scooters as they make a high quailty scooter and have some that are large displacement . Aprillia has a V twin 850 but boocoos of cash . I saw some BMWs at a local dealer but again will need deep pockets .

I would want to have at least 13 inch wheels as the 10s are not as stable and the frame is smaller . I am 6ft4 too and my old TaoTao I had to slump over but with my Magnum I am snug and my Echarm I can sit upright with plenty of room and be in comfort . T least sit on a few with them off of the CS to get an idea if the dealer will not let you test ride .

Do you have a MC license or a learners permit ? Many get uneasy at the thought of getting it which is required by law but to me the roadtest was a snap as I took mine in light rain and had a MC license before I got one for a car . I grew up on two wheels .

With all of the dangerous cagers on the road that make scootering unsafe for us , and if you do not have health insurance like me , I strongly urge you to ad personal injury protection and medpay ( in case you wreck like blown tire ) to pay for the ER . In SC if your uninsured you get (censored ) treatment in the ERs . I have better medical treatment in jail than at one of the hospitals in town . I also have full coverage and roadside assistance with Progressive along with extra under insurance in case I get hit and my bill goes beyond 15 grand ( the bare minimum required for liability ) and its just under 300 for both scooters with full coverage plus the extra options

Great scooters but beyond many peoples budget . I always felt safe on streetbikes and been up to 160 MPH but my I have been more nervous on a scooter when I had one with 10inch wheels as it was not stable at top speed .

If you plan on lots of interstate riding I would get premium tires like Pirelli , Michelin or Dunlop as they are far better than many of the tires that come factory . I hated my ChengShins on my Echarm and was amazed at how good Shinkos rode and handled so much better and get them balanced gets rids of vibrations and bouncing around . I used weights were I read some had good luck with the balance beads .

The Aprilia 200 and 250 can still be found at reasonable cost also. A used Aprilia 500 can also be had for the same price as a new clone 250. For about the same price as a used Burgman you can get an 130+ mph Aprilia Mana 850 with an Electronic CVT with what appears to be the gas tank actually being a helmet storage case.

My Aprilia Sport City 250 sees regular interstate use and speeds well over 75 (GPS). At 15,000 miles it is still 100% trouble free having only required the 1 regular belt and roller service along with the 2 scheduled 6,250 mile oil/filter/gearlube changes. Now a little past due for the first valve gap check. Oh and they were on factory special for $2,999. All Aprilias are rated to carry 460+ lbs.

Rockynv, Please check the 130 mpg on the 850. 50cc scoots don't get that good a fuel milage. D8

If you list the Honda Forza then you are probably not in the US. I would suggest looking at the new Peugeot 350, the BV350, and the Kymco People GT 300.

The others you list are all nice too, but the PCX is a little slow for any extended freeway use.

My 300 is plenty freeway capable but at 6'4" you'd never be comfortable on it.