New to scooters, what should I get?  By  sinocard (Read 3,056 times)

You could get sucked into the back end and ripped apart. Happened to my grandmother's nephew on his way back to Florida 22 years ago.

I have never took my scooter on the interstate 70 mph zone either and don't plan to, even if i had a 250cc id be too afraid to take the plastic light bike on the 70 mph interstate. i have rode on 55 zones where there's not much traffic or semi's but mainly i think scooters are for in town commutes. These things don't weigh enough to be passed by semi's and going that fast on a plastic machine for long travels for long periods of time seems dangerous at for me.

Used Honda PCX 125 scooters are starting to hover around the $2000 mark. But then so are Honda Reflex 250 scooters in decent shape. Not sure about the Yamaha Zuma 125, Kymco, Piaggio or much of any of the other brands of scoots since I don't usually keep an eye out for those like I do with the Honda and Yamaha bikes.

I have 4 Honda Reflex scooters. (in various stages of running order) They work fine around town and 2 up, freeway capable. (but just barely so IMO since passing power >70 mph is just not there) I have toured on my 2007 Reflex pulling a single wheel trailer 75 mph (GPS) from here in MI to AR and back (860+ miles each way) 700+ miles each way to Catskills of NY pulling the trailer and other trips. So it is very capable. Easy to work on and plenty of parts easily available if and when they may be needed.

Generally speaking, I would advise against Chinese bikes since many have ...... well, let's just say they often have checkered reps. Any bikes you do find interesting should be well researched before making a final purchase decision.
Good luck with your search. Though I don't know that you will find much that meets your criteria at that price point.

for under $1,200 you're basically limited to a china scoot. you'll need at least a 150cc to ride two. be prepared to do basic maintenance and you should get plenty of miles out of a china scoot.
if you don't want to spend your time wrenching every week or two then save up for a SYM, Aprilla, Kymco, Honda...
this would be my choice if i had $4,000 to spend:



or you can get something like this:


a little less reliable but only $1,000 delivered. i have plans to purchase the Roketa within a month and then i'll be saving for the Sym.

I personally think the price difference is not worth it. I realize chinese scooters have suffered through years of poor quality, but the past couple of years there appears to be a vast improvement. My nephew and I both purchased new chinese scooters this year. I have done the upgrades you see in my signature below and all maintenance, his is stock and he has taken his into the dealer for scheduled maintenance to keep it under warranty. I have a Znen, he has a Rocketa, neither of us has had any problems in 2k miles so far. I realize that's not a lot of miles, but other than slightly dirty floorboards, both look brand new, all seams are still tight, nothing is wiggly or vibrating, solid construction! I'll be purchasing a 150cc this year, and it will definitely be a chinese scooter!