Thinking about something for long trips  By  Skunk Shampoo (Read 1,576 times)

I find that folks that are used to the 150cc Honda's and GY6 equivalents just are not prepared for the higher compression multi-valve Italian bikes. They are a different animal that is for sure.

Suzuki had quite a shock when they sent some of their 250cc blocks to Aprilia and saw them turned into 150+ mph Super Bikes. The Suzuki GSXR 600 can have trouble keeping up when the road gets interesting.

Now if we could just convince the Italians to stop depriving us of the Aprilia SRV 850 cc scooters with ABS and Traction Control.

I love scooters, but for freeway work and hi way work, I'd go big Italian. My 500cc scarabeo (2006) was happy in the fast lane, tons of storage, and very comfortable. It didn't even get blown around much on my commute. Now keep in mind, I currently ride a goldwing, so I do know comfort, although my 1100 is a bit of work to ride. Also, keep in mind, I put lots of miles on my bikes. I did over 6000 in a year on my first 150cc, then the 500cc I put 4000 miles on it in just over 4 months. I ride the goldwing just as much if not more. Currently I have 6000 miles on it, in just over 4 months. The 250 I have, gets about the best gas milage of any scooter I have and have had (75mpg) but it just can't do the freeway. It's good for short bursts of 65mph (gps verified) , before the vacuum petcock closes and it runs the float bowl out of fuel, bypass the petcock and she will run 65 all day, but that will get you run over in my neck of the woods. The 250 is a chinese scooter (liquid cooled 172mm honda clone). I don't know if the real Honda Helix and Reflex handle freeway better.

Of course, there are drawbacks to the 500cc's. In really nice shape a 2006 goes for as much as 3800 bucks. Mine was a little rough but solid, and I only paid 1500 for it (right in your budget). The 500 is also a very heavy bike and is a bit of a handfull in a parking lot. That said, with a bit of practice, you get used to it. Spend some time in a parking lot... Ok, make that lots of time in a parking lot and learn TURN YOUR HEAD in turns, keep your head looking straight ahead and UP when you stop and you will be fine. Look down when coming to a stop, and you will be catching or worse dumping the bike.

The smaller bikes, are way more forgiving with technique so learn it, even if you ride a small bike, and then when you move to that bigger bike, you will find, that you were only doing it some of the time. At least that's what happened to me. The first week with the 500 was a bit, sketchy. The first two months with the goldwing were even worse.

You always want more. If the 100 mph 250 is this nice can you imagine how much better the 850 would be? I heard a rumor that its faster than any bike Steve McQueen ever owned. Then there come those days when you ride with someone on something like a big Goldwing and leave them behind in traffic with dark storm clouds looming behind because his bike is too heavy and cumbersome to deal with the traffic so he gets soaked (crying "It's Electric!" the whole time as steely bolts of lighting are striking around him) while you stay ahead and dry which makes you glad you still have what you got.

skunk, I really think mine would do pretty fine, if a braver driver was onboard. He's not as agile as the small-wheels, but he's a lot more nimble than my friend's Harley. Probably a nice compromise between power and agility.

And I absolutely canNOT complain about the engine. Considering mine's sat more than run (once sat for over a year due to a workman's comp knee issue), I've so far had zero issues. Take him in for a spring tune-up and oil change, and that's been all.

Piaggio made a 300 (350?) version which I believe is pretty much the same body as mine, with updated styling. You might take a look at one of those and see how you and it fit each other. I've seen CL used ones for not unreasonable prices.

>'Kat

The incentive just ended on the BV350. The were $600 off on factory incentive till the end of September.

The 350 is a box squared motor with a wet clutch that puts out as much power as many 400 and 500cc bikes yet sips fuel like a 250. The 2014 has real ABS and traction control too.