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Joined: Jul 24, 2014 14:40:11 GMT -5
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Post by chimeric on Mar 19, 2015 16:21:43 GMT -5
So I've had my Super 8 150 for about 6 months and I'm realizing that I should've gone bigger. I love riding, but it is kinda frustrating not being able to get on the highway at all. Or struggling to keep up with traffic when the speed limit is 50 and there's a headwind or a hill.
I really don't want to make the same mistake and get something too small, but I'm not sure how big I want to go. Most of my riding is in the city, and I don't want to lose the great maneuverability of my 150 for speed I'm not going to use that often. I would like to take it on the highway with no problems but I don't know if I need something that's going to go over 100mph (I've never even wanted to drive any of my cars that fast). I am concerned that if I get something that tops out around 80, that I'm going to wish I had gone bigger just so I could cruise at that speed and not feel like I am running my scooter into the ground.
I just started looking but I've found a 2006 Piaggio BV250 for $2000 (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/mcy/4906375293.html) with only 700 miles and a 2009 Yamaha Majesty YP400 for $3800 with 2700 miles (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/4930233427.html). I'm hoping one of you guys could give some insight on if I should even consider moving from a 150 to a 250. Or if I should just look at 300's and above.
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Post by scooter on Mar 19, 2015 17:07:41 GMT -5
So I've had my Super 8 150 for about 6 months and I'm realizing that I should've gone bigger. I love riding, but it is kinda frustrating not being able to get on the highway at all. Or struggling to keep up with traffic when the speed limit is 50 and there's a headwind or a hill. I really don't want to make the same mistake and get something too small, but I'm not sure how big I want to go. Most of my riding is in the city, and I don't want to lose the great maneuverability of my 150 for speed I'm not going to use that often. I would like to take it on the highway with no problems but I don't know if I need something that's going to go over 100mph (I've never even wanted to drive any of my cars that fast). I am concerned that if I get something that tops out around 80, that I'm going to wish I had gone bigger just so I could cruise at that speed and not feel like I am running my scooter into the ground. I just started looking but I've found a 2006 Piaggio BV250 for $2000 (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/mcy/4906375293.html) with only 700 miles and a 2009 Yamaha Majesty YP400 for $3800 with 2700 miles (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/4930233427.html). I'm hoping one of you guys could give some insight on if I should even consider moving from a 150 to a 250. Or if I should just look at 300's and above. The 150's mostly max out at 60. I have a helix clone 250 and 75 MPH is about max. I cruise at 60 fine. If you want to cruise at 80, I'd go bigger. |
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Post by dmartin95 on Mar 19, 2015 17:25:05 GMT -5
So I've had my Super 8 150 for about 6 months and I'm realizing that I should've gone bigger. I love riding, but it is kinda frustrating not being able to get on the highway at all. Or struggling to keep up with traffic when the speed limit is 50 and there's a headwind or a hill. I really don't want to make the same mistake and get something too small, but I'm not sure how big I want to go. Most of my riding is in the city, and I don't want to lose the great maneuverability of my 150 for speed I'm not going to use that often. I would like to take it on the highway with no problems but I don't know if I need something that's going to go over 100mph (I've never even wanted to drive any of my cars that fast). I am concerned that if I get something that tops out around 80, that I'm going to wish I had gone bigger just so I could cruise at that speed and not feel like I am running my scooter into the ground. I just started looking but I've found a 2006 Piaggio BV250 for $2000 (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/mcy/4906375293.html) with only 700 miles and a 2009 Yamaha Majesty YP400 for $3800 with 2700 miles (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/4930233427.html). I'm hoping one of you guys could give some insight on if I should even consider moving from a 150 to a 250. Or if I should just look at 300's and above. If your looking for something that's nimble like a 150cc but fast like a 250cc, you may want to give the new Yamaha SMAX a try. It's one of their new line up for 2015. $3690 MSRP. Top Speed is 85MPH. It's only a 155cc, but it's fuel injected and 4 valve.... I'm going to get one myself here pretty soon.  |
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Post by flyangler on Mar 19, 2015 18:07:36 GMT -5
My advice would be to try riding that Majesty400 , and if it feels comfortable buy it , I think you'll enjoy the extra power.  |
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Post by wheelbender6 on Mar 19, 2015 19:49:12 GMT -5
Doing 80mph on a maxi scooter would be OK. To go 100mph, I want to be on a motorcycle with taller wheels.
I fully understand the desire to move up to something more powerful. I also have an equal desire to hotrod a nice two stroke 50cc scoot.
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Post by JerryScript on Mar 19, 2015 19:58:49 GMT -5
Doing 80mph on a maxi scooter would be OK. To go 100mph, I want to be on a motorcycle with taller wheels. I fully understand the desire to move up to something more powerful. I also have an equal desire to hotrod a nice two stroke 50cc scoot. While I don't imagine I'll ever hit 100 even on a long downhill, your reasoning is exactly why my new scooter has 16" wheels. My old 50cc with 10" wheels is great for around the neighborhood and short runs further out, but there is no comparison to the smooth ride you get with the larger wheels on my 150cc. If I was looking for something larger, it would definitely have at least 14" wheels. |
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Post by ricardoguitars on Mar 19, 2015 20:50:00 GMT -5
I'd like to go bigger as well, mine is just a 125cc, the problem with higher CCs scooters is that they are usually too big for my taste. A slim 400cc would be kickass.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 19, 2015 23:57:20 GMT -5
Chimeric,
First, WELCOME to the site!
Now, I'm an old-school big-bike rider who was away from riding for many years. Eight years back, I wanted to get back on two wheels, and bought a Chinese Xingyue 150. It was good, as far as Chinese scoots go (with plenty of "massaging") and was a bargain. I rode it for over six years, but finally ended up feeling exactly like you. It was adequate ONLY for 50 mph or slightly better, topping out at about 58 mph but with any wind or hills, limited to 50 or so for cruising. Last year, changes to our local roads brought a major speed-up of traffic, with the 35 -45 mph speed limit roads now having traffic regularly running 55 to 65. The 150 was no longer safe even on surface streets, and was useless for the freeway.
Like you, I wanted to keep the nimble handling of a 150 for in-town, but when I need to get to the next town, I needed to run 65 mph or better.
There are a LOT of differences between the different 250 and larger scooters. Some, like my old Kymco Grandvista 250 are only slightly longer and heavier than the 150's and THAT was the selling point for me. For  % of my riding, including "limited" freeway riding it is just wonderful.
That being said however, many times freeway traffic is running 80- mph and my 250's top speed of around 80 mph and cruising at 70 or less is STILL not adequate. The scooter itself (even with 12" wheels) is rock-steady and comfortable at 70 mph... "Minnie Mouse" is as comfortable as my old 1970's Harley bagger... But it is NOT capable of running with the  + mph freeway traffic I sometimes encounter. It is purely a 70-mph and less ride.
That is adequate for my use. It will cruise 65 - 70 mph all day long, up and down hill and into wind.
For your needs, I believe you may find the larger 400 to 700cc maxi scoots too long, and too heavy for nimble in-town riding. I tried a few, and while they have the comfort and speed, they are pretty "cumbersome" for city use.
I'd try some of the Italian 250's, and definitely try out the step-through Kymco 300. I rode one, and it was marvelous. It STILL has the nimble feel of a 150, and the step-through frame, but its 300cc 4-valve, fuel-injected engine, large wheels and monster disk-brakes make it a capable highway bike, yet still manageable in town. It's one of the best compromises I found, between the light 150's and the bigger highway maxi-scoots.
Do try to test-ride a variety of styles before making up your mind, because the differences in weight and wheelbase make a HUGE difference in how well they fit YOUR particular needs.
I rode most everything in my own quest for a city scooter that could run the freeways when needed, and found for me, the big Asian maxi-scooters really were longer and heavier than I wanted. Many of the Italian 250's were a VERY good mix of nimble, yet fast, able to run 80 mph. And the Taiwanese Kymcos offer some models that are truly in a class of their own for size, weight and performance. The Kymcos also are VERY well made, but, so are all the others.
A diligent bit of pre-purchase testing will provide the perfect ride. Just don't get so anxious you jump at the wrong one. A good example is the first one I looked at. A Kymco "Exiting" 500. Used, affordable and FAST! But, it was TOO long, and TOO heavy for my % city use.
You have to really check out everything available to get just the right one!
Best wishes!
Leo in Texas |
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Post by SylvreKat on Mar 20, 2015 8:03:57 GMT -5
Put me on the boat for "test-drive them first"
Best thing is to do some city-type driving, then do a short highway trip. That way you can determine if it handles like you want for most of your driving (city) but has the speed for when you do hit the highways.
I can tell you from my own BV200 that it's nimble enough for city driving, and the 16" wheels make a really comfortable ride. And as little as I drive, he's given me zero mechanical issues (even after sitting almost two years, plugged into a Battery Tender Jr)
Do keep us informed how your search goes. Better yet--if you do go test-driving different bikes, tell us your impressions of them!
>'Kat
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Post by rockynv on Mar 20, 2015 12:27:34 GMT -5
The Piaggio based 250cc to 350cc should be just fine. My Aprilia 250 will cruise at 75 all day long without skipping a beat on its 15" wheels. For about $2,000 or so you could get into a used BV500 which for me sits a bit better than the Majesty.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Mar 20, 2015 13:27:20 GMT -5
The Piaggio based 250cc to 350cc should be just fine. My Aprilia 250 will cruise at 75 all day long without skipping a beat on its 15" wheels. For about $2,000 or so you could get into a used BV500 which for me sits a bit better than the Majesty. From my own search, I agree with the Piaggio as a very good choice. The Italians seem to have remembered these are STILL twist-n' go SCOOTERS, yet, they put real mid-sized MOTORCYCLE performance in them.
While the Asian maxi-scoots make terrific over-the-road cruisers, to me they feel too much like a big motorcycle, like the 1,000cc-plus Harley and Honda cruisers. If my riding was 75% highway, I'd lean toward them. But when most riding will be city (especially if you'll be doing a lot of walking it in and out of tight, or uphill parking) the 250 to 500cc Italian scooters are hard to beat. And nowadays they seem to be affordable too.
My choice of an older Kymco Grandvista 250 was made largely because it was SO similar to the Chinese 150's in appearance, size and feel. Its short wheelbase and small wheels provide similar slow, city handling to the 150, yet at 70+ mph it's still stable and relaxing, much like the heavier maxi's.
However, my Kymco is long out-of-production and uses an older, 2-valve carbureted 250 engine. It's a reliable "workhorse" motor, still used in many ATV's, but any modern Italian 250's have a LOT more speed, and snappier handling. Of course, the bigger Italian engines are REALLY fast, and the scooters are still manageable in size and weight. Of all the many scooters I tried out, only the Kymco step-through, fuel-injected 300cc had similar attributes to the Italian models, but it costs more, and they haven't been around long enough to find many used ones.
I do like the spaghetti-burners for sure... After a test-ride, I almost bought a 250 Vespa before falling in love with the aging Grandvista!
The larger wheels are definitely a plus for highway speeds, but are not absolutely "necessary". Again, you really need to try EVERYTHING before spending your hard-earned bucks... I found most dealers are generous about letting you test-ride used scooters in your area of interest. That gives you the opportunity to "try before you buy" and at least lets you get a real feel for the type, style and brand you like best. A very good idea, whether you go with a new, or used scooter.
Ride safe, and enjoy the ride!
Leo in Texas
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New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 16
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Joined: Jul 24, 2014 14:40:11 GMT -5
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Post by chimeric on Mar 20, 2015 13:59:15 GMT -5
How do you guys normally arrange test drives with a private seller? Since I'm also trying to sell my scooter, I was thinking of I take their car keys and a picture of their license and they can take it for a ride. What do you think? The shop I bought it from, also offered to let me do the sale/test-drive there.
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Post by flyangler on Mar 20, 2015 17:05:40 GMT -5
You can hold their license .
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Post by rockynv on Mar 21, 2015 7:53:26 GMT -5
Depends on your insurance situation and finances. If you can't afford the liability then its an "as is" sale with no test rides. You roll the dice when you let someone take a bike out for a test drive as a private seller.
Many bike dealerships do not carry the insurance for it so the test drive is the first two miles when you leave the lot after you buy it. If you return it in the same condition that you left with it in and there are less than two additional miles on the bike then you get your money back. Other shops handle it as a rental where you have to buy liability insurance and sign a contract with waivers.
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Post by SylvreKat on Mar 22, 2015 6:33:24 GMT -5
But rocky, if YOU're the one buying, would you honestly be content with looking at the bike, kicking its tires, looking at whatever engine you can see, then saying "Sure seems like its good here's my $2000."? Seems unreasonable to expect anyone to buy any vehicle sight undriven.
I know if *I* were buying, I would absolutely never buy without driving first. Period. Selling my car, I totally expected folks to drive him first. Of course, that was different and I got to see how he rode from the back seat (where I have never sat in my life with him--and he rides pretty comfortably in back)
My thought for test-driving scoots--first, offer to give the buyer a ride. That gives him an idea how it rides, how well it goes, etc. Halfway out, switch seats--as long as he's comfortable driving with a passenger. If he's still interested after this, and you feel he's not scammy, and he wants to try it alone, then do the DL and car keys thing. And maybe have him sign a waiver "You damage you buy/pay for repairs."
And totally take up your shop's offer! What a great dealer you have! My car mech let me keep the Taurus there while I dealt with the CL scum, and the guys talked him up to the three that actually showed. Told one "This lady has taken care of this car like he's her baby puppy." Ha. I wonder what they've said about me in the back, double-ha. The main point is doing this at your shop makes a much safer interaction. The worst scammies won't bother, and the less-bad will rethink any badness with folks in yelling range. In return, you can tell the buyer what good folk are at the shop, and hopefully give your guys some business from him.
>'Kat
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% of my riding, including "limited" freeway riding it is just wonderful.
+ mph freeway traffic I sometimes encounter. It is purely a 70-mph and less ride.
