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Post by krylon80 on Oct 21, 2013 21:15:14 GMT -5
OK, I feel like I've been doing nothing but reading about this stuff for the past few days now.  Based on what's available from dealers in my area and what I've read and been told, I've made some decisions about what I'm looking to get and some models I'm considering (but I am still open to suggestions given it fits my criteria). I'm getting a 50cc. I intend to mod it so I'd need a scooter that can be modded fairly easily (i.e. availability and cost of mod parts). I'm not interested in getting a Chinese brand. I will consider non-Chinese brands that sometimes partner with Chinese manufacturers if they have a good reputation (i.e. Sym, PGO). I'm only interested in modern-styled scooters (that means no buddys, stellas, lance classics, vespas, vinos etc). The scooter has to have a weight capacity of at least 300lb. 12"+ wheel(s) a bonus, but not absolutely necessary. There has to be enough under-seat storage for at least a 3/4-full face helmet and a chain+lock. Has to be $2k MSRP or less. (my budget is more like $1,500 tops, but I think I can talk the price down a bit from MSRP, paying cash) I'll consider buying a used scooter from the owner if it's a reliable brand (Yamaha, Honda, etc). Here are the models I've been looking at so far. Thoughts? Aprilia SR Motard 50 Aprilia Sportcity 50 Genuine Roughhouse R50/PGO PMX Sport 50 Hyosung Sense SD50 Hyosung Rally SF50R Hyosung Prima SF50B Lance (SYM) PCH 50 SYM Jet EuroX/SYM Jet 50 Evo (these seem like the same bike with two names) Tomos Twister 50 Yamaha Zuma 50F (2013 $1,000 used 300mi) |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 21, 2013 20:21:43 GMT -5
As long as the both of you are wearing helmets and eyewear, you're ok. sweet. thanks for that. |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 21, 2013 13:21:30 GMT -5
in my state it is illegal to carry a passenger on a 50cc and both driver and passenger gets fined $50 each i believe. if u know ur state does not have this law then great, but if your not sure, find out. good call. i'll have to look into that. anyone know what the MA law is regarding this? |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 21, 2013 2:23:44 GMT -5
rockynv, what do you mean by "GY6"? The Chinese 49cc to 150cc Clones based on their version of the Honda GY6 engine. Many come with only 1 rear shock on the left side of the bike and have a very small carrying capacity of about 230 lbs while the Aprilia for example using the Piaggio engines generally have a 460+ lb passenger/cargo capacity. I had the Znen GY6 based 150cc Lance Vintage which had just a single shock in the back even though it was a fairly large 2 passenger bike. The 230 lb capacity caused it to bottom out stressing the shock mounts, frame and engine case when you hit bottom. I was seriously considering adding the right side swing arm extension and shock mount on the rear frame to add the second shock and spring however it was just cheaper for me in the long run to trade it in on a bike designed to carry more weight. Thanks rockynv, I was actually already looking at the Buddys which have a 330lb capacity. |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 20, 2013 14:47:44 GMT -5
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 20, 2013 14:42:30 GMT -5
Consider a 150 with dual rear shocks to carry 270+ lbs if you get a GY6 based scoot. The Piaggio based 49cc along with certain Honda and Yamaha will also be designed to carry over 270 lbs. rockynv, what do you mean by "GY6"? |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 20, 2013 14:11:08 GMT -5
All good advice. Thanks, guys! I'll take all of that into consideration and I'll also check out that dealer in Brookline (thanks, sailracer!). I'll post any follow up questions as I look further into this.
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 19, 2013 13:07:24 GMT -5
A lot depends on exactly where in Boston you plan on riding the thing. As a New Englander born and raised, I have been to boston countless times.If you ride in Roxbury or jamaica plain, even dorchester, you should be ok. If you plan on Storrow drive rides, Good luck and may God be with you! You may want to consider getting a 50, and adding mods like I have listed below in my signature. It will accelerate and get you into the flow of traffic much safer, faster, and easier.  Hey Sailracer, Nice to meet a fellow Bostonian! Thanks for your reply. So I'll mostly be riding in the Cambridge/Somerville/Back Bay areas, all relatively flat. Speaking of Storrow, when I do drive a car on that road, I drive like a damn maniac (in true Boston fashion!) so I'm not even considering driving a scooter on that road, hahaha. I am considering modding, but I've heard it's very expensive. I'll take a look at your sig, but generally speaking if I wanted to get a 50cc scooter and then mod it just enough to give it enough power for 2 riders, what would that cost roughly? (Also, I'm no mechanic so I'd likely have to pay for labor too). Do you have any 50cc scooter recommendations (large-frame a plus) that are commonly modded and would have mod parts readily available? Thanks! |
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 19, 2013 12:57:53 GMT -5
If you find a large-frame 50cc there should be plenty of room for her since she is tiny. You won't be going very fast, but if you don't have hills and don't mind, it should suit your needs. Unless you are an aspiring scooter mechanic, I'd at least go for a SYM or Kymco, if not a Japanese or Italian scooter. Hey Itdhpp, Thanks for your input, greatly appreciate it. I've definitely heard that short of going with a higher-end Japanese or Italian brand, it's best to stick with SYM or Kymco for the Chinese brands. Do you know of any Japanese/Italian(no Vespas)/SYM/Kymco models that are "large-frame" 50cc scooters? I'm just not sure how to search for such a characteristic.
Also, americanpsycho specifically mentioned the Kymco Agility (thanks, americanpsycho!). Might this be considered a "large-frame"?
Thanks
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Post by krylon80 on Oct 19, 2013 10:33:58 GMT -5
Hey All,
I'm new to the world of scooters and this forum and I was hoping there were some out there who could help a guy out with some advice. My girlfriend and I live in Boston and after not having any motorized vehicles for years, we're contemplating getting a scooter.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has created two vehicle classes for scooters: up to 50cc engine, up to 30mph top speed="Moped"; over 50cc, over 30mph="Limited Use Vehicle (LUV)".
Many people prefer to get Moped-classified scooters because you don't have to pay for insurance, license plates, titles or inspections, and you can ride in bicycle lanes. An LUV-classified scooter requires all of this and you cannot ride in bicycle lanes.
We would prefer a Moped-classified scooter as we'd rather not deal with any of the additional bureaucracy or costs of operating an LUV-classified scooter. Our concern is that while most of the time there will be one rider, we would like to get a scooter that could also accommodate two riders and we weren't sure if there are any 50cc scooters that were capable. We are both smaller than average, mind you (I'm 5'8" 150lbs, she's 5'0" 120lbs).
Thanks!
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Main Jet, #46 Pilot Jet, Needle 1-Rich, Airbox De-snorkeled, Throttle Mod, Dual-Headlight Mod, Rear Fender Delete, JDM Integrated Tail Light & Turn Signal Mod
