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Post by seamus26 on Oct 9, 2016 3:35:37 GMT -5
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Post by seamus26 on Oct 9, 2016 3:12:01 GMT -5
We have two great scoots that would be right up your alley and within your price range.
My ZNEN 150 has been - all in all - a great bike. I bought it new for around $1600 and it came with a 1 year 3000 mile warranty. That was the advantage of purchasing from a dealer, and is something to consider. If something from the factory is going to go bad, it will likely be during that period. I can cruise at an easy 50mph+, which allows me to keep up with most traffic, although I wouldn't want to put it on the highway.
We bought my wife a Buddy 170i Italia (Taiwanese) for just over $2k. It also has a great warranty. It's easily a 65mph bike and is getting us nearly 100mpg. It is a fantastic bike.
As was already mentioned, anything over a certain size (varies by state) you will need to get your cycle endorsement. Check local laws. Another thing to consider is insurance. Michigan has really good insurance, but we pay through the nose for it. Our three bikes just cost me upward of $700.
Lots of good used bikes out there, but saving a few dollars up front COULD cost you in the long run. Being new to scooters a warranty is worth it's weight in gold. You can sure learn a lot when you have to wrench on your bike, though. It's a trade-off.
Happy scooting!
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Post by seamus26 on Oct 9, 2016 2:47:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the timely advice but, do I have to take off the carb. to do this? "Quick cleaning of the carb will ensure it will work like you got it." You probably could figure out a way to do it without taking it out, but don't let removing the carb scare you. I know mine is a half hour job to pull it out and clean it up, including pulling the tub to get at it. Be sure to mark the lines and hoses so they go back in the same place. Working on the carb is easier on a bench than it is in the bike. |
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Post by seamus26 on Sept 18, 2016 19:41:37 GMT -5
Must. Resist. Judging ...
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Post by seamus26 on Sept 15, 2016 12:50:43 GMT -5
I just consider it a little extra fiber in my diet. 'Cept for hornets ... those buggers are like angry little bullets.
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Post by seamus26 on Sept 15, 2016 10:04:37 GMT -5
You will love the windshield in colder weather. I've ridden as low as 25°F as long as things are dry. The windshield (off right now) cuts a lot of the wind chill.
For this winter I found some Columbia heated gloves on the Goodwill Auction site. I'm anxious to give them a try.
Here's to a looooong and comfortable autumn before we have to start thinking of snow.
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Post by seamus26 on Sept 2, 2016 3:11:57 GMT -5
That is one sweet ride for under $2k. If I were in the market I would SO buy that. It's one of my favorite bikes out there. And a Yamaha, to boot.
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Post by seamus26 on Aug 26, 2016 3:12:59 GMT -5
I test-rode a used SC 250 and it felt fantastic. It was all kinds of fast and very smooth. We were looking for a bike that my wife would be comfortable with at the time, and it was actually "too much" scooter, really.
I hope you have many years of enjoyment with it. They make a great bike.
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Long trip
by: seamus26 - Aug 23, 2016 2:52:46 GMT -5
Post by seamus26 on Aug 23, 2016 2:52:46 GMT -5
Thanks for that great 150 upgrade post, Oldchopperguy! That's some really good stuff there. I have recently fallen in love with my ZNEN 150 again and have been mulling over some upgrade combos.
One thing I didn't see mentioned - and has been a consideration of mine - is the clutch. There seems to be a huge range of prices. Any thoughts? With about 4k miles on mine it's starting to feel about time to replace the stock clutch.
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Post by seamus26 on Jun 13, 2016 18:28:00 GMT -5
That is one packed scoot. I like that a lot.
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Post by seamus26 on May 18, 2016 19:14:44 GMT -5
I would certainly try cleaning your carb. I mean, everything you learn to do on your own you will never have to pay someone to do again.
I know on my ZNEN I have to pull the seat tub, but really it's a half hour job. Even if you don't have the time, make the time. Take pictures as you take it out and apart and put everything back the way it came out.
I even did a complete rebuild on my old Vespa carb sight unseen. There are lots of videos online and lots of people willing to help.
Worst case, you could buy a new one and after you install it tinker with the old one. It's the heart of your bike; good to know how things work.
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Post by seamus26 on May 18, 2016 19:04:43 GMT -5
You know, I haven't upgraded the headlamp in the ZNEN, but one of the first updates I did was to upgrade to LED for all of my marker lights, blinkers and tail light. Auto Zone carries a line of Pilot LEDs that were a direct swap. Visibility is everything.
I plan on updating the headlamp in my P200E. I got a good laugh out of the upgrade description at Scooterwest :
It's like they know me.
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Post by seamus26 on May 17, 2016 3:26:20 GMT -5
Big bikes, big rides!
Thanks for the pics!
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Post by seamus26 on May 17, 2016 3:23:50 GMT -5
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Post by seamus26 on May 15, 2016 5:33:13 GMT -5
It's been quite a while since I've been on, but we've added a new steed to the lineup. We got a fantastic deal on a Genuine Buddy 170i about a month ago. It was a dealer that was getting out of scooter sales altogether to make room for more camping equipment, and they were selling them at cost. It wasn't a new model, but it was a new bike with full warranty. When all was said and done we paid $2200 and they threw in a matching trunk and a windshield just to get it out the door. So far I have to say I am super impressed. I like the fuel injection, and I'm amazed at the pickup. We wanted something that would give my wife a little more oomph on the 55mph areas. I was worried that she couldn't keep up with my P200E, but now I'll be hard pressed to keep up with her. On top of that, our first real fill-up gave us 93mpg. Ho-lee-cow.  It's the Italia version, too, with the two tone paint. We were trying to decide what to do with the ZNEN 150, but I've started riding it again, and I have to say I'm falling in love with that bike all over again. It's so easy to ride. It has 3500 miles on it and hasn't given me a lot of issues, so That may become my "project" bike. We'll see. |
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