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Post by raven85 on Aug 18, 2015 14:19:42 GMT -5
Where is your area and are you willing to do your own wrenching? Northern California around Chico and I have no worries about wrenching myself and what I dont know or cant look up my brother in laws probably know so it helps. |
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Post by raven85 on Aug 18, 2015 9:21:40 GMT -5
Jarlaxle I like the idea of the Suzuki Burgman and the Silverwing but haven't been able to find any in my area for sale in my price range yet. Going to take the cheap road and wait til around or just after Christmas when everyone is trying to sell old stuff to afford the new stuff..... Sounds kinda mean but it works (best time to buy a motorcycle/atv/boat is Winter in my experience). rockynv The Piaggio's are beautiful bikes, but I fall into the same issue as the Silverwing and Burgman but they are going on the short list of bikes to look for when winter comes along. pmatulew As for one for work one for play right now I am kinda stuck with the ability to get one.... But I fully intend on getting a Honda Ruckus to mod once things level out and I am back to work after school (cause it would be ton's of fun bombing around San Francisco on a stretched 150cc Ruckus I do believe  ) So as an update my list is as follows (in no particular order, it comes down to price and condition when I find one on the list) 1.) Used Suzuki Bergman 400 2.) Used Piaggio 250-500 3.) Used Honda Rebel 4.) Used Harley Sportster (yes I am still a Harley fan at heart) 5.) Used Honda Silverwing (2007+ if possible) 6.) Used VStar 250 7.) Used 250cc+ Cruiser Harley Lookalike (Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki/Suzuki) I want to thank everyone for their help, you guys have actually opened up my eyes to a lot of good ideas and pointed me in a few awesome directions..... I intend on staying on here regardless of what I get cause there is too much good information on here!
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Post by raven85 on Aug 17, 2015 18:17:22 GMT -5
Yeah you are right pmatulew one of my biggest concerns was the clutch with my hands having issues the way they are, the biggest issue being carpal tunnel and the fact that my hands freeze open or shut at times but most of the issues I have been having are typically solved by going to the chiropractor for my back issues (readjustment causes things to shift back into place, including a nerve that gets pinched and causes tingling and numbness in my hands) and the carpal tunnel is bad but doesn't seem to be what is causing the locking of my hands. The locking seems to come about due to the pinched nerve (had carpal tunnel for a bit before a car accident started the locking up, process of elimination plus the fact that having my back adjusted correctly solves the issue leads me to believe that most of it is there). I have noticed that when my back is properly adjusted the issue doesn't come up so fairly certain I should be ok there. And you are right, I have been riding bigger bikes and ATV's my whole life so I am still kinda stuck on them and really have been wanting something bigger. The Scooter idea came about due to cost wise and a possible alternative to getting a bigger bike..... But lets be honest, those of us that ride have a bug we can't get rid of... And that is just fine with me |
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Post by raven85 on Aug 17, 2015 13:07:29 GMT -5
Oldchopperguy,
Oh dont worry the trouble with the missus would be more from wanting to buy a bike or modify one out of my budget than anything. And yeah there is a couple places that have decent bikes. One place I was looking at has the 100th anniversary 883 Sportster for 3,495. Betting if they still had it I could offer them 3k OTD and get it so will ultimately come down to what I can find at the time I have the cash. If i manage to get the sportster the first mod will be swapping a 4.5 gal tank from the 1200 custom onto it for more distance per tank.... Then a list of mods I saved from my previous sportster build lol.
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Post by raven85 on Aug 17, 2015 10:31:52 GMT -5
Ok and just as a quick side note. Yes I know, modifying the 250cc engine won't get me much more power as it only pushes out a tiny bit of HP to begin with (I have seen many threads in my research about modding the 250 with people saying just buy another bike it would be cheaper). If I can find one, I intend on buying a Harley Sportster (as my heart has always been with Harleys, even when I rode crotch rockets) if I can find a decent mileage 883 or 1200 in my area in my budget I intend on hopping on it like a feral dog on a steak. But lets be honest, hope for the best prepare for the worst (In this case, Hope for a great, non budget breaking Harley, prepare for getting a reliable and def. in budget Honda Rebel haha) If I get either, the Rebel will end up modified for best around town running and short hops with the ability to take longer jaunts. If I get the Sportster it will be modified when I can with a larger tank and setup more for solo touring as I intend on getting my wife riding and building her a VW trike so she can take the dog with us on rides easier, I just don't want to relegate myself to three wheels quite yet (I am damaged, not fully broken..... yet ) |
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Post by raven85 on Aug 17, 2015 10:12:03 GMT -5
oldchopperguy You are just aching to get me in trouble with the wife aren't ya?  those bobbers look beautiful. Actually the Rebel 250 was a big thought of mine, my only worry would be top speed and fuel tank size. I am not wanting to make huge trips with it (although after I work on it some, I might make my way back to Oregon to visit family with it, so would be nice to have some distance to the tank) everything I see says they can top out at about 75 mph so theoretically 55-65 mph cruising shouldn't be too hard on it I would think? There are some killer deals on Rebels in my area (seen some fairly new, 04-09's with low mileage going for between 1.5 and 3k) and I don't think replacement engine/trans for them are expensive (as rebuilding a stock one would probably cost the same unless some work was done to it.) Does anyone have info on reliability on these? I know they are Honda's and Honda makes a damn bulletproof motor but are we talking 20k before a replacement/rebuild is needed or taken good care of (which I do my best to do) can more be pulled out of it? And for a Honda motor there are shockingly little aftermarket performance parts for it, any way to get a little more juice out of it without affecting reliability? (Other than obvious air filter/pipes/retune). I have sat on a few and they are the perfect size for me so that might actually be the way to go for me for now. Lightly used Honda rebel, toss the rest of my budget into a few aftermarket stuff (or a bobber kit, cause those are damn beautiful) and maintenance stuff..... My mind is racing now.... Time to go look at bobber kits for the Rebel I think.....
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Post by raven85 on Aug 16, 2015 17:45:29 GMT -5
Great advice all the way around guys and I appreciate it. Luckily I have a couple months before I pull the trigger to buy whatever I do, although I have seen some screaming deals lately making me wish I had the cash now. (2009 Piaggio MP3 250 for under 4k? Three wheels, nice size motor, good looking scoot...) After visiting two shops (One Honda, One Suzuki/Kawasaki/Yamaha) the other day and throwing my leg over a few bikes I learned a few things.
1.) In pants that fit properly (damn weight gain) I can still throw my leg over a street bike/cruiser fairly easily, although doing it in a dealership I was kinda hesitant just because I didn't want to screw up a brand new bike.
2.) I REALLY miss being on a street bike.... Although I can only really fit on a CBR300F or Ninja 300 and even those will need a lowering link to drop an inch or inch and a half so I can balance properly at stops..... Not sure how much that will cost or if it would be feasible ATM.
3.) The Honda Shadow cruisers (750+) are actually really comfortable, but then again short legs come into play and I will have to relocate all foot controls and probably swap bars/risers to pull back so I can sit upright comfortably.... Again cost wise this might suck.
4.) New is pretty much out of the question for nearly anything, so Craigslist and dealership scouring it is... Found a couple nice 750 cruisers at the Honda dealership in my price range but again with the relocating of the controls I don't know if I could afford it (but then again I could just negotiate it into the price of the bike with the dealership I bet.....)
5.) I really shouldn't have sold the bike I was rebuilding... (1971 Harley Sportster, custom Paughco frame, chopped and raked 30 degrees with all original parts from the 70's...... King and Queen seat included.... so nice) but life happens and I did what I had to do at the time.
I appreciate everyone's input on this, and I am going to keep up on here because this page is a wealth of knowledge and actually you guys have been the friendliest group I have ran across yet!
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Post by raven85 on Aug 15, 2015 13:30:48 GMT -5
scooter I have no idea why I said 150 Rebel, meant the Ruckus but yeah the Rebel looks good for sure. Not sure if they make a 400 version. That is the other way I have been looking towards is a smaller cruiser from one of the big 3 (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki) kinda wish Harley hadnt killed off the Buell line cause a Buell Blast would suit me perfectly (riden one with the lower seat and it rocked, just couldnt afford it at the moment).
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Post by raven85 on Aug 15, 2015 12:08:38 GMT -5
beenriding I fully understand regarding the gear and intend on loading up on that before my first ride. Honestly dont want a vespa, not a fan of the looks. Went and looked at a few things today, dealership near us has a 2007 Kymco People 250s for about 2.5k not sure of the mileage. Thinking if I can find one to try out that the Hooligan 170i that might be my best bet. Hoping to get something new again just because I want to ensure I know the whole history of the machine. Really wish Honda would make a 150cc Rebel.... - Ryan
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Post by raven85 on Aug 15, 2015 4:31:44 GMT -5
Looks killer! Can we get the info on what primer/prep work and paint you used? Thinking when I get mine I might want to do a paint job to it too unless I can find the color I want.
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Post by raven85 on Aug 15, 2015 3:19:45 GMT -5
In doing some more digging and looking I found the Hooligan 170i. Still in my price range new and slightly bigger plus fuel injected.... Thinking this might be the one to be honest but waiting til I can go out and try them. This will be on my list just due to price wise anyway.
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Post by raven85 on Aug 15, 2015 2:43:52 GMT -5
Hey! Thanks for the heads up. Yeah the main reason I was looking at the 125/150 area was price. Honestly if I could score a deal on a lightly used Downtown 300i or something of that nature for about 3,500 I would be happy as it has pretty much everything I need. Unfortunately the budget is a hard set 3500 maximum and that is only if I skip the jacket for protection (4k total to do everything with) and I would like to try and stay newer to get time out of it. Would any of the SYM 200's be worth looking at or would top speed differences be negligible despite the bump in CC's?
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Post by raven85 on Aug 15, 2015 0:38:24 GMT -5
Hey all! (Sorry ahead of time for the long post)
I am getting into the scooting world, mostly because at 30 years old my body is so beat up it is getting tougher and tougher to operate a clutch on a motorcycle and as I am going back to school money and fuel mileage is becoming more and more of an important thing for me. Also after school I will be more than likely moving to one of three areas (San Francisco, Irvine or somewhere close to it in CA or Sacramento) and I would love to have something I can commute on cheaply.
Currently as far as size wise goes, I am 5'3" and just under 250lbs (haven't weighed myself recently) I will have a budget of roughly 3k, maybe $3,500 and would like to get as close to new as possible. In running through my options I have ran across a few that I like the styling and size of and was wanting to pop on here and get some opinions or maybe be introduced to other options I did not notice.
Before anyone asks, yes I am going to be taking a safety course in order to get my license here in California and I have already budgeted for safety equipment (going to get a modular helmet, a decent pair of gloves and a decent mesh jacket at minimum) so if I can stay closer to the 3k mark it would help.
My riding conditions for at least the next year will be open roads, a 30 mile one way commute, about a 50/50 mix of 55mph semi highway back roads and in town riding. The ride from my place to town is 55mph but is windy mountain roads and as deer jump out all the time most drivers locally expect to see people doing 40-50. Also I will be riding back and forth on gravel roads as well due to where we live the road into our place isn't paved and that is about a quarter mile one way so I understand some PDI and loc-tite insurance will be very helpful and I intend on going through whatever I get with a fine toothed comb and ensuring everything is tight. Also I would love the option of adding a 12V port for charging my phone on the go as well and would prefer it to be aftermarket so I can make some mods to the mounting of it myself.
My current thought and options (open to opinions and help as well, all costs are from makers website).
Kymco Super 8 150X - MSRP new of $2,300, giving me about $700 to spend on extras to possibly bump the power up a tad bit or creature comforts.
SSR Rowdy 150 - MSRP new of $2,525 and I like the Big Ruckus look and gives a little bit extra to spend on comforts.
Yamaha Zuma 125 - MSRP new of $3,390, I have seen them new on CL or near new (sub 1k miles) for under 3k. A little lower powered than the 150's CC wise but I love Yamaha and wondering if getting close to or slightly over my budget would be worth it.
Honda PCX150 - MSRP new of $3,499, seen them new on CL right around 3k. Has the 150 motor which will help in power department, love Honda products and have seen them hold up well at least in autos and other areas but not sure about scoots.
Any input or personal experience with these would be helpful, and maybe point in the right direction for CARB compliant road legal scoots I haven't thought of would be awesome!
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Post by raven85 on Aug 14, 2015 0:24:05 GMT -5
Hello! Figured I would pop on here and introduce myself. My name is Ryan, currently reside around Oroville CA and am currently looking at getting my first scooter.
I have rode ATV's and motorcycles most of my life, might not know my way around an engine extremely well but I am willing to learn and have (some) patience when it comes to it.
Currently I am looking into one of three different scoots and would be curious as to any info on them. My current choices are the Honda PCX 150, Kymco Super 8 150X or the Lance Cabo 150. My main points of interest would be cost, parts availability (aftermarket) and reliability. Obviously the Honda would be my ultimate choice (Although I would prefer a Ruckus but can't deal with just a 50cc and can't afford a GY6 conversion at the moment).
My budget when I go to buy will be $4,000 which would pay for either of these three out the door, but I would like to try and keep cost to $2,500-$3,000 new or used. I would also like the option of aftermarket parts (Specifically a 12V plug for charging my phone on the go, highway bars and maybe later on engine mods).
The biggest thing is I want to be able to cruise at 55-60 mph fairly easily (I am 5' 3" and about 240-250 lbs.... Haven't weighed myself so not sure on that but 250 is the highest I am sure.) And if I can pick up a scoot in the 2-3k range I would have the rest of my budget for a few aftermarket options for the motor as 65 mph would be awesome to be able to cruise at for the highways around this area.
That reason alone is the main factor for the Kymco or Lance scoots as they come in the low range of my budget brand new, I don't mind doing a PDI of my own (although I would probably go to Sacramento and get from a local dealer so hopefully not much is needed.) and I could afford some upgrades to it when I buy it or after I run it a bit.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, hopefully I can find some info on the three scoots I have been contemplating (searched quite a bit, but the Kymco and Lance have proven hard to find parts for online, at least for me, and I am not sure if the GY6 engine parts would work on those two scoots or not.)
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