Vespa?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Just wondering if anyone owns a Vespa/Piaggio/Aprilia or the like? Suggestions, comments, humorous anecdotes welcome. :)

Edit: Oh yeah...because I'm sort of considering buying one.

[BMW Rider]

Riding a scooter is like doing it with a fat girl. It can be lots of fun until your friends find out.:lol:

[CLINT]

Lmao

[Lance]

Yeah, but secretly they want to ride the scooter to the fat girls's house too!

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Yikes. I don't really care what my friends think....and I'm also not looking to buy a big bike to make up for what's lacking in other areas ;)

[vazgor]

i was considering one too but being a rather large man 265 lbs think i would look kinda foolish riding one

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I was thinking the same thing, but then I did a little research....and I found this page that listed famous people who ride Vespas, lol. Mario Batali and James Gandolfini were on that list.

I figure, hey...if Tony Soprano can ride a Vespa, so can I.

[Telford]

I have a Derbi Bullet. It's a 2 stroke 49cc scooter. It's a blast to ride and of course dirt cheap. I had a kit put in that puts it up to 70cc and i can easily do 110km/h on the highway and 70-80 up hills.

The new scooters manufactured now are all 4 stroke and don't have the same power as the 2 stroke so if you want to be able to keep up to highway traffic i would suggest looking for one that's a couple years old.

Oh and there's nothing funnier than having a gorgeous girl riding on the back of your scooter and pulling up beside some fat dude on a harley.

http://www.derbi.com/int/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=239

[Delphinus]

I was shocked to learn that scooters are more expensive than entry level bikes.

Ultimately for me the problem is ...... this is <insert unprintable adjective here> Calgary. Have fun riding your bike or scooter for the 2 weeks of the year that it doesn't suck. :lol:

Vespas sure are neat though. If I lived on some small tropical island I'd totally drive down to the copa cabana or whatever it is that people on small tropical islands do, on one of those.

[BMW Rider]

Nothing against the scooters, but your right about the prices Tony, so why not just get a motorcycle. Unless you get one of the really small scooters, you will still need a class 6 license to ride it. Many of the smaller bikes are nearly as good or better on fuel than scooters. I get 65 mpg in town with my F650GS, 75 on the highway fully loaded and cruising at 120 Kph.

The scooters are generally easier to operate with the automatic transmissions, and many find the step through style frame easier to mount. These are the qualities of a scooter that set them apart from motorcycles.

As for the weather issue, I ride no matter what as long as the what isn't ice. I do have top quality gear that keeps me dry when its wet, warm when its cold, cool when its hot, and intact if I fall. I would reccommend to anyone riding either a motorcycle or a scooter to invest in good protective gear. A rider training course would be a good idea too. Even though the scooter may be easy to handle, knowing how to manage the risks of traffic and roads is not so simple.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Interesting...thanks for the info! Any suggestions on an entry-level bike that would also be fairly economical?

[Delphinus]

I was just looking at some myself, although realistically - I likely won't take the plunge and start riding motorized bikes anytime soon - but the cost of gas sure has me looking for alternative means to getting to work.

Honda has an entry level street bike for $3500. I was expecting some crappy looking thing like their entry level bikes looked like back in the 70's and 80's but I was pleasantly surprised:
http://honda.ca/MCPE/Motorcycle/Models/ModelOverview?L=E&Type=Sport&Year=2008&Model=CBR125R8

125cc engine, so likely some wicked mileage at the cost of zippiness.

For a little bit more ($4300ish), Kawasaki has a nice looking model with twice the engine (250cc):
http://www.kawasaki.ca/model/ninja-250r/1096:en

[jasond]

Looks like everyone has the spring itch! I have been looking around at the Yamaha Vmax’s, I suspect I will be getting one in the next month or two. They seem to have decent power, yet not a crotch rocket that you can’t ride for longer than an hour at a time.

For those looking for an entry level bike, there are lots of cheap/starter bikes out there. A friend of mine just picked up a 79’ Honda 500 in great shape for $500. Nothing fancy, but a great bike to putter around town and save some gas dollars!

As for scooters, definitely neat, but not enough juice for me. I like to be able to pass when I need to pass. As far as getting to work economically though I suppose you couldn’t do it for much cheaper!

Good luck with your purchase! :biggrin:

[ElGuappo]

I agree although i may not always wear mine. Your Gear is the most important thing. a good pair of gloves, helmit, jacket pants, and boot are all a must. i ride most of the year as well last year is the first in 5 that i didnot get out on newyears and christmas days.

I ride a rvt s1000 (rc51) i get about 200 K to a tank (4Gal) of gas and i use superpremium 94 octane. i also ride quite hard. lots of RPM's.

this is a bit more than a scooter though. I have got this sucker upto 323 KPH. Now before you reply to my ignorance on this one i was in full leathers boots and gauntlets. also on a piece of highway i know quite well. i am quite a jolly feller so i had to get ride of my 600 cc as i could not keep up with other riders.

now if you are looking to do little more than go to work and back and weigh more than 180. i would recomend nothing smaller than 450 cc. im not saying that you cant get around on something smaller but it is nice to have a little get up and go when some A$$hole in a SUV drinking coffee and talking on a cell phone wants to make a lane change without looking or signaling. Just my 2 Pennies.

Remember aswell when you ride anything with 2 wheels its not a question of "Will you fall?" but "When will you Fall?" More people die of infection than from the impact in bike wrecks. It just so happens you only hear of the ones where the driver is dead on the scene.

[Telford]

I can understand why someone that rides a motorbike would poopoo a scooter. I used to ride a motorbike, but was always so paranoid about being flattened i got rid of it. The speed of a motorbike is definetly a rush but honestly i feel much safer on a scooter. For the most part because i'm rarely doing more that 60-70 km/h because i mainly just ride it around town.

For simply getting around town there is nothing better. You can buy one today and ride it today. Don't need to waste time and money getting a motorbike license. You can ride down the shoulders past all the stopped traffic. Can park it on the sidewalk. As far as price is concerned, you can buy a brand new one for $2500. That's pretty cheap in my opinion. They take up no room to park at home if you have a garage. In my case i live in a condo and only have one parking stall so i can still fit the scooter and my FJ cruiser in the same spot.

Just thought i'd stick up for the scooter nerds...

[ElGuappo]

Im not PooPooing them i used to drive a moped back in the day. just think a heavier person should consider something with a little more power.

[muck]

I have been thinking about getting one too Drew. Ever since last May's Europe trip where you see them everywhere..

Here is a photo I snapped in Paris on the road directly in front of the Eiffel Tower. Im pretty sure this guy was on his way to work as it was 8:30 in the morning.
Unfortunately you can't see his bright red tie flipped over his left shoulder.. :mrgreen:

http://www.muiscontrols.com/ryan/IMG_0199.JPG

[digital-audiophile]

I've also thought about getting a scooter for the downtown commute. With gas prices going through the roof it is costing me ~$80 a week commuting back and forth in the SUV.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Hah, Ryan that's awesome!

And Telford, you make some good points.

Hmmm....maybe I'll have a look-see over at Blackfoot Motorsports :)

[Der_Iron_Chef]

BTW...does anyone know what the criteria are for when you do need a motorcycle license, etc? What cc, etc?

[Telford]

You don't need a license for a scooter under 50cc. Atleast the registration has to say it's less than 50 cc. You can buy a 50cc scooter and then tweak it up to 70cc or so.

[Pan]

BTW...does anyone know what the criteria are for when you do need a motorcycle license, etc? What cc, etc?
http://www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca/844.htm

[Brent F]

I can understand why someone that rides a motorbike would poopoo a scooter. I used to ride a motorbike, but was always so paranoid about being flattened i got rid of it. The speed of a motorbike is definetly a rush but honestly i feel much safer on a scooter. For the most part because i'm rarely doing more that 60-70 km/h because i mainly just ride it around town.


I've always felt the opposite. I feel far safer with the better power, handling and braking of a motorcycle. I'd hate to be on Deerfoot on a scooter.

Get a Ducati - they are lighter than a scooter, better handling, ...

Riding a scooter is like doing it with a fat girl. It can be lots of fun until your friends find out.:lol:

I've always heard the same thing said about Japaneese bikes ;)

(Former BMW K100RS rider now on a Ducati Monster)

[DanG]

There's actually been a couple of guys at work lately who have gotten honda ruckus's.
http://www.honda.ca/MCPE/Motorcycle/Models/ModelOverview?L=E&Type=Scooter&Year=2008&Model=NPS508

They get 70ish mpg, and it has offroadish tires, so if your roads are anything like the ones we have here, it might be worth a look, plus it doesn't look like a conventional scooter.
Also, when debating a scooter vs a motorcycle, don't forget insurance, which can be quite surprising.

[Keri]

You don't need a license for a scooter under 50cc. Atleast the registration has to say it's less than 50 cc. You can buy a 50cc scooter and then tweak it up to 70cc or so.

sorry for a bit of hijacking but does anyone know if....

Do you need a driver's license at all? (probably, right?)

I don't have a driver's license, never pursued it beyond a learner's license which expired years ago. I have almost no depth perception so even though i know how to/am able to drive I just don't feel comfortable hurtling around in a couple-ton death machine (that's what the average car would be with me driving it lol) I CAN however; ride a bike with no problems. I wouldn't Want to be doing 70k/hr at any rate, just interested in using it around town like you would a bike. No highway.

'course I'd have to teach my dog to be ok riding in my purse as I usually walk her to work... ;)

[ElGuappo]

if the laws havent changed NO you dont. a learners lic is enough to ride 49cc or less. at least it was when i was 14.

Ps as for the dog i have seen them on the floor of a scooter and i have even seen baskets.

[Keri]

Awesome, I'll look into that then. It would be quicker than the half hour walk to work. I think Phoebe wouldn't mind the ride either ;)

http://www.secheltanimalhospital.com/pageimages/Phoebe_face.JPG

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Get a Ducati - they are lighter than a scooter, better handling, ...

And a HELLUVA lot more expensive!

[Telford]

I just recently insured my scooter. Full comprehensive, collision and 2 million liability. It was $280 for 5 months

[BMW Rider]

And a HELLUVA lot more expensive!

To purchase and to maintain. :lol:

There are plenty of good bikes under 500 cc that would be excellent candidates for city commuting. Everything from sport bikes to cruisers to dual-sports. Still some of the larger scooters are very capable machines too. The little ones are a bit more restricted in where you might dare to take them. The power and weight would make any highspeed roadway a frightening place to be on one. Also, the bigger machines may prove more useful for carrying the traipings of a days errands. A scooter under 100cc will likely limit you to what you can fit into a backpack.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Agreed, Ed! Some of these scooters have 600cc+! Nuts.

I'm probably looking in the 150-250cc range. We shall see...

[bv_reefer]

drew get you're self a nice harley, fx wide-glide or dyna and you're good to go :mrgreen:, can't beat the roar of 1600+ cc on a hot summer day..

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Hah! Ain't that the truth. And frankly, I look like I belong on a Harley. Bit too rich for me at the moment, though ;)