I live in Midtown Atlanta and I'm considering getting a scooter for trips in the area... any recommendations?

I am scooter ignorant.


I love the look of this, minus the god awful luggage thing on the back, but have no idea if its a good deal or not.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/2066603133.html

11/23/2010 12:09:21 AM

If you're not a drunkard, I highly recommend a motorcycle, any motorcycle, over a scooter. Much safer, you can ride interstates when necessary, big wheels are more comfortable and stable, you won't have people passing you all the time.

If you go the scooter route, buy one from a drunkard that's already souped it up to run faster. Scooter parts are $texas.

[Edited on November 23, 2010 at 1:52 AM. Reason : .]

11/23/2010 1:50:57 AM

Yeah unless you've got a DUI or you're just one of those scooter enthusiasts, get a motorcycle. Especially if you're a big guy you're gonna want/need that extra power. Never really understood scoots over 50cc

11/23/2010 2:52:01 AM

Well, three things:

1. I would only be using this around midtown where speed limits are low and the average trip would probably be 1-3 miles each way, anything shorter I would just walk, anything longer I would use my car
2. It wouldnt be my primary transportation, not even close.
3. And the biggest reason is in my building parking spots are about 5-10k, you need a dedicated parking spot for a motorcycle but you don't for a scooter.

11/23/2010 7:37:00 AM

i have a 50cc 2 stroke scoot for sale that goes faster than should be safe on the 12'' wheels. it picks up strong up to 45, I had it going as fast as 60 on a long straight sections. I had it going close to 70 on a decline. It's It also has stereo speakers and a sub with a 1/4'' jack connection.

It has been sitting since August so I need to clean it up and charge the battery. I may be able to bring it to the raleigh area for thanksgiving, if anyone is seriously interested.









[Edited on November 23, 2010 at 8:01 AM. Reason : .]

11/23/2010 7:43:50 AM

Quote :

"Never really understood scoots over 50cc"

if you NEVER need or want to take them on the interstate, there is nothing a motorcycle does better than a 150cc scooter in the city

my 110cc honda tops out at 65mph and gets 115mpg if i drive it conservatively (otherwise it's around 90mpg)...it accelerates as well as any small 4-banger and the 14" wheels handle crappy roads well enough

don't get a 2-stroke...as Igor noted, they're definitely more powerful for the size (to the point that they're scary on 12" wheels), but they're fuel inefficient and won't last half as long as a 4-stroke (though they are admittedly easier to work on and get parts for)

my limited experience with both scooters and motorcycles leads me to believe that scooters are easier to work on (especially if you don't have the guidance or help of someone who knows what they're doing) and for the same amount of money upfront, you're going to get a newer scooter with parts that are easier to come by if you need them

and, as always, paging tripleD4u (who's in the picture above)

11/23/2010 8:18:02 AM

and actually, the other main reason is just the scale/speed of a scooter in relation to what I am driving by/to... the whole point is something fun to get around downtown with, not to get from point A to point B the fastest. Scooters allow you to be much more in-tune with your surroundings, not as loud, not as fast, etc.

11/23/2010 8:31:35 AM

if you're not going to get something high quality like yamaha or honda (and pay the 2-3x price premium), i'd suggest going with something quasi-name-brand if for no other reason than to make finding parts easier if you need them

vento isn't bad: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/2074280588.html

this is a direct knock-off of the honda SH150i (though i'd be surprised if it's EFI like the honda): http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/2072090028.html

the second one would be nice because it's got bigger wheels (which you want)

[Edited on November 23, 2010 at 9:12 AM. Reason : .]

11/23/2010 9:08:47 AM

Bring the Ruckus!
The coolest looking scoot IMO + Honda reliability.

11/23/2010 9:22:34 AM

or get a sachs madass 125: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/1998162910.html



[Edited on November 23, 2010 at 9:29 AM. Reason : cl link]

11/23/2010 9:27:27 AM

Ive had a 70cc thumper 2smoke that I tuned to go 70. Although it was fun racing cars and making police double take, once I got my license back I didn't care to ride it anymore.

I have a gy6 (150cc) swapped ruckus that I am building for a friend if he ever gives me the rest of the parts. now those are fun

11/23/2010 9:41:10 AM

Quote :

"and actually, the other main reason is just the scale/speed of a scooter in relation to what I am driving by/to... the whole point is something fun to get around downtown with, not to get from point A to point B the fastest. Scooters allow you to be much more in-tune with your surroundings, not as loud, not as fast, etc. "

i have the same perception. Around town, nothing is as convenient and as easy as hopping on a scoot and zipping down the street. Especially if you live in a city area. When I go for a motorcycle ride, I have to get my jcaket, helmet, booots etc, go to the storage/garage, gear up, put on my helmet -too much of an an ordel if i only want to run a few blocks down the street to the store or to a friend's place. On a scoot, you just walk outside, hop on and go (helps if your state doesn't extend the helmet law to scooters, which NC does i think).

11/23/2010 10:01:46 AM

i see we have totally different tastes haha... I definitely like the more clean lined, mod, Vespa-ish look... so any thoughts on the one I posted in the OP?

11/23/2010 10:01:50 AM

I hate to say this, but the Vespa look = fudgepacker.

11/23/2010 10:07:56 AM

on the knnock-of like you posted, you have to go on case-by-case basis. usually they are a copy of a tried-and-true Honda or Yamaha design, but quality varies quite a bit. Some of the knock-offs use a brand-name engine, if you can find one like that it would be a plus. Also you should look for some of the upgraded features such as disk brakes (vs drum), oil-filled suspension (vs just plain bouncy spings), and remote start. Bigger wheels (in diameter) usually mean smoother ride. Wider wheels usually mean slower ride, so i'd stick to skinnies if you plan to stay on the pavement.

Luggage racks are almost always removable, so i would worry about that too much.

[Edited on November 23, 2010 at 10:12 AM. Reason : ^ plus what Dan said]

11/23/2010 10:11:49 AM

^^ no way man... I already have Quadrophenia on repeat at ready to go

11/23/2010 10:13:48 AM

yeah, if you're not going to go with one of the big names, you have to be careful...the tried-and-true honda and yamaha engine designs have been fairly well duplicated by now (and some brands use actual honda/yamaha engines...i think sym and kymco might, though i could be wrong), but the quality of the components can be sub-par

that said, scooters aren't THAT complicated...if you don't abuse them, some of the cheaper scoots can work just fine (at least considering what you pay for them)

and as for criticism of the vespa-esque scoots...i loved my honda met



i love my click even more, though

11/23/2010 11:06:44 AM

Love that Honda, not crazy about the yellow but overall that's sweet. Still has it? How much would that run new?

11/23/2010 11:37:22 AM

no, i don't have my metropolitan anymore...engine blew a seal at around 17k and tripleD4u bored it out to 60cc with a new piston and replaced all of the seals...much peppier after that, hah...i sold it not to long after, though, because i finally got around to importing the click

the met/jazz (aka CHF50) is something like $2100 new (plus tax)...not worth it for a 50cc scoot, IMO...i bought mine from CL for $450 and put 5k on it before it had engine trouble...you can get very-low-mileage ones off CL for around $1200

11/23/2010 1:10:30 PM

Honda Ruckus is solid

If you want something in the vein of a Vespa, check out the Genuine Stella



[Edited on November 23, 2010 at 1:57 PM. Reason : lol, don't get a Metropolitian]

11/23/2010 1:57:01 PM

Quote :

"lol, don't get a Metropolitian"

i got it because it was a great deal and within my budget at the time...i would have preferred the ruckus, but i DO actually like the vespa-esque styling

the met is just as "solid" as the ruckus, since they're the same drive train (the ruck MIGHT have a different final drive ratio, but i don't think so)...the only significant differences are aesthetic

style aside, the met's big draw is the storage under the seat which, if you're going to use it for anything but putting around for giggles, is a huge advantage over the ruck

still just comes down to style preferences

the yamaha vino classic is another option, but it's around $2200

11/23/2010 2:34:44 PM

I would recommend a 2smoke if you like constantly tuning, fixing, going really fast, carrying around spare spark plugs, and be really excited once the thing actually gets you there. Otherwise get a 125cc 4 stroke vino and ride it around like it's only a 50cc. That cop did get mad at me when I passed him going 62 in a 45 once on my 2 smoke. He let me off with a warning though

11/23/2010 2:57:10 PM

^not always true about reliability. i havent had to do anything to my 2stroke, including any kind of winterization, and it starts first or second kick every time. yes 4 strokes generally will be less messy, but 2 strokes are just a lot more fun.

150cc 4stroke may be advantageous over 50cc two-stroke, but if you are loooking at 50cc four strokes, they are about as exciting as a golf cart (2 stroke being more like a go-cart)

11/23/2010 4:06:00 PM

just get the SH150i or 300. You'll thank me later.

11/23/2010 6:32:32 PM

^ while i agree with you...i don't think he wants to spend $5k

and, really, at $5k a motorcycle WOULD be a better purchase

11/24/2010 7:55:00 AM