Scooter toss up

After stopping in at Cleveland Moto just up the road from me, i left with the itch to buy own a scooter and see what this scooter life is all about. (Well that or a small bore bike again, they had a sick CBR250 )

Scooter wise i had my eye on the Kymco Agility 125, the Zuma 125, the Genuine Buddy. The outlier would be the Kymco Super 8 which i think is a 150cc.

The first three i listed are smaller traditional scooter which appeals to me but the Super 8 and do some freeway driving which may be a perk. The Zuma looks the coolest with its rugged looks but the simplicity of the Buddy and angles of the Agility are nice too

All three online get good reviews, and each has its pros and cons. The Kymco is least $$ the Genuine and Zuma command more $$. Not looking to spend a lot at all.

Everyone around me keeps asking why a scooter and not a bike or just use the Yamaha FZ1 i already have. And truth be told i dont have a solid answer there so help me out with that too.

Anyone have experiences with any of the scooters above?

Input, help suggestions and advice are always appreciated.

Thanks

I don't have any personal experience with the scooters you're looking at, but I've heard very good things about the Buddy (check this place out) and have heard that Kymco's have a good reputation.

As far as riding any of them on the freeway.... I've had a Vespa 150, that while legal to take on the freeway, and could max out at 65mph, scared the everlivin' E36 M3 outta me on the freeway. I've also had a Vespa 250, that could do 75, easily. I road the freeway occasionally, but only if I really had to get someplace that would take longer if I stayed off the freeway.

So you guys have two good scooter dealers (Pride of Cleveland being the other) up there? Must be nice.

As for suggestions, it really depends on what you are doing. A 150 may be highway legal, but chances are you'll only want to hit the interstate if you are desperate.

When I was first in the market, I liked the Super 8 150's looks, and the 14" wheels seemed like a nice compromise, but noone around me stocked it. The Agility 125 is built at one of Kymco's mainland China factories, not in Taiwan, and from what I've read, that shows a bit in the quality of the plastics, and some people have had issues with the instrument panel fogging up. That said, otherwise, they seem to be as reliable as their Taiwanese made models.

The Zuma 125 is nice, and I considered it at one time, especially becasue of the fuel injection. Not to mention, there's a decent supply of hop-up parts, including an 155cc overbore that allows you to keep the FI. When I sat on it, I was a little cramped. In 2009, when I looked at them, they had just moved production to China, and there weren't enough data points for me to be sure that Yamaha had maintained their reliability. Now, 3.5 years later, it sounds like they have.

The Buddy seems like it its one of the better-built GY6 scooters. Tons of accessories, and lots of hotrodding potential. However, and I say this even though I own one, they are pretty dorky looking, even for a scooter.

I wouldn't be afraid to buy a used Kymco or Genuine, as long as they seem in good running order. If they are GY6-based, there is a ton of knowledge and aftermarket out there.

Oh and to throw another wrench into your thoughts, have you considered a Genuine Blur: http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/3550448594.html

Edit: Oh yeah, if you want to do freeway driving, you may want to look at some of the 16" wheeled scooters. The Sym HD200 seems to be a good one, and I know Kymco has several models.

14inch is the biggest ill go with wheel/tire combo. otherwise it looks goofy. and even at 14 its meh.

Nice scooter in the link but way too $$$.

Cheap is the name of the game.

Found a 2009 Agility 125 for 600$. 1500km. Salvage title but just scratches. Tempting as all get up.

If i find scooting is not for me i am not out much.

The zuma is the golden ticket though i feel but ill have to check em out

Carkid, is that the one out at Racers Edge? If it is, and you come down to check it out, let me know, I've never been there, but wouldn't mind checking out their inventory.

You may also want to check out a 2-stroke Zuma 50. I see them sometiems at sub $1K prices. If you are willing to go 80's style, Honda Elite 125/150s and Yamaha Rivas can turn up cheaply occasionally, but the supply seems to be drying up.

I used to review scooters for the (defunct) ScooterWorld Magazine.

The Genuine Buddy is probably my favorite modern scooter. It's basically a one person affair, unless you're really small and your passenger is too.

Sounds like you've already got a fast bike, and you're not expecting this to be super fast.

Riding a scooter is an entirely different experience.It's hard to explain, but it's different than riding a bike. After having a few scoots, I wouldn't ride on anything LESS than 14" tires. Anything smaller, and the ride suffers- a lot, and isn't not real stable in a cross wind. My 250 Honda Elite was plenty quick enough for maintaining highway speed, but the 10" wheels didn't cut it. The roads in the Cleveland area aren't any better than they are here, and you will notice the difference, even if you don't do the interstate. SYM, Kymco, Genuine, are all decent rides, but don't be afraid to get an old Elite. The 250 is liquid cooled, and dependable as a rock.You can find them for under$1200 and parts are available- if needed. The little bit more $$ than a 150 China scooter is money well spent. There's a reason you see the air cooled 150s for $600 or less.

This may sound like a petty thing but i never really got into the looks of the Honda Elite. Thats why its been off my radar. meh.

And me on a 50cc? Come on i want at least a bit of power, dunno if that'll cut it

minimac wrote: Riding a scooter is an entirely different experience.It's hard to explain, but it's different than riding a bike.

I tell people it's like riding a street legal mini bike. For me a scooter is way more fun than a street bike.

I bought a BWS 50 for my wife a few years ago, but it wasn't her thing, so I rode it for a season, then sold it. It was piped, and weighted, and would do 50 mph. I wish I still had it. I work close enough to home now that a scooter would be practical. The rednecks would laugh at me, but they're probably laughing at me anyway

I like the Kymco super 9. It's the go-to 50 cc scooter around here. Liquid cooled, and lot's of performance parts available.

my sister has the buddy one, it's kinda neat and has been reliable so far with average of 110mpg. she got the one that tops out about 50 so no freeway driving.

Two years ago I had to park my 1980 KZ1300 because I could not control it at uphill stops because of short legs and less strength. It has been for sale since with no real interest. So I bought a Suzuki 650 cc Burgman Scooter (actully step through motorcycle). This may be the easiest to use and most useful motorcycle I have ever owned. It always starts, it always goes, it handles very well and is capable of collecting a speeding ticket on an expressway.

Now I am waiting impatiently for the winter freeze to end and spring rains to wash the salt off the New England roads. Last summer I rode it for 3500 miles. This year I want to double that. Nova Scotia in in the plans.

GregW

did some talking and asking around and was told to aim for a Genuine Buddy 125 before a Kymco Agility 125. Buddy is more refined and of higher overall quality. But, even on the used market, it still commands a premium price wise.

Been on the prowl for both though. I have a lead on one of each.

I checked out the Yamaha Zuma 125 and LOVED it. Again though the 125cc is pricey. So i feel like i wont be finding one of those in my price range.

Still lookin and reading

Like GregWClassic stated, there's a lot to be said for the crop of Maxi-scoots.(anything 250cc and up). There are some good deals to be had. My own Yamaha Majesty400 was picked up for <$2500. I know you don't want to spend that much, but I guarantee you WILL get the use out of it-and have a ball doing it! Something tricked out? This isn't far from you http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-Genuine-Scooter-Company-Rattler-110-1100-miles-Custom-leather-seat-/221180532666?pt=Scooters_Mopeds&hash=item337f6317ba

minimac wrote: Like GregWClassic stated, there's a lot to be said for the crop of Maxi-scoots.(anything 250cc and up).

But thats getting too big. I have a 1000cc bike for that kinda stuff.

The whole rationale of the scooter thing was to keep it small, light and small cc. Those maxi scooters are just too big.

also i have seen that rattler on CL, however i dont want a 2 stroke (which i think it is)

Lastly, nothing i have been hunting for has been over $1,000. Dont wanna spend that much even...low buck kinda deal

Have you thought of a small CC dual sport? 125-250 singles are retarded fun, I took my liter bike down some loose gravel roads out in BFE yesterday and was thinking the entire time how I need another small dual sport. Like a scooter with suspension

Blitzed306 wrote: Have you thought of a small CC dual sport? 125-250 singles are retarded fun, I took my liter bike down some loose gravel roads out in BFE yesterday and was thinking the entire time how I need another small dual sport. Like a scooter with suspension

i owned a TW200 for a bit. and yes it was a hoot. slow but fun

Well, i just need a few enablers to push me over the edge.

Looking at a hot pink 2012 Genuine Buddy 125 scooter. Less then 50 miles on the odometer. Clear title. No mechanical issues. His wife had it and dropped it so it has some cosmetic flaws but fine otherwise. Looks nice but waiting on more pictures....

$650....

Buy it ?

I think i may

Do it! Then Plasti-Dip it.

Plasti-dip with skulls.

Consider yourself enabled. GIve it a quick ride to make sure its straight and no odd vibrations indicating frame damage.

Panels are easy to come by if you don't feel like painting, but, shouldn't be too hard to paint it a different color.

Leave it as it is. Thieves are less likel;y to steal a scraped up bike.

Oh yeah, if you don't go for it, where is it? I wasn't planning on doing a GY6 swap on the Ruckus, but if thats close enough, might be worth it.

DOOOOOO EEEEEEEET

So now I'm looking at scooters.

The three I'm looking at are

Kymco super 9

Benelli 49X

BWS 50 (you probably know as Zuma)

Thoughts?

Zomby Woof wrote: So now I'm looking at scooters. The three I'm looking at are Kymco super 9 Benelli 49X BWS 50 (you probably know as Zuma) Thoughts?

limited to 50cc for reason of the law?