skierd
Dork
8/18/08 10:06 p.m.
Looking for something putter around on when I'm not working, don't feel like walking, and don't really want to move my truck since everything I need is withing 2-3 miles of me. I found a Honda Urban Express for sale. Anyone have any experience with them, good bad or otherwise? Here's the offending machine, asking $300obo.
Pedal, it's cheaper.
Or, throw a kit on that b!tch
depending on the bike, it isnt that much cheaper...though your sprung weight may decrease in the long run on a pedal machine.
I owned one of these when I was 15. (in 1984). Mine was dark blue and had a removeable windshield. I rode it over 5 thousand miles. Roads, sidewalks, dirtroads, trails, you name it. It was bulletproof. I would buy another one in a minute.
Most of those older scooters are pretty bullet-proof if they are maintained properly. It should be a 50cc two-smoker. Check state laws for licensing (driver and scooter) - many states have 50cc as the cut-off between a "moped" (no tags, no 'M' class DL) and a "motorcycle" (fully tagged/insured, 'M' class endorsement on DL).
Make sure the oil injector is working before you buy or ride it. Not working = might need some engine work (unless the PO has been pre-mixing). Also, if you do buy it, you need to check the oil level pretty regularly (weekly or more) on most oil-injecting scooters.
I've got a similar Honda, a PA-50, which is a 49cc bike. Mine's a 1982, and I purchased it this past spring for similar money with less than 100 miles on it. It may have still had the original 1982 spec gasoline in it as well. I changed the sparkplug, added air to the tires and it runs like a champ.
It's just the thing for running around the paddock on track weekends. I put a little basket on the front to carry the stop watch, clipboard, and pressure gauge as well as a couple of bottles of water. It fits nicely in the van, so I've had no urge to create a mount on the trailer for it.
At that price, if you don't want it and if it wasn't so far away from NJ I'd take it!
JFX001
HalfDork
8/19/08 10:27 a.m.
I wanted a moped when I turned 14 in '82....I got a Honda MB5 instead (my Father meant well....but I wasn't able to ride it on the road legally until I was 16)
They are cool little bikes as well.
-John
I was at the Honda dealer a few weeks ago picking up my new Ruckus, when a guy was pulling away on an old Honda Elite and he struck up a conversation.
I asked it his was a two stroke (some were, some weren't). He said that he didn't know much about scooters and wasn't even sure what that meant. So, I asked if he needed to add oil to the gas. Again, he said that he didn't know, as his friend had just given it to him and he just rode it to the dealer looking for new tires.
I wished him luck with his scooter. He'll probably need it.
Five minutes later, I was kicking myself for not trying to buy it from him right then and there.
I,m near Detroit, Sent you an email I'm very interested.Neil T
Those things are pretty much bulletproof. I'd say $300 for the one in the photos is a good deal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Express
Woodyhfd wrote:
I was at the Honda dealer a few weeks ago picking up my new Ruckus, when a guy was pulling away on an old Honda Elite and he struck up a conversation.
I asked it his was a two stroke (some were, some weren't). He said that he didn't know much about scooters and wasn't even sure what that meant. So, I asked if he needed to add oil to the gas. Again, he said that he didn't know, as his friend had just given it to him and he just rode it to the dealer looking for new tires.
I wished him luck with his scooter. He'll probably need it.
Five minutes later, I was kicking myself for not trying to buy it from him right then and there.
all the elites we've had have been 4 strokers (150-250cc)
internetautomart wrote:
Woodyhfd wrote:
I was at the Honda dealer a few weeks ago picking up my new Ruckus, when a guy was pulling away on an old Honda Elite and he struck up a conversation.
I asked it his was a two stroke (some were, some weren't). He said that he didn't know much about scooters and wasn't even sure what that meant. So, I asked if he needed to add oil to the gas. Again, he said that he didn't know, as his friend had just given it to him and he just rode it to the dealer looking for new tires.
I wished him luck with his scooter. He'll probably need it.
Five minutes later, I was kicking myself for not trying to buy it from him right then and there.
all the elites we've had have been 4 strokers (150-250cc)
I think that some of the 80cc's were two strokes.