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Sept 2, 2010, 7:38pm

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Topic: Consumer Reports Scooter Article (Read 769 times)

tortoise
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Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Thread Started on Jan 30, 2009, 12:35pm »

Honkerman posted an article synopsis on the Scootin' Fool Blog . . Motorino Allegro 50 link.

Consumer Reports video.

« Last Edit: Feb 2, 2009, 11:45pm by tortoise »

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ronnath
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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #1 on Jan 30, 2009, 12:50pm »

first time they've done scoots since 81 (according to the article).

fairly limited report:

-three @ 50cc
-one @ 125
-two @ 150
and a pair of 250 motorcycles.

they also gave pretty good plugs for the MSF safety course and the use of ATGATT

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #2 on Jan 30, 2009, 1:02pm »

I have subscribed to Consumer Reports for over 9 years. Their articles make for good baselines.... something to compare against what others are saying. But they are usually months (if not years) behind the current technologies. I usually find that I have owned something for quite some time before they get around to doing a rating in that area.

(Case in point when they did their analysis of flat panel televisions last summer, all models of Plasma televisions listed were already discontinued and replaced with newer models with different technologies.)

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #3 on Jan 30, 2009, 7:21pm »

"What surprized me the most was their assessment on the Kymco People 150. It scored better than the Vespa LX150. That's a great testament for a little scooter company from Taiwan!"

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spacecowboy
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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #4 on Jan 30, 2009, 7:57pm »

We don't know what went into the score, but I'm not surprised to see a People 150 doing well in reports. On the Kymco scooter forum, some posters note that they have People 150's running like new at 24,000 KM. One posted commented that his was nearly at 30,000 km.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #5 on Jan 30, 2009, 11:52pm »

I think they barely stuck their toe in the water on this subject. I've tested more scooters than that and I've only been riding since June of 2007.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #6 on Jan 31, 2009, 12:39am »

heres the vespa LX150 report http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/20....rchTerm=scooter

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #7 on Jan 31, 2009, 9:52am »

Hey, thanks for linking my blog Turtle man!

Consumer reports wasn't very kind to the chinascoot. Additionally their findings on fuel economy were a little odd and not in keeping with my own experience, at least for city riding.

I was pleased with their take on the People 150 (I am a little biased of course). I've noted that they weigh things like fuel economy and price in their assessments.

I was somewhat surprized at their take on the Vino 125. They gave it almost as low marks as the chinascoot.

Not to get anybody riled up, but their take on the Motorino 50cc lines up with my impressions of the 50cc chinascoots I've ridden. They mentioned that the mirrors vibrate badly, which makes them useless, and that was one thing I really found problematic with the chinascoots I've ridden. There's also the cheap feel of the plastic and fit and finish, but then, you do get what you pay for.

On that note, the quality of the body panels and such on my People 150 is not nearly as good as those on a Vespa, but again, that is part of what goes into the price on a Vespa. Sheet metal vs. tupperware.

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kz1000st
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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #8 on Jan 31, 2009, 11:46am »

Wait a minute-Tuperware.I haven't heard that expression since the terrible old Japanese came over with their plastic covered scooters and invaded Vespas market here in the states. Now that most scooters are space frames with plastic covering I thought that expression had gone away.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #9 on Feb 4, 2009, 7:02am »

I'm trying to figure out how they determined gas mileage. I mean, I weigh 260, and I get 60-65mpg on my 150cc chinese scooter, in the city.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #10 on Feb 4, 2009, 7:20am »

The article says they used a graduated cylinder of precisely measured amounts of gas. I guess they used the same on all, and just ran until the gas was gone the the scoot stopped. I was surprised that they mixed a 2-stroke unit in with all the 4-strokers.

I have been a CR reader my whole life, and I must say I was a bit disappointed at the limited scope of this test. CR typically buys five cars to test a car type, and could easily have bought more scoots to make this test more comprehensive. Also, I am getting pretty tired of their endless tests of flat screen TVs, seemingly at the expense of testing other products.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #11 on Feb 4, 2009, 10:05am »

Consumer Reports has always been sketchy on details, I find that if you are a subject matter expert their reviews will be 'cant see the forest for the trees' like when they dinged Corvettes for poor luggage space. That said, they have raised awareness of scooters and more will follow.

I was also disappointed on the Vino 125 review - I owned one and it was fantastic. Re current Vespas, I have never bought their quality - they rust in damp climates.

I dont believe any scooters have true space frames... but would like to hear opposing views.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #12 on Feb 4, 2009, 10:52am »

Honkerman,
Modern Vespas use plastic body panels too. it was only the old vintage Vespas that used sheet metal frames and body panels.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #13 on Feb 4, 2009, 6:32pm »

C.R. did a first motorcycle report in decades also, compared a Honda Rebel with a Yamaha something, it has the people on the Rebel forum I go to unhappy with them, it was more a this verses that, than a review of the bike itself. They were concerned about storage space and lack of a tach.

I've never held C.R.in much esteem, I really do not think they are impartial. Makes good fire starter though.

« Last Edit: Feb 4, 2009, 6:34pm by medman1952 »

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owenbrau
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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #14 on Feb 4, 2009, 6:44pm »

I think they try to be impartial, they just frequently have no idea what makes a particular product "good". Years back, when 10-speed road bikes were becoming popular, they tested some. They rated the gearing by how easy it made it to pedal, and down-checked the "uncomfortable" bent-over riding position.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #15 on Feb 4, 2009, 7:00pm »

Feb 4, 2009, 6:44pm, owenbrau wrote:

I think I remember that one- early 80's? They gave high marks to the bikes with the unsafe brake extension levers, saying something about how racers didn't like them due to their 'extra weight', not the fact that they're inherently unsafe.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #16 on Feb 4, 2009, 8:32pm »

I only used the expression "space frame" because that was they called Formula One cars with tube frames prior to Colin Chapman introducing the monocoque chasssis. I figured it was appropriate since Vespas are considered monocoque by dint of their steel chassis and lack of tubing, at least I thought so.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #17 on Feb 4, 2009, 8:56pm »

I own one of those "plastic" scooters. I'll bet a lot of readers here do too. I am on my 2nd Saturn car, which has plastic doors. My 2002 has no dents at all in the doors. It's lighter, it's recyclable, and holds paint better than metal.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #18 on Feb 4, 2009, 9:20pm »

And besides, plastic doesn't rust.
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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #19 on Feb 4, 2009, 9:50pm »

Feb 4, 2009, 10:52am, earlwb wrote:

Honkerman,
Modern Vespas use plastic body panels too. it was only the old vintage Vespas that used sheet metal frames and body panels.

But what about the Stella? And the Bajaj?

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #20 on Feb 5, 2009, 7:39am »

Feb 4, 2009, 10:52am, earlwb wrote:

Honkerman,
Modern Vespas use plastic body panels too. it was only the old vintage Vespas that used sheet metal frames and body panels.

Vespa still uses steel frames. Though a lot more plastic than on the older models. Thats why it costs so much to get body work done on them.
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kz1000st
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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #21 on Feb 5, 2009, 7:49am »

Now Ellen's picture would be my definition of Monocoque.

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Re: Consumer Reports Scooter Article
« Reply #22 on Feb 7, 2009, 10:38am »

Hi All,

My BV500 has a steel trestle frame and a ton of plastic....BUT there is alot of metal there also.
The plastic mostly covers up all the metal substructure. Oh BTW it is heavy and so are the Vespas that's why the 500 CR tested took the longest to get to 30mph.
I am glas to see CR testing them maybe some folks will start taking these bikes seriously. I know the Dyna I rode with last fall now takse the BV500 seriously...