Hi from Palm Beach, Florida!

[marktur]

Hi All,
I'm new to scooters - and I'm about ready to purchase. I have been riding a motorized bicycle around for the last 3 months, and I think it's time to "upgrade".

Lights, colorful fairings, turn signals, and a full-suspension ride is what I'm looking for, and also now I think I'm ready for.

I'm glad I spent this past few months getting used to the traffic and how to really ride defensively. I wear a helmet now, and plan to go from halfshell to full face and a riding jacket once I get my scooter.

I don't mind wrenching a bit, so the pricing of the Chinese machines I'm seeing on the web are pretty attractive, although I'm going to spend the day tomorrow going to several local dealers to see what I can see. I will support them if pricing isn't crazy compared to the web, and don't mind paying a bit more to know they're in my corner.

I am seeing the same bikes all over the web, and all at competitive prices, but I'm also reading lots of horror stories about bad vendors and lack of support, etc. Unfortunately, not enough people take the time to point out the GOOD vendors, and I'm hoping some of you can point me in the right direction. I have a budget of $2000, but not sure where to spend it.

I like a scoot in the style the Roketa Fuji, for example - sporty looking, with larger wheels, and don't really care for the Vespa look.

Please help me and point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Mark Turkel

www.PalmBeachSoftware.com

[kaintuckdave]

Hey Mark, I got some really good advice when I first showed up here. I've heard some dealer horror stories, but ended up buying local. I can highly recommend SYM scoots if you've got a dealer near by. Mine has had one problem which my dealer took care of immediately and no charge.

I've heard a mixed bag with Roketa, some folks happy and some having problems over and over. If you check 'Big Guy's' PDI and think you can do it, you might be happy with a Chinese scoot. Just doing that will insure a much better ride no matter what.

Thing is, I bought my first Toyota in the mid 80's and that's all I've bought since and I seldom have to work on them, just routine maintenance. I think SYM is similar in reliability. I don't mind wrenching, but how much is your time worth? What's it gonna cost if you get stranded away from home?

Factor in some things and the price up front might not seem that bad. Again, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty, and I've taken mine apart to check things and learn, but why worry on the road if you don't have to?