what do you guys think are good 250cc scooters

[doomsday]

I have really enjoyed riding my little 50cc around but I am currently studying to get my ML permit and when I do, I want to get a faster scooter. While I don't really plan on riding on the interstate, there is always the chance that it could happen, so I decided I wanted to go with a 250 or 260cc scooter. Now, my other issue is price. While I would love to have some of the big name brands, I am not ready to plink down 5 grand for a scooter. I am actually looking in the $1500-$2500 price range and also looks like I may have to order it online as the retail prices around here are way more than that. So the questions are, what brands in that price range would you guys recommend and/or am I crazy for thinking of getting a good quality scooter in that price range? I do not mind doing some of my own work on the scooter, I have done all my own stuff on my 50cc so far. Thanks for any advice you can give on this.

[chromestarhustler]

tbx/ vog,www.powersportsmax.com/product_info.php/cPath/38_95/products_id/15105 only because of the storage space and the top speed ( but its probably out of your price range), on my 3rd 250 class linhai powered scooter, the mc 250 54b, yy250t ($1800ish) is a great mule and probably the cheapest 250 classs scooter, but has a small storage compartment, it starts and runs all the time, down to about 38 degrees, below that the engine cant warm up enough imho. but its 10 or 15 mph slower than my vog but an excellent city ride.

in your price range, the znen roar (gokartsusa.com/BMS-TBX-260-Moped-Scooter.aspx , its znen quality, i just not a fan of the majesty-esque looks

linhai aquloes 260 classic,

good place to research and shop www.powersportsmax.com/index.php/cPath/38_95

[spandi]

I currently have a Znen Titan 250. Znen has a better reputation than most, having said that I did find myself swapping out things like exhaust bolts for high grade (read expensive) stainless steel, better tires, Mikuni fuel pump and LEDs. Essentially knocking out it's weak points before anything ever came up. But overall a fairly nice machine. You could do the same with just about any reasonably made 250, or perhaps go with a used "Brand Name" 250 still in good shape.

[tug54]

Check around and get a used Honda Reflex with low miles on it for about $2,600

Joe

[chromestarhustler]

used is an option, seen low mileage well maintained kymco 250s for 1800, like a grand vista.

[bigphillip79]

$1500-$2500 is a good range. Lots of good used scoots in that range. Honda Helix, Reflex, and Big Ruckus and Yamaha Morphous (if you can find one) fall in that spot and are "big name brand." The bigger Kymco scoots are in there too. On the High end of that range you can get into a used Burgman 400 or Majesty 400. CFMoto has there 250s in that range too and are fairly good scoots.

Lots of options.
charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/2955870168.html
charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/2983141304.html
Use Search tempest to find whats going on locally and not too far from you.

[doomsday]

Oh I been watching craigslist for my area for a while now. There have been a half a dozen or more helix's posted in the last month. Sadly though, I absolutely hate the look of those things. Mostly around here is 50cc scooters or 400cc+ scooters. A few 150's have popped up but I have yet to see regular 250cc's posted. I am really trying to stay around 250 if I can, that seems to be about the minimum that can handle my weight of 295 and still do interstate speeds (If need be). My bigger issue with "used" scooters is that I really would not have much of an idea if the scooter itself was in good condition. You never really know why someone is selling it and they could be feeding you a bunch of lies to get rid of their junk scooter.

[skuttadawg]

I would go with an Aprilia Sport City 200 or 250 www.apriliausa.com/en-US/Models/21041/Scooters.aspx ignore the MSRP as my Echarms MSRP is 2,600 and I only paid 1,600 and its the EFI model . I have heard some have found new 2011s much cheaper than 2012 . Unsure of any other 250 scooter as I have only ridden 50s and 150s , but I would only get a scooter with disc brakes front and rear , EFI and at least 13 inch wheels as the 130/60/13 tire selection is great and priced much lower than premium tires in 16 inch sizes . Long ago I thought the touring models were over kill as I have only ridden localy on my scooters . Well my dealer through in a trunk with my Echarm for free ( 50 dollar value ) and I am hooked on using it . Yes it looks sportier without it and most have a quick release wingnut looking nut and the mounts stay on . Under the seat storage on my Echarm is better than some but it still gets warm from the engine so I only have locks , cables and my mad scientist set of tools and anything that heat will not damage . I carry gloves , windbreaker , rain gear and snacks in there , along with purchases from stores that fit . I also have a square loop that splits open and has a catch to hold a bag much better than the common hook . So I have seen the light that storage is great as the longer the ride the more gear you may need . Some of the touring models have a king and queen style seat that is light years more comfy than the standard style of seat . I looked at some parts for the 250 and 300 and saw an 18 pole stator wow as most are 12 or less . Some 250s have a radio which is great for long rural rides and plenty of power to have a passenger on board .

I bought a Jonway Magnum 2T 49cc and love it as I have no complaints . A friend of mine got the scooter bug from me and we went to see if they still had some CFMoto Glorys left as the Echarms were sold out . Well they had just got in a Jonway Rock Tunder 150 like this www.jonway.com/Explorer-.html which can have a 125 or 150 AC engine or a 250 or 300 LC engine . It has a radio that I can hear at 55 mph with a full face helmet on and not bother others on the road but I still have the decency to turn it down at a red light . I looked at the grill and asked if it was LC and it looked like a radiator would go in it and looked it up and found I was right it is LC ready but the 150 was AC . My dealer had just uncrated and ran their PDI before putting it on the floor . The change the oil and gear lube , install a NGK , belt and upjet on most so its ready to ride from the start . I rode it home for him and was so impressed with how it handled , looked , comfy of the seat and the extra features that I stopped on the side of the road and put in an order for a blue one as all of my scooters are blue . With 16s its like a crossover from a scooter to a motorcycle and is more stable than the shorter tires plus taller tires you can go faster and have a higher speed rated set of tires . I am unsure of the cost or how the Jonway 250s or 300s perform as there is not any in my area but with the exposure to 3 Jonways I am impressed with the quality as they are way better than the Peace or TaoTaos by far . That link above also has many other models to look at as I suggest you research as much as you can before making a purchase . I bought a TaoTao ATM a 50 and hated that POS as I bought on a whim as it was closeby and I found a better price and warranty at my dealer and did not trust the other local dealers and was unhappy with their lack of knowledge of their products when I talked shop with them while looking around . I researched the Echarm and read how it was above in quality of the China scooters with LC , EFI and a 2 year unlimited mile full warranty that is transferable if sold with in 2 years and had the first oil change done by dealer at 500 km or 300 miles . I an not a fan of the CFmoto Fashion the Helix clone as it looks like it has over hang and not appealing to me while many like them its just my opinion on style but their Jet Max is sharp www.cfmoto.cn/Product_info.php?id=66 but it was 4,000 which to me is a good used 600cc street bike price .

A scooter with 16s may be for you but I suggest you ride one and one with 13s and see what you like . 16s is more like motorcycle feel than a scooter and the 13s you can be more nimble in turns . I was shocked when I read a guy here had a 250 with tiny 10 inch wheels which I would avoid like the plaque as my TaoTao had 10s and it was stunt driving at high speeds and I was too tall at 6ft3 for a short case . I have seen some with the wheels not the same size and unsure if I would like that or if you would as I would prefer the same size wheels on both ends . Motorcycles can have a taller and skinnier tire up front with a shorter and wider tire on the rear like the cruiser style .

So once again look for EFI instead of a carb and disc brakes on both ends as drum brakes are junk . I saw you had a 50 and you know they do not have the power to be in traffic as you need to be at WOT or close to go a decent speed and anything you push it to its limits or close to it will not last long . A 150 or 250 has plenty of power so you can cruise at 50 mph without putting too much stress on it . When I bought my Echarm I was used to a 50 with a 82cc BBK which had more power than the 49cc but nothing like the Echarm . I was almost overwelmed at first on how much faster it was and rode better with the 16s and being a longcase I could sit upright instead of being slumped over on my TaoTao and its even stronger than any other GY6 I have ridden .

So I know a 50 is like a toy and only suited for short rides and secondary roads . So since you are ready to step up do not simply skip the 150cc as you may like it and save some money as a 250 costs more and will take getting used to after riding a 50 .

Here in SC the motorcycle road test was so simple , a straight line , turn around and come back , a double figure 8 slalom with cones to avoid hitting , stop on a ramp and not roll back and be able to take off , and drive over a painting of rail road tracks in the parking lot . I took it on a Suzuki GS550 in light rain at the age of 16 years old . I am bigger than some and athletic so being on a heavy bike was not hard for me . I laughed as many grown men could not put it in the center stand while I could with ease . When you go to take yours with new scooter make sure the lights and horn works , have insurance paper work and most important a helmet . On a scooter it should be so darn easy to do the road test . In SC you can get a MC permit and drive just like a license with no restrictions other than mandatory helmet for those under 21 and suggested for older riders . Unsure on how it is getting a MC license where you are but a motorcycle safety class is not a bad idea even though you have riding experience and I am not questioning your skills , but its looks good to have the training on paper and I think some places may require it .

Insurance is so much cheaper than a car and its bought for a year instead of 6 months . Foremost or Progressive is where most of us have insurance on our scooters . If you do not have health insurance I suggest getting med pay which would pay the ER in case you wrecked on your own like a tire blow out and or PIP personal injury protection which is similar . For a 150 liability is around 90 a year in SC , I have full coverage on my Echarm including 5,000 med pay , road side assistance so no pushing it home if I get a flat or waking up someone with a truck as I love to ride in the wee hours since its cooler and calmer with almost no other people on the road I have it to myself as riding among heavy traffic is so dangerous and distracting . Progressive covers pets and I have a cat named Tux ( short for tuxedo as he is colored with a tuxedo pattern ) that rides on my Echarm with me , in my coat , on the front of seat and floorboard but he hates my 2T . I rescued him from 2 abusive teens that were slinging him by his tail when only a kitten . I came to a quick stop and jumped of of my scooter as I am bipolar and hate anyone that hurts animals . They cowardly ran off and I comforted the kitten and put him in my coat and adopted him . He acts more like a dog than a cat , my neighbors 3 dogs were barking through the fence and he sniffed them instead of running off like most cats . When I pull into the garage he does not even move when I pull in where my other cat runs away .

Sorry to ramble on but thought I could share some info and try to help guide you to deciding on what scooter to get

[BaronScooter]

Skuttadawg has everything covered...I can only add that my experience with a Jonway 200cc scooter rental in Oahu was a great experience. It was a 2011 with EFI, ABS and got well over 70 mpg, had plenty of power (even 2-up and matched most of the features like my Vespa GT200) and I recommend it highly. Fit and body work were "classic Vespa-like" which IMHO is a pretty good endorsement!!!

[chromestarhustler]

May 8, 2012 1:32:40 GMT -5 skuttadawg said:

I would go with an Aprilia Sport City 200 or 250 www.apriliausa.com/en-US/Models/21041/Scooters.aspx ignore the MSRP as my Echarms MSRP is 2,600 and I only paid 1,600 and its the EFI model .

not all scooter makers have websites that jack the price up so when they sell them for less they look like they are on sale the aprillias you mention are really 3500 to 4500, you can get a older 125 sport city left over for 2200ish.

[jwalz1]

Sym RV 250.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz-F7Dyy4aw

Wonderful machine. Try "Search Tempest" and it will let you see all Craigslist posting throughout the US starting with the ones closest to your zip code. It is easy to track down the model you are looking for that way. Just enter your zip code and in the search box put it "Kymco" or "Sym" or "Linhai" and it will find all the ones for sale on Craigslist posted in the last couple weeks in the whole US. It is great.

There have been a couple new-old stock SYM RV's 2009's down in the south that dealers were selling for $3000-$3500.

[karpata]

My 2 cents, recently bought a pre-owned 09 Kymco Grand Vista, wonderful machine, great storage and reliability. $2500 but prices generally seem higher here in the midwest.
Good Luck

[hanilanzi]

my 2c,
I had really good experience with my Turista 300, which is basically Diamo or Linhai 300 (Aeolus,...)
great mileage, stable scooter for two and easy to maintain / upgrade

[doomsday]

Thanks for the info guys, One other question if you dont mind. I see a lot of these folks that ship to your door are not listing the brand names of many of the scooters. You just see a couple letters and numbers but no brand names. What is that about? How are we supposed to know what they are from that type of listing?

Anyways, I have to say that I do like a few brands, I like the aprilla, Johnways , kymco and sym scooters. Most are rather expensive and none available locally around here that I could find. I will also state that I am not interested in any scooter with wheels less than 13 inches. I currently have 13 inch tires on my 50cc and I just couldn't see going less than that.

Oh and Skuttadawg, Its not that I am ruling out 150's but I just don't feel that a 150 would be much better with my wieght at 295lbs. I can already get 40mph out of my 50cc and best I will probably get out of a 150 is going to be around 50mph with my weight. I might be wrong on that but it seemed to be a pretty decent guess when looking at all the specs. Also the fact that my cvt area on my 50cc is running what I can only assume is fairly hot at 155 degrees on short few mile rides. So I assume again, to haul my butt around, I need to be realistic and get something with some power that is not going to push it to its limits just for a decent cruise speed.

[jwalz1]

The drop shippers are mostly selling generic chinese made scooters. Quality is going to be an unknown. And your ability to wrench and trouble shoot may be tested.

If it were me, I would give shot to finding a "name" brand used first and see if that works. Tons of people buy an expensive scooter on a whim and find they never use it. I was amazed to see how many expensive scooters I saw with less than 2000 miles on them (lots with less than 500 miles) that were four or five years old. I know what it is like to get the "itch" and want to pull the trigger, but the more I watched craigslist, the more I saw real good bargains pop up fairly regularly. (but I am in a metro area of 2 million people)

I eventually just shelled out the dough for a brand new Kymco 300 and am not sorry I did, but I would have been nearly as happy with a used SYM RV 250 for less than half as much as I paid. I just wanted lots of headlights and fuel injection and a couple other things so I bit the bullet. But most of the time in my life I have found that not getting emotionally involved in a purchase helps. Be patient, if one is not right, the right one will come along. And secondly, I find that I spending a teensy bit extra to get EXACTLY what I want has always made me more happy with a purchase and made it a longer lasting one.

Do you want this to be a toy or a mode of fun transportation that will last years? If the answer is the latter, spend a couple extra bucks, get exactly what you want and go for quality. If it is the former and you think you will maybe want to step up in the future, or own a whole bunch of different ones as a collection, maybe a cheaper model is better.

At least up here I see several Kymco People 250's in the $2500 range. Once in a while a Grand Vista. SYM HD 200's are supposed to be a surprisingly powerful 200 as well.

I had a couple dealers quote me $2800(plus ttl but no prep) on a brand new Kymco Yager which I REALLY liked despite its odd looks. It is really only a 171cc but is fairly powerful fuel injected bike that will be as peppy as some of the carbuerated chinese bikes. If you have a license, you could go to a dealer and test it out just for kicks.

[jwalz1]

From search tempest 300 miles from you SYM RV 250 $2k

auburn.craigslist.org/mcy/2947902574.html

Kymco Grand Vista $2k in greensboro

greensboro.craigslist.org/mcy/2998615696.html

Grand Vista Rock Hill $2500 OBO

charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/2968375019.html

Play with Search Tempest. You'd be amazed how it will find you all kinds of stuff.

[ScootForFun]

May 8, 2012 11:27:55 GMT -5 hanilanzi said:

my 2c,
I had really good experience with my Turista 300, which is basically Diamo or Linhai 300 (Aeolus,...)
great mileage, stable scooter for two and easy to maintain / upgrade

Oh, didn't the scooter police inform you hani that our 300's are inferior because we have 12" tires? I mean forget that I've been all over WNC on mine. On the Parkway countless times, on gravel roads, hit potholes, and nope, those 12" tires are just sh!t.

Never ceases to amaze me the BS that goes around. Let's hope he doesn't look at one of our adored little 300's. Wouldn't want his ass in the club.

[doomsday]

May 8, 2012 15:06:41 GMT -5 ScootForFun said:

May 8, 2012 11:27:55 GMT -5 hanilanzi said:

my 2c,
I had really good experience with my Turista 300, which is basically Diamo or Linhai 300 (Aeolus,...)
great mileage, stable scooter for two and easy to maintain / upgrade

Oh, didn't the scooter police inform you hani that our 300's are inferior because we have 12" tires? I mean forget that I've been all over WNC on mine. On the Parkway countless times, on gravel roads, hit potholes, and nope, those 12" tires are just sh!t.

Never ceases to amaze me the BS that goes around. Let's hope he doesn't look at one of our adored little 300's. Wouldn't want his ass in the club.

Hrmm, was that meant for me? I can say I dont think any scooter is inferior, Just from the experience I have had on my 50cc, even 13inch tires jar me pretty hard when riding over bumps. 1 inch probably isn't going to matter a lot between 12 and 13 but my statement was more meant that I didn't want anything that had really small tires as I think I would just get beat all to hell by the bumps.

[hanilanzi]

yeah, i don't get scoot, i was just sharing my own experience I have with MY scooter, if doom looks at 20 different models and makes, that's his deal.

maybe you should open your eyes while you ride and avoid a pothole or two, sure sounds like you hit ever single one of them
or i don't know, maybe you just enjoy hitting them pots
safe riding scoot!

[ScootForFun]

Or maybe someone who weighs 295 shouldn't be basing moving up into a 250cc+ scooter on 50cc experience, is the point.

Good rubber and good suspension, along with a better build and all the other things that come with a bigger, much more powerful scooter I think would change his mind on the spot about the misconceptions he has of 12" tires. Too bad he got some smart neighbors in Charlotte. Cause you don't see a LH/Diamo 300 ANYWHERE for sale in his area on CL.

Gee, I wonder why? Shhh.... ancient Chinese secret....

[hanilanzi]

Scoot, I don't disagree with anything you just wrote. I am just saying that the title of this post is a question about what we think is a good 250cc scoot. And I'm just answering that question based on my experience with the turista. That's all. Don't get so exited, its just a discussion.



Oh yeah and I didn't know he was 295 till after my comment about turista.
And another little secret... My turista has 13's on and not 12's

[doomsday]

Potholes you can see and usually avoid, little dips in the road or uneven surfaces are much harder to see in the road. There is one section of road here that feels like its going to vibrate you off the scooter but looking at the road, you see nothing that would make you think its going to be rough.

And all I can say is Wow there ScootForFun, Did I strike a nerve with a sledgehammer or something? I mean lets look at your comment here:

"Or maybe someone who weighs 295 shouldn't be basing moving up into a 250cc+ scooter on 50cc experience, is the point. "

Little jab at my weight there? What would it matter in that context what my weight is if your just going to end it with I don't know crap about a 250 because I only know 50cc stuff? My weight was mentioned as to why I think a 250 would be a better fit for me.

Pretty much everything I have read on many boards, say stay away from 10 inch tires for freeway type speeds and I am looking for a scooter that will be capable to do at least 70mph, I certainly wasn't trying to bash your scooter that had 12 inch tires, heck I have been looking at pretty anything that didnt have 10 inch tires. While I may have misstated myself by saying I was only looking at 13 inch tires, I still wasn't bashing you or your scoot at anytime. But hey, whatever, if you want to throw jabs, feel free. I am from West Virginia and I can guarantee there isn't a jab or joke that I haven't heard that would actually bother me. If ya need any extra material, I am 44, balding, near sighted and partially blind in one eye due to a hemoraging blood vessel in the back of the eye. Lets see, I am a computer geek, love playing video games, fly RC planes and like riding scooters. That should provide you with a bunch of stereotype material to use.

[leo]

May 8, 2012 17:24:41 GMT -5 doomsday said:

Potholes you can see and usually avoid, little dips in the road or uneven surfaces are much harder to see in the road.

yes, you can generally see potholes.
a bigger danger is the rider being unfamiliar with the road.
i took a stretch of road the other day i have never been on.
straight but hilly, more like little mounds, road surface smooth and even.
eventually cranked her up to about 55, 60 MPH.
crested one of the mounds and the next thing i know i was facing some of the nastiest looking road i've ever seen.
i had to creep through about a mile of holes, ruts, sand, gravel, dead animals, you name it at about 30 MPH.
yeah, it was one of our county roads.

another big danger is uneven road surface where the pavement heaves in places. this cannot be seen but it will scare the crap out of you when you realize you almost lost your scoot.

be careful guys and gals.

[doomsday]

I agree Leo, there is a spot like that on my route to my barber. You don't even notice it in your car but bam, its like a slap in the face when your on two wheels.

[doomsday]

Oh and I do want to thank everyone for the search tempest sight, I had not seen that place before and looks pretty good. I only been watching just local CL and didn't even think of looking at the surrounding areas outside of charlotte. Also, all the brand names mentioned has been a big help to. I was really confused by some of those drop shippers cheaper 250cc scooters that were brandless. It is greatly appreciated!

[ScootForFun]

Yeah, somehow I just knew you would interpret that as a jab against your weight. It wasn't. I could care less if you weighed 600. But I am 6' 190 or more sometimes, and when I tried a 50cc scooter, I felt the beat up too, on pavement and rougher roads. All I am saying is the 12" tires on the LH300 made no difference to me. The better suspension and more power though did. It is setup to handle 2 up, so the suspension by its very nature would be better- which translates into a better, more comfortable ride for us bigger folks.

And putting the tire size discussion aside completely for a second, why on earth if you are planning to do 70 mph on interstates are you even looking at 250cc? These size bikes are at or very near the end of their range at 70 mph, get way less gas mileage, have virtually no acceleration left in them at that point, and are pretty susceptible to cross winds from big vans and semi's. Sounds to me like you want at the very minimum a Burgman or Majesty 400, and more realistically, a 500cc +. All the people talk about this on the various forums. You might do better looking at an older Japanese motorcycle (not scooter) in the 400 to 750cc+ range, and there are many in your price range I see from time to time on CL. 1980's and 1990's Honda Nighthawk's, Rebels, CB's, etc.

And hani, those 13's came stock on the Diamo 300?

[doomsday]

As I mentioned earlier, I only want it capable of interstate speeds in case I have to get on it for some reason. I don't plan on actually taking it on the interstate unless something may happen that my car is broke down or some such. Heck, I work from home so I don't even need it for traveling to work. I am just now needing to put gas into my blazer for the first time this year. I also don't want a huge scooter that weighs a ton, the 250 seems again, to be the best middle ground for me. This in some way is about decent gas mileage but its mostly about just riding to have fun. I am to old for a motorcycle and frankly don't want to have to bother with gear switching. Yet another reason the scooter is attractive to me.

[spandi]

Not to get in the middle of anything But, (and I get it about the pothole issue) I think that the larger size wheels look.. well, "unscooterish"

[WarrenS]

The rear 10" wheel on the Helix is a fat little guy. The od may be as large as a 12 or 13 low profile tire. It will also absorb more shock than a low profile tire. Don't judge a scooter by its tires. ;D

If you are looking for comfort you can't beat the Helix. I had one for 18 years. I thought it was ugly when I bought it but I really liked the concept. I loved it and only got rid of it when the Morphous came out.

[hanilanzi]

scoot, no it did not, i made some modifications and put 13's on.