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Post by oldmopars on Aug 23, 2012 14:14:17 GMT -5
After a lot of reading and looking at used stuff I am pondering a question that I would think needs to be asked. What is the advantage of buying a 250cc Scooter over a 250cc motorcycle? It seems that both get the same mileage and I seem to find the price is about the same.
Are 250cc scooters easier to handle? Any laws that change? I like the laziness of no shifting, but I did have a Hondamatic bike years ago and it was fun, only one shift, no clutch.
The only advantage I can see is that I have convinced my wife to let me have a scooter, she thinks motorcycles are bad.
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Post by gatekeeper on Aug 23, 2012 14:34:08 GMT -5
Some of the 250cc motorcycles are faster than 250cc scooters. The motorcycles are generally more stable at higher speeds due to the larger wheel diameter. Laws are the same concerning both. Nothing beats twist and go for me but both have their advantages. Go with what is most comfortable for you.
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Post by petrol42 on Aug 23, 2012 14:48:31 GMT -5
Scooters usually have more room to store stuff like an underseat storage area. A lot of the 250s underseat storage will let you store at least a 3/4 size helmet, if not a full size helmet in there. Also, it doesn't look as silly, at least to me, when a trunk is attached to a scooter than it is on a motorcycle. The proportions seem all wrong when a motorcycle has a trunk unless its a cruiser like a Honda Goldwing.
You could get saddle bags but I think it's easier for a thief to pilfer through a saddle bag than a locked trunk.
Another advantage for a scooter is the front fairing gives you protection against wind and debris where a motorcycle usually doesn't.
And the last thing I could think of is what you mentioned already and that is automatic shifting. I love shifting in a car but I find there's too many things to worry about when you're on 2 wheels and the less things I have to pay attention to on my bike, like shifting, the more I could concentrate on the road and the cars around me.
I'm convinced that a 1/4 of the cars around me are trying to kill me.
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Post by leo on Aug 23, 2012 15:26:06 GMT -5
What is the advantage of buying a 250cc Scooter over a 250cc motorcycle? no gears or manual clutch. both brakes are on the handlebars. yes, and it's directly related to the above answer. not to my knowledge. |
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Post by reynoldston on Aug 23, 2012 18:40:45 GMT -5
For short trips around the neighborhood an into town you just can't beat a scooter. Now for the open highway I will take a motorcycle over a scooter.
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Post by tz250racer on Aug 23, 2012 18:42:40 GMT -5
A 250 ninja goes over 100 mph and has around 34hp on the wheel.More fun with a real bike...sorry. ;D
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Post by reynoldston on Aug 23, 2012 21:29:11 GMT -5
A 250 ninja goes over 100 mph and has around 34hp on the wheel.More fun with a real bike...sorry.
If you call that fun may god be with you because you may need him. Your idea of fun is differant then mine.... sorry.
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Post by j3ffro on Aug 23, 2012 22:37:04 GMT -5
Who needs to go 100mph down the road? Do that around here and you'll be having raw deer steak for dinner.(if your still alive to eat it)
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Post by cheap0 on Aug 24, 2012 6:47:32 GMT -5
A 250 ninja goes over 100 mph and has around 34hp on the wheel.More fun with a real bike...sorry. ;D No need to be sorry. I think you hit the nail on the head as to the main advantage of motorcycles over similar-displacement scooters: greater top-end speed. Some riders, for their own reasons, which only they can evaluate, want that top speed. Also, some riders might like the shifting of a manual transmission. I used to, or I thought I did. (Truth is, I never tried a scooter in my motorcycle days.) Of course you are wrong to suggest that everyone else should share those reasons and wants. Personally, I consider my Burgman 400 a whole lot more fun than my old Honda CM400T. The only thing the Burgman lacks is the ability to exceed the highest posted speed limits by 40mph. Oh, there is one thing you might as well be sorry for.  A scooter is indeed a "real bike". I don't put up with such put-downs. It's a different kind of "real bike". |
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Post by cheapeto on Aug 24, 2012 7:03:58 GMT -5
Me personally, I'm finding way more fun out riding my scooter, then I ever did as a young man, tearassing around on a motorcycle with a gear box.
All I did back then was go as fast a possible to get to where I was going, and looking back, man I missed soo very much of the riding experience...but never thought of it that way, until I found scooters many many years later.
Go ride a few, give the belties a bit of a chance, I find them so much fun myself.
Being in York PA where a Harley plant is located, you can guess what the most popular ride around is, and it's not mine.
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Post by avguy on Aug 24, 2012 20:34:39 GMT -5
I ride my 250cc scoot as my primary vehicle just about everyday, mostly in town with short runs on the highway. It has lots of storage, some weather protection and when the light turns green, I just twist and go. It's perfect for my use. I would like a bigger bike for when I go riding with my buddies on their Harley ultras.
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Post by jach on Aug 24, 2012 20:52:03 GMT -5
I'll agree with much of what's been said. Also, scooters are easier to store since they are smaller and having a locking storage compartment helps some in rougher areas. Scooters are more utility oriented and easier to ride.
If you want comparable acceleration to a 250 motorcycle look for a 400cc+ scooter it will be close enough probably.
My suggestion is go ride a scooter and see if it's up to your expectations.
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Post by wooddogg on Aug 24, 2012 21:06:20 GMT -5
Ive been thinking of getting a 250 scoot over a 250cc m/c too.
I like how easy they are to get on and off, no changing gears, and storage options are better, it's primarily just for work.
They make some really decent lookin bigger scoots nowadays.
Once you get 100mpg's it's hard to go for a 1000+cc that sucks gas like a cage.
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Post by tz250racer on Aug 25, 2012 5:31:24 GMT -5
Afraid to go fast I guess.I have a scoot and a 2004 Zx10R.I don't zoom around at 100 mph but I like to go fast sometimes on back roads when nobody is around..Deers can get people on scooters too.Not much you can do with wild life crossing the road.I race motorcycle.I go fast on the track only.The scooter is fun around town but when you go for a ride far with friends you go with a bike so you don't need to puff around to keep up.I don't eat deer meat and"God" if you believe in it you can have it. Your riding skills and reaction time will protect you and not "God".
.Yea ...our riding preferences are very different.I like that.
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Post by SylvreKat on Aug 25, 2012 7:37:48 GMT -5
oldmopars--I think the main diff between scooters (at least, large-wheeled ones like mine) and motorcycles is indeed the shifting. If you're going to be mostly in traffic, then definitely look for a scooter. If you're thinking of cruising highways, then probably the motorcycle would be better as it typically does have a higher speed (better for big hills).
But like others have suggested, go test-drive some scooters and see if any of them fit your tastes and needs.
Btb, according to KS I own a motorcycle. So no, laws don't change here.
>'Kat
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Post by dudley on Aug 25, 2012 7:50:50 GMT -5
It can be difficult to find a good 250cc motorcycle.
Dealer fees push the price on them to around 5 grand, and they tend to be small.
Honda rebel is a good bike but the riding position with feet way out front does not suit me, and it feels like my ass is almost dragging the ground.Hard to find a decent used "standard" at all.
In Florida where hills are not an issue I would go with a scoot anyway.
I wish more mfrs would make 200+cc scoots that are not the maxi style.
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Post by jayhawk on Aug 25, 2012 16:39:50 GMT -5
Like 'Kat, according to Missouri my 150 is a motorcycle. If you want a bigger wheel scoot, Aprilia and Piaggio make great 14" (or are they 16") wheel scooters - the Scarabeo, Sports City, and the BV series. Very good bang for the buck and at 250ccs and up most will at least hit 80 which should handle most roads (and some go faster if they're higher ccs).
Vespa sells a 300 in the US, too, if you prefer that look, but they tend to run 1 to 2 grand more than the Aprilia and Piaggio models (ironic since they're all made by the same parent company).
If you like the Maxi look, KYMCO and SYM both have 300s at very competitive prices.
I prefer not to shift which is why I have a scooter and not a small motorcycle. I really like the cruiser look of the Honda Rebel or some of the 400s out there, but I also don't like your feet out in front and being lower to the ground like you are on a cruiser...and I just don't like the sports bike look at all.
To each their own...personal preference is a wonderful thing and we should respect each others rides be they motorcycle or scooter.
Eric
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Post by tinstar on Aug 26, 2012 2:41:50 GMT -5
Bad knees got me to looking at scooters and am I glad (not to have bad knees...but looking at scooters!). Stepping through to get on verses throwing my leg over with a sissy bar in the way...huge relief! I used to love a manual tranny...now, with all the traffic lights and stop and go traffic...love the automatic! Plus the storrage and it is just plain fun! It's scooters for this aging baby boomer!
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A scooter is indeed a "real bike". I don't put up with such put-downs. It's a different kind of "real bike".
