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Post by stu on Dec 12, 2006 11:34:31 GMT -5
I as yet don't have my license and was considering learning on a 150cc class bike, this would require 2 purchases since I would buy smaller and then later larger. 250cc is pretty small by motorcycle standards and this is the size most people learn on. Is there a 250 that would be more advantageous to learn on than others?
Stuart
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Post by Admin on Dec 12, 2006 12:01:16 GMT -5
Just my opinion but I think the 150 is a better learning bike. Much lighter and easier to handle.
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Post by strangerdejavu on Dec 12, 2006 12:46:00 GMT -5
Could always go with something like the Pegasus - size and versatility of a 150 with the balls of a 250 and (hopefully) the reliability of a pricey scoot!
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Post by Aaron on Dec 12, 2006 12:53:31 GMT -5
Scooters are alot different than streetbikes. As an example when I first got my 150 Primo Terminator I let a friend try it out. He has ridden motorcycles for years. He crashed it in 15ft literally. The small wheels are not forgiving. It is possible to learn on a 250. I think it is more practical to find a "cheap" scoot like and old Honda Elite 80 or 150 for under a grand or a decent used Chinese scoot. Learn on that and then move up. You will not lose any money like you would with a new scoot. Plus if you decide it's not your thing (which you won't but interests wane!) you haven't dropped alot of coin. Another thought is see if there is a motorcycle safety course around you that offers a scooter in it's stable. Then you get to learn with someone elses scoot. Good luck whatever you choose. Scoots are great fun and practical too.
Aaron
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Post by Admin on Dec 12, 2006 13:25:52 GMT -5
Could always go with something like the Pegasus - size and versatility of a 150 with the balls of a 250 and (hopefully) the reliability of a pricey scoot! Oh, the Pegasus is great and would be a fantastic scoot to learn on but I would stop short of saying it has the balls of a 250. I think it could cruise all day at 60 do spurts of 70 or better, but the 250 will cruise at 75-80. The 250 will also weigh a good 150-200 lbs more. To some this is an advantage and to some it's not. |
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Post by stu on Dec 12, 2006 13:26:54 GMT -5
I'll try to see what I can find. I went to a local dealer that sells Daelim and Strada and was within a hairs bredth of taking home a Daelim History (approved financing and all), but was a little concerned about buying and then losing value when trading. I guess my other concern is spending $2300 on a learning tool. They do have a used RX150i for $1500. I don't like the way it looks, but maybe that would be a better direction. Lee, you've got one what do you think of one as a first scoot?
Thanks
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Post by Admin on Dec 12, 2006 13:41:35 GMT -5
I don't have any personal experience with Daelim but I've got it from very trustworthy sources that it is a great machine. The rx150i is a nice little scoot too but if you don't like the way it looks you would be sorry for the purchase. I don't know what your end goal is but my preferred size is in the 150cc class anyway. You might find that a 125 or 150 is plenty for you after you ride it a bit. If most of your riding is urban it probably will be. If you want to do some highway cruising you will end up on a 250+.
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Post by ddillon on Dec 12, 2006 14:14:09 GMT -5
I as yet don't have my license and was considering learning on a 150cc class bike, this would require 2 purchases since I would buy smaller and then later larger. 250cc is pretty small by motorcycle standards and this is the size most people learn on. Is there a 250 that would be more advantageous to learn on than others? Stuart Stu, If you know you will ultimately buy a 250 then do not buy a 150 just to learn on. You will be wasting time and money. I had zero riding experience and my first scoot was a People 250 and it was a piece of cake to learn on. I had that for about a week and moved on to an Xciting 250 which is heavier and a bit harder to handle than the P250 but it still would have been fine for me to learn on. Like Dawg said it really depends on what type of riding you will be doing. I just think that buying a 150 for the sole purpose of learning is a waste of time and energy if you know for sure you will be upgrading to a 250. |
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Post by scooterollie on Dec 12, 2006 19:21:55 GMT -5
Lee is correct in that the 250s are usually larger and heavier. A lot depends on which 250 you are talking about. The Roketa Bali/TT 250 scoots are heavier that the 150s but not as heavy as the costlier scoots, such as Kymco, Suzuki, etc. Most Chinese 250s probably fall about in the middle, weight-wise and wheelbase length, between Chinese 150s and "Big Name" 250s. If your choice will probably be one of the Chinese 250s, I don't think you will have a problem. I have had my 250 since June. Recently, I worked on and rode the 150 I had previously. While the 150 was lighter and easier to move around, I found I really preferred the ride and handling of the 250. Sometimes size and weight, within reason, can work for you instead of against you.
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Post by jose on Dec 13, 2006 19:00:45 GMT -5
Hey Stu..
I would put it down to what you intend to do with it.. put-around.. 150 is fine and less expensive..
Now if you have plans to get to and from work and put-around and maybe take a long trip for the fun.. 200+ is my suggestion..
I have the Primo Zeus150..nice bike.. some problems here and there.. but in my opinion does not have the guts to move on any Oklahoma Highway.. besides, I scared of the drivers around here.
I do miss be able to hop on the freeway and get to point B a-bit faster; rather than taking the side streets.. both would be fun.
Jose'
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Post by larry9 on Dec 13, 2006 21:04:52 GMT -5
\ They do have a used RX150i for $1500. I don't like the way it looks, but maybe that would be a better direction. Lee, you've got one what do you think of one as a first scoot? Thanks A used RX150i should be a lot less than $1500. That seems way too high a price for a used scoot. Hell, you could buy a new one for less than that. Check the prices on Ebay. |
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Post by Dennis D on Dec 14, 2006 11:40:51 GMT -5
If you're a pretty good sized guy, you might not like the RX150i for fit. It's basically a 50cc QJ frame.
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Post by stu on Dec 14, 2006 18:57:14 GMT -5
Yeah, I was back in there today and looked at the 150i and just wasn't impressed. As I stated in another thread I got my cycle learners permit on the way to work today ;D I looked again at the Daelim History. It's a nice scoot, but I just can't seem to feel anything wonderful about it. I have considered getting a basic chinese 150 to learn on. Won't cost too much and if I drop it I'll feel better than a kymco 250. Form what I've read here the 150's seem to start first time out of the crate now(some exceptions), but if you do as you're told they will be Ok. Thinking about scootertronics as the store.
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Post by Samuel on Dec 14, 2006 22:00:38 GMT -5
If you are going to buy a 150 from a dealer, you might have a hard time getting it for less than $1500. 00, that is for a new one. A used one I'd pass on for $1,500 though.
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Post by flashback on Dec 20, 2006 19:39:02 GMT -5
Stu, From my experience the extra weight of a 250 is a plus. Much smoother ride. The biggest problem I had was the small wheels and the short wheel base, not real forgiving compare to a motorcycle. Again, I think the extra weight of a 250 will be an advantage, plus the extra power is there if you need it. Here is a link to a pic of mine I just got from Bandit Motor Sports. i119.photobucket.com/albums/o135/flashback_photos/scoot-250.jpgBut some like the smaller scoot. Just have fun. Dave |
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Post by paulsb2006 on Feb 11, 2007 19:48:37 GMT -5
If you are in Florida, I can get you out the door on a Roketa Sicily 150cc for $1595 out the door, that includes tax tag and title, all paid by my dealership.. Absolutely no other charges. A Roketa Bermuda or Tahiti is only $100 more, see www.roketa.comTop of the line 150cc Bali with windshield, truck, front and rear disks and Stereo is $1995 OTD. r paul Brevard Scooters |
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Post by fangerman on Feb 28, 2007 13:32:05 GMT -5
I got a 250 and took some time to get used to it. I had zero scooter experience before I got mine and I am sure that a smaller scooter would have been easier for me to ride on, but then again, my other transportation is an 18 pound bicycle. There's a HUGE difference in the way you ride those.
If you don't have the luxury of buying a smaller scooter and then upgrading, I recommend taking the safety course (totally worth the $200!!!) and learning on their machines. Get the one you want and practice, practice, practice. That's the ONLY way you are going to be safe.
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Post by earlwb on Feb 28, 2007 18:10:39 GMT -5
Ditto...
If you are wanting a 250, getting a smaller bike may be a waste of money.
Yes you can learn on a 250, but be really careful. New riders can crash quite easily on a little 50cc scooter too. A 250 does have a lot more power though. You can get into even bigger trouble faster on a 250, so just be careful.
Most accidents happen within the first 4,000 miles of riding a bike, while you are still learning.
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Post by Leader on Mar 24, 2007 23:49:53 GMT -5
Get a 250 to start. I agree with the waste of money argument. My Reflex only weighs about 350lbs and has a very low center of gravity and seat height making it easy to learn on and easy to park and ride slowly. There is no advantage in learning on a smaller scooter than that. On the other hand, those who will only ride 40 mph and less might do well to stick with a 50 cc. I do not recommend buying a 50 cc in Massachusetts due to the inability to insure it. www.associatedcontent.com/article/13585/buying_a_50_cc_scooter_in_massachusetts.html |
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Post by scootindan on Mar 25, 2007 22:10:39 GMT -5
I'll back up Fangerman's comments. But no matter which size scooter you buy, please do take the MSF classes. You will gain information in a few lessons that would take a long--potentially risky--time on your own. We have a lot of scooter and motorcycle riders around here and I can usually tell by following one for a mile or so whether they took the course.
Learn the important lessons, practice them often, and the size of your bike will not matter that much. I started on a 250 and it was no problem at all.
And when you buy your scooter, look for a dealer who can supply body panels. The pros will tell you that it's not a question of IF your bike will go down, but WHEN. Mine went down while parked and hit by a straight line wind. Better that than with me on it.
Scoot safe and keep smiling.
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Post by tastroman on Mar 27, 2007 16:28:21 GMT -5
A 250 is fine to learn on. Scooters in general have a low center of gravity so they actually feel lighter than a motorcycle of comparable weight. I have had a number of people borrow my 250 because they were having trouble passing the riding portion of their motorcycle license test on their motorcycle and then pass it easily on my scooter.
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