Got the bug for a Scooter

[mrgadget]

Hi to all, I am a new member and this is my 1st post. I earned the nickname Mr Gadget from my friends because I love playing with and testing out new things. I also got the nickname Big Bird because I am 6'2", 250 lbs and love anything Yellow. All that said, my girlfriend and I just finished our motorcycle riding course from Riders Edge. Tomorrow we go to get our licenses updated. We are pumped. I don't want a regular motorcycle but instead I would prefer a scooter. I am looking for suggestions from any of you "big" guys as to scooters that will fit me better. I have looked at Burgmans, Silver Wings, Kymco Xciting 500, Yamaha Morphous, and a Piaggio MP3 in 250 (but they tell me a 500 is coming out).
I would really appreciate any help ya'll can offer me. One thing I did kinda learned from the motorcycle course is I now think I may try to find a used scooter to practice with before I get a new one.
I may even start with something in the 250cc range if you think it will carry me ok. This forum looks like a great place to get a lot of info.
Looking forward to hear what experiences you have to share with me .

[isawhim]

That is going to be a tough one to help with... Seriously though, size of the engine, has nothing to do with leg-room.

Hehe, I remember when I sold my boss one of my electric scooters. He was just about as tall as you. He looked unproportional to the bike, almost like a Shriner...

A good idea of proportion will be to look at the bikes wheel-base. (Since scooters are mostly proportional in features, you can use the wheel-base as a good rule of thumb.)

The greater the distance the front wheel is from the rear, will determine the bikes seat-height, and handle-bar angle, and center of gravity. Since you are larger, with longer legs... You want that larger wheel-base, which will place you closer to center, higher up, and presumeably with more leg-room, and that steering angle that is less upright, so it reaches back to you slightly more.

You may also want to find one with a solid seat design. (Not solid like stone... Just not segmented with two levels.) Having a solid seat, will allow you to slide into a comfortable position, so you are not forced too close, or oddly too far away. (Eg, riding in the passenger seat to get more leg-room.)

Though, when I race my scooter, I am in the passenger seat, and my body pressed flat, with my chin hovering above my gauges. (Where the gauges once were. It hurts when they hit your helmet!)

I think I only weigh about 180 lbs. and my little 50cc doesn't like that. Personally, I will soon be getting a 150cc, because it has a 360 lbs payload. As opposed to my 50cc which has a 200 lb payload limit. The only 260cc I can find, has a similar weight capacity as the 150cc, but in all fairness, it is a heavier bike itself. (Actually more of a touring style.)

www.scooterdepot.us/260cc-Super-Power-Gas-Moped-Scooter-p-408.html

The wheelbase is 60 inches on the 260cc scooter above, in that link.

The wheelbase on the scooter I sold my boss, was 46 inches on the electric scooter. (My knees constantly hit the glove-box.)

The wheelbase on the scooter I ride now, is 52 inches. (My knees are safe.)