Thinking about buying a new scooter - need opinions!

[shapiror06]

Hello,

I currently have a 1986 Honda Elite 150 (CH150D). It's old, it still runs, but I want something I can get on the highway with. Those little wheels just can't take it...

So, I'm looking into buying a new scooter in the 150-250cc range, water cooled, and fuel injected. I really like the 2013 Honda PCX150. It has great fuel mileage, and the larger wheels that can take highway speeds, and it looks good too.

What else is out there in the 250cc range that is water cooled and fuel injected and I can count on to last a lifetime, like my 26 year old Elite 150? Preferably not something chinese. I'd like to keep it around/under $3500.

-Randy

[4getful2]

Honda reflex 250cc, yamaha majesty400cc ,honda silverwing 600cc

[techie610]

You wont ever go wrong with a Kymco!

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/like200ilx/index.html

Price, power, MPG... Everything!

[prodigit]

suzuki burgman (both 400 and 650cc)
Kymco has a whole setup of those scoots.
Piaggio and Vespa also have scoots in the 300+cc range.

[scootnwinn]

Everything named is just a copy of the finest scooter the Suzuki Burgman 400 ;)

[amac1680]

I also like the kmpcos.
http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/index_onroad.html

I would check out the SYM EVO 200
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=l1L10C3VfGg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dl1L10C3VfGg

I rode this scoot a few months back and it's is truly a fine machine. On the low end of the power your thinking about but a ton of bang for the buck.

Good luck and enjoy.

Be Big,
AMAC

[shapiror06]

Everything named is just a copy of the finest scooter the Suzuki Burgman 400 ;)

That's quite a bit out of my price range.

[scootnwinn]

I got a used 06 for $2700...

[cpete1]

Randy,
It ain't gonna happen. Any of the mainstream scoots will be over 4500. You might find a left-over Kymco Grand Vista (250). They're fuel injected, comfortable and good egonomics, plus Kymco is solid, at least so-far. Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha will be way more money. As far as Chinese, I have a Cf Moto Fashion and parts for them are shakey right now although things "might" be improving. And its old tech, carb, and such. I would be hesitant to buy chinese again. Good luck in your search though.
Chris

[qwertydude]

Under $3500 you gotta go used. A used Japanese touring scooter with 50,000 miles will probably be more reliable than a Chinese scooter brand new. Depending on where you are, in that price range Honda Reflexes used should be around $3500.

If you have to have new other somewhat affordable options are the Aprilia Sport City 250 and the Sym HD 200 Evo but both will set you back more than $3500.

Keep in mind even though the PCX150 says $3495 OTD you'll probably be in for about $4200 and that's if you pay cash. Finance and that will inflate a lot higher.

[prodigit]

If you're lucky you can find some Suzuki Burgmans, with under 14k miles (still more than good enough to get 86k miles out of them, or for most people that's 10 years of fun); for 3800; add to that dealer fees, taxes, and stuff, and you'll be ~$4500.

[4getful2]

You need to keep an eye on craigslist.
About 75 miles from me , on craigslist, There's an '07 majesty w? 6400 miles, $2650. or best offer.
Keep your mind and eyes open.

[inuyasha]

Hi randy
Welcome aboard
Pleased to meet you
My suggestions
http://www.apriliausa.com/en-US/Model/22643/SCARABEO+200/Overview.aspx
http://genuinescooters.com/blur.html
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[jct842]

I can't say for other jap scooters but I own a 07 majesty. If I had it to do over again I would buy some thing else. It had a problem when I bought it unknown to me in the air filters. I ended up having to bore it and replace the rings and piston. You CAN NOT get parts for a majesty in a reasonable amount of time. Yamaha dealers carry no parts at all for them. The piston and rings were back ordered from japan. Yamaha screwed up big time with where they draw fresh air into the engine. I have well over $1000 more than this damn thing is worth today in it but I do have a nice running scooter like it should be.

Don't know about other jap scooters but I can get chinese parts next day if I choose to pay extra for shipping and the yamaha piston/rings took a month from japan. john

[Houndguy]

Everything named is just a copy of the finest scooter the Suzuki Burgman 400 ;)


Agreed. I have owned a Yamaha Zuma 125, a Kymco Xciting 500 and a Burgman 400. The Burgman offered the best mileage, the best storage and is capable of highway speeds and long tours in a comfortable matter.

The Kymco Xciting is a good scoot but doesn't offer the storage the the Burgman does. :scoot:

[amac1680]

Guys arguably the Burgman is the king of scoots.

That being said its also big, very big. You get an outstanding ride on the open road but there's a trade off. City driving can be a bear on a scoot that big.

I simply can't hold up that much bike anymore . just my .02 but if extended highway speeds aren't need then a maxi is overkill. There a lot of nice mid sized scoots.

Again just my .02

Be Big,
AMAC

[sbcwinn]

How about going Chinese??

I would consider LINHAI. Quality controlled by Yamaha, good build quality, and affordability.

First there is the Turin which is 178cc but a very ridable scoot for a reaonable price. It is air cooled and not everything that you are looking for, but its a really nice scoot.

But I did a little research for you. You can get a LINHAI Aeolus 260 apparently brand new. They are 2008s! For some reason they were found in a warehous??? Anyway check this out.....

http://www.hammerheadbuggy.com/linhai-scooters.html

This scoot seems to be everything you are looking for.

I do NOT know if these are still available but it looks like they are.... $2,699

Good Luck!

[scootnwinn]

Too bad its so ugly...

[shapiror06]

Thanks gys, but I ordered a motorcycle! I have a brand new 2014 Honda CTX700N on order for the end ofthe month ffrom my local dealer.

[scootnwinn]

Sweet that is a nice bike. Good choice

[spandi]

Thanks gys, but I ordered a motorcycle! I have a brand new 2014 Honda CTX700N on order for the end ofthe month ffrom my local dealer.At least you won't have any trouble keeping up with highway traffic riding that!

[prodigit]

I have both, motorcycle and scooter.
Believe me or not, but I prefer a scooter. Small and nimble, excellent to go through traffic.
In fact,
If I ever go and buy another high priced scoot, it will probably be a 100-125cc fuel injected 4 stroke scooter, that's regular sized. Not midsized or maxi scooter.
I like all scooters, but I generally don't need the large size, as it's just as heavy as a motorcycle, and has less power too.
I tend to agree with amac, that a small scooter is so much more fun to ride than a big one, and I generally don't ride my VT750 anymore, unless I need to on long distances (like 100+ mile tours).

For anything upto 150 miles my 150cc scoot is more than enough!
And for the regular day to day travel (usually <50 miles per day), I take the 50cc scooter, which I hope to retire soon...

Really, a scoot should be as small as possible in my opinion. Those maxi scooters are great if you live in the suburbs or outside of town areas. In the city and suburbs the regular sized scoots are really great!
Mid sized scoots are harder to maneuver through traffic, than regular sized scoots, and a motorcycle is not fun at all in traffic!

[spandi]

Give this a look. (just in case you want a scoot in the future :nod:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1L10C3VfGg

[thumper650]

I have both, motorcycle and scooter.
Believe me or not, but I prefer a scooter. Small and nimble, excellent to go through traffic.


I believe it. I'm in the same situation but my scooter is a 50. I use it to get to work, and for other rides in the city. When I want to leave the city, I use my Pacific Coast.
Both are great for their intended purposes.