Help me pick a scoot!

[Johnny138]

Hi Everyone. Been reading alot of post on this forum, trying to do some research on what kind of scooter to get. Id appreciate some help on which scoot to get, a little backstory/kind of scoot needed.


So i am looking for something to be pretty much a daily driver. Currently, i work from home, but that will be changing soon (the company I work for is going out of business) So, need to find a scoot that will get me to and from a new job soon! I have a truck, however, my fiance uses it to get back and forth to her job, and thats our only vehicle.

Trying to save money, Im looking for a Not so Expensive scoot, in the 50CC range. (Finances right now are tight, in my area 50cc just needs title and sticker for 25 bucks, anything larger will break my budget in state fees, insurance etc...) I will have a slightly longer commute (20-25 miles 1 way) as I live in the boonies. Bright side, its all mainly back roads that are pretty empty. So im looking for something that will be driven year round (even winter yup, not worried about being cold, im one of those "dude its hot in here" people), but mainly something reliable , easy to maintain, maybe something thats easy to do some simple mods to to give it a little extra push?

Anywho, theres a few places around here that sell scooters, just wondering what you all would recommend in this type of riding situation (again, not breaking the bank as much as possible)

Thank you
Johnny

[techie610]

First, welcome to the Forums. :cheers:

A 50cc wont have to much power for up hills, so if your commute has an incline, just know that.

Whats your price range?

http://www.powersportsmax.com/product_info.php/cPath/38_93/products_id/16093

http://www.powersportsmax.com/product_info.php/cPath/38_93/products_id/14963

[techie610]

Also, what terrain, weather, conditions are you in?

[Guest_3]

Hey Johnny, Our sponsors have some smoking deals going on.

Heres one of them.. http://www.scootdawg.net/showthread.php?t=53632

http://www.scootdawg.net/forumdisplay.php?f=55

[Johnny138]

flat. flat. flat. No incline at all. Im out in MD , (near ocean city)
As Far As Weather goes, its either hot as heck, or cold. lol We dont get much snow really, I know riding a scooter in the snow isnt really an option, but its literally maybe 1 week a year that we have nasty roads due to ice/snow.

Most of my commute , will be back roads. I live out in the country, but most jobs will head into town. I dont have a job nailed down yet, but most locations I will not be traveling anywhere near a Highway. At Worst case Scenario, i might have to cross over one, but thats not really an issue.

Im looking at 1000$ dollars, if that is a reasonable price range. (if its far fetched, then let me know, i wont be affended)

I know a larger CC is really prefered (more like 125cc) However, just due to the fact of everything I would need in order to be "OK" to drive legally is #1. A Headache. #2. Time Consuming. #3. Add more cost yearly.

Ive never owned a bike/scooter before, so i honestly dont wanna jump right into something bigger anyways. I know this 50cc will be slower, take more time to wear im getting, and im good with that (Seriously, im that guy who drives the truck down backroads going 45mph lol my gf is always like Speed up!!! pshaw)

Heres on im looking at. Puma Romea 50CC http://scooterboymd.com/scooters/hello-world/ I like this one because #1. Price is right. #2. I really like the "vespa style" most. #3. Reviews ive read about puma say that its a decent chinese scooter.

Thanks for the replies! looking to hear more :)

[inuyasha]

flat. flat. flat. No incline at all. Im out in MD , (near ocean city)
As Far As Weather goes, its either hot as heck, or cold. lol We dont get much snow really, I know riding a scooter in the snow isnt really an option, but its literally maybe 1 week a year that we have nasty roads due to ice/snow.

Most of my commute , will be back roads. I live out in the country, but most jobs will head into town. I dont have a job nailed down yet, but most locations I will not be traveling anywhere near a Highway. At Worst case Scenario, i might have to cross over one, but thats not really an issue.

Im looking at 1000$ dollars, if that is a reasonable price range. (if its far fetched, then let me know, i wont be affended)

I know a larger CC is really prefered (more like 125cc) However, just due to the fact of everything I would need in order to be "OK" to drive legally is #1. A Headache. #2. Time Consuming. #3. Add more cost yearly.

Ive never owned a bike/scooter before, so i honestly dont wanna jump right into something bigger anyways. I know this 50cc will be slower, take more time to wear im getting, and im good with that (Seriously, im that guy who drives the truck down backroads going 45mph lol my gf is always like Speed up!!! pshaw)

Heres on im looking at. Puma Romea 50CC http://scooterboymd.com/scooters/hello-world/ I like this one because #1. Price is right. #2. I really like the "vespa style" most. #3. Reviews ive read about puma say that its a decent chinese scooter.

Thanks for the replies! looking to hear more :)
Hi Johnny
Welcome aboard
Puma is a top notch company with excellent scoots i highly recommend them
Heres my Puma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_2_N6BW84Y
A short ride around town on the Puma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztHg4ufy_2Y
What ever you may get give her a full PDI
http://x1scooters.com/pdi.html
And heres some helpful tips for the new rider
http://msf-usa.org/downloads/Scooter-tips-2005.pdf
Make sure you leave some money in the budget for riding gear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Wmi6KdPHw
You may want to look at 2 t scoots as well as they have more power and speed then a 4 t scoot
http://motorscooterguide.net/Articles/2StrokeOR4Stroke/2StrokeOR4Stroke.html
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[Johnny138]

inuyasha: Awesome info, tyvm! So. this is kinda a bummer. Just noticed that all the "retro" / vespa styled scooters, all seem to be 4 stroke. Bummer. This has got me looking at different styles now. Mainly to find one that is 2 stroke. Which is a real bummer, cuz, i dont wanna be picky about body style , but i kinda am lol .

So looking at the website that was posted earlier http://www.powersportsmax.com/index.php/cPath/38_94 I see all these are the same Brand "MC"? can someone shed some light on that?

[techie610]

MC is a low end Chinese brand. Very common, easy to find parts, but cheaper quality.
I was going to suggest a 2T, but they can be very temperamental at times. My Vento 2T is a wonderful bike, but just the changing of the month will make it run differently.

[Johnny138]

Yah alot of the 2T's I see are not really the style im looking for. If i can sound COMPLETELY noobish here for a second lol

So i was looking at some local dealers that also do service as well. Im kinda, stupid, when it comes to automotive things (i can do anything with computers, but had me a wrench and im like whaaaaa) One of the services I see they offer is a "big bore" , looking online essentially will give your 50cc some more pep. If I look for a 4t scooter, and have the bore down, will that greatly help? Also, is there something particular i need to look for in that scooter? (ie, is there a , Oh no, you bought that scooter, nothing will help it) Thanks again!

[techie610]

A Big Bore Kit ( BBK ) will absolutely help. That's taking you 50cc to something bigger, like a 70, 85, or 110 cc size. But, for the time and money of that, you might as well get a 150cc 4T.

[Johnny138]

Well Correct me if im wrong, (and i often am ....) In my state, a 50CC scooter u need to register it, and pay like 25 bucks and they give u a decal that says its registered as a moped. if its greater than 50cc, then u have to register it like a friggin motorcycle. thinking i could register at 50cc, And then, i could have a BBK done, and ... still leave it tagged as a Moped? Im not looking for break neck speeds! just some oompf when i need it :)

please let me know if im thinking about this incredibly wrong lol

[inuyasha]

Well Correct me if im wrong, (and i often am ....) In my state, a 50CC scooter u need to register it, and pay like 25 bucks and they give u a decal that says its registered as a moped. if its greater than 50cc, then u have to register it like a friggin motorcycle. thinking i could register at 50cc, And then, i could have a BBK done, and ... still leave it tagged as a Moped? Im not looking for break neck speeds! just some oompf when i need it :)

please let me know if im thinking about this incredibly wrong lol
Hi Johnny
Where do you live? if your state has no speed restrictions for 50 cc scoots you could get by with a BBK
Heres my states laws and we are allowed to put such kits on ours and not break any laws
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=810&q=430480
And heres my 4t BBK scoot sadly she was stolen a while back\
http://www.scootdawg.net/showthread.php?t=52763
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[Johnny138]

Hi Inuyasha. I live in MD< what ive read only , a moped is classified as under 50CC and not able to go greater than 30MPH. However, alot of 50CC be default go faster than 30. I would imagine the only way there would be any issue is if you got "clocked" going faster than 30mph


That 4t that was stolen from you looked like a fun ride! sucks tho :(

[amac1680]

It's not legal to build up a 50cc scoot in MD and have it qualify as a moped.

I always sound like the stick in the mud but you would be best served to get a MC endorsement on your license even if you only buy a 50.

What you may save will be eaten up fast if you get caught.

Be Big,
AMAC

[Johnny138]

It's not legal to build up a 50cc scoot in MD and have it qualify as a moped.

I always sound like the stick in the mud but you would be best served to get a MC endorsement on your license even if you only buy a 50.

What you may save will be eaten up fast if you get caught.

Be Big,
AMAC

What is an MC endorsement? Im thinking that essentially means Motorcycle license? Im looking into it. just so pricey.


Ive not seen 2t in my price range of 1000, local dealer has a SYM Jet 50 that is a 2t. But its at 2grand. bit more than i wanted to put into it. Im still planning on going down to their shop, see if any strike my fantasy (and possibly find online cheaper) .. I like the prices from these websites you guys are linking me too, but, im a little leary of ordering from them due to assembly. and then having to wait for the title etc... Just would be nice to have it done all locally ya know?


Thanks again all
Johnny

[DaveC]

If you're gonna do it, do it right
I don't want some scooter rider out there not having had some learnin done bout scooters, riding two wheels on the roads.
You don't want me working on your houses electrical just cause i got some lektrical tape

And get something that'll keep up with traffic

[techie610]

Here in NC, if you scooter 50cc or less, all you need is a helmet. But it cannot exceed 30mph.. Getting caught that is.. lol
Anything over 50cc, its just like every other motorcycle. Way cheaper though.
Full insurance is only $11.27/MO. And the tag was only $12. :)
My Zip, 2003 85cc 2T, does double that, but has never been tagged or insured.
Even though I have out run the police on it, if they see me rolling through town, all they do is stare me down.