seriously, motorcyle vs. scooter - non-tech differences

[Thumper]

Piaggio MP3 500? Auto tranny, and you won't even need to hold the thing up at a stop (the tilting mechanism for the two front wheels can be locked). Lean it like a regular bike at speed, get three contact patches as a bonus, it looks like the head of an Autobot, and it's officially cool (according to the Cool Wall at least).

Using the lock on an MP3 is an acquired skill, and there are situations--like stopping on an off-cambered road--when you don't want to use it. If a rider can't put feet down, the MP3 isn't the ideal choice. The Spyder might be better in that situation.

Initially, you need to be able to get your feet down because of the timing involved in setting the lock. It will only engage at a certain speed, and while you're getting used to the scooter, using it isn't a sure thing. Feet have to go down.

On off cambered stops, you want feet down because you're stopped at an angle, and as soon as you twist the throttle the lock disengages, but there's a split second lag in acceleration...over you go if you haven't hammered on the throttle just right.

99% of the time one foot down is enough...it's that other 1%, when you're stopped leaning to the wrong side, that could make it tricky if you can't get the other foot down...

[Stir]

New here...

I ride a 150cc scooter a lot and yes, it's China made. It was meant for errands around the village but when I used it once, I confiscated it from my messenger and since have strung up 9,000 miles on it in long distance rides averaging a cruising speed of 45mph.

Scooters require slightly different riding skills because of the distribution of weight and hardly any center of gravity. But what is important is the set of basic safety and riding skills that will spare any two-wheeled rider from disaster. So it's the same banana as far as riding is concerned.

I also ride a Vmax and I do not squirm when I am seen on my scooter in full battle gear - helmet, padded jacket, reflector vest, knuckled gloves, knee/shin pads and riding shoes. I enjoy cruising on my scooter as I enjoy bullying my Vmax. The bottom line is the magical sensation in balancing on two wheels - be it lazy or hard riding.

In that sense, there is hardly a non-tech difference. After all, if we all get stranded in an island with only mopeds to ride, I guarantee that any true blue rider will enjoy balancing on them around the island.

[ranger l]

I ride a 150cc scooter a lot and yes, it's China made.

I'm curious - which China?
The disposable ones you can buy at K & Wal-Marts from Communist China are one thing but what about the Republic - Taiwan?
From what I hear, they make some terrific product and one company, KYMCO I think, is apparently the world leader in CVT technology for bikes and cars. Non?
I only wish I could afford a Venox 250. http://www.kymco.ca/onRoad_Venox250.php

[madjak30]

Two things...

1. I feel that a scooter is a better choice for around town...there is less to worry about and you can concentrate more on the cagers...they can also do touring (larger scoots) just as comfy as a Goldwing...they have lots of storage and usually have decent weather protection

2. As for the impress people thing...the big loud bikes impress more guys than gals, so who are you trying to impress?? I am impressing myself, so the big and loud works for me...but my daughters all like scooters...(and I agree with the opinion of them being cute, so less threatening...hence the safer image, which is totally false!!)

Don't let the macho thing get in the way...go for comfort and ease of use...there is no sense in making things harder on yourself during your road to recovery!! If you get full mobility back, then pic a bike you like (even if it is a scooter!!)

As I said before...what you ride doesn't matter, the wind is all the same!!

Later.

[kellseabby]

I rode a 125 cc Honda Elite motor scooter for 3 years. It had a liquid cooled 1 cylinder engine a small radiator in the front cowling and a variomatic transmission. It would pull up from a red to green light like a flash. It was easy to service, great on fuel. It was fairly stable on the road and comfy at 70-80kmh speeds. But....the short suspension travel caused the machine to bottom out frequently giving me a real pain in the neck literally. I now commute on 2 bigger wheels with plenty of suspense(sion), VT750ACE.

[HYPERR]

I ride a 150cc scooter a lot and yes, it's China made.

I'm curious - which China?
The disposable ones you can buy at K & Wal-Marts from Communist China are one thing but what about the Republic - Taiwan?
From what I hear, they make some terrific product and one company, KYMCO I think, is apparently the world leader in CVT technology for bikes and cars. Non?

Mais non.

Yes KYMCO is a Taiwanese company and yes Taiwan wants nothing to do with China, but the fact remains KYMCO is a Chinese company and they have plants in China. They also have a plant in Indonesia, and quite frankly I'll take the one made there all day long before I take one they made in China.