Is the Era of the Motorcycle Over?

[HYPERR]

Isn't BMW coming out with a real nice one too?

[jstark47]

Isn't BMW coming out with a real nice one too?

Two big maxi-scooters - same class as the Silverwing and Burgman 650. I saw them at the New York show in January. I've never gotten the point of the really big maxi's... it always seemed to me that if you're getting a bike that large and heavy, might as well get a conventional motorcycle. I learned to ride on a Honda Reflex (250cc), which seemed a nice compromise size between the little in-town scooters and the biggest maxi-scooters.

[Grey Thumper]

Aprilia's even got an 850cc V-twin scooter. Kinda negates all the advantages of riding a scooter in the first place.

[MmeMagpie]

The only reason I would get a scooter is they're easier to ride in a dress.

I have a motorcycle and all the latest iGadgets. They compliment each other nicely. It's nice to look off into the distance, verify that the thunderhead is going someplace I am not, and then calling Husband to tell him I'll be home soon. Then, we can watch movies though the PS3 on the big TV

[vito]

A scooter is not just for running around town at 30 mph. When I had a maxi scooter it was because I could not lift my leg over a bike seat but I did not want to give up riding.

[madjak30]

I've never really understood what the big deal was...scooter, bike...who cares...two wheels & wind...that's what matters...once you are at cruising speeds there really is no difference.

I enjoy a conventional bike more around town, since I enjoy the engagement...shifting, rev matching, feathering the clutch, the noises made by the machine...but I wouldn't turn my nose up at a scooter, I wave at them all the time (they are usually confused as to why I am waving, but I do it anyway)

Later.

[BobK]

I prefer an old-fashioned bike myself, but I can see the advantage of a scooter for someone who has had an injury, or has arthritis, that makes it difficult to get a leg over a bike seat or operate the clutch and gearshift. Same goes for trikes. I'll probably end up on a scooter or a trike someday.

[Marvin]

I don't have a disability that keeps me from riding any motorcycle but I perfer to own and ride a scooter.
I know that nobody here has ever been on a Yamaha Tmax, but if you would ride one you will love it, it changed my whole concept about motorcycles and scooters, it changed my lifestyle, how I ride, where I ride, what i use a motorcycle for. Its a motorcycle that can be used for every perpose you can think of. Like going to the grocery store, and the fun factor with a weekend ride with crotch rockets,, you guys just own a motorcycle to ride for fun, I use a motorcycle as my prime warm weather vehicle, I can ride it in a heavy rain storm and only my hands get wet. The only people that respect my scooter is the want-a-bees that are standing at the gas station filling up their gas guzzlers and paying $80 to fill up, and they always walk up to me and look at my scooter, some ask to sit on it but most everybody asks what kind of gas mileage does it get. They are amazed it has an inner gas tank simular to their car and when i show them all the storage space they flip out and say they are rushing out to buy on. Then a group of pretend tough guys on loud HD's pull into the same gas station and point and laugh at my scooter, I just tell them my normal programed response saying "nice bike, too bad you can't ride it",,,,,,,, I'm glad that you can't buy a Yamaha Tmax , "I'm glad I am one of the priviliged few that owns one",,, cause I laugh at you guys "ha ha ha" cause you are missing out for not owning one!
I know how you guys think cause 2-3 years ago I was the same way, I said i would be ashamed to be seen riding a scooter and those guys that own them are dorks,, I understand,,,, but I know deep down in your heart you would love to ride one,,, I know you can impress your friends and fellow forum members in this forum by making fun of me and my scooter,,,, I know scooters are a threat to some of you guys, you're afraid of change, you don't like it when someone has a nicer bike than what you own,,,, I understand, went thru that and now I'm not afraid anymore, have found out the only person I need to impress is myself, like many motorcycle owners will always ask me "Why did i buy a scooter for?" I tell them: "I bought it to impress ME!! NOT YOU!"""

[dr_bar]

I know that nobody here has ever been on a Yamaha Tmax,

Frack you're an arrogant twit, just because you own a piece of dodo doesn't mean you're the only person to have ridden one. I had the chance when a member of an organization I belong to brought one to a rally. I personally thought it was an uncomfortable position to ride, as well as disconcerting after riding a motorcycle for so long. I'd rather ride my grandsons little electric quad...

For a scooter that supposedly has that, "Once you've ridden one, you'll never get rid of it,) qualities, there sure are a lot for resale...

[vito]

Don't be too harsh on scooters, especially mega-scooters. For 3 years while my knees recovered from transplant surgery I rode a Silverwing, and in many ways it was a really great ride. But you are right in saying it is not a motorcycle. It has 2 wheels, can go over 100 mph and when it is approaching you it looks like a sportbike. But it is like sitting in your kitchen chair and moving quickly on the road. The lack of shifting makes it easier when in stop and go traffic, but takes away some of the control we enjoy on motorcycles. The small wheels make it inherently less stable at speed, but in fairness, I made some long trips including a 750 mile one day trip, keeping up 80+ most of the time, without a problem on the Silverwing. Mega scooter riders are part of our fraternity of two-wheelers, but while there is no need to bash them, there is certainly no need to try to proclaim their superiority to motorcycles. I sold my Silverwing last year and bought a Triumph America, and have never regretted going back to a real motorcycle for a second.