KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: klaviator on September 11, 2019, 12:53:37 PM
-
I know that people buy scooters for a variety of reasons. For much of the world scooters are transportation. In the USA scooters and motorcycles are mainly toys. Some people just ride them around town. Others go touring.
So what do you use your scooter(s) for?
-
I'll start.
I bought my first scooter (Super 8 150) mainly as an around town commuter. I soon discovered it was good for much more. So here is what I use my scooters for.
-commuting
-sport riding
-touring
-participate in Tag Games
-Gymkhana
-Scootography
-exploring
-
Bought my first motorcycle in 1960 because I wanted to go where I wanted, near or far, when I wanted, right now or whenever, get back when supposed to and not have to wait on a San Diego bus! It was the original personal transport. Touring southern California was an eye-opener! Mount Palomar was something read about in Popular Science magazine was JUST UP THE ROAD!
Later, a motorcycle became like a second car for hunting parts, honey-do's, etc. The thirst for easier touring was satisfied by a bigger engine and that was financially possible by restoring a 1955 BSA. That was a daily rider until replaced by a company car.
Working on bikes, talking about bikes became as much fun as riding. Some years back, I was a pilot and self-taught aircraft mechanic and sheet metal craftsman. Found out most general aviation mechs were hot air generators! That all today is in scooters where most dealer techs seem to be BS artists!
The scooter today is way different from the 60's. They rangevall the way from small, light and really simple to quite large, comfortable, sophisticated and powerful! Low weight and low center of mass/gravity allow creaky old guys and gals to ride into their sunset years. I still ride just for the fun of it, to places I have never been and to get a haircut 80 miles down the road!
-
As 2 wheel rider since 1955----I try to use present scooter for all transportation needs and always have done so. Long trips, yes, been to UP of Mich this year----hot weather in south has slowed me down some and taken the fun out. One 15 year period or so, never bought anything I couldn't haul home on bike....saved lots of money that way.
My garage has new Audi Q5 (Which I have never driven....think it sucks, too many bells/whistles/red lights/no dip stick. I have Mitsubishi Mirage I bought new 18 months ago....fine car, everything works! But I have driven it under 500 miles since Feb 2019.
-
Bought the 2012 LIKE200iLX in 2013 for 365 work commute here in Ohio.
Retired, now I start out for 2 hours in the dark nearly daily to my coffee village - or the State Park nearby.
This is the only time of day that I will ride now.
Stig
-
So what do you use your scooter(s) for?
For now, it’s a tool to help me learn how to safely get from pt A to pt B, on two wheels, going no more than ten miles in distance, with light traffic, and at speeds less than 50 mph. If there's an errand to run within those parameters, then I'm in.
Ask me again in a year and I hope it's a different answer.
-
For now, it’s a tool to help me learn how to safely get from pt A to pt B, on two wheels, going no more than ten miles in distance, with light traffic, and at speeds less than 50 mph. If there's an errand to run within those parameters, then I'm in.
Ask me again in a year and I hope it's a different answer.
I started out a lot like you. I bought a motorcycle just to cruise to the local park on weekends and just have a little fun on local roads. Before I knew it I was riding it everywhere and my car was sitting in the driveway gathering dust.....and rust.
I have no doubt you will expand the scope of your riding as you gain experience and confidence.
-
Years ago I'd answer people who asked that question by saying it's the most fun I have with my clothes on. Now that I'm in my 83rd year I say it's the most fun I have, clothes on or off.
Riding is my therapy, my high. My '89 Camry wagon sits unused for weeks, sometimes months. I downsized from full size motorcycles due to my inability to pick up a 600 pound bike if it fell over. I'm sorry I didn't discover scooters years ago: their maneuverability and automatic trannies make them a joy to ride.
-
For years I rode my Virago to work because it was quick and easy to park. I switched from motorcycles to a scooter when I retired 14 years ago. I also have 2 cars but the women in the family take them! So I'm defaulted to the scooter for a couple reasons (a) it's so useful for doing errands, going to the mall, etc. and (b) I can park it anywhere, usually right at the front door. There's also (c) it's always available since nobody else rides it, and (d) because it's so enjoyable riding on a nice day! The last reason is actually a big deal because parking is so scarce and expensive. With my Kymco Sento, I can always park at the front door everywhere I go. At home where we live in a town-house, there's only 2 parking spaces, but the Kymco fits easily between the 2 cars. I got my first motorcycle when I was 16, and 62 years later I'm still on 2 wheels!
-
For 35 years bicycles were my main source of transportation (and recreation).
If it matters, by choice more than financial necessity.
Have been interested in scooters for a while, but put off getting one for fear of
it replacing the bicycles--which are a great source of exercise--and getting fat and lazy as a result.
Discovered pickleball last January and wanted to get into it, but wasn't interested in cycling
11 miles each way to play. So I got a 50cc scooter as a way to get to the courts.
Figured I'd ride 40-50 miles a week.
Realized right away riding the scooter was an absolute blast, more fun than anything else.
Rode 250 miles a week and played very little pickleball. Two months after getting the 50cc
moved up to a 150. Still doing 1000 miles a month, and recently got a Honda Rebel 250 for longer rides.
Not getting rid of the scooter, though.
It's the perfect vehicle for errands around town and joy rides into the country.
Haven't been on a bicycle since getting the 1st scoot, and don't miss it a bit.
Between the heat (7 months of the year), nasty motorists (much less so to scooters and motorcycles),
and energy drain, I realized cycling wasn't that enjoyable any more.
I get much more done and have energy for other pursuits such as house projects and swimming.
An added bonus is wearing normal clothes now when riding, which I never did all the years of pedaling
(bike shorts, bike shoes and spf shirts or ratty t-shirts were the norm).
I'm in a much better frame of mind after a scoot, refreshed and relaxed rather than the exhausted
and often pissed off feeling after a pedal. And haven't gained a pound.
-
bought scooter at age 49 because back when I was 14 I really, really, really wanted a Honda Express moped. Parents said no way.
Fast forward 35 years and I started off by looking on Craigslist for 1980'ish Honda Expresses. Surprisingly they are not too scarce. Then realized that I could buy a bigger scooter and have more fun.
Bought my People S 200 (used, with 1800 miles) and used it to joyride around the neighborhood, town and nearby lake.
Liked it so much that I then bought a little Ninja...but kept the scooter to putz around on and to hopefully get my daughters to go for rides with me on it. I can use the scooter to run errands to the hardware store and to pick up beer (can fit 2 6 packs of bottles in the top box).
Still love the scooter but only put 100-200 miles each year on it. Will probably keep it forever because it was the vehicle that got me back on 2 wheels.
-
When I had my scooter, I used it as warm weather transportation for pleasure and work. My commute to work was nearly 50 miles each way at mostly highway speeds. 50 mpg , fresh air, and being one with nature sure beat 20mpg .
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
my GF is the scooter person in our household, I'm still riding a big bike (Vstrom 1000)
before she retired, it was her commuter and errand vehicle,
many times when we went grocery shopping, instead of taking the truck, we'd unload all our cargo holds on her scooter, and my V-strom, between the 2, we could easily fit a full grocery cart before we had to improvise with bungee nets
no that she's retired, she purchased an old school bus that she is converting into a motor home. her scooter will be on board as her run around transportation, when she makes her cross country trip
-
For my early 20s through to 18 months ago my small bikes/scooters did everything. Later on, they were my work as well as a courier.
Now, I use it to avoid parking charges at my partner's work, but haven't really ridden much this year, which makes me sad :(
-
My first bike was a mobetecane moped back in the mid 70's. in Hollywood, FL... Migrated to motorcycles from there. In my 40's, I switched to scooters. Wished I'd have done it sooner. So much fun. A malaguti 50 (phantom) was my first non moped, non motorcycle. I ride for therapy. It fends off depression. I used to be a snowbird and kept at least one bike in either one place or the the other.
As I wrote this I think how fortunate I was to be a migrator from age 47 to 57. Thing is, making yourself happy (as a single male) in the US often triggers people and leads to unwanted attention. I was surprised to learn this.. I thought most people were in pursuit of their 'own' happiness. Apparently I was wrong. Many people want to be the happiness police for others. Many of those people are of the married variety (also unexpected as I thought married ppl were supposed to be happy, lolz). Weird world.
I sold both places between 2014 & 2016 and moved in between. I now ride in a place where atv's & horses are ok so I didn't bother to put a tag on this one. I sometimes put my old FL tag on. 8000 acre horse ranch community. Plenty of room to roam and I rarely see many others on my daily jaunts. Sometimes I just ride up and down my 330 foot gated driveway.. lolz At 60, I don't really play well w/ others so this bike and this place are just the ticket. ..
-
I used a Vespa P125X for several years before moving to Malaysia. There a motorbike (scooter is not a thing) was essential and was what I used for everything. We have a small home in Thailand now, with two 150cc Yamahas for daily drivers. The first thing I did when moving back to our hometown in Arizona was buy a Kymco XTown. Whatever the occasion it's either the Like or the XTown. I've driven the Subaru only twice in the 2 months we've been back.
Sent from my MI PAD 4 using Tapatalk
-
I used a Vespa P125X for several years before moving to Malaysia. There a motorbike (scooter is not a thing) was essential and was what I used for everything. We have a small home in Thailand now, with two 150cc Yamahas for daily drivers. The first thing I did when moving back to our hometown in Arizona was buy a Kymco XTown. Whatever the occasion it's either the Like or the XTown. I've driven the Subaru only twice in the 2 months we've been back.
Sent from my MI PAD 4 using Tapatalk
I can identify with that and can actually go one better as we've now done away with my car as I was driving it so infrequently!
-
I can identify with that and can actually go one better as we've now done away with my car as I was driving it so infrequently!
You live in the UK, and don't own a car?
Do you have very good public transport?
A few yrs ago I refused further repairs to a 25 yr old Jetta (great car BTW!) and decided to work commute in Ohio with a LIKE200I. We have nearly no city bus service - snow mornings meant poor wife driving me in to my work - interrupting her preparing for work! Then bussing to within a mile of my house after work....and lovely, brisk walk on road's berm.
Dumb plan.
Father-in-law eventually tried to sell me his nearly new Chevy truck. I refused to cave on my dumb plan. A year later he handed me the title & keys to the truck - gratis.
The family concensus was that I would be found frozen in a snowbank come spring thaw.
My family envies anyone living in a city which has good public transportation!
The USA sorely needs it!
Stig
-
I spent May and June in the Philippines and motorbikes (they don't call them scooters) were prevalent. I was surprised to learn some motorbike owners provide rideshare services, like Uber or Lyft for cars. They have an app to manage the whole shebang.
In Manila, when a traffic light turns red, most of the four-wheeled vehicles come to a stop, but not always in a lane (those lines on the road are merely suggestions). Once stopped, all of the motorbikes split vehicles to congregate at the front of the intersection. At one of those intersections, I saw a young lady flash her phone at the motorbike driver, he nodded, then she climbed on. Our driver explained that it was a rideshare service.
So, to answer the original poster's question, some folks use their scooter as a business.
-
I mostly stay in town on my Xciting 500, but my town's spread out with lots of open road. I've had many large motorcycles over the years and enjoyed taking long day rides, but I've lost interest in that. I found myself taking shorter and shorter rides, but wasn't ready to give up motorcycling entirely. First, I got a Honda PCX 150 and it was fun for a while, but too small. My Xciting is much better. It'll easily cruise at 55-60 mph (about as fast as I want to go) and it's very comfortable the way I have it set up. I use it for errands more than I did with my bigger motorcycles. It's very dependable...you just get on and go!
-
7 years ago I sold my car (Opel Astra) and bought SYM 150 it was my first scooter I drive I took this decision cuz I fed up with parking and driving in a very crowded streets ( I live in Cairo, Egypt) and I used scooter to go everyday to work and the average distance daily
50 miles (90 km ) per day
last year i bought my DT 300 used and was running 900 KM now I drove for 35000 KM
I only use my wife car C180 in travelling or weekends if we were together
My Regards
Ehab
-
I've had a few now.
Initially, bought a Honda Metropolitan on dealer finance to help build credit as I had never made a "large" loan purchase before that, and your credit "score"/max loan for large financing is mostly separate from your regular score. You could have a 800 credit score, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to get a loan for a house or car. The more you know~
I had wanted one of Hondas larger motorcycles, but the financing wouldn't be approved for it.
After my Metropolitan though, I became addicted to small displacement bikes. The mileage is nice, the cheap CHEAP insurance is a god send, and I looovveeee getting as much as i can out of the tiny displacement of them.
I have, and/or have had:
Honda Metropolitan -hit, and then stolen while in the middle of exchanging information 2,000$-ish (insurance covered remaining payment)
Adly GTA 50 (wanted a RT50, but the dealer refused to order me one...and the GTA50 stalled during the "test" idle -_-) - stolen, 1,450$, insurance refused to insure it to begin with "wasn't in their system" as it's an import. Total loss.
Kymco People 50 (still own) 850$- no title (dont believe sellers)
PGO Genuine RoughHouse50 (engine shot, need a compatible rim for my new engine) 350$ titled
Aprilia SR50 DiTech 2003 (converted to carb, cause, 600$ fuel pumps that break every 1k miles) 200$ titled
Oh, and a TaoTao50 that I got scammed into buying . Never send your friends to buy something for you, and never believe what a seller says they have. Was going to make the best of a bad situation by converting it to E85 and blow it up with RPMs, but then they stopped making E85. Not happy.
I want a road legal Minarelli AM6 50cc based bike, but, those are extremely hard to come by in the US. They're primarily a Europe only thing to fit the guidelines of the licencing system there. A lot of the ones here, were (are?) sold as track training bikes, and aren't road legal. I live in Texas, so getting a bike road legal here is easy, but finding anything at all with a AM6 has been a pain.
-
You live in the UK, and don't own a car?
Do you have very good public transport?
A few yrs ago I refused further repairs to a 25 yr old Jetta (great car BTW!) and decided to work commute in Ohio with a LIKE200I. We have nearly no city bus service - snow mornings meant poor wife driving me in to my work - interrupting her preparing for work! Then bussing to within a mile of my house after work....and lovely, brisk walk on road's berm.
Dumb plan.
Father-in-law eventually tried to sell me his nearly new Chevy truck. I refused to cave on my dumb plan. A year later he handed me the title & keys to the truck - gratis.
The family concensus was that I would be found frozen in a snowbank come spring thaw.
My family envies anyone living in a city which has good public transportation!
The USA sorely needs it!
Stig
UK's public transport varies wildly depending on where you are, and how rural it is.
My partner and I wouldn't need her car (the never-dying Toyota) necessarily if it went pop. Which it will. Eventually.
-
You live in the UK, and don't own a car?
Do you have very good public transport?
A few yrs ago I refused further repairs to a 25 yr old Jetta (great car BTW!) and decided to work commute in Ohio with a LIKE200I. We have nearly no city bus service - snow mornings meant poor wife driving me in to my work - interrupting her preparing for work! Then bussing to within a mile of my house after work....and lovely, brisk walk on road's berm.
Dumb plan.
Father-in-law eventually tried to sell me his nearly new Chevy truck. I refused to cave on my dumb plan. A year later he handed me the title & keys to the truck - gratis.
The family concensus was that I would be found frozen in a snowbank come spring thaw.
My family envies anyone living in a city which has good public transportation!
The USA sorely needs it!
Stig
As Viper has already said Stig, it depends where you are in the UK. Here in rural Cheshire, I am lucky enough to have a bus roughly every hour into the two nearest towns so, in extremis, I do have an alternative and it's free as I'm now of retirement age! ;D
That said, I did have 20-odd years of my working life where I only owned a motorcycle and travelled the length and breadth of the UK in the course of my management duties. My best year saw me clock up 45K miles on a Triumph Daytona 900. Getting to meetings in a sharp suit, collar & tie took logistics of an interesting nature sometimes. The worst being getting changed on a public car park behind a parked car - fortunately in the days here before the proliferation of CCTV cameras!
-
Honda Metropolitan -hit, and then stolen while in the middle of exchanging information 2,000$-ish (insurance covered remaining payment)
Wow... ;D :o
-
As Viper has already said Stig, it depends where you are in the UK. Here in rural Cheshire, I am lucky enough to have a bus roughly every hour into the two nearest towns so, in extremis, I do have an alternative and it's free as I'm now of retirement age! ;D
That said, I did have 20-odd years of my working life where I only owned a motorcycle and travelled the length and breadth of the UK in the course of my management duties. My best year saw me clock up 45K miles on a Triumph Daytona 900. Getting to meetings in a sharp suit, collar & tie took logistics of an interesting nature sometimes. The worst being getting changed on a public car park behind a parked car - fortunately in the days here before the proliferation of CCTV cameras!
We're not far apart in reality (Staffs/Cheshire border for me) but worlds apart in terms of public transport ^.^
-
We're not far apart in reality (Staffs/Cheshire border for me) but worlds apart in terms of public transport ^.^
We must be close buddy as I’m right on the border between Crewe & N-u-L. Maybe a meet up is in order one dry day?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
We must be close buddy as I’m right on the border between Crewe & N-u-L. Maybe a meet up is in order one dry day?
Edge of NuL for me. I've not got anything on the road at the moment but I'm saving for another CB250 or something, so would be good to grab a ride when that happens! :)
-
Currently using the scooter to run over squirrels...Tried to dodge one the other day and it ran back under the bike....
-
Edge of NuL for me. I've not got anything on the road at the moment but I'm saving for another CB250 or something, so would be good to grab a ride when that happens! :)
Yeah I’m good with that Viper, just let me know.
[emoji106]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
I use mine for commuting error running and recreational riding. Usually the Burger for the commute & the lighter bike fo errands
I live in a place where I don't have a lot of storage relative to some of ya, so I have a 4 wheeled vehicle that the wife mostly drives, & use the bikes mostly year round.
The weather around here isn't always amenable to that since I try to duck black ice, & such, but it mostly works.
On occasion I pick up a winter beater, but street parking around here's pretty tight so I try to avoid that.
Last year I just rented a car when I needed one. That worked out cheaper that a beater, but there were times I had to dig up an alternative since renting cars in December is $$.
This year. I'm waiting patiently for the first of the year since emissions will be gone, & hopefully many of the fees will drop off tabs, or possibly be reduced due to legal action.
-
Not a single person here admitting to making purse, camera or cell phone snatches from their scooter?
Hmmm...
Stig
-
Well...I mostly commute via the freeway so not a lot of opportunity.
Not a single person here admitting to making purse, camera or cell phone snatches from their scooter?
Hmmm...
Stig
-
Not a single person here admitting to making purse, camera or cell phone snatches from their scooter?
Hmmm...
Stig
So those scooter riders are literate enough to post? Who knew?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
And is that a thing in the US? Thought it was just London.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk