Hello again!

madtolive · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject: Hello again!

Hi everyone! It sure has been a minute since I hung around these parts. A few years ago I moved to Houston and sold the Zombie Blood Buddy. Its been sad to live scoot-free for 3 years, but I moved back to Austin this past October and I've got scooter fever.

I've been debating between the 170i and the Stella, both are drop dead gorgeous. My lazy self wants to go for the 170i since its so easy to just hop on and go, but my heart lusts for the Stella. I've just never driven a manual, and shifting is a bit daunting for me. I've already read tons of posts about this comparison, so now I just have to decide which I'm going to pull the trigger on.

Anywho, I just wanted to say hello to everyone. Its funny to feel like a newbie all over again, hehehe. So how is everyone? There's so many new members, where is everyone from, and what do ya'll drive?

P.S. I'm considering selling my car and relying solely on a scooter and public transportation. Anyone else out there live a car-less life that can offer some insight? I feel like most people react to this suggestion like i'm crazy, but I think its totally feasible. Am I just being optimistic and contrarian? Razz

GrittyTacoman · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:21 pm Post subject:

Welcome back!

As far as scooter choice, don't think you can go wrong with the 170.

As I'm sure you know they're coming out with the auto Stella supposedly but it'll be longer than you'd want to wait, I think.

skully93 · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:31 pm Post subject:

As the kiddos would say, 'OH HAI!'

Welcome back!

I haven't driven the Stella, but it can't be that bad to shift. The 170i is also a sexy beast though....

Maybe you should see what is available?

Syd · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:34 pm Post subject:

Welcome back madtolive. I've been to Houston and I've been to Austin and I think you made a good choice. Hope it works for you.

As for your comparison, one thing to consider is that the Stella has more, uh, things, that could need attention; for example clutch and shifter cables. I don't think you can go wrong, but it is something to keep in mind.

madtolive · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:02 am Post subject:

yeah, I'm going to spend some time at Urban Moto tomorrow to see what kind of inventory they've got. If all they've got is either one or the other then I suppose that makes my decision easier. Wink

Syd - yeah I've thought about all the extra maintenance that comes with a Stella, and I'm not 100% sure dealing with all of that is up my alley. Especially the whole oil and gas mixture? I'm not even sure what all of that is about, to be honest.

Austin is a great town and it feels awesome to be back. Its quite hilly however, and I'm not sure how Stella performs not only in start-stop city traffic but also on inclines. Any insights?

But she's just so dang purty... Embarassed

Also, has anyone had any contact with the old Austin Buddy gang, or anyone in SPAZ? I still have my old patch somewhere... Very Happy

Wolfhound · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:56 am Post subject:

You get used to shifting. Eric has done some reporting on that subject.
My Stella will pop a wheelie is you're not careful and takes most our hillls
here in NGA in 4th. It is a solid ride. Cool

Skootz Kabootz · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 4:43 am Post subject:

I can speak to the "scooter only" part of your question. I have been car free and scooter only for 5 years now. Personally I love it and can't imagine going back.

The upside is all the usual stuff, it's inexpensive, fun, fun, fun and fun. You will make a few adjustments as far as planning grocery shopping and such goes, but really it is no big deal. I still go to Costco when needed, I can do a weeks worth of food shopping in one trip, and for larger items that are beyond carrying on a scooter, I just order on-line and have them delivered.

When I have a guest visiting or for some other reason I absolutely must have a car, I rent. It is so much cheaper than owning! But as it's turned out so far I have only had to do this three times in 5 years.

The down side of being scooter only... if you need to go somewhere and it is raining, or freezing cold, or something else unpleasant, you have to deal with it. Buying the right gear goes a long way towards coping with this. I have really excellent rain gear and really excellent cold weather gear, and a great reflective vest for riding at night.

Probably the most thorny issue for me are the days when you just don't feel up to riding because you are tired, not focused, or for whatever reason just not in an ideal state of mind for safe riding — the days when given the choice you would rather not ride at all. You still must somehow manage to be alert safety aware when riding on those days. I think everyone must find their own constructive way to deal with those days. Personally I feel lucky because I work from home so I most often can find a way to avoid riding on those days. But not always. So I'll pick a route with less traffic, avoid riding in rush hour, plan rest stops along the way, whatever it takes. Often I end up feeling better and getting into it along the way.

In summary, I'd say it is 90% good stuff to 10% PITA stuff and I would never go back. Hope that helps!

Syd · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 6:14 am Post subject:

madtolive · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:25 pm Post subject:

skootz: i've looked into what its like to not have a car in austin, and honestly it really doesn't seem as daunting as i first thought it might be. everything you've said sounds pretty much spot on, and its really encouraged me to go for it. i'm considering not using my car for a month after getting the scooter just to see what itd really be like and if i could really swing it.

but yeah, riding when your brain feels foggy is probably what would deter me the most. here we have the Car2Go program, which is basically a slew of smart cars around town that you can "rent" for a few hours using an app on your iphone. i'd likely depend on that program for days when my head's just not into riding, or on the days i want to take my dog to the park.

this consideration is what ultimately convinced me that the stella was probably not the way to go for me right now. there's just so many different things to keep on your mind in terms of shifting and i'm a horrible multitasker.

i went to urban moto the other day, they're getting the 170o in two weeks, but i swear to god that zombie blood color kept catching my eye...

z20k · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:21 am Post subject:

I live in Austin, and while I have a car, I rarely ever use it (only if it's raining and cold, one or the other is fine.)

skully93 · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:54 am Post subject:

it gets cold in Austin?

z20k · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:03 am Post subject:

Haha, yes - this past winter has been pretty cold (by Texas standards, anyways - lows in the 20s.)

madtolive · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:23 am Post subject:

z20k · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:17 am Post subject:

I'm in 78704, too and work in 78744. Right this very second my Buddy is being worked on, and getting new tires so I'm riding my 50cc Piaggio LT around. My Buddy has unfortunately has some really weird issues since putting the 161 kit on. Confused

skipper20 · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:57 am Post subject: Re: Hello again!

ericalm · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:09 am Post subject:

OMG, welcome back! And congrats on getting back to Austin. Smile

So, contrary to what skipper20 just posted, I commute on a Stella almost every day now and LOVE it. It's slower than my other (non-shifty) scooter, doesn't take hills as well and is ridiculously fun to ride. I was afraid that I'd hate shifting in stop-start rush hour traffic (as I do in a car). Nope. I've also had a chance to ride some bigger, faster, much more expensive scoots… really nice ones… and I love getting back on my Stella.

It's not as "bulletproof" and problem free as a Buddy, though. I haven't had issues with mine other than a blown fuse, but others have had some (mostly small) issues with electrics and wiring.

Also, if you're patient, the automatic transmission Stella is coming sometime next year.

BuddyRaton · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject:

So zombie blood does return from the dead! Mr. Green

My suggestion....find a used Buddy 125 or 150 and save a few grand.

madtolive · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:14 pm Post subject: