Seeking input on proposed new Suzuki Scooter

Post by **jrsjr** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:38 pm

The website MotorcycleDaily.com is soliciting input on a new scooter that Suzuki is thinking about producing (see below). I've made the picture clickable so you can go directly to the site and give them your feedback. These guys seem to be interested in scooters, but they are a motorcycle site, so I think it would be helpful if they heard from some actual scooterists.

Thanks!

CiaoItalia · Post by **CiaoItalia** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:44 pm

Looks like the product of an intimate encounter between a maxi scoot and a crotch rocket..

Post by **jrsjr** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:53 pm

CiaoItalia wrote:Looks like the product of an intimate encounter between a maxi scoot and a crotch rocket..

Is that necessarily a bad thing?

P.S. Tell them, not me. They apparently have Suzuki's ear.

CiaoItalia · Post by **CiaoItalia** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:35 pm

I did not say it was bad or good...just an observation. I guess we'll have to all draw our own conclusions. I told the people at Suzuki that as well

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:36 pm

Looks like a crotch rocket from them, but fattened up. It looks real nice.

dorian · Post by **dorian** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:16 pm

I'm into scooters, not maxi scooters. I think they would rather I not provide feedback on that motorcycle-wannabe.

It reminds me of the old Opel GT... trying to look like something that its not.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:23 pm

dorian wrote:I'm into scooters, not maxi scooters. I think they would rather I not provide feedback on that motorcycle-wannabe.

It reminds me of the old Opel GT... trying to look like something that its not.

I agree, small frame bikes are always the nicest, maxi scooters remind me of cruising motorcycles you see on the highway. Though this one is nice, the racing graphics are a bit funny seeing how they are the same on their motorcycles.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:42 pm

Why bother?

It's not a scooter. There's hardly any step-through at all. I notice the trend on these maxi-scoots is a taller and taller center hump to the point where the step through is almost non-existant. What you then have is a motorcycle. If you have to swing your leg over it like a motorcycle, it's a motorcycle. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck......

Also, there's almost no ground clearance. With that long wheelbase, you're going to be scraping that sucker everywhere. Forget about speed bumps.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:46 pm

Yeah...I don't really dig that at all. If I wanted a GSXR, I would get a GSXR. If I was going to get a Bergman, I'd want it to look like I got it to cruise on the highway for a long time, not like I was a crotch rocket poseur type of thing.
I wouldn't hate it, but it doesn't really do anything for me.

BGK · Post by **BGK** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:58 pm

They have the Gemma and they try to come up with something new and the fruits of that work is this Gixxer embarrassment? Well, there goes any hope of getting anything good out of Suzuki in terms of scooters for the next 25 years.

Sad.

betsy q. bramble · Post by **betsy q. bramble** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:00 pm

ew. BAD suzuki....bad!

docutech · Post by **docutech** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:40 pm

I would ride it like I stole it. Sorry folks, that scooter is HAWT. True, the GSX-R color scheme may be a bit overboard however, it is a "concept" and not the real deal so the color should not be an issue. A white version of this would have me biting my nails. If the 650 will receive a make over such as this I am all over it.

I think that scooter looks great. Here is the nuts and bolts of the proposed upgrades:

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:59 pm

it's horrible. But that is just me

djelliott · Post by **djelliott** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:18 am

So do we need to coin the phrase "crotch scooter".

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:26 am

djelliott wrote:So do we need to coin the phrase "crotch scooter".

I personally think "suppository" is more appropriate.

Racenut · Post by **Racenut** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:22 am

I'd be afraid it's looks wrote checks it's performance couldn't cash.

I'd love to ride it, but I'm not sure I'd want to own it. And looking like that.. I'm thinking there would be quite a selection of motorcycles you could get for the same money.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:32 pm

Cant we all just get along?

I'm always surprised at how scooter forums slam maxi scoots. I hate to tell you..but they ARE scooters! I think this is a great scooter..IF YOU WANT ONE! The Burgman 400 is a very popular scooter here and in Europe. Why a maxi instead of a MC?

CVT transmission (Burgman 650 electronic cvt)
Highway speeds with no problem
In the rain you stay MUCH drier than on a MC
Comfort
Smoothness
Handling - motor is mounted much lower than a MC lowering COG
Storage - I can fit a 17-inch laptop hardhat, raingear and a few other things. On a MC I cant even pack a cigar without extra bags.
As with the Buddy most maxi scooters are deceivingly quick and nimble.

And as a note the term "smallframe" generally refers to Vespa models that are about 2/3 the sizeofaVespa P series
http://scoot.net/faq/Smallframe

BGK · Post by **BGK** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:17 pm

BuddyRaton wrote:Cant we all just get along?

NO!

Being civil is one thing. I'm all for manners and rational discussion. Requiring people to agree is unreasonable. But Maxi-scooters are not in the spirit of what is known as a scooter. Maxi scooters may be an evolution of the modern automatic scooter, but as any product of an evolution they are a different species. They are generally huge and heavy. Fast? Yes! Extremely functional? Yes! The exact right vehicle for many people? Yes! The same as small functional light fun scooters? No! So I don't think they should hijack the name. I've long been a proponent of finding a new name for these great functional large automatic motorcycles. It's just unfortunate that the word scooter has stuck with them.

That Suzuki scooter is a representation of Japanese customer maxi scooters. They are some crazy well built fantastic machines. But the fun of customized bikes in the process. That beast has been finished the way it would appeal to on small segment (that is unlikely to buy scooters in the first place). Bikes like the Ruckus were such hits in part because you could look at them and see all the possibilities. This maxi is at the end of the road already.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:21 pm

BGK wrote:
BuddyRaton wrote:Cant we all just get along?
NO!

Being civil is one thing. I'm all for manners and rational discussion. Requiring people to agree is unreasonable. But Maxi-scooters are not in the spirit of what is known as a scooter. Maxi scooters may be an evolution of the modern automatic scooter, but as any product of an evolution they are a different species. They are generally huge and heavy. Fast? Yes! Extremely functional? Yes! The exact right vehicle for many people? Yes! The same as small functional light fun scooters? No! So I don't think they should hijack the name. I've long been a proponent of finding a new name for these great functional large automatic motorcycles. It's just unfortunate that the word scooter has stuck with them.

That Suzuki scooter is a representation of Japanese customer maxi scooters. They are some crazy well built fantastic machines. But the fun of customized bikes in the process. That beast has been finished the way it would appeal to on small segment (that is unlikely to buy scooters in the first place). Bikes like the Ruckus were such hits in part because you could look at them and see all the possibilities. This maxi is at the end of the road already.

You have to remember some members here ride maxi scooters as their main bike. It's still a scooter no matter how much you think it isnt. It's got leg room, lots of storage, auto trans, etc.

Orange Guy · Post by **Orange Guy** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:57 pm

Remember that scene in Office Space in which they take the printer out to a field and beat it with ball bats?

That's what I want to do to that scooter.

armacham · Post by **armacham** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:06 pm

Hey look a 500 cc that still looks stylish and fun. Why it IS possible!

Xposted from another thread

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:10 pm

BGK wrote:
BuddyRaton wrote:Cant we all just get along?

BGK wrote:NO!

Requiring people to agree is unreasonable.

I really don't see where agreement was "required".

BGK wrote:But Maxi-scooters are not in the spirit of what is known as a scooter.
Many people are of the opinion that ANY 4 stroke twist and go is "not in the spirit of what is known as a scooter

BGK wrote:It's just unfortunate that the word scooter has stuck with them.
The word has stuck with them because that is what they are!

The United States Department of Transportation defines 'scooters' separately from motorcycles in order to regulate their compliance with various standards -- notably locations of throttle and braking controls, which differ considerably from motorcycle controls
BGK wrote:uot;]That Suzuki scooter is a representation of Japanese customer maxi scooters. They are some crazy well built fantastic machines. But the fun of customized bikes in the process. That beast has been finished the way it would appeal to on small segment (that is unlikely to buy scooters in the first place). Bikes like the Ruckus were such hits in part because you could look at them and see all the possibilities. This maxi is at the end of the road already.

HUH?
http://www.scootersales.com.au/Gallery- ... rnews.aspx

dorian · Post by **dorian** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:29 pm

I love the looks of the 500cc Scarabeo. It has the looks I like in a scooter. But folks, most scooters are recognized as pretty much the MPG saviors of the world. Joe Schmuckatteli looks at scooters as impractical for daily use, but the impractical can be tolerated in light of the amount of fuel savings.

This 500cc Scarabeo comes in at a whopping 416.67 pounds (189 kilograms) and gets between 55 and 60 mpg on a good day with optimistic reporting of the results. Most maxi-scoots are reporting the same type of figures.

Maxi-scooters are the perfect answer for some people. The Silver Wing can do everything that a Gold Wing can do, albeit perhaps a little less aggressively. But I agree with BGK, when I hear the term "scooter" I'm not thinking of one of these maxi's.

This thing that Suzuki is prototyping looks like Anime run amok. Put wings on it and the Power Rangers have a new evil-fighting-transport. That look works for some and there is no accounting for taste, but it will date itself pretty much overnight.

UrbanBuddy82 · Post by **UrbanBuddy82** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:17 pm

Dude, Slap some cannons on the front of that thing and you would have the Lawmaster... (the bike from Judge Dredd)

Racenut · Post by **Racenut** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:31 pm

I'd hit it. But then I ride a Blur

My 12 year old son says it's "wicked cool"

betsy q. bramble · Post by **betsy q. bramble** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:03 pm

or THIS!

ugh, so much better than that dudeguycycle up there.

armacham · Post by **armacham** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:33 pm

betsy q. bramble wrote:or THIS!

ugh, so much better than that dudeguycycle up there.

One of the guys who is on our group rides in Tucson often has one of these. It is a sweet bike.

PeterC · Post by **PeterC** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:39 pm

It seems that this proposed product goes even further in blurring the distinction between a motorcycle and a scooter. Other than having an automatic transmission and a different location for the gas tank, how is this vehicle different from your average crotch rocket? I'm sure that this could be someone's dream ride, but as a scooter, it leaves me cold.

BGK · Post by **BGK** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:49 pm

jfrost2 wrote:You have to remember some members here ride maxi scooters as their main bike. It's still a scooter no matter how much you think it isnt. It's got leg room, lots of storage, auto trans, etc.

Why do you think I'm forgetting? Do you think so little of the Maxi's that you don't think they deserve the honor of their own name? In many ways they are so much more than a normal scooter. Why do you hate them so much and want to keep them down? If I were a maxi owner I'd be offended at your demeaning comments.

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR AUTOMATIC MOTORCYCLES*!

(A.K.A.: maxi-scooters, power sleighs, road sleds, auto-bikes, power-cycles, auto-cruisers!)

BGK · Post by **BGK** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:16 pm

BuddyRaton wrote:
The word has stuck with them because that is what they are!

The United States Department of Transportation defines 'scooters' separately from motorcycles in order to regulate their compliance with various standards -- notably locations of throttle and braking controls, which differ considerably from motorcycle controls

They do not separate them from motorcycles but define them with the language: "Scooter means a motorcycle that...". So they are motorcycles first. And I don't believe that a particular way in which the U.S. Fed Gov't defines something is the end all of a discussion. Many state gov'ts use the term moped for many vehicles that are not mopeds. They have no pedals. I understand the why's and how's of these regulation linked definitions. But I don't take them as reasons for logical support for the subjecting of many automatic motorcycles to the fate of carrying the 'scooter' moniker.

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR AUTOMATIC MOTORCYCLES*!

(A.K.A.: maxi-scooters, power sleighs, road sleds, cargo-cruisers, auto-bikes, power-cycles, road-rockets or auto-cruisers!)

Eazy · Post by **Eazy** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:59 pm

a gixer scoot.

I would dig it.

especially if it would do wheelies and stuff.

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:58 am

I like the GSXooter or whatever they call it. Valentino Rossi rides a Yamaha scooter when he is not on the track. As for the Scarabeo, I never liked that weird oval in the plastic side cover. Yamaha owns Ohlins so it could come with some nice bits. I love the performance of a sportbike, but I can't take the seating position. I would love real performance in a scooter!

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:13 am

i wouldn't trust the low ground clearance. we get potholes in this neck of the woods.

Susan Pegsmen · Post by **Susan Pegsmen** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:27 pm

jrsjr wrote:The website MotorcycleDaily.com is soliciting input on a new scooter that Suzuki is thinking about producing (see below). I've made the picture clickable so you can go directly to the site and give them your feedback. These guys seem to be interested in scooters, but they are a motorcycle site, so I think it would be helpful if they heard from some actual scooterists.

Thanks!

rather have a TMAX

Post by **jrsjr** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:39 pm

Susan Pegsmen wrote:rather have a TMAX

Ahhh, good point! Have you seen one yet? They're even better in person than the pix.

P.S. This is such a good comment, I hope you will follow the link to the MotorcycleDaily.com site and give them your feedback.

Post by **illnoise** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:43 pm

Let's see if she can talk about Yamahas in every thread!

But I'd rather have a T-Max, too. That thing looks like a personal watercraft.

Bb.

BGK · Post by **BGK** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:17 pm

Susan Pegsmen wrote:
rather have a TMAX

Troll.

BGK · Post by **BGK** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:02 pm

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/22octobe ... an_rr1.htm

The uninformed motorcycle buying public has spoken.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:11 pm

A co-worker has a T-MAX. IMHO, these two "scooters" look an awful lot alike. They're both pretty, in a sports bike kind of way. I think the phrase "step-through design" has been taken way too far.
I got my scooter because of the flat floor board area. That, to me, is what defines a scooter. My son has a SYM, RV 250. It doesn't really have a step through design either. It's a pretty ride, but not my idea of a scooter. These things are all some degree of hybrid.

Howard

MAJensen · Post by **MAJensen** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:22 am

Looks like a lot of fun. I would have to see it IRL and sit on it. But I think it has a nicer look than the Burgman. Not saying I don’t like the Burgman. I would love to have one of those too. But the bright sporty colors would be harder to miss on the freeway. This is where most of my commute is when I hit the snooze button to many times.

Modern Buddy

Seeking input on proposed new Suzuki Scooter

Seeking input on proposed new Suzuki Scooter

Re: Seeking input on proposed new Suzuki Scooter

New Suzuki Scooter

Re: Seeking input on proposed new Suzuki Scooter

Re: Seeking input on proposed new Suzuki Scooter

Re: Seeking input on proposed new Suzuki Scooter

the results are in!