question for the Stella folk -

[Tam Tam]

Hey friends, Blackjack owner here with a question.

I am looking at a 2nd scoot (not the most fiscally genius idea I've had, but doable). I love my Blackjack bigtime, and knew this going in, but it absolutely will not ride double.

Is it worth the extra $$$$ for a 4T over a 2T? (there is much talk about this subject already, and...the blue 4T IS ultra sharp, after all) is the Stella good for 2 up riding?

I had a 2006 Buddy 125, and two up was possible (just a little slower)

Any advice/suggestions most welcome...

Thank you, folks

[craho]

a quick reply from a 2T owner is: 4T would be a bit better for the environment and eventually you could hot-rod it. Right now, you could tweak the 2T engine quickly so that it felt closer in speed to the blackjack.

As for 2 riders, its pretty roomy, but my wife has not been brave enough to hop on yet.

Finally, if you like the hotrod aspect of the Blackjack, you will probably love shifting on the Stella. It is great and after about 500 miles, it became second nature.
I think it might be worth your time to look in to. I love my 09 2-stroke.

[T'Pring]

Only been a Stella owner for a short time but, if you think you'll like the shifting and occasional tweaking aspects then, I would definitely recommend getting one. The manual tranny makes it 'torquier' in the lower gears if you have the 'dead weight' onboard.

The 4T is a bit quieter/smoother and I was told it was more balanced than the 2T [since the 2T engine is mounted off to the right side more] -- I would definitely recommend testing both. It has the Star front wheel, too [but not the 2T sound and smell].

[Howardr]

The Stella has a LOT more room on the seat than a Buddy. I have both and love them both a lot. I've never regretted getting the Stella.

Howard

[Lovelandstella]

..Is it worth the extra $$$$ for a 4T over a 2T? (there is much talk about this subject already, and...the blue 4T IS ultra sharp, after all) is the Stella good for 2 up riding? ...

here is what I have to say about it (from topic14734.html). Sorry it's long, I guess that's just how I post.

..reasons for me to chose the 4t over the 2t ...:

* the Stella 4T is greener, and mock it if you will, but for our family that was actually a huge selling point. Basically if it's a factor I consider when buying a bag of chips- you better believe its a factor I consider when buying something big, too. To say anything more might spark a debate I don't necessarily want to be a part of.

* 2 warranty over a 1 year warranty - Especially on a Stella. huge. how many 2 strokers would have wished for that? (with the exception of those chompin' at the bit to performance enhance it)

* a scooter that actually gets over 100 mpg? when I had a scooter every person I ever met including my family asked me if it got "like 100 miles a gallon?" and I either had to lie or be the anti-scooter spokesperson and say "nah it's closer to 60". buzzkill. we've all been there. this way I can feel good about what I drive in all aspects and not make compromises.

* 140 mpg?! I don't hate going to the gas station, but I don't love it! if I can go (New note: "to the gas station") only half the times as I would go with the 2 stroke it'd be worth it- but here it's better than half! - or look at it another way- compared to my daily driver car? its 4 times better instead of only twice as good. Less stops at the pump + Saved time = priceless. (New note: or an actual number I don't want to figure out).

* all the outside bling appears to fit on the Stella 4T - huge! even the stuff I will never want looks to be able to fit right on.
- the inner engine enhancing stuff? that'll come later (New note: they now exist!) and I don't think I want any anyway. not for now anyway. if I wanted to win races I'd keep my turbo charged 4 wheel death machine and get crazy mad at people going "the speed limit" and have a bad day all the time because my drive was not as ridiculously fast as "it was that one time when I hit all the lights and sped and didn't get caught". I do not mean to attack people who have crazy fast scooters- I think its cool and I would be there drooling with all the others at a rally. - I just don't want to spend the time and money to get my scooter to be the fastest thing on 2 wheels. I for one will enjoy the fact that it wont go 0-80 mph between lights, or that I will no longer be listening to a song on the radio and not even realize that I'm going 100 mph on the highway. I have speed already, and if I wake up and it's crummy weather I'll use it.

[edit]
AND, either Stella is good for riding 2up. but it is a little different than riding 1 up. 1 up I get greedy and scoot my butt past the bench's strap/seat dividing line and I get all comfy on my luxuriously large seat. then when 2 up I need to scoot up and sit up straight and be a little less comfy.

but 2 up on the 4t vs the 2t; is one more than ther other?
the 4T might be a little better over the 2T because of the balance issue:2T leaning Dutifully to the right, while the 4T is very well center-ly balanced.
When you have a passenger on the back with their feet up, over a heavy engine almost entirely on the right side of the rear wheel, it makes stoplights... interesting. the 4T is a wonderful treat 2up after riding 2up on the 2T for many months.

[Tam Tam]

Thanks everyone for your advice and opinions. I now have a red 2009 2T Stella, named 'Serafina', and it is the coolest thing I have ever ridden - well, it's going neck and neck with my Blackjack, but it's like comparing an ice cream sundae to a Hershey Bar....both are sweet, but are also veeeery different - one with a lotta bells and whistles, and one that is straightforward but elegant in design and execution.

[ScootLemont]

sweet

Welcome to the Stella club & congrats - great choice!

[BuddyRaton]

Congrats on a sweet ride!


You might want to check out Stella Speed, lots of good info there in addition to that on MB
http://www.stellaspeed.com/

[Rippinyarn]

Or you could just put a regular Buddy seat on your Blackjack, but i guess that you found a solution that works

[Tam Tam]

Calling the Blackjack 'a cloud' also referred to the nimble acceleration and smooth handling. The seat on the Blackjack is like heaven compared to the Stella, have to admit, but - I was reminded of a review I read about the 2005-06 Ford GT.
This car was based on the race car that won Ford the Lemans. Anyway, the reviewer complained about the hard seats, and the stark interior and how it wasn't really 'comfy' etc etc....no kidding buddy, it's a damn RACE CAR!! It read as if the guy was expecting a Lincoln Towncar in a race car wrapper.

I read in some earlier posts from several folk who advised that an auto cvt trans is better for a first scoot. Get to learn how to ride, have a dependable mechanical system, make sure you like it, then if you reeeaaaalllyy like it, then it's time for a shifty. I started riding way back in 2006 with a honda metro (it was fun, but sooo tiny) then a 2006 Buddy 125....then a Blackjack, which I love...but all the while, in the back of my head was "...stella stella......learn to shift......learn how to turn a wrench......stella stella.....2T smoke smells like champagne set on fire....stella stella......it is a real deal like Holeyfield scooter...."

I've been riding it at night in empty neighborhood streets to learn how better. Call me silly or sentimental, but it smells like Italy at night now when i ride. (But is nowhere near as dangerous! I remember watching those scooter riding folk with a mix of awe and fear as they rode everywhere - with traffic, against traffic, on the sidewalks, up lightposts, everywhere....and the cars, trucks, and buses were doing the same thing)

[Tam Tam]

In my haste to showoff my new toy, I skipped the boots and armored jacket (I have one leather one, and one textile with fat albert on the back) and so I look like a goof on a cheap Chinese scooter from Pep Boys...but I couldn't wait!!! (This park is two blocks from my house, so I'm super glad i didn't crash to or fro)

[BuddyRaton]

Nothing Chinese looking about that ride!

[Tam Tam]

Talking Heads are the coolest!