Should I get a scooter? I live in Seattle and it's hilly/wet

[megavolnutt99]

I really want to get a scooter so I researched a bit and found about Genuine. I just moved to Seattle and I'm not sure what to get but I figured that I'd only get a 50cc so I don't have to get an endorsement.

So I was wondering whether Buddy 50 or Roughhouse would be a good idea. I'm not sure which would be better for the slopes and wet roads.
Would like to hear inputs! Thanks!
I weight 155 lbs if that helps with anything. (But since I always carry things I weight around 180 lbs)

[brianwheelies]

I just moved here too. If you want something that will muscle up the hills I would go with a 2 stroke like the Genuine 50's.

I work for a scooter dealer called Scoot About. We rent scooters so if you have a drivers license you could rent one for an hour or more and see how you like it.

We have Buddy 50's in the rental fleet.

I am saving up for my next scooter or motorcycle. Seattle is the 5th largest scooter community in the US so definitely good for scootering.

[ericalm]

There are number of people around here (the forum) who love their 50cc scoots.

A freiend rode a loaner Roughhouse 50 on our group ride last Sunday and it didn't perform well on hills at all. The 50s are great for some people and places, but not all.

Riding in the rain isn't much fun. Many people do it, but it requires extra gear to stay dry and going out in conditions much more dangerous than usual. For Seattle, you might want a second set of tires for wetter and colder months.

[Scalpel]

Hey there, welcome to Seattle!

I would definitely suggest the scooter rental from Scoot About. They're good folks and avid scooter riders. Spend the hour or so you have the rental scooter riding it up some hills to get a sense of if that's going to work for you. I found that I needed a little more power for Seattle hills, but then again, I'm not exactly on the low end of the scale. If you do decide that the 50cc scooter isn't going to cut it, don't panic! Getting a bigger scooter and getting your motorcycle endorsement are relatively painless, and local scooterists can help step you through the process and address any concerns you have.

I would also suggest checking out the Vespa Club of Seattle. Despite the name they're open to all scooterists, and act as sort of an umbrella organization for all the scooter clubs in Seattle. And trust me, there are a TON of scooter groups in Seattle. The rally calendar for the summer tends to have something practically every weekend, so now's the time to dive in.

If you have any questions about Seattle-specific scooter stuff, feel free to PM me, or ask on the VCOS Facebook page linked above.

[deathbytray]

Where in Seattle do you live? Obviously, 50cc is not as good for hills as are the bigger brethren. But it's sufficient for most city uses, unless *all* you do is climbing up and down the hill (i.e., you live at the top of Queen Anne).

In fact, I have a Buddy 50cc (which I'm going to sell, come this Spring *wink, wink*). I go up to the Capitol Hill and down all the time. And my daily commute takes me from First Hill down to the waterfront and back (which is the steepest part). I can manage around 25mph at the steepest part and 30mph up most moderate hills. So, you're holding up traffic a little bit, but not so much that it gets embarrassing. Besides, around the steepest part of downtown Seattle, there are so many other cars, buses and bicycles that are holding up traffic for various reasons, that I am rarely holding up the traffic.

So, if you can spring extra $1000 and want to take the endorsement test, do go for the bigger bike... it helps. If not, Buddy 50cc is sufficient. It's fast enough for most tasks.

[Bakere]

Definitely man the scooter 50cc is not so good for hills and wet roads. There are a lot of people who love their 50cc scooter. You should to clarify where you are going to Seattle.

[TVB]

So I was wondering whether Buddy 50 or Roughhouse would be a good idea. I'm not sure which would be better for the slopes and wet roads.
Would like to hear inputs! Thanks!
I weight 155 lbs if that helps with anything. (But since I always carry things I weight around 180 lbs)

The Buddy and Roughhouse have the same engine, so they'll perform pretty much the same on hills. I definitely recommend derestricting the engine, which increases the top speed by about 10mph. We don't have too many serious hills around here and I've only seen a little bit of Seattle so I don't know the terrain, but I find that I lose/gain about 5mph at the top end depending on whether I'm going up or down around here. I've done some riding up north where there are bigger hills, which left me puttering along at 20mph going up some long ones. I outweigh you by 70lbs so you'd presumably do a little better than me.

It really comes down to what your expectations are and what you compare it to. As a bicycle you don't have to pedal, a 50cc is brilliantly fast. If you're trying to keep up with cars going up hill on busy 45mph streets... not so much.

[skully93]

My commute is pretty flat other than a hill or two, and the difference is pretty dramatic between 50now and 150cc. I would rent one of each if possible, or the 125. I think everyone should get the riding endorsement. It gives you a lot of good info for your safety and being conscious of other drivers.

[PeteH]

Yeah, I wouldn't let the avoidance of an endorsement stand in the way of getting the right (and safe) scoot for the terrain.

[pdxrita]

You can ride in the rain if you're willing to do so. I commute year round here in Portland and our climate is pretty similar to yours. Don't let the Californians scare you off with talk of second sets of tires . You do need raingear, though. As for 50cc's in Seattle, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a more compelling reason than avoidance of getting licensed. You have some pretty steep hills up there and I don't think that would be fun at all on a 50cc. Looks like in Washington, all you have to do is take a Motorcycle Safety course and you're in - you don't even have to take the written test! Taking a safety course is something you should do anyhow, so I'd argue that even if you do go with a 50cc, you should take a course and get licensed.

[Dooglas]

Well, I live iin Portland and we get about as much rain as Seattle. I don't actually ride in the rain much but I do ride year around. The conventional wisdom that it rains all the time is somewhat overdone. I had a great ride yesterday and expect to have another good one today. Now about scooters and the like. Yes, some folks like fifties. Others who start on them quickly decide they want to move on to something with more speed and power. If you decide to start with a 50, I stongly advise you to get a used scooter so you don't take too much of a beating if you you decide to sell it and step up. Now about your reasoning for a 50. Regardless of the scooter you ride, you will want to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. You also want to carry a reasonable amount of liability insurance. And you will need to wear a reasonable amount of safety gear. None of that changes with a 50 and you will end up with an endorsement after the MSF course no matter what you ride. So, time to start thinking about what you really want to do with this scooter rather than how to avoid getting a motorcycle endorsement. Good luck on your quest.

[deathbytray]

To elaborate some more:

1. Yes, it rains in Seattle. Very often. Like nearly everyday, except when it's summer. But not a lot. Having come from the east coast, what Seattle people 'rain', I call it 'light mist, bordering on slight drizzle'. So, if getting soaked is your concern, I personally found it to be not a huge issue. Yes, road gets wet, braking performance suffers, and other road user's reactions become generally stupider, as do ours. But these are dangers we should be aware of when we are on the road, regardless of severity of rain. I ride year around, and I generally find rain not to be much of a discomfort. Now, when it's raining, and it's cold, and it's windy, then it becomes very uncomfortable. On those days, I don't ride. This winter, there have been about 10~20 days when I genuinely did not want to ride.

2. If you *can* afford to get a bigger bike, but are shying away from it simply because you don't want to go through the endorsement process, then I strongly recommend that you take the plunge and go get that endorsement. I did the MSF weekend course, I genuinely found it to be a fun way to spend a weekend. And, you can even take the course on a scooter (if you request it). Better yet, the state pays for half of the $250, so the cost to you is only $125.

3. If you still want to get the 50cc, I can tell you the buddy is generally sufficient for everything I wanted to do around town. Yes, I'm holding up traffic a little bit on steep hills, but not so much that it's embarrassing. Usually, I'm stuck behind other cars and bicycles who are holding up the traffic even worse.

4. If you are curious, go to Scoot About in South Lake Union. They rent scooters by the hour. And they have Buddy 50s. Take it around town and see if you like it.

[JHScoot]

sure. ride in good weather at every chance

[megavolnutt99]

Thanks! I live in Wedgwood and my daily commute takes me to U-District.. not far. I'm practically exhausted everyday that I don't want to pedal in a bicycle.
I like taking backroads so I'm not particularly worried about holding traffics
Anyway yeah, I was debating between Stella or Buddy a while ago but heard that Buddy would be a better 1st scooter. We'll see, I might stop by this Saturday and rent a 50 or something.

Also I've been looking relentlessly in Craigslists for Buddies but the only ones I saw were the 2009 on-sale in Kent

(EDIT) Anyone know if ScooterDepot sells reliable scooters?

[JHScoot]

^ scooter depot sell generic chinese made knock offs. and they are one of the worst sellers on the internet. avoid imo

if you decided to buy from one of these places (places like Depot) know you are getting a scooter with no warranty or repair support. no support whatsoever. so unless looking for a project bike or you have a reputable repair guy nearby you get a scooter in a box dropped at your door. pretty much right off the boat

still, it can be a CHEAP way to get into scooting. just don't spend more then a grand or so including a proper set up (called a PDI) and be prepared for anything. including a potential loss of scooter and monies

then again, many of these scooters do run reliably for awhile. and some are much better then others. want to know more, check out this chinese scooter forum

http://scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi

[TVB]

Anyway yeah, I was debating between Stella or Buddy a while ago but heard that Buddy would be a better 1st scooter.

Yeah, the main advantage of the Buddy (any size) is the twist-and-go transmission, which means one less thing to think about when learning to ride.

[deathbytray]

Thanks! I live in Wedgwood and my daily commute takes me to U-District.. not far. I'm practically exhausted everyday that I don't want to pedal in a bicycle.
I like taking backroads so I'm not particularly worried about holding traffics
Anyway yeah, I was debating between Stella or Buddy a while ago but heard that Buddy would be a better 1st scooter. We'll see, I might stop by this Saturday and rent a 50 or something.

Wedgwood to University commute is not that hilly by Seattle standard. And those are all slower surface streets, with lots of residential street parking which further slows down traffic. Buddy 50cc should be more than good enough, and Stella would be even better.

Also I've been looking relentlessly in Craigslists for Buddies but the only ones I saw were the 2009 on-sale in Kent

Like I mentioned, but I have a Buddy 50cc to sell, but I'm not going to sell it until the spring, because I figure I can get a few hundred bucks more if I wait until the weather gets better. I assume a lot of other sellers have the same thought in mind. I'm sure some Buddies will start popping up on Craigslist in a month or so. Just keep looking out for it.