Get thee behind me, scooter bug!

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 6:59 pm

*sigh*

I want a scooter again.

Dangit.

Not "again" as in "I used to have one"... I just keep getting the itch to buy my first, but I ignore it. Apparently my life will not be complete until I own one, because I've been back and forth now for close to 3 years.

I have a list of reasons not to get one. I'm not in a place I can afford one without cashing in one of my current rides, and that wouldn't make sense because I technically don't need a scooter. If I could afford one, I don't really have a place to keep it. Also, if I could afford one, that extra cash would probably be better spent on other, more practical things.

Of course, none of these reasons console me. I still want a frikkin' scooter!

I've been scoping out the Craigslist ads, but there's rarely anything listed other than people trying to cut their losses on Chinese junk scoots. Reliable scooters seem to hold their value remarkably well. And besides, every time I mention one to my Chief Financial Officer (aka "wife"), I get the eye-roll.

Again- *sigh*

Sorry, just needed to complain a little.

~SM

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:05 pm

I get it.

In a way, i'm glad that neither a Stella 200CVT or a Vespa PXEvo 200 have seen the light of day, because that is the ONE scoot that would tempt me...it would be such a good companion for the GTS, you know?

And to top it off...I'm an apartment dweller. I have a space in the underground garage that in the summer belongs to the GTS. In the winter, I tuck the GTS in a corner and also manage to cram my Hyundai in there.

There is literally no room in either the garage space or the budget for another scoot.

But damn, I would be tempted.

phatch · Post by **phatch** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:18 pm

When you say "a scooter", you're certainly thinking of one in particular... SPILL THE BEANS!

Which one makes you giddy? Could it perhaps be the bulletproof Buddy? The retro Stella? Maybe one o'dem fuel injected fancy mcbobbers??

You may be unhappy because you don't have one...YET... but the dreaming stage is one of the most fun. So less

and more

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:42 pm

phatch wrote:When you say "a scooter", you're certainly thinking of one in particular... SPILL THE BEANS! Which one makes you giddy? Could it perhaps be the bulletproof Buddy? The retro Stella? Maybe one o'dem fuel injected fancy mcbobbers??

You may be unhappy because you don't have one...YET... but the dreaming stage is one of the most fun. So less and more

Well, I've always loved the look of the Blur, and the 220i fits that sweet spot I could really use for my long-range commute. I could probably get by on a 150 (I make the trip on my Ural doing 55-60 mph), but the 220 would be perfect. I only sat on one for like 60 seconds over a year ago, so I don't remember how it fit.

The Buddies are cool, but something about my proportions and the Buddy don't quite jive enough for me to really consider it.

A Sym HD200 would be awesomeness!

At this point I wouldn't even mind a Yager or an old Honda Elite (150 or 250). My tastes run the entire spectrum from sporty to weird. The only thing I can't abide is dull.

~SM

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:50 pm

Swordsman wrote:
phatch wrote:When you say "a scooter", you're certainly thinking of one in particular... SPILL THE BEANS! Which one makes you giddy? Could it perhaps be the bulletproof Buddy? The retro Stella? Maybe one o'dem fuel injected fancy mcbobbers??

You may be unhappy because you don't have one...YET... but the dreaming stage is one of the most fun. So less and more
Well, I've always loved the look of the Blur, and the 220i fits that sweet spot I could really use for my long-range commute. I could probably get by on a 150 (I make the trip on my Ural doing 55-60 mph), but the 220 would be perfect. I only sat on one for like 60 seconds over a year ago, so I don't remember how it fit.

The Buddies are cool, but something about my proportions and the Buddy don't quite jive enough for me to really consider it.

A Sym HD200 would be awesomeness!

At this point I wouldn't even mind a Yager or an old Honda Elite (150 or 250). My tastes run the entire spectrum from sporty to weird. The only thing I can't abide is dull.

~SM

Well, the Yager is sporty AND weird.

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:40 pm

The thing that kills me the most is how these Chinese scooters hold their value around here. It's well documented that most of them are junk, yet it's not uncommon at all to find 3 and 4 year old ones listed for over $1000! In some cases, that's MORE than they cost new!

And half the time, engine displacement has no effect of the asking price. You're just as likely to see an $800 50cc as you are an $800 150cc. Maybe it's because the scooter market in the rural South is slim, but I can't make any sense of it.

~SM

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:32 pm

ravenlore wrote:Well, the Yager is sporty AND weird.

This! If you weren't on the opposite end of the continent, I'd let you borrow mine for a day or two to try it on for size.

It hangs with PCX150s just fine, despite the extra size/weight. It'll just cruise on by them on hills. The low speed handling is surprisingly good. Love the front/rear disc setup, especially since it's not a linked system. Plenty of cargo capacity; it's good for hauling baguettes!

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:40 pm

az_slynch wrote:This! If you weren't on the opposite end of the continent, I'd let you borrow mine for a day or two to try it on for size

Pfft, that's just what I need, more enticement. Are you trying to kill me?

Not to mention, used Yagers are rare as hen's teeth nationwide, let alone in Bumpkinville.

~SM

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:35 pm

Had to bring up the Vespa Evo or a Stella 200 didn't ya!

I'm ready to buy NOW and they keep stalling...

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:36 pm

Swordsman wrote:Pfft, that's just what I need, more enticement. Are you trying to kill me? Not to mention, used Yagers are rare as hen's teeth nationwide, let alone in Bumpkinville.

~SM

And that's a telling thing, isn't it? If there is a lack of used ones, it suggests that the folks that bought 'em new are keeping 'em. I've only heard of two used ones in the Tucson area since they came out. One guy just decided to get an even bigger bike; no idea why on the other one. Every owner I've met loves the bike and most of the older ones in the area have 6-10K on them already.

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:03 pm

Drum Pro wrote: Had to bring up the Vespa Evo or a Stella 200 didn't ya! I'm ready to buy NOW and they keep stalling...

Sorry

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:31 pm

Yanno, from my recollection, the Scooter Bug is supposed to go behind you.