Mod

salimoo

Tell me everything you know about scooter-owning. I'm looking into getting one because I don't want another car and don't mind public transport for most things but would like some sort of motorized transportation for heavy groceries and such.

modb1rd

Moo, I am happy to help. Is there a particular reason you are thinking scooter over motorcycle?

salimoo

I really have no need for something that can go fast/go on the freeway. I just want to be able to go a couple of miles local to the grocery store, or to the T, depending on where I end up living. Plus can you see me on a motorcycle? ;)Also, scooters <50cc get a lot of leeway in MA, like the ability to park on the sidewalk.I really like the look of the Honda Metropolitan. But was there a particular reason you decided on a Vespa? Did you consider other makes/models?

modb1rd

I asked about the motorcycle because depending on what you want to do a motorcycle is a lot cheaper than a scooter, and in terms of safety motorcycles and scooters are basically the same. The most important thing if you decide to do this is get gear. going down at 25 - 30mph is the same whether you are on a scooter or a ducati. (jumps off lecture box)an under 50cc has a lot of good and bad points. In CA they are classified as motorcycles (sounds like they aren't in MA). So for me, the drawbacks of the smaller engine weren't worth getting a 50cc bike. The Met is a good little scooter and will be good for your height. A 50cc bike will not really allow you to take passengers or tackle significant hills. In your shoes I would probably look at a late 80s early 90s Honda Elite or Yamaha Riva. They are cheap, fun forever, easy to maintain, and you don't feel bad when you knock it over because it's already a bit busted up.I went Vespa for a number of reasons including the fact that I weigh a lot more than you and wanted the brand for social reasons.

modb1rd

a 50cc bike is nice and light and gets crazy good gas mileage. the brands I think are worth considering are Honda Yamaha Piaggio/Vespa Aprillia Genuine Kymco

PDXPhotoGrl

We have a 2008 50cc Yamaha Vino and love it. Check craigslist.

salimoo

I don't really plan to take passengers so that's fine with me! And no worries on the gear. I have a good friend who is a motorcycle, er, enthusiast (he has a Ducati, actually, so funny that that was your example ) who is quite serious about protective gear so even if I WANTED to ride around in a tank top and shorts, he'd murder me if I tried.PG, the Vino was another one I was interested in so that's good to know! I'd pretty much narrowed it to those two.If I go with a met, I'd likely want an older model anyway because they stopped making the Ruby and that's the color I love.

PDXPhotoGrl

With the Met, be careful, there are some older versions that have speed governors on them, which you DO NOT WANT. I can't remember, there's some signifier in the model name to tell the difference. Google will know.Also, you should get a 4-stroke as opposed to a 2-stroke. I know the 2002(? maybe 2004, again google will know) and earlier Vinos are 2-stroke. 4-strokes are way way better for the environment. I can't remember if the Met was ever a 2-stroke.I'd be happy to give my opinion of any ads you come across. I rode my 50cc up a hill to work every day for two years. As long as you don't need to go above 30mph, I think it would be worth it to get the 50cc for the parking/licensing advantages.We also own a Honda Elite 80cc, so if you have any questions about that let me know.Wish you lived closer, we're probably selling our Vino very soon!