Scooters Rule!

[Mister James]

I've recently re-insured my little Aerox 100, and have decided to use it as my winter hack on the 12 mile commute to work.

I haven't ridden the little beast since last christmas, so I was already feeling a little weird sitting on it, as it's half the size and weight of my Fazer.

Imagine how much scarier it was getting out on the dual carriageway, limited to an indicated 60mph (with the engine screaming) hemmed in by trucks and middle aged asian businessmen in Mercs (easily the worst drivers that I encounter on a daily basis).

Still, although it's increased a 25 min journey by about 5 minutes, I've found myself sniggering and whooping all the way in to work every single day this week. Because of it's small size, the speed (or lack of) is exhilarating, and it's reminded exactly what got me into biking in the first place. It sneaks into gaps that even the medium sized Fazer can't creep, and is light enough that I can literally pick it up and lift it around an obstacle if required! While the speed and acceleration are far inferior, the cornering is lighter and the petrol consumption is almost non-existent - at most it eats gas at half the rate of the 600.

Much as we like to slag off all the little 'ped bois who infest our road, I've had my memory jogged as to what attracts them to wailing around on little sewing machines.

There's the whole 'Gorilla on a clown bike' image to live down, but apart from that, viva la peds! Do you think Vespa will let me join her gang, or is a Yamaha too vulgar and modern?
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[Vespa]

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[Jack_Cheese]

I need to lay off the hash, i swear i just read a post in support of scooters... Either i'm stoned or the devil is now ice-skating to work...

Jack
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[Mister James]

[Lee_367]

How many times have you gone for the clutch when coming to a stop?

Not long now until i've finished my sccot, which is italian.
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?It?s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness I lack?not rationality.?

[Mister James]

[Teaman]

[divuk83]

Get yourself a 4 stroke 125. I bought a tatty looking 125 runner, 53 plate, 6000km from new for 900 squid inc delivery. Cheaper and better for winter than a smoker. Uses no 2t oil, smoother power delivery so less wheelspin in wet etc, engine brakeing (well more than a two stroke!) Cheap to insure and rock solid motors. Can't beat the fuel economy. I travel about 10 miles a day for work and use it to get everywhere else on and it costs me about 8 pounds a fortnight to fill up. Much cheaper than getting the bus 240km to a 12 litre tank

Dave

[Mister James]

I've been considering it, possibly even a 250 or something bigger - would prefer a little more presence on the road.

However, in the real world, if I get that, it'll delay the happy day when I feel brave enough to splash out on a 2nd hand litre bike like a Thunderace.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[colin1]

I recently bought a yp250. It pulls way quite nicely at low speeds but runs out of puff at about 70-75. Its a nice balance between stability and nippyness. I tried the burgman 400 but that was too stable. Fine on the motorway as it was more comfortable at higher speeds but no fun in town. I have also had a 3min go on someones 125 sym scooter which isnt a lot slower (60) but doesnt pull away as nicely and I dont think Id feel so comfy on dual carriageways.

The first yp250 i tried had a slighly taller windscreen which makes a real difference so I'm gonna get one for my bike. Without it wind noise can be quite bad. You can ride it like a normal scooter with feet underneath your bum but its usually better to ride it like a cruiser with feet forwards and lean back with straight arms. If you are sitting bolt upright then the wind noise hits you and its not as comfy generally.

I recently passed my test so have tried scooters, trailbikes, 600's and a vfr750. Scooters are best in town follower by trailbikes but 600's are wasted in town really.

Even if you wouldnt use a scooter all year round, at £600 a '99 yp250 is cheaper than replacing a few damaged panels if you drop a shiny 600. I havnt checked yet but the yp250 is supposed to get 70mpg.

Today when i picked up the chinese takeaway I didnt need to worry about it getting squished in my rucksack cos I could put it in underseat storage which can take a helmet.

If the road gets slippy, a motorbike is probably safer tho to be honest.

Its worth trying one out at a dealer then buying one off ebay

If you want something bigger than a 250 scooter, I'd get a 650 trailbike not a 400 scooter. I think a 400 scooter would be ok for touring slowly but not nippy enough for town. Even though 650 trailbikes are big, they are very nippy and great in traffic. More power than a 250 scooter but not as nippy.

another option is a 180 runner or 180 dna. same size as a 125 but more power so probably faster than my big 250. I dont know what they are like but I doubt they'd be much good on the motorway.

a 180 wd be cheaper than a 125 as more people have provisional than full license. For that reason I wdnt get a 125 4 stroke bike either but i wd get a 250 4 stroke bike like cb250 mz250
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Mister James]

For some reason, I was convinced that you couldn't take scooters on the motorway - I guess it must be a throwback to my CBT days.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[colin1]

you cant take mopeds on the motorway (any bike 50cc or under)
250 scooter is fine on the motorway but burgman400 is better.
You dont really need decent acceleration on the motorway as there are overtaking lanes instead of moving out into the path of oncoming cars.
The comfy seat and wind protection is nice as is the handlebar height.

My rs125 makes me wanna speed around everywhere as if I'm on a race track and gets my adrenalin flowing.
The yp250 is a bit like a strangely agile mobile armchair. I ride slower, relax and enjoy the view a bit more. Its still more involving than a car tho.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[map]

[Mister James]

[Biker-Kev]

LOL,
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Zhongyu ZY50, Aprilia SR50, Motorhispania RX50, Aprilia RS125, Honda VFR400 nc24 and my corsa
https://www.bikepics.com/members/bikerkev/
Theory: Passed 8/11/2005 Practical: Passed 13/12/2005 Proud holder of A2 license

[biggerjohn]

Why change bikes for winter

I have seen talk of lots of people doing it but why?

Ok I only ride a cbf600 but it still capable of 135mhp but it is also capable of been ridden sensibly in just about any weather condition certainly any weather I would actually want be on 2 wheels in.

So why change bike why not change your riding stile to suit the road conditions?

P.S I have to agree peds are like fat girls fun to ride till you mates find out

[Lee_367]

It's not so much the danger i riding them, its the fact that they take some punishment from the salty roads and so on, and the fact its much easier to crash in winter.
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?It?s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness I lack?not rationality.?

[colin1]

Ive decided im gonna use my scooter for all in town riding and only use my rs125, (or 600 if i get one) for use at high speeds on country lanes.

Far more economical and practical.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Paivi]

[colin1]

i recommend full height windscreen as ive tried one but im a bit curious about the scooter apron. Where did you get yours from ?
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[stevo as b4]

Ive had one scooter, and will never ever ride one again, if i can possibly help it!
Id prefer a KH100 or GP125 for a winter hack over a pissy little sccoter!

Then again my KMX200 motard, should be quite a good winter bike, and a DRZ400SM killer, if i ever get it finished that is?

[Vespa]

.

[McGee]

Jack i love you man
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[J.K.R]

Can i be in your posse Vespa?
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[Vespa]

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