Anybody have any experience with superscooters?

[Itchy]

Those big 400cc ones? for filtering and general use? I think I'm getting old and the thought of a 50 mile commute each way on a typical commuter bike or even the CBR does not really really sound much fun.

Thanks
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[colin1]

I had a yp250 which although not quite what you are talking about, is a similar style.

I used mine for a 10 mile commute, and it was very comfy, much better than a sportsbike for that sort of thing, as it was agile with good weather protection.

If you are going to commute in cold weather, a big advantage of these things, is you can get a waterproof scooter apron blanket thing that attaches to the scooter and goes over your lap and legs to keep you toasty and warm.

In the end I replaced it with a 2 stroke 180 runner which was even better for my commute.

The runner wouldnt be much fun on a motorway though.

I took the yp250 on the motorway a few times, and although it was a bit underpowered, it was more comfy for doing distance than a sportsbike if you are just sitting at constant motorway speed.

With the yp250, the standard screen was a bit low, and getting an aftemarket screen hugely improved the experience on motorways, it was like sitting in a bubble, no wind blast at all.

One word of caution though, if you are used to a sportsbike and find yourself taking the big scoot on a twisty country road, you need to anticipate the turns of the road a bit better, as you can just lean farther over if the bend tightens up. You quite quickly run out of lean angle.

Also small wheels make handling a bit twitchy which can be nice at low speed, but maybe not so good at high speed if you dont want fatigue.

I'd suggest trying a few big bikes, and also trying a few fully faired low budget tourers like the deauville. They will be better on fast roads, but not so fun in traffic.

I suspect that a similar scooter cc will be a lot cheaper as I bet they depreciate like a stone dropped from a great height.

I'd also add that the underseat storage on a big scooter is very handy. A lot can take two helmets, which means all your bike gear, so you can take off the bike kit by the bike, wearing work clothes underneath.

Another thing is that the scooters vary in handling a lot more than sportsbikes do.

I tried a burgman 400 and a yp250 before i went for the yp250. The yp250 was much more agile and twitchy which was better for my short commute. So try out a few.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[Itchy]

[Hetzer]

I saw a lot of these types of scooter in Japan last month, quite a few of them tricked out. Pretty pukka bits of kit imo. Something quite 'Akira' about them.
____________________
"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[colin1]

[radical]

The OH runs a yamaha tmax 500cc scooter every day for her 40 mile round trip, they are very refined scooters with larger 15" wheels and a twin cylinder engine, they will cruise at 70 mph all day and will easily top 100 mph so motorways are not a problem. The handling and brakes are very good as is fuel economy which averages 40mpg if kept below 70mph on the motorways, not that common but well worth a look at.

[Tarmacsurfer]

I used to use a Piaggio X9 500cc hire bike to despatch on when the XJ was in the workshop. Nice piece of kit, fine for all day riding, surprisingly planted on motorway runs and never threw a mechanical strop. Longest period it got used for was a 2 and a half week run and there were no problems.

Filtered well, VERY weather proof (even more so than my Rickman fairing-ed maggot). I'd run one as a commuter with no hesitation.
____________________
I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[panrider_uk]

[ms51ves3]

[Itchy]

Just what I was thinking 40mpg sounds terrible even the CBR gets 55-60mpg and thats a sports(ish) bike, the old NTV used to get 65mpg!

40mpg is car territory!
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[andyscooter]

used to have a yamaha majesty 400

was a great scooter for long distance and was getting about 65mpg on motorways at 70mph

loads of space for kit to be stored in great weather protection

and with fairly large wheels 14 inch rear 15 inch front it handled quite well

only thing is servicing and repairs are pricey as the plastic panels need to come off before anything can be done

and they don't like being ridden at full speed for 50 miles
____________________
gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[colin1]

[calyx]

[radical]

I'd not say 40mpg from a 500 is good.

I used to regularly do a 13 mile each way commute on a Kymco 125 down the A180. It was quite comfy and had decent weather protection (I added a taller screen) but was just a bit too slow - only 65mph. 250cc or more should cope quite easily.

I'd definitely buy another scoot. The Honda Silverwing appeals to me but its price tag doesn't.

Mark[/quote]

Sorry my mistake , meant to type averages 60mpg but after 70mph it could drop to 40 mpg. I have tried the silverwing but it was sluggish and slow compared to the yamaha and also very bulky and far too expensive. I think the Honda is aimed at the touring market more wereas the Yamaha is a sports scooter if there is such a thing, the X9 is also a good large scot as it is not as bulky or as wide as the Yamaha or Honda.

[27cows]

Why don't you people just buy cars if you're after comfort and want to stay warm and dry?

Madness! Those bloated scooters are the work of Satan!
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[Itchy]

[27cows]

I've never associated riding a bike with warmth and dryness If I didn't suffer, that would be one less thing for me to endlessly complain about

It's possible to get genuinely waterproof waterproofs, but they tend not to stay that way for too long, particularly when used constantly (as they would be, weather we have).
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[colin1]

It's about having the right tool for the job. I think big scooters would be great for commuting and light touring.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[T0MMY]

[Itchy]