First time scooter buying decision... By krylon80 (Read 2,972 times)

[krylon80]

Hey All,

I'm new to the world of scooters and this forum and I was hoping there were some out there who could help a guy out with some advice. My girlfriend and I live in Boston and after not having any motorized vehicles for years, we're contemplating getting a scooter.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has created two vehicle classes for scooters: up to 50cc engine, up to 30mph top speed="Moped"; over 50cc, over 30mph="Limited Use Vehicle (LUV)".

Many people prefer to get Moped-classified scooters because you don't have to pay for insurance, license plates, titles or inspections, and you can ride in bicycle lanes. An LUV-classified scooter requires all of this and you cannot ride in bicycle lanes.

We would prefer a Moped-classified scooter as we'd rather not deal with any of the additional bureaucracy or costs of operating an LUV-classified scooter. Our concern is that while most of the time there will be one rider, we would like to get a scooter that could also accommodate two riders and we weren't sure if there are any 50cc scooters that were capable. We are both smaller than average, mind you (I'm 5'8" 150lbs, she's 5'0" 120lbs).

Thanks!

[kz1000st]

Talk to these guys.

Scooters Go Green
[phone]
220 Old Colony Ave, Boston, MA 02127

It appears they sell Genuine Buddy scooters and maybe others. You need a good, strong scooter to go two up on a 50cc. Otherwise there are mail order options but in an Urban setting a good scooter is priceless.

They sell Lance, Hyosung and SYM too.

.scootersgogreen.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.scootersgogreen.com/

[vantjohnsonjr]

I have a Peace Sports Renegade 50. I am 5'8 205lbs and have no problems riding my 12 yr old son who is 5'6 170lbs...

.greenearthscooters.com/detail.cfm?id=911" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.greenearthscooters.com/detail.cfm?id=911

[wolfhound]

If you go to scooter go green check out the Genuine Buddy line of 50cc scoots. Well built and strong runners. Should meet your requirements.

[krylon80]

Thanks for the advice, guys! I'll check out those models/websites.

[kz1000st]

Check back in and let us know what you did, inquiring minds want to know.

[krylon80]

Oct 21, 2013 6:14:04 GMT -6 kz1000st said:

Check back in and let us know what you did, inquiring minds want to know.

Will do. I actually have a follow-up post that I'll make in a few, but I'm getting closer to making a decision. One thing I have to do now is research the laws on riding 2 up on a 50cc in MA.

[krylon80]

OK, I feel like I've been doing nothing but reading about this stuff for the past few days now. Based on what's available from dealers in my area and what I've read and been told, I've made some decisions about what I'm looking to get and some models I'm considering (but I am still open to suggestions given it fits my criteria).

I'm getting a 50cc.
I intend to mod it so I'd need a scooter that can be modded fairly easily (i.e. availability and cost of mod parts).
I'm not interested in getting a Chinese brand.
I will consider non-Chinese brands that sometimes partner with Chinese manufacturers if they have a good reputation (i.e. Sym, PGO).
I'm only interested in modern-styled scooters (that means no buddys, stellas, lance classics, vespas, vinos etc).
The scooter has to have a weight capacity of at least 300lb.
12"+ wheel(s) a bonus, but not absolutely necessary.
There has to be enough under-seat storage for at least a 3/4-full face helmet and a chain+lock.
Has to be $2k MSRP or less. (my budget is more like $1,500 tops, but I think I can talk the price down a bit from MSRP, paying cash)
I'll consider buying a used scooter from the owner if it's a reliable brand (Yamaha, Honda, etc).

Here are the models I've been looking at so far. Thoughts?

Aprilia SR Motard 50
Aprilia Sportcity 50
Genuine Roughhouse R50/PGO PMX Sport 50
Hyosung Sense SD50
Hyosung Rally SF50R
Hyosung Prima SF50B
Lance (SYM) PCH 50
SYM Jet EuroX/SYM Jet 50 Evo (these seem like the same bike with two names)
Tomos Twister 50
Yamaha Zuma 50F (2013 $1,000 used 300mi)

[kz1000st]

Good Choices. Obviously the Roughhouse and Zuma are at the top. If you can get the Zuma for a grand-DO IT! There are plenty of mods that can be made and the bike is absolutely bullet proof. I normally would be talking up Chinese scooters but having lived in Brooklyn, NY I know that work space is almost non-existent and the unit has to be totally reliable. A Yamaha Zuma has a three valve, fuel injected engine if I'm not mistaken and the reviews have been phenomenal. Dealers are everywhere and upkeep costs should be minimal.

I was in Boston to see "Sue, the T-Rex" years ago and the place is like Manhattan. My Brother-In -Law lives in Andover. A 50cc Zuma will fit right in.alves

No wait! The Zuma is a two stroke!
.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_zuma_2013.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_zuma_2013.php

Absolutely go for it! No valves, no oil changes, Way to go in an Urban environment.

[caummers]

Many Chinese scooters are every bit reliable as their jap competition ....you just have to stay away from eBay and the bargain bin specials out there . I have an agm which is sold from the Netherlands importer , it cost 1600€ new ( I bought it used from my neighbor with only 24 Klm on the odometer ) I have had absolutely no problems from it and it has over 4500 Klm on it now . What parts I have replaced I did so because I wanted to not because they were defective or anything . Those 600$ ones I say stay very far away from but a quality dealer will sell quality scoots . Also look at kymco they are very nice scoots and reasonable pricing , very good quality and warranty with good dealer networking .

[krylon80]

Oct 22, 2013 5:41:57 GMT -6 kz1000st said:

Good Choices. Obviously the Roughhouse and Zuma are at the top. If you can get the Zuma for a grand-DO IT! There are plenty of mods that can be made and the bike is absolutely bullet proof. I normally would be talking up Chinese scooters but having lived in Brooklyn, NY I know that work space is almost non-existent and the unit has to be totally reliable. A Yamaha Zuma has a three valve, fuel injected engine if I'm not mistaken and the reviews have been phenomenal. Dealers are everywhere and upkeep costs should be minimal.

I was in Boston to see "Sue, the T-Rex" years ago and the place is like Manhattan. My Brother-In -Law lives in Andover. A 50cc Zuma will fit right in.alves

No wait! The Zuma is a two stroke!
.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_zuma_2013.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_zuma_2013.php

Absolutely go for it! No valves, no oil changes, Way to go in an Urban environment.

The 2013 50F is a 4-stroke. Does that change your opinion? I'm actually debating between the Roughhouse R50 and the Zuma 50F now.

.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelspecs/659/1/specs.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelspecs/659/1/specs.aspx

[krylon80]

I test rode the Roughhouse R50, Lance (SYM) PCH50 and the SYM Jet 50 Evo this morning. The PCH50 is definitely a step down from the other two in terms of build quality, bells & whistles and pickup, and the price reflects that ($1,500 vs $2,000). It's also the only 4-stroke of the bunch and the most expensive to derestrict. Between the Roughhouse R50 and the SYM Jet 50 Evo (both I confirmed were made in Taiwan, not China), I'm leaning towards the Roughhouse. The salesman told me it'll ultimately have more power off the line and a higher top speed once derestricted (really only a concern for some expected 2-up riding), plus there were multiple smaller characteristics that I liked better (bigger seat for 2-up, gas tank up high instead of down low, etc).

Generally speaking, how does the RH rate in terms of modding? Like if I wanted to install a BBK, for example. What about general reliability, availability and price of replacement parts, etc?

I am still considering the used Zuma 50 (2013 4-stroke) just because I've heard it's a better bike overall than most of these others I've been testing which are a bit cheaper and not made in Japan. But I've also heard that now the Zuma isn't even made in Japan (or at least certain models aren't). Is this accurate? How would you compare a Zuma 50F to the RH (both unrestricted) in terms of general quality and performance?

Also, I can test drive a Tomos Twister 50 on Saturday, but it's a little out of my way. If it is a significant downgrade from either the RH or the Zuma, I don't think I'll be happy with it. Should I even bother?

[krylon80]

Just read that if you want solid acceleration or are riding 2-up on a 50cc, you really want a 2 stroke. Looks like that eliminates the Zuma (at least the 2013 model I found). I would need to find a pre-2012 to get a 2 stroke.

[kz1000st]

I am still considering the used Zuma 50 (2013 4-stroke) just because I've heard it's a better bike overall than most of these others I've been testing which are a bit cheaper and not made in Japan.

I would stick with the Yamaha regardless. The engine came out of the homely C-3 and is quite robust. A couple rode a C-3 across Canada two up, problem free several years ago. Not to put a knock on the others, SYM builds a quality bike, but Yamaha has been in the business a long time. My experience with two strokes, admittedly from many years ago, is that with one person acceleration is brisk, but put a load on it, such as a passenger and it doesn't have the low end torque a four stroke does. In most urban settings, how a machine accelerates from a stop light is crucial. If speed is critical size matters alot. I'm sure there are 72cc kits for the Yamaha that will make a two stroke's allure pale. Don't dwell so much on speed as reliability. Plus I seem to recall a quote of $1000 for the Yamaha.

Yamaha Zuma 50F (2013 $1,000 used 300mi)

[krylon80]

thanks kz1000st,

as it turns out the Zuma was stolen. i ran the VIN. bummer. i think i'm gonna go with the Roughhouse.