Mainly for me to go back and forth to work and run those piddly little errands when I don’t have the kids.
As my husband said it is for his mid life crisis as well, we are probably the only couple on the planet that are in sync and agree on What to Midlife Crisis on.
I am trying to sway him to build a cart to put behind it so I can actually get bigger loads of groceries other than what fits in a backpack. He thinks that the kiddie bike cart carrier thing would be Just Fine. I’m not sure it was meant to go at 20+ mph.
It’s not a mid-life crisis unless the cost is at or above middle five figures and someone spends three months sleeping on the couch. That thing is barely a hiccup, and plus, almost practical.
It is more for dirt roads than the pussies who live on pavement you city slickers. and will be driven on backroads mostly.
It does need some kind of gun mount, though. That would be sweet.
If anyone is interested in this scooter, they are the bee’s knees here as well as Italy. There were only 7 or so left in the Michigan/Indiana/Ohio area brand new and nation wide the number is less than 50. When they are gone, whatever the newest version that comes out will be more mula.
GET IT while it is hot.
All the cool kids are doing it!
There are a number of little trailers available for the Harley set. I’d be a lot more confident of their roadability than that of a home-built trailer.
**Stranger ** - I respect your POV on countless posts, but feel you have mis-stated the criteria - it must piss off your spouse, whether it be due to high costs (sports car; flying lessons), irritatingly loud noise (mid-life crisis bands, baby!), put yourself at personal risk (bungee jumping; rock climbing) or the fact that they find you with your wick in the secretary…
It throws off the balance points, opens you up to increased accidents, etc. Just becuase they make motorcycle trailers for the big bikes, doesn’t mean people should actually use them. It’s highly dangerous.
Johnny that scooter looks sweet. Our caveat was that whatever we bought could not be made in China. Japanese, yes. No chinese (political and production standards.).
As much as I lurve the Vespa line, I cannot afford it and I’m pretty sure that anything Italian made would just die a quick death on our washboard roads. Italian engineering is sleek, fast and stylish. Tough and keeps on going are two words not equated with their designs, afaik.
We also wanted to go with something that has a local dealership, so if there is a problem, we just go there in ten minutes, not across town or deal with fixing it ourselves.
Michigan is not exactly a forward thinking, hippie infested, Eco-Green, tree hugging Nirvana like one would think. Scooter dealerships are far and few between. SUV’s, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and quad’s, yes. Scooters…not so much.
However, if I ever get musical talent singing into my hairbrush doesn’t count, right? I am so naming my band MidLife Crisis Band
I’ve spent way too much time lately thinking about getting something like this in the next year or 2 after my youngest goes to college and we sell our current home.
Wonder if that or the scooter would earn me more couch time? :dubious:
Aprilia is an Italian make. (Unless I missed something, I don’t think they outsourced to China.)
The Aprilia Scarabeo 100 is only $2,699. From what I’ve heard Vespas are overpriced (though I haven’t checked their prices) and have a reputation for going through tires. I haven’t heard anything bad about Aprilia and the price seems reasonable.
One thing I like about the Scarabeo is that the wheels are larger than on many scooters. ISTM more efficient, and they might take on the washboard roads better. But if you’re going to ride on washboard roads I’d recommend a dual-sport motorcycle rather than a scooter.
I don’t know about the Ruckus, but I asked about the Scarabeo 100. Here’s the response:
The discontinued Scarabeo 50 could go about 45 and, IIRC, got up to 100 mpg. Of course it’s not for freeway use. Hm… A Royal Enfield Bullet can do 70 and gets 70 mpg for only twice the price.
There was a guy where I used to work who rode a Ruckus. I think he may have ridden it on the freeway, but I’m not sure. I don’t know the mpg or the size of his engine.
We took delivery of it yesterday and the inaugeral ride was fun! Mind you the last time I was on a bike ( and in control, not a passenger) was in the early 80’s and helmets/Safety were not applicable then and it was on a farm, not any roads at all.)
I have to re-teach myself that gripping the hand grips when things get dicey ( like what one would do to a bicycle.) is not condusive to stopping. Letting off on the throttle is what needs to be done. I’m sticking to our backyard and the private dirt drive next to our house to familiarize myself on it before taking it out. I don’t anticipate going on a real paved road with very real cars anytime soon. My entire commute to work is backroads, then a jaunt through a Yuppie Subdivision.
And, my motorcycle open faced helmet circa 1991, which was used maybe twice back in the day and been on the top shelf of a closet in a cool part of the house for all these years will need to be replaced.
If the padding on the inside is hard and does not give when you press it, that is not good. Also, the chin straps left really dark marks about my neck and chin area which tell me that the material is deteriorating from age. I might as well ride around with a bucket on my head.
Oh, and I almost nailed a chipmunk on my first ride.
I was speaking about chinese imports in general, not the Aprilia brand per se. If I lived in Yuppieville or somewhere with paved roads, I would so consider an Aprilia.
