Well I’ll have plenty to time to practice in an abandon parking lot cause by the time I get all the hidden costs, safety gear, and stuff I won’t have enough to get it road legal for awhile.
That’s okay though. It’ll be worth it. It looks really exciting!
Highway legal btw is very important around here. Highways are about the only way to get anywhere useful in Michigan.
FourPaws no worries:)
I’m the cutious sort, especially with a machine that could tip over and remove any unprotected skin, or slam some handle bars into my groin @60 mph.
Second what everybody else has said concerning Chinese scooters, might as well buy a wheelbarrow, it’d be just as useful in getting you places. Although, I’ve heard Korea’s been putting out some good products lately (I think the one I linked to is Korean).
My advice: TAKE THE MSF course. Like has been mentioned, it’s a small motorcycle, not a bike with an engine. They provide bikes and helmets in the class, so you’ve really got nothing to lose. Remember ATGATT, and no skin below the chin (exposed skin, that is, plus your helmet, so we shouldn’t be able to see any of you).
This is the only one I would look at. Good dependable scooter with an established dealer network and people who know how to work on it. Lots of mods for it too IIRC.
EDIT: There’s some really nice scoots on the Sac CL. THe Honda 250 is a great deal. The vespa ET4 at 2500 is just a few hundred over the 17 you were looking at for the Yamaha for a FAR superior machine, and the Honda Ruckus wins in my book for cool utilitarian looks and bomp proof reliability, also tons of mods.
Remember, just becuase the smaller / medium scooters may be highway legal or have top speeds capable of running on the highway - it’s the top speed of the scooter. How long do you think a car would last, mechanically, if you were running it at top speed all the time? Not to mention, if the top speed is 60-65-70, whcat happens if you must pass someone for safety’s sake? These are the reasons that I would suggest the ninja 250R.
Here’s one in flint: http://flint.craigslist.org/mcy/676496087.html
Their design/engine has remained pretty constant for the past 22 years.
I love my Ninja 500R, and would get another one in a heartbeat. I have no need for anything larger. Mine does 0-60 in 3.76 with a top speed of 140. I can attest to the 0-60 times, but not the top speed, I’ve heard (cough, cough) that the front end likes to lift up after you hit 120 or so.
Look at resale values, too. You can alway get your money back out of a ninja 250 as it’s a perfect starter bike, so there is always a demand. Scooters? If you’re getting something bulletproof like a Honda Helix, you’ll get your money back out of it, but you have to watch what’s out there.
I was giving you those prices to give you an idea that there are other added expenses to ownership other than the bike. You can use what you want for gear (obviously!) but I have found Joe Rocket to be good quality and they have a good resale too (look on ebay).
My Rocket Ballistic 2.0 / 4.0 jackets I tend to get for around 90-100 on ebay and other sites when I’m looking for a deal. Same with pants. So if you’re dilligent you can knock $100 off right there.
Helmet wise, I think the HJC would be a perfect helmet for you. Price is much better than others on the market, and they are highly reliable and certified. Ask your instructor what they’d recommend for the price and HJC will be a name he/she mentions.
You can buy them right on ebay as well, they are about $80-90 depending on the deal you’re looking for and if you want nifty designs or not.
Oh, and NEVER buy a used helmet.
HJC’s helmet sizes are very accurate, so you can feel comfortable buying them online without trying them on. Same with Joe Rocket.
/sorry, missed the edit window.
I’d just get a bicycle: Zero gallons to unlimited miles. And exercise.
But if you must get a scooter, I’d get a Vespa. Don’t get one of those things that are normally pedaled and have some little motor put on, that make a lot of noise.
Or just get a motorcycle. That’s really what you want, isn’t it?
I have a 100cc Kymco Top Boy that I like a lot. Lots of underseat/in-fairing storage space, gets up to 80km/hr easy, 100km/h on downhills It’s not the best fuel-consumption wise (~102 mpg -2.3 l/100km) but its OK.
I guess everybody else, including the vast majority of Asia, is embarrassed to admit they rock a crappy Chinese scooter? 'Cause I do. My boyfriend got it used for me for $700, it’s run like a dream ever since then, gets 100 mpg. I’d like to trade up for one with more power to get me out of trouble, but on the whole I’m quite happy with my ugly yellow plastic thing. Does the job reliably up to this point.
It’s not the best fuel-consumption wise (~102 mpg -2.3 l/100km) but its OK.