though i live in SF...i cannot answer these questions right now
-for the most part i dont drive anywhere
-i ride my bike down nob hill to the transbay terminal - then take a bus across the bridge to berkeley where i work...i really havent seen any scooters on the bridge...i have seen motorcycles
-i do however see scooters all over SF but not on the highways cause im not usuallly there...ill take a look when im on the bus tomorrow morning
-as for thefts im sure there is - but i dont know anyone w/ a scooter
-my bike has not be stolen...knock on wood!
used to be (when i had a scooter way back in '91) that a 250 + could go on the highway because it could actually get to highway speeds and had enough weight that you could still steer it.
a 150 is too weak, too light, and the steering goes floppy over about 40mph.
but i was in louisiana. should be easy to check the legality of it on the california div motor vehicles website.
whether it's wise in sf, i'll have to let someone else respond.
CA has two different classes of scooters- mopeds and 49cc/less motors (with a max speed of??? about 35mph) and above... for anything with a larger engine/faster speed, you'll 'need' a motorcycle license (though a motorcycle learners permit works too). those larger scooters can attain 55mph or greater are allowed on the freeways, but why you'd want/need to jump on the highway on a scooter is beyond me. If you're planning on long distance commuting, get a real bike that can hit 100mph in 2 seconds. you'll need the power/ performance on the highways...
scooters are eminently doable in SF, but i would recommend getting one with an automatic transmission. shifting on those hills might be a b--ch.
now: as for brands:
lambrettas were made by innocenti, but production ceased in 1972.
stellas are not made by piaggio. essentially they are fake vespas, made to elicit vague references to 1960s vespa gs models. a strange analogy, but it's kind of like a pair of fake all-stars from target...you can tell right away it's not the real thing. (sorry wonderk, i'm biased...!)
vespa...is the real thing, baby. while stellas, yamaha vinos, etc have metal bar frames and plastic bodies, vespas utilize a monocoque steel frame (think the whole-body construction of a volvo). as a result they are heavier and more expensive...and much much more stable in turns and at speed. my 150cc vespa lx150 can do an austin freeway, no problem. whereas a 150cc vino (if they make one) would twist unacceptably with any gust of wind. i think CA laws would allow 150cc on the highway, TX does...but not 50cc.
within the vespa line there are the prototypical vintage px150s and the more modern, stylized lx50/150, gts, etc.
but even vespas will get 60-70 mpg and just try stealing one...they're heavy.
or that ruckus...those things rock, the only honda scooter i would actually buy.
just looking on ebay, i found a number of no name scooters that sell for pretty cheap....names like wildfire, tank...avanti
anyone have experience with these?
my guess is that these are just imported from asia where scooters dominate the streets
anybody actually own one of these?
vespas are awesome but i cant justify the money and will always be super paranoid leaving it unattended.
also, what would you say to be the standard useful life of a scooter in terms of mileage?
ochona! Thanks for the info. Everything I knew, I knew from a salesperson. D'oh!
So do Stellas get better gas milage since they are lighter? Actually i would prefer that. I don't really *need* torque, per se. My disclaimer is that I drive a turbo right now so this will be a real lifestyle adjustment for me, lol.
I agree with Jason, those Honda Ruckus' are awesome. I have seen quite a few of them in Denver. They are like the Hummer of scooters.....if thats possible. They are the only ones I like that aren't Vespa's or other retro brands
Are there any scooters with 4-cycle engines and catalytic converters? is there such a thing? Even though they consume little gas, the older 2-cycle engines are horrible on air quality.
the ruckus rocks...i'm thinking about getting one to complement my vespa. screw cars, scooters are more fun.
vespa lx, gts, and gt models all are 4-stroke engines and all have catalytic converters. the px150 line (those which are not sold in CA) are two-stroke.
i don't know if they sell stellas anymore. i would say, however, that if you are looking for something that is not a vespa, but kinda looks like one and is lighter, try one of the yamahas or hondas. less obviously copies of a vespa px, and lighter/cheaper/shorter. and made by more reputable companies...my wife killed a no-name scooter during her motorcycle riding exam.
OK, ochona, I know you said Lambrettas weren't made anymore, but check out this page from the dealer here in Cincy that I will probably buy my scooter from:
Their first page says they have signed on as the first US dealer to carry Lambrettas....is this another knock-off company? So what is original and what is a knock-off? Which ones are all steel again? Stellas are bad, you say? Why?
I am so confused. Can somebody make me a flow chart or something, lol?
WonderK- I just emailed you one. The Honda Metropolitan looks pretty nice, and cheap enough that one could actually buy it from the dealer instead of used.
still havent seen one on the bridge!!!...my guess i that if i dont se one after a week then they are not allowed on the highway
-i would also have to agree w/ whoever said "you shouldnt have a small vehicle w/ no power on the highway" youll get crushed
anyone here drive a 49cc? If so, is it adequate, or are you frustrated with it? I mentioned a scooter as a possibility to my bf, and he is now insisting that I should get the motercycle license so I can get a 125cc or 150cc instead of the 49cc I'd been thinking about. Any thoughts?
Mar 30, 07 1:37 pm ·
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How feasible is a scooter in SF?
I thought this would be a great money saving mode of personal transportation out in the bay area.
does anyone know:
- if scooters are allowed on the highways? any limitations with engine size etc..
- are there a lot of scooter thefts out there?
Good question. I don't think they are allowed on the highway. Someone confirm?
I am looking at getting one too! Which kind are you looking at?
though i live in SF...i cannot answer these questions right now
-for the most part i dont drive anywhere
-i ride my bike down nob hill to the transbay terminal - then take a bus across the bridge to berkeley where i work...i really havent seen any scooters on the bridge...i have seen motorcycles
-i do however see scooters all over SF but not on the highways cause im not usuallly there...ill take a look when im on the bus tomorrow morning
-as for thefts im sure there is - but i dont know anyone w/ a scooter
-my bike has not be stolen...knock on wood!
havent figured out which one to get actually. I just got the idea today when all the bikes came out to play (it was 70 degrees in NY today).
what are some brands to consider?
and whats the best place to get one? just walk into a motorcycle dealer?
Stellas are great. Just like Vespas (made by the same company actually) but cheaper. Also Lambrettos, but those are more pricey. They both look good.
used to be (when i had a scooter way back in '91) that a 250 + could go on the highway because it could actually get to highway speeds and had enough weight that you could still steer it.
a 150 is too weak, too light, and the steering goes floppy over about 40mph.
but i was in louisiana. should be easy to check the legality of it on the california div motor vehicles website.
whether it's wise in sf, i'll have to let someone else respond.
I would like one of these
http://powersports.honda.com/scooters/model.asp?ModelName=Ruckus&ModelYear=2007&ModelId=NPS507
CA has two different classes of scooters- mopeds and 49cc/less motors (with a max speed of??? about 35mph) and above... for anything with a larger engine/faster speed, you'll 'need' a motorcycle license (though a motorcycle learners permit works too). those larger scooters can attain 55mph or greater are allowed on the freeways, but why you'd want/need to jump on the highway on a scooter is beyond me. If you're planning on long distance commuting, get a real bike that can hit 100mph in 2 seconds. you'll need the power/ performance on the highways...
happy trails!
in indianastan you see guys ridin scooters who have lost their licences due to dwi's.
Actually, Stella doesn't make the Vespa look-a-likes anymore. There must have been a lawsuit.
Hey WonderK, you should get a sidecar so I can go everywhere with you. I'll wear Red Baron shit, including a long scarf.
scooters are eminently doable in SF, but i would recommend getting one with an automatic transmission. shifting on those hills might be a b--ch.
now: as for brands:
lambrettas were made by innocenti, but production ceased in 1972.
stellas are not made by piaggio. essentially they are fake vespas, made to elicit vague references to 1960s vespa gs models. a strange analogy, but it's kind of like a pair of fake all-stars from target...you can tell right away it's not the real thing. (sorry wonderk, i'm biased...!)
vespa...is the real thing, baby. while stellas, yamaha vinos, etc have metal bar frames and plastic bodies, vespas utilize a monocoque steel frame (think the whole-body construction of a volvo). as a result they are heavier and more expensive...and much much more stable in turns and at speed. my 150cc vespa lx150 can do an austin freeway, no problem. whereas a 150cc vino (if they make one) would twist unacceptably with any gust of wind. i think CA laws would allow 150cc on the highway, TX does...but not 50cc.
within the vespa line there are the prototypical vintage px150s and the more modern, stylized lx50/150, gts, etc.
but even vespas will get 60-70 mpg and just try stealing one...they're heavy.
or that ruckus...those things rock, the only honda scooter i would actually buy.
just looking on ebay, i found a number of no name scooters that sell for pretty cheap....names like wildfire, tank...avanti
anyone have experience with these?
my guess is that these are just imported from asia where scooters dominate the streets
anybody actually own one of these?
vespas are awesome but i cant justify the money and will always be super paranoid leaving it unattended.
also, what would you say to be the standard useful life of a scooter in terms of mileage?
ochona! Thanks for the info. Everything I knew, I knew from a salesperson. D'oh!
So do Stellas get better gas milage since they are lighter? Actually i would prefer that. I don't really *need* torque, per se. My disclaimer is that I drive a turbo right now so this will be a real lifestyle adjustment for me, lol.
I agree with Jason, those Honda Ruckus' are awesome. I have seen quite a few of them in Denver. They are like the Hummer of scooters.....if thats possible. They are the only ones I like that aren't Vespa's or other retro brands
I forget which model, but some Vespas aint sold in CA
Vespa Shespa. I'm cheap. I want that Ruckus!!!
the thong caused quite a ruckus
Are there any scooters with 4-cycle engines and catalytic converters? is there such a thing? Even though they consume little gas, the older 2-cycle engines are horrible on air quality.
the ruckus rocks...i'm thinking about getting one to complement my vespa. screw cars, scooters are more fun.
vespa lx, gts, and gt models all are 4-stroke engines and all have catalytic converters. the px150 line (those which are not sold in CA) are two-stroke.
i don't know if they sell stellas anymore. i would say, however, that if you are looking for something that is not a vespa, but kinda looks like one and is lighter, try one of the yamahas or hondas. less obviously copies of a vespa px, and lighter/cheaper/shorter. and made by more reputable companies...my wife killed a no-name scooter during her motorcycle riding exam.
OK, ochona, I know you said Lambrettas weren't made anymore, but check out this page from the dealer here in Cincy that I will probably buy my scooter from:
MetroScooter
Their first page says they have signed on as the first US dealer to carry Lambrettas....is this another knock-off company? So what is original and what is a knock-off? Which ones are all steel again? Stellas are bad, you say? Why?
I am so confused. Can somebody make me a flow chart or something, lol?
*shameless bump*
Ok, so the ruckus is too manly for me. I want something more metro, maybe something, uh, bisexual, lol.
What are other options beyond the retro-type, potential knock-off scooters?
WonderK- I just emailed you one. The Honda Metropolitan looks pretty nice, and cheap enough that one could actually buy it from the dealer instead of used.
WonderK, go to a Honda dealership and check out the Ruckus, much less manly than the Big Ruckus...I think you may be surprised.
or just go to the honda website, they've actually got a lot of scooters, several of them around the $2k pricepoint.
yeah, but you will not know what it is like until you sit your ass on one.
Ok, I emailed you back. I like the one that you were looking at but the others were a bit too angular for my taste.
I'm also curious about storage space on these things.
I'm going to chase you back and forth between the scooter threads now.
haha. Also, are there any reputable manufacturers besides Honda, Yamaha, and Vespa? (I'm looking for a 49cc, so no suzukis)
Bisexual. Don't think I missed that.
Ha ha, baboomba you should come scooter with me sometime!
Are you asking me on a scooter date?
still havent seen one on the bridge!!!...my guess i that if i dont se one after a week then they are not allowed on the highway
-i would also have to agree w/ whoever said "you shouldnt have a small vehicle w/ no power on the highway" youll get crushed
anyone here drive a 49cc? If so, is it adequate, or are you frustrated with it? I mentioned a scooter as a possibility to my bf, and he is now insisting that I should get the motercycle license so I can get a 125cc or 150cc instead of the 49cc I'd been thinking about. Any thoughts?
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