New guy with a question.. please help!

[1pokerdude]

Hey guys i had a question about choosing a scooter so let me give you a little background info.

I ride a motorcycle and my wife doesnt. i want to get her out with me one of these weekends for a ride, and she said she would like to learn how to ride. but to be safe, i have decided its best to get her started on a scooter. I dont want to go with a dinky 50cc either (shes gotta be able to keep up! hehe) most importantly though, i want it to be safe!

so my question is, what should i get her??

i was looking at the honda schi150.. just browsing through the honda website
(seen here http://powersports.honda.com/2010/sh150i.aspx)
or one of those auto moto scooters (here http://www.theautomoto.com) which i was looking at because they have 3 wheel which logically seems more stable and safe, and with a bunch of neat features.
or the other 3 wheeler the 250cc version of the piaggio mp3 (http://www.piaggiousa.com/scooters.php#/overview/Piaggio%20MP3%20250) which also has the three wheels but i think has a little too much power for a beginner...


what do you think?


p.s. its going to be my anniversary present for her 

[Fox]

The Honda looks like fun but $4,500 for a 150cc is outrageous! 

That 3 wheeler automoto thing has a 150 Chinese Honda GY6 clone engine just like whats in the Chinese scooters. It'll probably go about 45-50 or so comfortably, but the dealer support might suck and it looks top-heavy like it would roll over easily.

 The MP3 is cool but very pricey. They probably bend you over on parts prices too. $$$  On the upside, I pretty sure since it has 3 wheels you don't have to have a motorcycle license to ride it, and being a 250cc it'll go on the freeway legally.

 I would recommend you get something cheap for her to learn on so if she lays it over and scratches it up it won't be a heartbreak and a wallet buster to fix. Maybe something used? Then after she's experienced spend some money on a nice shiny new something or other.

You can get a 150cc Chinese for about a grand (or less) that will do 50-55. Not freeway legal but neither is the Honda. It's better to buy a Chinese scoot from a brick and mortar shop rather than on-line or eBay in case it's damaged in shipping or you have any problems with it.

 Check out craigslist/motorcycles and scooters.  Then type in
"scooter" in the search box. There's dealers advertising on there as well as private sales.

 Here's the LA link:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/search/mcy?query=scooter

[scooter_parts]

here's  a few things i've learned as a scooter dealer w/rental shop
i think there is a 3 wheel motorcycle class license.
trikes can tip over real easy on turns unless they are articulated or
wheels stay flat on the ground and the frame tips side to side.
 there are a lot of 250cc scooters out there now  which is
the freeway(interstate ,not state routes) requirement.

as said buy from a local shop that will service what they sell
and buy a better class than the cheap chinese, tiawain
product is better quality.
 
remember the weight factor of the scooter , plus the seat height
and how tall your wife is. its better  & safer to have her grow out of a
scooter than grow into one  especially since you/she wants a MC.

you might have to make a compromise and ride a bit slower anyway
and i find its best to put the wife in front of you so you can watch her
more easily. you can also run interference with the traffic  which makes
her a bit safer until she gets some miles and road savvy.
 

oilyhans

 

[goosestale]

 Something to think about. The rider safety course. You would do better to sign her up for a course first. If she is going to ride a 150cc or faster she is going to need temps and eventualy a license for motorcycle. I ( a small lady ) first bought my 150cc scooter and got my temps, I was very used to the automatic by the time I got into the safety course. The tech school where the class is held here, supplies the motorcycles for teaching, 250cc-750cc. I had a dificult time adjusting to the clutch, and changing gears.
 The class I took starts with one day of classroom, and 2 days of riding. They begin as if nobody in the class has ever ridden, from how to turn it on, learning to shift, then safety riding, tested on control, avoiding obstacles, and quick stopping. The certificate earned in this state is equal to the road test, and is taken to the DMV for the M on your drivers license. I still only ride my 150cc scooter, and doubt I will ever go to a full size motorcycle, but the learning experience is well worth it.  

I ride a chinese make retro style, like the Tank Urban Classic 150. 5 ft tall, this style has a low seat, 27 inch height. Great for shorter people, but not for the leggy 6 footers. Hubby hits his knees on the handles when he turns.

[Tressa]

If she's not already, I'd suggest you get the wife involved in choosing the scooter. If you buy something she's not comfortable on, she won't ride and you've made a large investment for nothing. Would you want someone else, even your wife, to choose your bike for you?

[goosestale]

Ha, yes. If my hubby had picked my scooter, the classic black, and all that chrome I added on , would have been orange, with red flames.

Really, that Honda looks very nice. I wouldn't mind getting that as a gift. The almost 31 inch seat is too high for me, but if she's over 5'3" it should be ok. Looks like the weight is all low, which makes it easier for us non upper body strengths able to handle nicely. Also you may want to find out if it can be fit with a 175cc kit later for more speed, to keep up with you.

[1pokerdude]

thanks for all the help! after reading, im pretty sure i am going to get her involved in the choice, ill just tell her that im buying one for her and have her help me choose it.
i wouldnt want to put her on a scooter that she couldnt handle! but being a motorcyclist it is hard for me to understand a beginning scooter rider :-p
thanks again, ill update you guys with what i choose to get her! (or what she chooses for me to get her  )

[scooter 49]

If you like the looks of that Honda I suggest you go to www.nationalonlinescooters.com
Click on street leagal mopeds. Then click on 150cc scooters. Scroll down and you will find several which look very much like the Honda but are less than half the price.

[goosestale]

A short video review of the Honda is on the home page of Scoot! Magazine.

http://www.scootmagazine.com/