Scooter experts (or anybody) check in

Doing my part to liven up the sprockets forum

Currently looking at scooters. My commute is pretty short now, but pretty much all country roads where I need to be able to do 80 km/50 mph or a little more if possible. I previously owned a mildly modded BWS 50 that would almost do that. Apparently a Kymco super 9 50 LC can do it and I've found one with a few mods locally for about the same price as a BWS. Will either one do the job wit the appropriate mods, or do I need to be looking at either a BWS 125 or Kymco super 8 150? I really like the super 8 150, but they're at least double the price and that's if you can find a used one, and $3k new, whereas I can get either of the 50's for $1k or less. WWGRMD? Are there other options I'm not thinking of?

I'm not a scooter expert, but I've been keeping my ear to the ground for a cheap scooter project. Preferably a gy6 150cc, specifically a 150cc Ruckus knock-off, but Im open to others, & could go for a Minerelli powered scoot too. I'd love a vintage 200cc Vespa, but the only ones in my price range have been basket cases.

Kymco is definitely considered a premium brand in the scooter world. Sym, TGB, and TNG are also known as good brands.

I'm not sure if it's Sym or Kymco, but one of them has a gy6 style engine that is significantly different than the standard, and that creates some issues when parts swapping and modifying.

Racing Planet usa is one of many suppliers selling scooter performance parts.

I'm not saying buy mine (though it's going on eBay as soon as the weather warms up) but find one of these:

Honda C70. Very cool, fast enough, 100+ mpg, they run forever, parts are easy to come by (on the rare occasion that something actually breaks), way more character than any Chinese scooter and they actually hold their value.

I'm not sure that's my style.

As far as I know, the Kymco super 8 150 has a GY6. That was an attraction for me, but if it's the one with interchangeability problems, then it's less of an attraction. The fact that I can't find a used one isn't helping either. No way I can justify new scooter money.

Thanks for the link. There are a lot of suppliers in Canada. In the next province over, you can ride a 50cc scooter at the age of 14, so that has created a pretty active culture, and parts aftermarket.

I may go see that super 9 2 stroke 50. The owner claims 85 km/h, so it's probably closer to 80, but if that's possible, it will do the job, and it's a 2 stroke, my first choice.

This is a super 8 150. A pretty good looking machine, if you ask me

I found this promo vid for the BWS125. Not sure why they're marketing it as an off road capable scooter, but I've seen that in most of the promo material for them.

Good vid. I'll take one of each please. You'll see what I mean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QKRo8f9EtI

This is what I'm looking at locally

http://stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-scooters-pocket-bikes-2005-yamaha-bw-50-scooter-W0QQAdIdZ563906170

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-scooters-pocket-bikes-2007-Kymco-Super-9-LC-liquid-cooled-2-stroke-dual-disk-85-kph-W0QQAdIdZ542068356

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-scooters-pocket-bikes-2009-BW-125-S-FOR-SALE-W0QQAdIdZ570561972

http://kitchener.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-scooters-pocket-bikes-2005-low-kilometers-yamaha-W0QQAdIdZ567747486

The 125 is really out of my budget. I'd rather spend no more than $1000. I'd jump on one of those BWS' but I'm not sure I'll be able to maintain 80 km/h with one unless it's heavily modded.

Having owned and ridden several smallish scooters over the years, I am a big fan of the Super 9. They definitely punch above their weight class.

My air cooled super 9 could take my 6'2" 250lbs ass to over 80km/h. With my wife on the back and groceries load it could still top 65 km/h in stock form. With just a little tweaking it had no problem keeping up with traffic that was typically running 85 km/h and regularly outran off brand 125s. I never got around to installing an 80cc kit that a friend had, but that is an afternoon job.

I would check out that Super 9 if I were you. It should have an adjustable rear spring perch and the trunk kit will not stop you from riding 2 up. Under seat storage on mine was plenty big enough for a helmet, heavy chain lock and gloves or other cold weather gear. The smaller compartment between your feet is enough for a small can of oil and a rag.

can you tell I miss mine?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Box-Pinasco-expansion-chamber-for-a-Vespa-ET2-Gilera-Easy-Piaggio-Zip-/251462811271?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a8c59fe87&vxp=mtr

Yes it's mine, box is still sealed from the factory.

UPS said: Shipping: $296.60 UPS Worldwide Saver

That's only 10 times what it really cost to ship. UPS is the best

I emailed the guy about the super 9

Woody wrote: I'm not saying buy mine (though it's going on eBay as soon as the weather warms up) but find one of these: Honda C70. Very cool, fast enough, 100+ mpg, they run forever, parts are easy to come by (on the rare occasion that something actually breaks), way more character than any Chinese scooter and they actually hold their value.

I'd love one of those as a pit bike, but, man, do they command a lot of money for what they are and how old they are...

Zomby Woof wrote:

UPS said: Shipping: $296.60 UPS Worldwide Saver

That's only 10 times what it really cost to ship. UPS is the best I emailed the guy about the super 9

WTF I realy hate how they've f'ed up e-bay...........er....no wonder why I haven't moved it. $55 to Canada

That super 8 looks bad ass

I'd think a modded LC Super 9 should be okay for 50 MPH for a longer ride than most air-cooled 2 stroke 50s, but I have no idea how long. I'd say if it can hold 50 without being at full throttle, go for it. Otherwise, I tend to agree, look for a GY6(preferably Genuine or Kymco).

Also, as a dark horse, I know they're old, but did the Honda Elite (Spacy?) 150 get sold in Canada? If you can find one of those, they are pretty sturdy. I know around me they tend to pop up around $700-1000 with some frequency.

If you're not wanting to do much riding with a passenger (and by your other choices, I'd guess you aren't), I'd recommend a Genuine Buddy 125, 150, or 170i.

I'm a scooter nut (former contributor to the now defunct Scooterworld Magazine and co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motor Scooters). As far as automatic scoots go, the Buddy has always been a favorite of mine. It's nimble, light, has vastly more storage than you would expect, and fits a variety of differently sized people (though usually just one at a time). Honestly, it's probably the closest thing to "The Answer" in scooters.

I remembered you chiming in on scooter discussions before, but couldn't recall the username. Thanks for the input. The Genuine scooters are known as PGO up here, and not very popular. The only way I'd be able to find one is new at the dealer, and the Buddy (Metro 125 here) costs about the same as the Kymco super 8 150.

This is basically a toy, so I can't justify new. If I buy an inexpensive one, and end up riding it a lot more than I think I will, I may consider new, but it would probably be the super 8.

Tell me something (anybody), I have ridden on the street off and on for years. I don't mind it in small doses, but it gets pretty tired as the weather gets miserable, or if the ride is long. Eventually I lose interest, and just stop doing it. I sold my dual sport because it sat in the driveway and hardly ever got ridden on the road. For some reason, it doesn't bother me as much on a scooter. Is it riding position, is it the seat comfort, or just the fact that they're so much fun to ride? I tell people that when I ride a scooter, it's so much fun, it feels like I'm doing something wrong. Is that common, or even normal?

BAMF wrote: I'd recommend a Genuine Buddy 125, 150, or 170i.

I second that. They are reliable. They are fun. They are everything you could want.

I speak not just empty word either, i just happened to buy on not long ago.

They are that good.

Zomby Woof wrote: I tell people that when I ride a scooter, it's so much fun, it feels like I'm doing something wrong. Is that common, or even normal?

Its the whole slow car fast, fast car slow mindset. You have more fun on a slow (er) vehicle because you can wring it out more. More satisfying =)

My first experience on the Buddy scooter was at work-- i pulled in on my 1000cc FZ1 and in short order was given keys to a 125cc scooter. I can assure you that having that much fun should be illegal. My face hurt from smiling. They are just plain fun vehicles.

You are normal; scooters are just plain fun. I primarily rode in major urban areas and it was almost like cheating versus running around in a closed can car or dealing with constant shifts on my sport bike.

I definitely agree about the slow car fast theory when it comes to scooters. The throttle is an on/off switch that is constantly just pegged whenever in motion.

Also, as a big guy, I think that having the center of gravity very low and the engine weight directly below my ass makes for nimble maneuvers by a simple shifting of body weight without much twitchy low speed steering work.

And I agree, the Buddy is a great platform. Very reliable and fun. I just prefer a slightly larger body, the wife loves riding bitch, and the Kymco Super series have brakes like a sport bike.

Keep us updated!

I've got a 50cc Yamaha Zuma (the 2-stroke). It's a hoot to run around town and do silly things with. Broke my collar bone.... Oooops. Don't be as silly as I was and you'll be fine.

I called about the Super 9. It has a pipe and an intake from the original owner. It sounds like the guy is a bit of a scooter hobbyist who bought it mostly because he thought it was pretty cool. He's hardly ridden it, and with only 4600 km (2700 miles) it's spent most of it's 7 years sitting. He says it has a flat spot (bog) around 45 MPH. I assume that's going to be carb related, and probably because of the aftermarket intake. My guess is the stock intake reinstalled would probably fix that, if not some jetting. Anyway, it sounds promising, so I'm going to look at it next week. I would prefer one with a little more power so I could cruise at highway speeds, but they're double the price.

The LC Super 9 is a cool bike. As with anything else, a modified example is only as good as the person modifying it. 2 stroke engines are a mystery to a lot of folks, and it's not uncommon for someone to put peak power above drivability. A flat spot could be due to poor jetting choices, roller weight or contra springs that don't match the power band, or a non-optimal ignition curve.

tb wrote: Keep us updated!

While I was thinking about the super 9 and waiting for a day off to look at it the ad disappeared, so it either sold, or he changed his mind.

What I'm looking at now is a Tomos Nitro 150. Apparently it's built by SYM, and by all accounts, and pretty much every review I've read, is quite fast for a 125/150 scooter, and reliable. A dealer in Toronto is selling them new for $1500, which is about half what you'd pay around here for anything comparable so I think I'm going to have a look. There is one for sale semi-locally that needs some motor work, and it could probably be had for about $350, so I'm thinking about it, but it's pretty hard to beat new, with a warranty for $1500.

Pics from a review. Dealer here has red and black.

Similar to what Eastsidemav suggested, I'd look at the Honda 250 Elite. Liquid cooled, mega fun, capable of running at (and maintaining) highway speeds. When they pop up for sale, they are rarely list for more than $1200 and usually sell for less. Ample power for two up riding if needed and practical as all get up. Even though they are old, they are as reliable as a brick and that much fun for that cheap should be illegal.

You want me to ride this? Not really my style.

I did find a few for sale locally, but they're about the same price as the new Tomos, and at least 25 years old. I know it's a Honda, but...

I'm barely breathing thanks to laughter now from the "Not my style" in reference to a moped.

Well, I looked in your profile for some ammunition to take a shot at some of your choices, but didn't have any luck

On the bright side, I was kind of on the fence about the looks of the Tomos, but looking at it after seeing that Honda makes it look pretty darn good