Choose the RIGHT Scooter (by learning from my mistake)

[@jmcminn1076]

If you even still check this, wanted to thank you for the content. I had been going back and forth between an Adv/PCX 160 and an XMax 300, and this video in particular was part of what swayed me in the direction of the bigger bike, and now that I’ve bought it and taken it out a couple of times I’m pretty happy with the choice.

[@asifalmeida3713]

One important safety tips : buy a scooter that has the brightest turn signal lights both front and rear. Some scooter has this tiny almost invisible turn signal which is hard to see during the day time

[@ScooterNewbie]

Good point! My headlight on my Buddy is dimmer than I like, but I’ll check out the turn signals today.

[@jonmorris4034]

No one else dictates my speed, I certainly am not going to break the law just to "keep up with everyone else". Always good to be over powered though

[@lisakaye2699]

I have decided - I am going with the VespaGTS300 - BOOM! Details and best of the best matters!!!!!!!!!!!

[@donelmore2540]

My first scooter was a several year old Vespa GTV300. It had less than a thousand miles on it and in pretty good shape. They guy also threw in a matching color (very cool cream white). I got it for well under MSRP, $2-3K under if I remember correctly. It usually draws a crowd at our local cars & coffee event.

[@kz1000st1]

The thing I always find interesting is how people arrive at what they ride. Back in 2008 the price of gas rose to over four dollars a gallon. My late wife had just hit 50 years of age and between the price of fuel and her middle age crisis declared she was ready for a scooter. Knowing that she might grow out of it quickly I bought her a Chinese 150 Vespa lookalike. She signed up for the MSF Basic Rider Course requiring so knowing how to ride a motorcycle became a must. I had a little Honda dirt bike and as her car was a five speed manual she took to gears quickly. With an unexpected side affect. Riding a scooter was too tame after the shrieky two stroke Honda and she wanted a bike. The 250 Rebel arrived almost one month after the scooter and she never looked back. With saddlebags and a windshield it was the perfect vehicle for an elementary school teacher and the kids loved it. Sadly she passed seven years later with 10,000 miles on the Honda from a low percentage cancer with an even lower survival rate. The memory of watching her tear off to school in the morning will never leave my mind.

[@ScooterNewbie]

That is a heartwarming story of a riding teacher! I am so very sorry for your loss, but I do love the story of pure joy. I'm eyeing that Rebel with a little more fondness right now.

[@mikehawk120]

One love y’all.

[@dukeloo]

No scooter purchased is a mistake. You got comfortable on a smaller scooter then you got experience, and determined that you needs were for a higher speed. Great job. Some people get the big scooter and get scared and never ride again. I used to ride scooter only in San Antonio, then Albuquerque, Honolulu, Portland, and Denver. In snow. I've tested all gear and stuff. I know Jason have owned Burgman 400, 650, Silverwing, Majesty, Vespa GT200, Piaggio BV250, Piaggio BV350, Stella 150, Yamaha XMAX, now I ride a Honda NC700x DCT. My BV350 was stolen. I do miss my scooter. Looking at Piaggio BV400, Yamaha XMAX, and Honda ADV 350 if it ever gets imported to US.

[@jasonswiatkowski9127]

Learning on a small, used bike is smart. You wont cry if you damage it, wipe outs arent as bad at lower speed, you learn what experience you really want.

[@watchcollector1968]

I have a 50cc Honda Metropolitan. It's a blast but you're right, speed is a limitation. I still love to ride it in appropriate locations but did end up getting a Honda PCX 150 for higher speed areas around town.

[@ScooterNewbie]

This is fun to hear! What makes the Honda 50cc more fun than the 150cc?! I haven’t ridden a 50 yet.

[@watchcollector1968]

@@ScooterNewbie I think the fun comes from not really being able to ride on streets with higher speed limits (45mph and up). It almost forces you to find alternate routes via side streets, neighborhood roads etc. You discover and see so much and it helps you relax.

[@ScooterNewbie]

That I totally understand!!

[@BritonAD]

Have you driven on the highway with the 150 yet? If so was it something you were comfortable with?

[@watchcollector1968]

@@BritonAD I have not had it on the highway. Speed limits here are 70-75 with some having been raised to 80. The PCX may top out at about 70 with minimal headwind and level ground. Even then, it sounds ready to fly apart.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

Picking the right routes is just as important as picking the right bike! I used to commute on a 30 mph moped in Boston traffic. I picked my routes very carefully, and got where I wanted to go with a minimal amount of worries (often getting there faster than I would have in a car). But worrying about the higher speed of other traffic is a losing proposition. I often drive on a divided 4 lane highway with a posted 55 mph speed limit. Traffic regularly travels at 70-75. That is faster than I want to drive or ride (20 mph over will cost you your license around here). I ride/drive at about 60. Yes, people pass me. But as long as I stay in the slow lane and carefully monitor the traffic around me I feel pretty safe.

[@ScooterNewbie]

You are so right! I have learned which roads have more aggressive folks on it altogether, so I can keep my riding zen and not get a ticket/increase my risk.

[@darrinslack1269]

After watching this ,I thought how interesting it must of been going into a shop and trying to decide what make or model would be best back in the 1950 and 60`s ,yes there was a few motorcycle and scooter magazines about to look at road test and write up`s I`m able to read them , so having a guide to what you should really need and a really good way of deciding what`s best for you is a huge plus to everyone thinking of buying a scooter

[@davidboyd-q1w]

I wouldn't call buying my first scooter (Vespa 150) a mistake, but like you after a few thousand miles I did get a Honda PCX 150 with 25 percent more HP and torque and a higher top speed. To my surprise, it also gets 20 percent better gas mileage (100 MPG+). I still have the Vespa and still love it - the air flow over the bike, the step through design, and the ergonomics are great. But I can go for short stretches on the freeway and better handle the hills in Pittsburgh on the Honda. Plus, there are Honda dealerships that provide service that are conveniently located. That said, for a ride through small towns and back roads, its hard to beat the Vespa for recreational riding.

[@tomfuller4205]

Hi, I used to live in the San Antonio area and when I worked in Downtown Methodist I rode an under 50cc I bought on Amazon. After my first two years I would get sent to the HSC (Health Science Center) in the NW and I did take several different routes to get back and forth. As San Antonio was the city of perpetual reconstruction at this time I found the 10” wheels to be horrible. So I bought a Honda 150 from a colleague and rode it until three people threw it into the back of a van and took off with if. So I bought a Burgman 400 and found that I could ride it on all the area’s roads.It’s size helped it eat up the bumps and potholes, and it was too heavy to steal. When I went to work for Audie Murphy I moved out to Hondo, about 40 miles from downtown and 22 from the HSC, I was glad I got the 400. I did try my friend’s 650 and thought it was great on the road but not nimble enough for downtown.

[@ScooterNewbie]

Ha! Yes, SA is certainly a city of perpetual construction. I would like to try the Burgman 400 again in that context. The AK550 is so cumbersome to maneuver at times, so now that I've been riding it more, I can compare better. I test drove one when I was looking at the 300 cc+, but it was so quick without the experience of a larger scooter. Crazy how different they are!

[@LasVegasandBeyond]

Really good advice and tips. The average street speed where I live was 50MPH and so,what hilly, so I bought a 250cc. Although it’s top speed is 70MPH those small wheels makes it nerve racking on the highways, especially if they are grooved highways

[@ScooterNewbie]

The grooves are TERRIFYING! I haven’t ridden on them in awhile, but I have bridge near me that surprised me when I do take that route.

[@royferguson3909]

you fast Americans...lol in England, I Potter along and 50 miles an hour is a thrill. we are very slow, on the roads. but you don't have Roundabouts or decorum it's English humour, not an insult. 😍 ✌ from across the pond

[@jamesconner4971]

@@royferguson3909 ...being England, don't you mean " puttering around at 50kmh...not mph.??

[@ufooooooooooooooooo]

Yea I think speed is probably the most important factor. Because you do get used to riding whatever you choose, so eventually you'll either grow into it or out of it, but you can't make it faster.

[@lisakaye2699]

I FOUND IT - i am soo little and was scared like you said - i couldn't help it.

[@vesparama]

Thanks for your excellent channel and information! It is much appreciated as a novice myself considering a scooter!

[@chrisgullett4332]

Some more info for you. You can also get some 2 stroke scooters and do a little work to them and it does not take much to get them going highway speeds. For example, you can get a 2 stroke Honda Dio/Elite, which are 50cc scooters, put a 72cc big bore kit, a new exhaust, rollers, carburetor etc, and can easily do 70 MPH. When it comes to 50cc scooter, 2 stroke engines is where it's at, cause 2 stroke engines have so much power, and it does not take many upgrades make them faster. Not many companies make a lot of 2 strokes anymore, but if you can find a used 2 stroke it is worth buying it for the engine alone. 2 stroke engines are also where most aftermarket companies focus on making their upgrade parts. The most popular engines are 2 stroke engines, and people will actually swap scooter engines so they can have a 2 stroke engine. Most of the good 2 stroke scooters have 2 tanks, one for gas and one for 2 stroke oil, and it automatically mixes it, but you can mix it yourself and use the oil tank as a backup gas tank. You should invest in an old 2 stroke scooter like a Honda Dio/Elite, Yamaha Zuma etc, and do some videos of you upgrading the engine. Upgrades are simple, ad you do not need any mechanic experience, cause it is all straight forward. There are even thousand of videos of people upgrading their old 2 stroke scooters. You can literally put a few hundred dollars into a 2 stroke 50cc scooter and have the fastest scooter in town.

[@bekabeka71]

125cc is the best all round but make sure you choose a big frame scooter which gives you an option to stretch your legs out to extend

[@Matowix]

The 10 inch tires are dangerous except for around town

[@kabardinka1]

The Buddy Kick is a very cute scooter... BUT, IMO, for many driving settings it's too low to the ground. These days, when car drivers are in big SUVs, where the driver is up high, they have a harder time seeing you on scooters like that (or Ruckuses for that matter). It doesn't matter if you're driving on vacant roads but, when you get into denser traffic, it's a real problem.

[@ScooterNewbie]

I hear you on denser roads as I live around Houston, TX. Fortunately I haven’t struggled with big SUVs or the jacked up trucks. What are you riding these days? I was on a large body Vespa yesterday, and I liked how high it felt!

[@papaballoon]

I ran a Honda 125 for 19 years. I now have a250. The 125 was fine for literally everything. I just wore it out..100,000 miles+ and a 30 year old bike.. the 250 is "better" but the 125 was fine

[@childfree83]

150cc is the sweet spot

[@gregpomes7099]

If you’re not planning on going on a highway 150cc it’s fine with a 12 inch wheel if you are looking to go on a highway and I would suggest a 300cc

[@ScooterNewbie]

Ha! This is the hang up! I want bigger tires for the highway or else stick to the smaller roads guaranteed. I want a 300 minimum for more oomph to add to flexibility, too. BUT I love the look of a Vespa all in the same breath.

[@lisakaye2699]

Not a comment I make often, I 'like' you; you are very transparent and I can tell because I am... respect. Thanks for the info.

[@ScooterNewbie]

Thanks for the kind words! 💞 Would love to hear what scooter you have or end up with. Talking about getting away from car dependence really lights me up!

[@Lifeof-Jo]

Im getting the buddy kick. I don’t plan to be on big busy streets

[@Brianfox52]

After watching your video. I never had they Kim co or anyone ahead. One. But ex town 300 looks like a nice maxi type scooter.

[@conversationswithme8601]

Have someone derestrict the scooter for you and you'll get about another 15 mph top speed. The GY6 motor will handle high revs. Easily.

[@DaBinChe]

It is not just size of CC but also horsepower. Your Buddy Kick is only about 11hp, you'll want about 15hp to get you to that 65mph speed.

[@blairtheageese5269]

My Honda Jazz 49 cc goes 60 km no problem Mostly I go 50 km , love it but wish I could still get a 2 stroke 4 stroke does not have good power up hills

[@freedomformen2548]

Yes 50cc 4stroke are slow on hills

[@sbaumruk]

Binging your videos rn, love them! Btw thumbnail looks like "don't stop, make this mistake!" 😂

[@1960ARC]

Great video and good advice, I bet people don't give enough thought with regards how fast the scooter is. In the UK we have a lot of 125cc scooters due to the laws here, also 50cc which I think is strictly for short journeys. I used one to scoot to work 3 miles away for almost 8 years. It's not just the size of the engine but the horse power and torque. My primavera has a 10.7 BHP engine and would easily do 65 on a flat road, some times 70 mph. My Honda SH125 I produces 12.5 BHP and without the screen did 70-74 mph most of the time, but 68 mph with the screen. The Honda feels bigger than the Vespa and feels better on the motor way, I don't ever spend more than a few minutes on. Motor way, when I have too. Even though my vespa has 11 inch wheels, it felt ok, but not ideal in my opinion for constant high speed. 16 inch wheels are very forgiving if you make a mistake and ride over a large pot hole.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

Good advise, in that case I'm getting a Suzuki Hayabusa instead..........................

[@jeffreyhurst9552]

That’s why I got rid of my Honda Grom. It would touch 60 with a tail wind, but I never felt safe on the bigger roads. Fun bike, but slow.

[@mikehawk120]

Exactly why I shipped the from, looks are tops though.

[@ronmendoza1274]

A 50cc is good for around town. My Honda Ruckus is perfect for that. A 250cc is great for long rides. My Big Ruckus is perfect for that. I'll be moving up to a Honda Rebel 500.

[@ScooterNewbie]

Oh, the Honda Rebel is pretty slick looking, and I love how Honda describes it as, “....plenty of user-friendly power.”

[@watchcollector1968]

My wife prefers motorcycles over scooters. She's seriously tossing around the idea of getting a Rebel.

[@ScooterNewbie]

Scooters are where it’s at, but I can’t fault a Rebel rider. I mean. That name alone! :)

[@Tonycrossfit]

Really good advice and tips. I’m looking at purchasing a 2017 Genuine Buddy Kick 125cc. The scooter has 4900 miles and only one owner. This is my first time looking at buying a scooter. The reason I want a scooter is to ride in my hometown and take it when I go shopping to my local supermarket and also to save gas. The owner is asking $1700.00. What do you think?

[@ScooterNewbie]

I love that you’re looking to save some money through a scooter! I’m selling my 2020 for $2,400, so I don’t think it’s crazy. I don’t think it’s a hot deal though. It really depends on if you see many used scooter options in your area or not.

[@Tonycrossfit]

@@ScooterNewbie thank you for your reply.

[@lisakaye2699]

whew. okay i couldn't do faster. this will be perfect. i won't go on main roads etc... side back roads to walmart - dispensary - yeah no don't want to go that fast.

[@A4RS0]

I bought an amigo GTO 150 I still feel like it's not enough speed. my fastest road is 45mph, I usually do 50/55 even 60 but I'm redlining already....

[@thealignmentguy9139]

2015 honda forza. Used 2200 miles.

[@joeveinot5642]

Adv160 scooter is awesome 👌

[@gstevejordan]

... is that a photo of Awosting Falls behind you...??

[@realtalk1278]

Great video spitting good info!🤘🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@ScooterNewbie]

Thanks! Do you ride?

[@realtalk1278]

@@ScooterNewbie Yes. I own a vino 50cc . I am 250 pounds and get laughs on a regular. There is also the issue of being too slow for traffic. Looking to upgrade asap. Keep the videos coming!🤘🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@ScooterNewbie]

The Vino is such a great scooter!! It is what I rode in my basic motorcycle class. Thanks for hanging out here to chat scooters! 💕 🛵

[@lisakaye2699]

plus i live in sun city arizona these old ass peeps ride on golf carts.

[@Brianfox52]

Feeling company and Cleveland it sells these types of scooters has a company called Cleveland moto. I cannot find a decent size showroom company in my area. Who sells these types of scooters brand new? I'm looking for a genuine or a kimco. Which both are sold at Cleveland motor but he goes by appointment only. And expects you to know what you're buying. That day. Do you have any suggestions of other companies in northeast Ohio?

[@charredskeleton]

you are a qem! totally awesome person!!

[@shaynaknatcal1256]

And where did you get the seat cover? 😍

[@ScooterNewbie]

scootersfornewbies.com/best-scooter-seat-cover/ has some info on it, and you can get one for your lovely Like, too!

[@shaynaknatcal1256]

I couldn't find your IG. Is it still up?

[@royferguson3909]

my px125, is very nippy

[@royferguson3909]

enjoy your content

[@Jacques_Merde]

Vespa 150 LX ie in "Bad Ass" black

[@ScooterNewbie]

I’m sorry, can you repeat that in Italian? I mean... Nero ______ to make it legit!! Bwahaha 🤣

[@Jacques_Merde]

@@ScooterNewbie ok, here goes.. I am going to bastardize both french and Italian (because I did NOT stay in school) "Le Wasp noir twerking" (Vespa translates in Italian to mean "Wasp")

[@Jacques_Merde]

@@ScooterNewbie ...can you translate my name?

[@ScooterNewbie]

@@Jacques_Merde bwahahaha! I fell into that one. 😂 I’m glad I searched on my phone instead of my work browser.

[@Jacques_Merde]

@@ScooterNewbie Now you can tell your husband you know Jack Sh!t !

[@soulsilver8540]

this is useful thanks

[@ScooterNewbie]

You’re welcome! Happy scootin’! 🛵 💨

[@25Soupy]

I'm looking at a 2007 Vespa 150 LX. It's a good price with low miles (3,600) for $2,200 It needs new tires and has a road rash spot on the rear right fender vs a 2013 Vespa 300 GTS with 7,000 miles for $4,000. I'll be using it for leisure as I work from home. I'll be mostly in the city but I do have a lot of bridges and the backroads speed limit is 35-50 miles an hour. How would you compare the 150 vs the 300 besides the obvious better gas mileage and speed? I was thinking of getting the 150 because it's a great price then after scooting around for 1 season I can decide if I should go bigger or keep the 150. I would love to hear everyone POV.

[@ScooterNewbie]

I'm surprised you didn't get others jumping in here, but if you're looking for 35-50 as the safe speed for your backroads, the 150 will do that just fine!

[@m103904]

Do you know if this scooter has a gy6?

[@joelohberger3221]

I Thought you were going to say I bought a Chinese scooter brand

[@ScooterNewbie]

Bwahaha! I probably should have but 💥 BAM! I have strong feelings about wanting a little more oomph!

[@MD-gw4rk]

If the streets are posted at 45 mph then those who are going faster than that are the ones breaking the speed limit. Hense speed limit. They can't be going faster than that on streets, they are breaking the law not the scooter riders. I have a scooter, Im not the one who speeding so to speak, drivers breaking that posted limit are.. it's posted at 45 mph because the state of Texas DOT says that. Drivers in automobiles don't follow that LIMIT. Police officers will give drivers a speeding ticket if they get caught going faster than the posted limit. Keep that in mind.

[@ScooterNewbie]

I hear you there! Reality on the road can be a bit different. However, I find drivers are a little worse on certain roads, so I just steer clear of those roads if I don’t want that stress. Do you ride? If so, which scooter do you have?

[@MD-gw4rk]

@@ScooterNewbie Hello. I ride a Wolf brand jet scooter it's a retro scooter similar to the Cali scooter. I know in Texas drivers are looney .. I stay on farm roads and side streets. It's a 49 cc scooter. I'm in North Houston. I have a scooter that has chrome naked handlebars. I just learned how to ride in April of 2021. Learned by myself. I know that my family was freaking out because I bought it. I bought my car and nobody freaked out, imagine that 😂I absolutely love my scooter wouldn't give it up for anything. 👍

[@ScooterNewbie]

@@MD-gw4rk Congrats on getting out there! I love that! I recall a Wolf dealer down in Kemah really likes the Wolf scooters, but I haven’t see the Jet yet! I can’t imagine a 50cc around Houston, but it sounds like you’ve managed just fine!!

[@MD-gw4rk]

@@ScooterNewbie I live North of Houston, it's more country than city like Houston, it's not real heavy on traffic and you have access to smaller streets that are rural. So basically I chose a 49cc scooter because I have never been on any motorized bike before. I think learning on a 49cc scooter is highly recommended if you have NEVER driven one. Start out small then work your way up sizes. You can always upgrade scooters for more speed when you get comfortable with them. That's what I would tell new riders. Especially, especially!!! Especially if you have never been on them. That was my way to go. Since I'm a real newbie, I'm happy with what I choose. Maybe in a year or two, I myself may upgrade to 150cc. But, I think a year of riding skills should be priority for any new rider. Get familiar with the rules of the road, the scooters, and safety courses. That year should give people that much experience. THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM WITH SCOOTERS....THE WIND.. wind is huge problem on ALL SCOOTERS!! Scooters are small and lightweight. If someone had told me about wind issues, I would have known that. I'm gonna warn ALL scooter riders, wind is a PROBLEM. When you have a lightweight bike prepare YOUR mind and get skilled up on driving with the wind. Your bike will jerk around because it's lightweight.

[@raycollins5914]

Piaggio Liberty will do 70

[@ScooterNewbie]

It sure will! I think that’s the best scooter for the money after my whole spreadsheet exercise, but I love the more classic Italian styling so much more! Do you have one of the zippy Liberty scoots?

[@JOHNWLOUCKS]

@@ScooterNewbie The Liberty is the way to go. Bigger wheels ( (16 inch) and lot's of power too.

[@tomcat6933]

Piaggio is Italian which makes vespa with same engine

[@1960ARC]

I think the liberty is great value for money, when you consider it has the same engine as the primavera, with16 inch front 14 inch rear wheels. I really considered the liberty before I opted for the SH125i.

[@lisakaye2699]

If you were 60 and only need to go to the casino, grocery store, dispensary and wing shop - what would one get .. ? A scooter that goes 50mph or one of those old lady things that go 30mph like a fatboy:? Every word you speak is the truth. lol

[@mostafatarek5771]

You are so beautiful and so smart. I am from Dhaka Bangladesh.

[@mikehawk120]

You are cute

[@buffering7612]

Onlyfans?

[@DivergentDroid]

I read your article. You are in the camp that China scooters are bad. Thats Crazy. Yes they use cheap parts we know that and yes they will break and you will have to replace them. Yes they force you to learn to work on your scooter to save money but all those are GOOD things. You will learn how to fix scooters. You will learn to replace with better quality parts. You will learn when something happens to your scooter what could be the cause of the problem and know the pros and cons to fixing it. To Not do those things says you Really DO NOT care about being a scooter owner. You wanna be a spoiled brat who has the world served to you on a silver platter. Don't be that person.

[@happywithdrawal]

if i'm buying a scooter as a form of reliable transportation, don't you think it'd make more sense to learn to care for your scooter on one that won't break on you at random? why buy a cheap scooter if you're going to have to replace everything with better quality parts, anyway?

[@DivergentDroid]

@@happywithdrawal Most of the time China scooters are Not as bad as "purists" will have you believe. Every bike breaks down, nothing is immune from that. The reason China scooters break down mostly is because people don't preform proper regular required maintenance on them and people rag them out, jump ramps, do stupid things with the bikes because they are "cheap". I've seen them last 50,000 miles plus with proper upkeep. I don't care what you drive you aren't going to get to 50,000 miles without replacing a bunch of parts to get there. So the China scooter may need a belt replacing 5k miles sooner than a Honda would, so what.. your going to do those things anyway. Some people just think they will have a scooter that will never give trouble and don't care because when it does they will just take it to the shop. If you wanna waste your money like that it's your choice for something as easy as a belt or tune up you could do yourself dirt cheap. China scooters are not "bad" just require a different attitude toward care and can save folks boat loads of money. With proper upkeep, they can be as reliable as any other bike.