Questions about Motorcycle/Scooter Purchase

[sdwindansea]

I'm a current Sportsmobile 4x4 owner and I'm in the market to buy either a motorcycle or scooter. Currently, our SMB is my every day driver. However, our office is moving downtown in a couple months which would allow me to ride a motorcycle/scooter to work (all surface streets). Besides, parking the SMB downtown would be next to impossible.

I've owned a street bike in the past. However, I figured since I'm buying something, it would be fun & convenient to also bring it on the SMB when traveling. I will get a rear hitch mount for this. I want to get a smaller bike/scooter (250cc or less). Also, I doubt I will ever be into the major trail riding or the desert scene, but it will need to be able to handle at least the same roads the SMB travels down. Finally, it needs to be capable of handling two smaller riders at once (wife & I). Highway driving is not a concern and I've never enjoyed this in Southern California (San Diego) and I will always avoid it.

The scooter I've been looking at is the Yamaha Zuma 125 (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/608/0/home.aspx) The only reasons I'm consider a scooter is for the storage and the possibility of my wife riding it. However, I’m guessing there are plenty of aftermarket storage options for a motorcycle. Who knows, this may also be the perfect one for me as well. My biggest concern is that loading it onto a hitch mount on the SMB could be problematic due to the wider profile of a scooter.

As far as motorcycles go, I've been researching various small dual sports including the following:


Yamaha TW200 (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/10/home.aspx)
Yamaha XT250 (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/574/0/home.aspx)
Suzuki DR200SE (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/DR200SE/2009/DR200SE.aspx)
Kawasaki Super Sherpa (http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?scid=14&id=371)

I'm guessing that 90% of the use will be on road. I'm hopefully going to do some test drives in the next couple of weeks. I'd love to buy used if the right one is available.

Any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-Geoff

[Lichen]

If you google "motorcycle racks", you'll find ones made specifically for the wider scooters. I've been checking out the TW200, but used ones are hard to find.

[sdwindansea]

Thanks Lichen. The problem with the Sportsmobile is that the spare tire sits on the back door (275/75/16), so we would already need to use a hitch extension even for a motorcycle.

[Oni]

The Zuma 125 and the others you listed are two very different things.

I have a Z125, and it would probably be perfect for most of your needs. Commuting to work, it has underseat storage, easy to ride (especially if your wife doesn't know how to ride a real motorycycle) great gas milage, and you can park them almost anywhere. It is not, however, an off road bike. It's difficult to stand on them and the suspension is really lacking...not a whole lot of ground clearance either. You can putt down a smooth dirt road...but wouldn't want to do much more.

It is however loads of fun. I park the truck on the weekends and ride the scoot almost exclusively. Store runs, take out, Blockbuster, hardware store. You can carry a lot of stuff with the underseat storage and floorboard, even a 40lb bag of dog food, about the only exception for me so far has been pizza. Haven't figured out a way to carry a pizza without squishing it.

If you are planning fire road exploration and some trail riding...any of the real bikes you listed would be a lot better...but for local commuting...scoot all the way. Plus it's fun playing Valentino Rossi. Every twisty road is my own personal MotoGP track. :bike_rider:

When I eventually get a Sportsmobile...it's probably the scooter that will be taken on the back rather than my other bikes.

[robert]

If you are going to use an extension, you need to get something as light as possible or you risk bending the rack. As I'm sure you're well aware, the further out it sticks past the rear axle the more it's counter-weighted. You can of course build a custom rack with extra support but most of the ones store bought versions I've seen had the weight being carried by the 2" square tubing in the receiver.

There is a scooter forum on Adventure Rider.com that has an active group. The Zuma 125 gets good reviews; I was looking at them when they came out. There are skinnier scooters out there too though if that's a concern. the Rattler 110 seems to be pretty popular over there and the little Honda Ruckus is a perennial favorite also.

You need to get your wife and both of you go to a large motorcycle store and check some bikes out- they can range in height from short and compact like the Super Sherpa to full sized dirt bike like the new Yamaha WR250 (getting excellent reviews otherwise and it's fuel injected). Like anything else, fit is very subjective- if you are tall, you are probably going to feel cramped on the Super Sherpa; if your wife can't touch the ground well she's not going to be comfortable on a bigger bike.

Honestly, most manufacturers are making good products these days. There are some 250 street bikes that are excellent bargains too like the Honda Rebel (they make another 250 too but I can't recall the name of it), the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and the Suzuki GZ250 and TU250. Many folks buy them as starter bikes then sell them off cheap when they switch to a larger bike. A small standard bike is perfectly capable of running down dirt and gravel roads if you're careful.

[Jnich77]

IMHO don't get a scooter... :sombrero:

[sdwindansea]

Thanks everyone for the advice and help so far. I completely understand that the four dual sports I listed are all quite similar overall and I would need to see for myself to make a determination. Based on specs and reviews, if I decide to get a dual sport, it would probably be the Suzuki based on it's mpg, fuel capacity and short seat height (I'm 5'7", my wife is 5'2"). Ultimately I'm buying this for myself, and I don't think she would have too much trouble learning to ride a real motorcycle.

I guess my real debate is whether to get a scooter or a dual sport. Like most choices, it is not completely obvious. I think the scooter would be better for my around town commuting and errands based on the storage capabilities. However, it would definitely be way more limited than a motorcycle when camping.

It looks like I'll be making make some sacrifices either way I go. Anyone have any compelling reasons to sway me one direction or the other?

[Jnich77]

Thanks everyone for the advice and help so far. I completely understand that the four dual sports I listed are all quite similar overall and I would need to see for myself to make a determination. Based on specs and reviews, if I decide to get a dual sport, it would probably be the Suzuki based on it's mpg, fuel capacity and short seat height (I'm 5'7", my wife is 5'2"). Ultimately I'm buying this for myself, and I don't think she would have too much trouble learning to ride a real motorcycle.

I guess my real debate is whether to get a scooter or a dual sport. Like most choices, it is not completely obvious. I think the scooter would be better for my around town commuting and errands based on the storage capabilities. However, it would definitely be way more limited than a motorcycle when camping.

It looks like I'll be making make some sacrifices either way I go. Anyone have any compelling reasons to sway me one direction or the other?

Dual sport = more reliable, more durable, more power, more versatility, better brakes, better handling, almost limitless storage options if you are creative.

A scooter will get better mpg and thats about it in my book.

[MarcFJ60]

I'm not sure there is a wrong choice. But if you want my $.02:

I briefly rode a DR200 at my MSF class. Nothing wrong with it, but it really felt slow and dull.

XT250 - I think it's the best looking small bike there is. Great seat height for shorties like us.

TW200 - But this is the one I would get. It is just so versatile. It will do anything the others will do (maybe slower), but it will go anywhere. It's like the moped of dirtbikes. Low seat height but very capable. The versatility will match your SMB nicely.

[robert]

Dual sport = more reliable, more durable, more power, more versatility, better brakes, better handling, almost limitless storage options if you are creative.

A scooter will get better mpg and thats about it in my book.

And cheaper to insure and less likely to get stolen.

I'd go with the dual sport and put a set of tires on that was mostly street oriented and call it good. :bike_rider:

[sdwindansea]

Thanks again everyone, your time and help is really appreciated. I've been leaning towards the dual sport as well. Now I have to see them all in person and figure out which one is best for me. Or hope that a good, used one crosses my path.

[Oni]

You should add the Honda CRF230L to your list. My buddy bought one for his wife and she loves it.

http://powersports.honda.com/2009/crf230l.aspx

Check out ADVrider for lots of great info. :bike_rider:

[trevpiee]

can't beat a 90! :sombrero:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/4009333551_3dd5c99644_b.jpg

[David_in_TX]

Better yet, a Honda CRF230F with a Baja Designs dual sport kit.
https://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/P-121050/Dual+Sport+Kit%2c+Crf230f+%26+06-on+Crf150f


You should add the Honda CRF230L to your list. My buddy bought one for his wife and she loves it.

http://powersports.honda.com/2009/crf230l.aspx

Check out ADVrider for lots of great info. :bike_rider:

[roscoFJ73]

Someone mentioned the YAMAHA TW200

They sure look like a lot of fun. You could let those big tyres down and cruise through soft sand

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Yamaha-TW200.jpg

[scarysharkface]

Someone mentioned the YAMAHA TW200

They sure look like a lot of fun. You could let those big tyres down and cruise through soft sand

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Yamaha-TW200.jpg

While lacking power, those fat tires make sure that none of it gets wasted. TW200 is the mechanical equivalent of a mountain goat but not much fun on the highway.

[R_Lefebvre]

I wouldn't touch a scooter, but that's personal preference.

I say, if you want to get more ability for easy off-road trail plonking, get the TW200. If you want more on-road ability get the DR200 or XT250. The TW200 will just be easier to toot around off-road, because of the big high floatation tires. But those same tires won't be near as much fun on-road, and you're also pretty much restricted to those same replacements. You only have 1 choice in tire.

I say the TW200 will be easier off-road because... being stuck in the mud on a bike SUCKS. And I think it'll go through mud much better than a regular bike. I'd love to get one as a secret weapon for those really snotty wet and sloppy Hare Scrambles. I think it would clean up. Usually most guys give up after 1 lap, and just being able to do a second lap guarantees a win.

[sdwindansea]

Thanks again to everyone for all the information & advice. After a lot of thinking and pros/cons lists, I've decided to get a Yamaha Zuma 125 for my commuting and around town use. I got a great price on a 2009 and it will cost me about $1500 less than any of the dual sports I was considering. I determined that I can get a used trail bike down the road if I find this to be more of a requirement. Trying to find something that would be perfect for all my requirements was not going to happen so the fact that I'll be using it for 95% commuting and errands led me to this decision.

With all of that being said, I loved the Yamaha XT250 (and older XT255).

[Oni]

Congrats. I think you'll like it. I love mine. I'm pretty much on the scooter on the weekends unless I have to take the wife somewhere. Great for runs to the store, take out, rent movies etc.

Don't tell anyone...but I don't wear all the gear on the scoot. With the dual sport or street bike it's ATGATT (all the gear all the time) but I've been known to putt down to the store in shorts and a tee shirt from time to time. :bike_rider:

For off roading, you'll definitely want a dual sport or trail bike though. It may look kinda off-roadish, but I wouldn't do anything but a putt down a smooth fireroad with it.

Check out zumaforums.net for some good Zuma info.

[sdwindansea]

Thanks Oni. I've already checked out zumaforums.net quite a bit. ADVRiders was quite helpful as well. I pick it up (and pay for it) this Saturday, weather permitting.

If any of you are interested in a 1970 Honday CT90 in Southern California, this one looks really good on paper http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/1503389025.html.

[Gear]

This might work. 2009 TW200, 360 miles on bike. Price $3000.00 Not mine. Worth a look.

http://tw200forum.com/forums/84522/ShowPost.aspx

Oh and if you want to see a TW200 up close I just picked one up 2 days ago. Just PM me.