motorcycles

One of my riding buddies has an eye on that same bike and I think it would be a winner for him too. I am turning my DR650 into a project right now to see how much of a touring machine it can become. In the end I am sure there will be yet another bike around the corner but this one is pushing the right buttons for now.

I did the 101 loop last weekend on a big scooter and while not quite my type of bike these days it was still fun to be on two wheels in the wind.

And I can't recommend mounting that Triumph on the stern of your C-Dory. I think you will have to let go of that dream for now.

Greg
 
Greg-

Which big scooter did you ride? What were your impressions of it and that type of cycle?

I was thinking of a BMW R or K 650 or 1000-1200 RT road bike, but have issues getting my leg up over the seat after hip replacement, etc.

I know Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki at least make bigger scooters up to 600 cc that moderately approximate a good sized bike's capabilities, at least statistically, and in some performance numbers.

I don't want a crotch rocket, but would love to ride in the mountains all around Redding and Northern California, maybe Southern Oregon and Nevada.

On Edit: I'd also welcome comments from others on this topic, if you will, please!

Thanks in advance!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I rode my wifes Kymco 300 Downtown over the weekend which is a very nice powerful 300 fuel injected single scoot capable of low 90s for speed and handling that really can't be matched by the typical heavier models. I have also ridden a bunch of 250 machines and 500cc units and this 300 is my favorite so far. If only it had just a bit more room for my long legs. 6'3"

The most similar handling model with more power/speed would be the Yamaha Tmax.

Do you like the upright seating position of smaller units or the layback postion of highway style cruisers?

Will you ride more straight roads for more twisty routes most if the time? Passenger or not?
 
Aurelia":153b96mn said:
I rode my wifes Kymco 300 Downtown over the weekend which is a very nice powerful 300 fuel injected single scoot capable of low 90s for speed and handling that really can't be matched by the typical heavier models. I have also ridden a bunch of 250 machines and 500cc units and this 300 is my favorite so far. If only it had just a bit more room for my long legs. 6'3"

The most similar handling model with more power/speed would be the Yamaha Tmax.

Do you like the upright seating position of smaller units or the layback postion of highway style cruisers? I think my back would prefer the more laid back position over longer rides. (I have a Yamaha C3 and it fits well, if that helps.)

Will you ride more straight roads for more twisty routes most if the time? Passenger or not? More twisty ones, and mostly w/o a passenger. though I might like to add a luggage rack and plastic animal crate/container and take my Jack Russell mix terrier along, if possible.
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Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Sea Wolf":1hjghqd9 said:
...though I might like to add a luggage rack and plastic animal crate/container and take my Jack Russell mix terrier along, if possible.
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Joe, ol' pal - you should get one of these.

0Wspx.jpg
 
Bill-

Great canine accommodations!

And a BMW to boot!

Makes my German ancestry proud, as does my BMW Z3 Roadster! 8)

But what does a configuration like that ride like?

An oversized Big Wheel? :lol:

Some guy locally had a Honda Gold Wing for sale recently with a trailer and every extra except a female 22 year old "looker"/ Geriatric Nurse / Companion included (!) :smilep

Do you think a big bike / cycle / scooter and/or the proper accessories will be fun and make me feel young again??? :smiled

My son works in Chester (by Lake Almanor) for the Forrest Service, and it would be fun to ride up there among other places and cool off in the mountains when Redding is its usual 105'F in the summer! (Riding gear not withstanding!)

Should get some input from Joel on this one, as I know he has at least a couple of motorcycles with sidecars! And he lives in Chester in the summer, too, where he operates his dive/recovery business.

Fun topic! More to come, I hope! :D

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Joe,

The C3 is a small city scooter so it has the upright seating position. The layback position can be nice for longer rides but it depends a bit on your riding attitude. A sportier rider on curvy roads will tend to sit more upright naturally as they concentrate on the riding while laying back and putting your feet up can be nice on a 100 mile interstate push.

Capable Highway models with upright seating would be the Aprilia Scarabeo 500ie, Piaggio BV300 or 500, and the Kymco People 300i, or even the Vespa GTS 300 if you like em skittish.

Models with layback seating would be the Burgmans from Suzuki, Honda's Silverwing, Yamaha's Tmax, Kymco Downtown 300, or Xciting 500 model

There are quite a few 200-250cc models out there of various designs and they are capable of Highway travel and speeds approaching 75-80mph but you will likely want for just a bit more if main highways are in the mix and being passed by cars is not your idea of a good ride. If you stick to lesser highways and scenic routes, a 200-250 can be enough. I have ridden them from Seattle to California with not problems via the coast.

A note on wheels. Some models have larger wheels both front and back in the 15-16 in range and they will have the most stable (motorcycle like) feel especially in the corners. The smallest of wheels such as those on the Vespa at 12inches are very "lively" feeling at 80mph. That feel is a major consideration when shopping for a scooter and a test ride of examples of each will quickly show reveal the difference.

Best handling scooter I have ever ridden. Aprilia Sportcity 250 (amazing brakes, fuel injected and precise)

The one I miss the most- Aprilia Scarbeo 250 (2005 vintage) (felt good, sounded good, and looked good)
 
If one is looking for a small, around-town scooter, the Yamaha 125 Vino is pretty nifty. We rode one last fall and almost took it home. At around 100 mpg, it would be good for to and from the store, at speeds up to around 50 mph. I rode a friends 250 Aprilia and it was definitley more motorcycle-like. I'm still enjoying the V-Strom... I put a bigger windshield on it, and some thicker grips. Strap a bag on and I'm good to go. I don't ride it much when we're in south Texas, though... the roads are mostly straight and flat, and the drivers there are somewhere between aggressive and oblivious.
 
I can tell you that a 1800cc Goldwing with tow behind cargo trailer and almost every option known to man doesn't make you feel anything but lighter in the wallet but it is a great way to see the country.
 
We bought a 125 Yamaha Vino after our vintage 50 cc Italian Moped had trouble on some steeper hills riding 2 up, exploring small river towns on our Mississippi river trip in 2007. Our Catamaran Cruiser Houseboat had an expansive front porch with front and both side entry, So it was easy to get the Vino on and off.

But we made only 1 trip with the Vino onboard, The Arkansas River from near Tulsa down to the Mississippi, and the 125 Vino did have plenty of power to climb Mt. Nebo in Dardanelle, Arkansas 2 up.

But with the help of Jim and Joan in South Texas we became the owners of a 22 Cruiser, and the houseboat went to a new owner.

We still have the Vino 125 but at 240 pounds we are not getting it in and out of a C-Dory. At near 800 lbs we are not going to take my VTX 1800 either.

.... So its back to the Moped, about 85 lbs and fairly easy to get out of the cockpit onto the dock. We really like to have the ability to explore small towns when we river travel. I have a new rear sprocket on order that will drop our top speed from 25 to 20 but should give us a little more power on the hills.
Photo #32 in the "Bixby's Cub" album shows the Moped in the boat. It is a 1971 Motron Italian 50cc. Sat in my uncles garage for 35 years. I cleaned the float bowl on the carb, aired the tires, put fresh gas in it and it started right up.

Now I use the 125 Vino for putting in the neighborhood and some trips to the store.
The Vino has a top speed close to 60. I usually ride around 25 to 45 Mph and have been getting close to 90 MPG. If gas goes way up, I will be using the Vino a bunch more.

Tex
 
Guys-

Thanks for all the comments so far…very enlightening!

Looks like I've got a lot of learning and exploring to do regarding the various alternatives, but will do so with your guidance and assistance. :wink

I know I need a considerable larger, more capable bike for the highway and mountains, so will shop around and explore a lot more before taking a chance on buying the wrong machine because I'm in too much of a hurry.

BTDT on several other types of purchases. :cry

How about dealerships, parts, service, and retail value? Major brands? Japanese? European? Taiwanese? Chinese? New or used (usually my preference)?

Thanks!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I have a 2008 Honda Goldwing for sale 1800 cc premuim sound heated seats, heated grips back rest Gps System. might even tow your Cdory its nice bright candy apple Red
 
That stock photo I posted last week was just a placeholder. The real thing is so much better.

Meet Rusty.

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With all this talk about motorcycles, big ones, fast ones, fancy ones, it's time for me to post our little, slow, simple one for sale.

It is a 2003 Tomos 49cc motorbike I used to commute to work here in town. It is small enough that no motorcycle endorsement is needed, simple and reliable, somewhere between 75-100mpg. Top speed is about 35mph, centrifugal clutch so no shifting is needed, magneto power source so no battery to worry about. It weighs around 100 lbs. It is advertised at $500 but I'll sell it to a Brat for $475 Its great for local, cheap commuting.

Motorbike_Oct_2011.sized.jpg
 
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