@@MehediHasanSizan I disagree tremendously. There is danger in riding a motorcycle just like there is danger in driving a car. If you don't believe me just look at what is happening in Ft. Worth on I35 right now. But, you can make both of them less dangerous is you pay closer attention to all that is happening around you. Study the other drivers. You can usually tell if they are going to exit, go straight or move into your lane just by watching the attitude of the car. If you are looking for complete safety in this life, you need to stay home in bed.
@@MehediHasanSizan some people just hate the idea that other period are having fun without their express permission. Today i rode 200 miles. Saw ONE ACCIDENT! A semi clipped a car in Rock falls... neither driver was paying attention.
I will say that always wearing a helmet isn't quite enough. 1st, it needs to be a full face helmet. 19% of head impacts are actually to the chin, so an open face helmet doesn't provide enough protection. The other thing is wearing full gear. That means actual motorcycle gear with CE rated impact armor and made of abrasian resistant materials like kevlar. Wear all the gear, all the time. Don't settle for the minimum required protection.
for most scooters you don't really need full gear if you're averaging 30 mph. for his maybe if he's on the highway a lot but most scooters are 50cc not 300 or 150. That's small motorcycle territory.
While not quite as protective as road options I’ve found that a dirt bike or dual sport helmet offer more space for the face haha and breathability / comfort for those who are full face helmet adverse. Something I recommend as a compromise if a friend is considering one of those cool kid Harley boy yamaka things haha
Wait your sold on the scooter because it show's you're comfortable with yourself. That is the kind of thinking that is exactly opposite to one being comfortable with themselves. IF SOMEONE NEED'S TO SHOW EVERYONE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THEMSELVES, THEY MOST CERTAINLY ARE NOT.
Yeah me too . I have a 50 cc scooter and a Yamaha 250, every time I’m riding my Yamaha .people in bikes say hi to me ,they wave a hand, but When I take my scooter they ignore me. That’s funny because I love my bad ass Chinese 50 cc scooter. Thank you for sharing your videos
Friend of mine is a millionaire who collects vehicles. He has many CARS and MOTORCYCLES. Know what he uses as his daily commuter? A scooter. Why? Because he's smart.
kymco and sym are both excellent brands from Taiwan. not something you should dismiss as knock offs. they are just not very well known in North America but definitely good enough to be competitive with the japan and Europe. I say it from my own travel experience.
KYMCO makes a great bike. They also used to make the Elites for Honda back in the day, which says a lot about their quality. My first two scooters were KYMCOs.
I live in Taiwan. I've had my Kymco 125 for 5 years. No problems except a rear brake that eventually got jerky during rain. It was cheaply replaced without further issue.
True! Although I can only confirm this statement in Greece, they are very popular with the delivery and postal service employees. Very fuel efficient, cheap spare parts, light and maneuverable!
I bought a used Suzuki Burgman 400 2007 model and love it. I agonized over the motorcycle vs scooter choice but scooter advantages are too many to ignore - no chain to oil, locked storage so you don't have to carry your jacket and helmet when shopping, wind protection, feet are not bound onto brake or shifter. 54mpg and comfortable.
+mike “Lastdime” glidewell Just ordered a 2015 White PCX but when my Harley sells, 400 Burgman is what I want for longer rides. 54 & 90% of my riding is in a 25 mile radius. I have seen 2011 400ABS Burgmans with 1000 miles for $3495. Sell the Hog, think a 400 Burgman & PCX be perfect for old fart lol. Like this guy says, it's how ya get there, the ride.
for the money and the highway, get the Suzuki Burgman 650. The PCX is way too small in HP and its NOT made for consistent highway use. I know because I had a 1986 Honda Elite 150 Deluxe. If a 650 cc on a motorcycle is fast and strong what do you think it would do in a Scooter, much faster. Mike Glidewell, Yes, you have no worries to lube a chain, bu these scooters have a V-belt and they do wear out fast with extra weight. I remember using a Snowmobile belt on my scooter and it lasted a very long time.
mike glidewell - Ex Burgman 2007 owner here. Got it new back in 2007. :-) Damn good scooter I might had. Among several others, a 900 km trip put me side by side with a group of French and German BMW's on the highway. We rode along some 200 km usually "stuck" in the 145 km/h (gps). Well the funny part is that from time to time I noticed and later confirmed when we stopped. They where "checking" how the hell the scooter guy is still there! LOL :-) New tire and belt and slightly longer ratio on the cvt... Makes a delicious highway vehicle. Tip: On the 2007 cover the front fairing air vent, makes for a much better handling and comfort. ;-)
I am from south-africa and bought the chinese puzey salza 150.For short rides to the kafè and back it was "ok" but after about 4months it had to go.I wanted to do longer trips(breakfast run)with my wife and it could hardly get to 80km/h.Also brackets just started to break and had to be repaired(weld).Plastics verh flimsy and cracks also appear.Sold it and bought the Yamaha tmax530 2015(maxi scooter).Man nou that is a goos and strong scooter.I join a bike group and have no problem staying with the guys with there big 1200 and 1300 cruizers.Also got enought storage space(topbox added).This scooter really goes.Just my opinion.
@@zsh Then What? Those are still on 2 wheels. You think a bigger motor is called motorcycle a smaller motor is not? It is still a motor at the end of the day? Tell us why @harveym is wrong and why you're right?
I always had a scooter and I agree with you 💯. My friends always tell me to get a proper bike but my t-Max is 1000x better then a normal bike 😎 Thanks for making this video 👏
What I love most about scooter that other motorcycles dont have. -It's very silent. -No gears, easier and smoother driving. -Much space for storing helmet etc. I rented a 300cc scooter when I was on vacation in greece and I really loved it compaired to my own KTM supermoto which I also love but in a different way. The thing about scooter is that is so much more practical and comfortable.
On the startup time: Fuel injection. My Yamaha FZ6R starts in ~1 second, even when it's less than 30F. Any modern bike should start no problem regardless of the temperature...
I love my motorcycle, but I can definitely appreciate a scooter. I wonder how they do windy turns and how they handle wind. That storage seems appealing too.
People worry about what someone may think of them driving a scooter, then they put on a full-face helmet and nobody knows who they are or even cares. The only people that know what you drive are your friends and coworkers. The Honda ADV looks pretty good though, kind of a crossover look.
Great video. One safety tip: ride no less than a 125. A little speed on a scooter enhances safety. The 50cc scooters can't keep up with traffic and end up getting bullied into the far right of the lane. And they aren't peppy enough to avoid sudden surprises. I drive a 125 Piaggio Liberty. I don't have a name for it (yet), but he's been a good friend and travel companion.
The problem with 125 at least in Europe is that in many jurisdictions you need a special motorcycle driving license, which is not always feasible/convenient. On the other hand, in many jurisdictions you can ride 50cc (which is easily converted to 70cc) with just a regular car driving license.
Yeah, I'd agree with that. I had a 50cc Yamaha QT and the top end was maybe 33 mph. Great if you can stay off the main roads but dangerous otherwise. You have to hug the curb like a bicycle. My 150 easily does 50 mph which is not a rocket ship but enough to keep up with traffic on the main streets. Speaking of dangerous, I rode bicycles for many years due to poverty and those re the scariest vehicles on the road to operate.
i ride motorcycles ..wound up trading on a scooter...i was shocked by how fun it is to ride or how silly i feel when i ride it...i giggle like a girl ..
I enjoyed my time on a 170cc scooter, but really the arguments for a scooter are a bit narrowed if you're not comparing it to a Harley. I fully agree that people should pick based on what they like rather than just image or pressure though.
hi friend, I own Yamaha Xmax 400CC as my first motorscooter, I never had any motorcycles before since I got my driving license. after few bad comments from people who drive motorcycles this videos does motivate me that my motorscooter is not bad at all and it is indeed very practical. thanks a lot!
I'd like to add a little wisdom/experience to the thread. First off, I've owned about 18 motorcycles over 30 years and still own motorcycles, but I also have a Honda PCX150 and a Forza 300. My current motorcycle is a NC700x. Just sold a Yamaha FJR1300. All that said, my go-to vehicle for running around town is my small scooter. The PCX. Nimble, carries groceries. gets about 100mpg and so easy to drive. I take it from Hollywood to Downtown LA, Santa Monica often so I can park just about anywhere. My 150 is slightly more powerful than the 125 in this video so it's also freeway legal and does about 65 before the limiter kicks in, but in traffic, nothing lane-splits like the PCX. I'm about to take an epic motorcycle ride with buddies to UTAH, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. So every bike has its purpose. 2 years ago, I took the mid-sized scooter (Forza 300) to Kings Canyon, Yosemite, and Sequoias. Each bike I have has a sweet spot and those that only stick to motorcycles don't know what they're missing. If you not obsessed with your image, give a small scoot a try. Also, as far as brands go, I agree with many in this thread. Sym and Kymco are excellent brands and are very reliable. Even Genuine is a good brand. (Kimco even makes the engines for the newer flagship BMW 650 scooters as well as their GS motorcycles and originally made engines for Honda back in the day). Happy riding, whatever you ride.
I still have the Forza and it's a great machine. All it needed was aftermarket rear shocks and Dr. Pulley 19g sliders for a great ride. That being said, I also have a 2004 Helix. I got the Helix for long trips. I might cross the country on it. You can find a good PCX used for about 2k. The same for a Helix. Forza will be more than double, but nobody can really tell you what to get. It all depends on what kind of riding you'll do and you have to feel comfortable on it. Best of luck.
frogzlove great comment, I like to buy new the Forza is 6k much better on the interstate than pcx so I'm leaning towards the forza even thoughits almost double in price.
I saw your video a couple of months ago and convinced myself to buy a scooter for commuting. I got a Genuine Buddy and while that was not one of your recommended scooters it has been really great so far. The reason I went with that brand is there is a local shop that sales and maintains them, that is something you should point out to everyone that is watching your video. By the way thanks for doing a good job it helped me make my decision.
Also got me one of those PCX scooters. Did over 34000 km is the first 2 years. Not a single problem. Had a few bikes before that, but this is the best solution for everyday commuting.
You're 100% right! I thank God I gave up the "ridiculously heavy"... "rudely loud"... big Turing bike, & both of my extremely "bad posture" crotch rockets... for a much more refined, quiet & classy burgman 650 scooter that can take me everywhere.
I would say twist and go is HUGE factor (for me at least). One less thing to do/worry about. Then you can pay more attention to surroundings and relax a little more when cruising. I'm in Clearwater Fl and it' all stop and go.... shifting sucks!
i am 67 and have had motorcycles for 50 years.now I have a 150 Lance it is easy to ride and at this time in my life I am happy with it. it works great around town.
ok die hard motorcycle rider here have 5 of em and I was recently given a tao tao scooter, yes it's more practical around town than my chopper and goldwing but god is it easy to get on and go, it won't replace my bikes but it did open my eyes
I'm 55 & just ride locally. Sold my old, heavy Hog. Bought a 2015 PCX 150. I friggin love it after I slapped a pair of Michelins on it. Can go grocery grabbing, ride on 55MPH highways here no problem. I usually have it pegged, but get 86MPG. 290lbs over 740 lbs lol, my old ass loves my PCX. Pair of Michelins shipped to my door was $100. Full coverage insurance $115 a year. I friggin love my little scooter.
LightWorker61 I have a 2013 , pcx 150...it's a great scooter, gas mileage, comfort, dependable, but I'm thinking to get his bigger brother Honda Forza 300 , just for the extra speed, for transportation, highway...bit the Forza seems a little to bulky...not a sporty as the pcx...got to keep searching I guess?
to add to your recap..easy to maintain, you can drive it immediately, you can park it even in a narrow area, and average speed on the road for safe driving, and the cost of ownership to have it is very less compare to car and big bikes. Its great to have a scooter, especially like me i live in the suburb far away from the crowded city of metro-manila, Philippines. Thanks a lot for your video. Drive safely and God bless..
Kymco and sym are both taiwanese manufacturers who started out under hondas wings. Kymco now have connections with kawasaki and bmw. The quality of both taiwanese and chinese machines has improved dramatically over the past 5 to 10 years. It still pays to do your own research though before you buy but if you can then buy from a reputable dealer. Their numbers are increasing too. Lexmoto, sinnis, cf moto and zontes are all trustworthy makes with good aftersales and parts availability. My personal favorite at the moment is zontes. Im on my second bike called the 250s phantom. Ive owned this bike for over three years now and done over 9500 miles with very little to complain about
@Falk M Exactly what Civic? Honda's automatic transmissions are pretty weak, but 90% of their engines are dead solid. They also did make some Hybrid Civics in the early 2000s that were horrendously unreliable.
@Falk M Well I guess we're in agreement. If you want a solid Honda the manual transmission is the way to go. That entire car will probably fall apart around the engine.
Thanks for the great video. I ride a 2016 SYM HD 200 EVO with 171 cc GY6 motor. I bought a brand new Harley Sportster 1000 back in 1979, rode it for 10 years, put 42K miles on it, sold it in 1989, and never rode a bike again until I bought my 2016 SYM HD 200 in February of 2018 with 900 miles on it. I now have 4800 miles on it, do all the (simple) maintenance myself and it runs silky smooth. I did my research and all of the professional reviews of the Taiwanese made SYM HD 200 EVO were rather outstanding, compared to the few poor reviews I found of the Chinese built scooters. No, I did not peruse the reviews of all the Japanese built scooters because I know all those reviews by the pros would have been outstanding, and the price point of those great Japanese scooters would reflect all of those outstanding reviews. So, I went with my barely used SYM HD 200 (171cc) which was $3400.00 new and I paid $1700.00 for at 900 miles. Yep, there are many solid and reliable scooters out there and tons of fabulous used ones found on the likes of Cragslist, Cycle Trader, etc.,etc. Not sure what I was trying to accomplish here, haha. Anyway, happy scootering everyone! Dean Seattle
Not all Taiwanese scooter are bad, SYM is a very good scooter company, in fact they used to make Hondas scooter for years, I have the SYM HD200 EVO, its about 100 pounds heavier than the PCX and cost about $300 more. Never owned a scooter before, I've test drove the PCX150, BUDDY and VESPA LX, but the SYM really stood up for me, not saying the others are bad. Always wear a helmet, a full face is very recommended, enjoy the summer...
1) 'Scooting'- no, it's just riding, same as a motorbike, or a bike 2) Scooter riders get road rash too 3) Never smelled of petrol getting off my motorbikes before, not a valid comparison, maybe your Harley or another of your bikes had a leak somewhere 4) Yes, the storage space most maxi scooters have is awesome, I'll give you that
#4 - Definitely storage in some maxis is "outrageous" for a 2 wheel vehicle. My old Burgman 400 2007, had with the addition of a small top box in the back, a whopping 135L total storage capacity. We're talking smart car capacity in 2 wheels. Practical to say the least. :-) There are some 65L boxes in the market that can increase that value even more...
Great video. I just sold my Harley Davidson XL1200R Roadster. It was a difficult decision for sure. Been thinking of getting a scooter for awhile. You may have very well convinced me.
4:49 seriously?! Thats my dilemma right now. Never been on 2wheels before but planning to take riding lessons for my birthday. Ive read so much about the sv650 being the perfect beginner bike. But at the same time i want low cost of ownership & maintenance and good mpgs of a scooter. I want to learn how to shift but also think an auto would be ez enough. My future 2wheels will be for local trips. Couldnt imagine riding 2wheels for 6hours+. Feeling overwhelmed tryna fig out which way to go. Im sure it will become clearer post riding lessons. Any input would be appreciated
I got a scooter for a few reasons. Mainly, those are the gas mileage and cost of gas and the insanely low insurance costs. It takes me maybe $2 to completely fill my tank and I can ride for 100 miles from it. The insurance is like $20 for six months. Basically the cost of maintaining a scooter is nothing.
i have a cbr600rr. its awesome and i love it. are there better bikes in that class? yes. but this is what i love to ride, I'm a honda fanboy. you can't change my mind. I'm dug in and will never change. there is no problem with this. i love your honesty, don't change for anyone!
Very inspirational. After being bike-less for about 8 years and I'm wanting to get back into motorcycling. I had started to look at used Ninja 650's, Suzuki GS500's, etc, but I've really begun to gravitate towards a mid-sized scooter like a Honda Forza, Burgman 200. or Kymco Downtown 300i for around town running and a short commute to work. My dad is a Harley guy through and through and he would sh*t bricks if he knew I was considering a scooter, lol. Anyway, glad the scoot is working out for you and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Have both HD Crossbones and Reflex .. scooter is fun. Love beating the cagers at lights with my 249cc Reflex. Way easier to push around the garage if that's a factor. Parking ,Etc Insurance is crazy cheap..
My favourite thing to do while riding my Honda Reflex is waving to guys on their Harleys.. Their reactions always give me a chuckle.. Everybody on a scooter should try it..
I have a 2003 Bajaj Legend 4stroke 150cc scooter, and I love it so very much. It's made in India it's a very good scoot just like it's cousin the Chetak.
I love my scoots. I have a TMAX from Yamaha and an older Aprilia, both about 500 cc. Along with those, I have a Honda N700 which is perfect as a motorcycle and a CanAm 3-wheeler. They are all different and I choose which one to ride by what I'm trying to accomplish. The Honda, which replaced a too-tall 92 ci (1507 cc) Victory, is also built like a cruiser with feet forward and lower seat. They all are fun to drive. My favorites are the Aprilia and the Honda as they both handle wonderfully and are very flickable.
My own reason for sticking with scooters is that--upon taking a motorcycle class to prepare for the provincial license test--I discovered a raging hatred for manual transmissions. My current ride is a Piaggio BV 350 that is already at 20k km after two riding seasons. I would take exception to equating the mainland Chinese scooters with Taiwanese "knockoffs". The major Taiwanese marques like Kymco and Sym have a great reputation for quality and reliability. In fact, any Yamaha scooter below 250cc is made in Taiwan. The Kymco GT200i I rode for about 8 years and 50k km lasted through almost daily highway commutes, urban riding, and two-lane excursions down into New England.
I have a Suzuki 110cc motorcycle (no scooter) myself and absolutely love it! light, great fuel economy and totally dependable. Great to see that you´re still riding it. Blessings.
Great vid. Thank you, sir. I am new to scoots. Just picked up a new, old stock 2013 Honda Silverwing. Oh, boy! That beast will give you plenty of room to stretch and also plenty of speed and passing power. Great video, again. Thank you!
I used to be embarrassed to drive a scooter is a primary vehicle. That was until I met an old biker started writing in the 40s and he too was driving the exact same scooter. I assumed it was because he was an older gentleman and scooters are for old people. He told me he was a lifelong motorcycle rider and that this was his first scooter the Honda Helix, after writing a helix he said he'd never go back to a motorcycle again.
Hey, Taiwanese SYM/Lance make great scooters! I actually went with the SYM Wolf Classic motorcycle (used for less than $1500), and it really gets 80+ MPG. However, you have to do a lot of shifting with a 150 in city traffic, and there are cold mornings when i wish i had fuel injection. I would consider a Honda PCX next time, but will probably stick with SYM or Lance, just to have a flat floor to carry a 12-pack or a box of cat litter on.
+Derrick Thompson Wolf of SYM is not bad because Wolf 150 is derived from Wolf 125 and Wolf 125 was originated from molding of CB125 licensed from Honda.
I've been riding motorcycles and scooters for 43 years now. Currently have an 800 Suzuki, an 1100 Yamaha and a Chinese scooter with a 150cc engine, a Senling 150. Yeah, the heavy bikes do give a thrill with all that power and if I need to go a long distance that is what I use. But the little 150 is my go to around the neighborhood, grocery shopping, taking my 4 year old to the park, or just exploring for fun. In many ways I use it more like a bicycle, going on bike trails, over pedestrian bridges, out of the way dirt trails. It is a Zuma clone with good tires for that and high fenders. I'm probably going to sell my 1100. It just seems like overkill. Even the 800 has way more power than I really need. I don't agree with his putdown of Chinese scooters though. I've been doing regular maintenance on mine and it has been extremely reliable. What he said about the big bikes is right though. I ride through winter (Nebraska) and I need to warm up the big bike engines with a hair dryer and let them run for a couple of minutes. And they are always a pain in the A to push around the garage and driveway. The scooter just starts right up. It is about as hard to push around as a bicycle. 1 thing I prefer about motorcycles over scooters though is the manual transmission over the automatic. There is less wear and tear on the brakes since a manual tranny allows you to use the engine to brake which also helps with gas mileage.
i have a 09 burgman 650 and out of all the biles ive owned including 3 harleys this is the best bike ive owned it loves the interstate i cruse at 70 to 80 all the time has a masive storage under the seat and is smooth as silk when riding 42000 miles and still loving it
I love my Honda Big Ruckus Scooter (2006), it's great for around town, but when it comes to the open road at freeway speeds, most scooters lack the power needed. Overall, Motorcycles win when it comes to a road trip.
I love my 2015 PCX150. I've actually had it up to 65 with a bit yet to go on a straightaway! And using it on city streets it's a joy not to have to kick gears at every light.
Fair and square. Good review and clarification. At the end of the day what matters most is how you define safety and fun. If SF is in a scooter or in a motorcycle then I have no problem with that. Leaving all prejudices at the door and been able to live your life without all that garbage is prime. I am a single 2 wheel motorized vehicle. Once my current R1150RT no longer moves I would go to 650 cc scooter and that will be SF as well
Hello again, I discovered your channel because of the electric bike battery tutorial. I owned about 10 motorcycles and 3 scooters and I couldn't agree more. Let's be honest the only two things in favor of motorcycle are power (for the thrill) and wheel diametre (for gyroscopic effect, security) and, in Europe, we resolved those two problems with what we call "maxiscooters" like yamaha Tmax ou gilera GP 800. I used to live in Paris (more than 20 years) and the scooter was the ultimate transportation vehicule there because parking was also a big issue!
Don't get me wrong, I think scooters are cool, but if you can only afford one bike, like I can, I'll forgo a bit of practicality by wearing a backpack and have something I can have a bit more fun on. I have a CBR600F4i now, it's fine for commuting although I hardly ever use the power (about 88kw) and so would be happy enough going back to a something more economical like my GS500F(s) which were only about 30kw but could easily get sub 3l/100kms
I have a 2013 honda PCX150 and I love it. I have close to 15,000 miles on it and no problems yet. I take good care of my honda PCX150. I also get complements about it and some people are jealous that they don't have one because they just want some way to get around on low gas cost and the kind of speed my scooter has.
I've had my Honda Forza 300cc Scooter for about a year now and it hasn't failed me yet. Keeps up with highway traffic just fine. A lot of motorcycle riders are surprised to see me zip by. Definitely will be upgrading to the BMW GT 650 soon. Heated seat/grips, storage and practicality beats a motorcycle in my opinion.
I love my scooters. Yamaha Zuma 125 and Honda Forza. In NYC there is just no better way to get around. Awareness and anticipation is my best friend to ride with me never leave home without. Happy riding
I want a moped for a reason because my birthday is in March and I'm turning 15 and that's the age limit to have a moped that's 50cc or under and I don't wanna wait till I'm 16 to get a motorcycle because I really wanna start riding.
+Sanitys Void Most honda bikes are made in china shit for brains. Why is it always the clueless retards that open their mouths. Even generically branded chinese stuff will last if you take care of it.
+Sanitys Void Most honda bikes are made in china shit for brains. Why is it always the clueless retards that open their mouths. Even generically branded chinese stuff will last if you take care of it.
Great video! But I wonder if Sym and Kymco should have been included in your list of go-to scooters to buy. It is my understanding that these two Taiwanese companies are fabulous.
Yodaismycopilot I think Kymco makes good scooters. From what I've read they are very reliable. I would still personally take a slightly used Japanese over a new Taiwanese, but I think that's just personal bias.
I love my moped. I've only had to fill the tank four times in one year and I drive it more than once every day. It's awesome on gas and it's so much funner to commute with. No more be stuck in traffic. No more insurance payments breaking the bank. So many reasons to love them.
I'm grateful for the video but am trying to decide between the pros and cons of a motorcycle vs a scooter. I respectfully disagree that the 125CC Honda is comparable to a Harley. As you said, the size difference is huge. I'm looking for comparisons between a 250 CC motorcycle and a scooter of equal displacement. What are the relative benefits of each? Thanks again for the video.
Scooter pro: reliable, comfy, practical, gas milage, easy handling, more utility. Scooter cons: not a motorcycle. Soo yeah the cons outweigh the pros massivly.
Scooter reliability is shit and it is very expensive to fix something The mileage is not that good and it is expensive to do a long distance Also scootes are big and bulky and the handling is worse than motorcycles
@@ΜάνοςΜανουσάκης-η6χ Depends on the Scooter, but most of them are the cheap Chinese made ones and they are indeed horribly made and unreliable. I'd take a Honda Grom over a Scooter though, more fun in a similarly sized package. Great to learn on too.
I ride the PCX in Vietnam, and it's the most convenient and comfortable for my height. Can't use it for high inclines in the mountains, but for the city ride it's just perfect. Manuverable, nimble, fast, economical, genuinely quiet.
Good video, interesting, I have also owned several different types of motorcycles. I have had my experience with the clutch world and I just wanted to do something else and ride. I have a Honda Silverwing 2011 and I just bought my daughter a 2013 PCX150 and she loves it. There is no shame in riding these, they get you around just like any 2 wheel motorized vehicle. They are just plain fun to ride on and go adventuring on.
Not 100% fair comparing a scooter to a Harley. ;) A more 'normal' motorcycle with a bag attached to the tank or rear seat will offer a very good compromise. But yes if you live in a big city I'd agree that a scooter or maybe even an e-bike would be the best way to go.
Decided to Ride I've owned somewhere around 12 motorcycles and still love my scooter :) But yes, saddle bags are a great compromise, especially if you need highway speeds.
Although, what percentage of motorcycles are actually "normal"? I personally will always ride a dualsport. I currely don't have interest in a scooter, but I do recognize their strengths. Motorcycles are generally more involved to keep up on. To me, motorcycle riding is a sport. Not a commute. So I stick with dualsport bikes. But theyre definitely a pain in the ass!
I prefer a scooter as well over any other type of vehicle. The main reason is the cost, reliability, and anything that goes wrong, I can fix myself. I also prefer the Chinese scooters over any name brand one because the parts for the Chinese ones are interchangable, less expensive, and easier to get. Not to mention there are improved after market parts that are also inexpensive that last longer. I also don't think they hold up any less than the name brand scooters either.
My first scooter was a used 1986 Honda Elite 150, bought in '87. My second scooter was a used 1986 Honda Elite 150 (yes, the same) bought in 2012. Singly, and then combined for parts, that took me to 2015, when I bought at 2014 Suzuki Burgman 200. Even though they're not practical for year-round riding here in Canada, I can still usually count on 7-8 months a year. The Elites weren't highway legal, but the Burgman will comfortably do 110 km/h (70 mph) with throttle to spare, but I prefer the lower speed roads just to enjoy the ride. 30 years riding scooters, and I've enjoyed every moment, and intend to continue.
many of these complaints are just ridiculous. Weight: There are plenty of motorcycles that weigh less than or close to 300 pounds that are NOT under-powered. Fuel economy: motorcycles can be just as fuel efficient as that scooter. Fuel efficiency does not count if it can't do highway speeds.
It's because he's comparing a scooter to harleys/muscle bikes, not any sport or japanese bikes which don't need power to roll over bumps, start cold b/c their electric, don't make u smell like gasoline ETC. Ticks me off he generalized motorcycles to older ones.
ICKED You still wouldn’t get the type of storage a scooter has, with so much space underneath the seat... What we really need is a scooter with great ground clearance and rugged looks. It could be a great touring machine.
I've owned several bikes is my life, including a Gold Wing GL1100 Interstate and ST1300. I bought a 2012 PCX150 in 2016 (only 134km on the clock!) and love how it sips fuel (2.25l/100m), how maneuverable it is and how it can be parked anywhere. I'm thinking of adding a 2017 TMAX for longer trips on the freeway, where 120-140kph will be the riding speed.
ur scooter starts instantly bc it's a Honda, not a scooter. ur motorcycle didn't start in the morning bc it was a Harley, not bc it was a real bike. i'd prefer a scooter too if i rode an agricultural-class Harley.
Everyone with a carbureted vehicle starts instantly unless (a) there is a malfunction, or (b) the weather is cold. Carb'd engines dont start instantly in the cold, that's why they have a choke (fuel injected engines do not need to have a choke). Since they perform fine in warm weather, I thought I didn't need to be perfectly clear about what I meant. But apparently there is always going to be some prick out there who wants to prove someone wrong. I've had several motorcycles and scooters. One of my scooters had a carb, but no choke - as you can imagine, it won't start in the winter but my fuel injected scooter will.
I'm driving a 2008 Tomberlin RCX 250 or ZNEN 250T-B. It's a Chinese scooter/motorcycle. Perfect for city driving. Super easy maintainence. Cheap insurance, and great on gas. It's fun and so far pretty reliable.
I own all three as well, a car, motorcycle (big one), and a scooter and the scooter is hands down THE most fun, and easiest. I have to put on all my safety gear to go on the bike, but the scooter is just whatever I'm wearing, and my helmet is in the trunk under the seat. SO easy, and perfect for grocery getting.
Riding a motorcycle made me a safer car driver because I became more aware of my surroundings.
Doesn't make riding a motorcycle safer in any shape or form.
@@MehediHasanSizan I disagree tremendously. There is danger in riding a motorcycle just like there is danger in driving a car. If you don't believe me just look at what is happening in Ft. Worth on I35 right now. But, you can make both of them less dangerous is you pay closer attention to all that is happening around you. Study the other drivers. You can usually tell if they are going to exit, go straight or move into your lane just by watching the attitude of the car. If you are looking for complete safety in this life, you need to stay home in bed.
@@MehediHasanSizan i disagree..51 years of riding.. never been killed.. worst injury..a sprained wrist
same for me 👍
@@MehediHasanSizan some people just hate the idea that other period are having fun without their express permission.
Today i rode 200 miles. Saw ONE ACCIDENT! A semi clipped a car in Rock falls... neither driver was paying attention.
I will say that always wearing a helmet isn't quite enough. 1st, it needs to be a full face helmet. 19% of head impacts are actually to the chin, so an open face helmet doesn't provide enough protection.
The other thing is wearing full gear. That means actual motorcycle gear with CE rated impact armor and made of abrasian resistant materials like kevlar.
Wear all the gear, all the time. Don't settle for the minimum required protection.
Sometimes you have to go with the army you have.
for most scooters you don't really need full gear if you're averaging 30 mph. for his maybe if he's on the highway a lot but most scooters are 50cc not 300 or 150. That's small motorcycle territory.
@@RaveN_EDM Sorry, calling total bullshit on this. You think a car can't T-bone you at
While not quite as protective as road options I’ve found that a dirt bike or dual sport helmet offer more space for the face haha and breathability / comfort for those who are full face helmet adverse. Something I recommend as a compromise if a friend is considering one of those cool kid Harley boy yamaka things haha
@@RaveN_EDM Put on a t shirt and shorts. Run as fast as you can in a parking lot and then dive and slide on the pavement. That is 5-7mph. ATGATT.
I'm sold. You had me at ''Being comfortable with myself...''
Wait your sold on the scooter because it show's you're comfortable with yourself.
That is the kind of thinking that is exactly opposite to one being comfortable with themselves.
IF SOMEONE NEED'S TO SHOW EVERYONE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THEMSELVES, THEY MOST CERTAINLY ARE NOT.
@@chrisnolan7423who hurt you buddy?
Yeah me too . I have a 50 cc scooter and a Yamaha 250, every time I’m riding my Yamaha .people in bikes say hi to me ,they wave a hand, but When I take my scooter they ignore me. That’s funny because I love my bad ass Chinese 50 cc scooter. Thank you for sharing your videos
Why are you always so angry@@chrisnolan7423
Friend of mine is a millionaire who collects vehicles. He has many CARS and MOTORCYCLES. Know what he uses as his daily commuter? A scooter. Why? Because he's smart.
M13 I know someone like that as well
yup
Sure
yeah right
Troll
kymco and sym are both excellent brands from Taiwan. not something you should dismiss as knock offs. they are just not very well known in North America but definitely good enough to be competitive with the japan and Europe. I say it from my own travel experience.
borrowing from your legit statement, today am going to the Kymco dealership and get me a 300cc scooter!
KYMCO makes a great bike. They also used to make the Elites for Honda back in the day, which says a lot about their quality. My first two scooters were KYMCOs.
I live in Taiwan. I've had my Kymco 125 for 5 years. No problems except a rear brake that eventually got jerky during rain. It was cheaply replaced without further issue.
I just bought a kymco 500 cc, that machine rides great.
True! Although I can only confirm this statement in Greece, they are very popular with the delivery and postal service employees. Very fuel efficient, cheap spare parts, light and maneuverable!
Pretty much everything you said is %100 true. I'm a fan of the larger motorcycles, but I LOVE scooters. Good video, Mike. Keep em up!!
Smart man you are riding a scooter save money on gas cars are just to expensive.
*too
Your joking right?
LOVE IT! Great comparison. I've had four scooters including a PCX now I have a 2015 Vespa 300. I really enjoy scooting and it is very practical.
I bought a used Suzuki Burgman 400 2007 model and love it. I agonized over the motorcycle vs scooter choice but scooter advantages are too many to ignore - no chain to oil, locked storage so you don't have to carry your jacket and helmet when shopping, wind protection, feet are not bound onto brake or shifter. 54mpg and comfortable.
+mike “Lastdime” glidewell Just ordered a 2015 White PCX but when my Harley sells, 400 Burgman is what I want for longer rides. 54 & 90% of my riding is in a 25 mile radius. I have seen 2011 400ABS Burgmans with 1000 miles for $3495. Sell the Hog, think a 400 Burgman & PCX be perfect for old fart lol. Like this guy says, it's how ya get there, the ride.
for the money and the highway, get the Suzuki Burgman 650. The PCX is way too small in HP and its NOT made for consistent highway use. I know because I had a 1986 Honda Elite 150 Deluxe. If a 650 cc on a motorcycle is fast and strong what do you think it would do in a Scooter, much faster.
Mike Glidewell, Yes, you have no worries to lube a chain, bu these scooters have a V-belt and they do wear out fast with extra weight. I remember using a Snowmobile belt on my scooter and it lasted a very long time.
mike glidewell - Ex Burgman 2007 owner here. Got it new back in 2007. :-)
Damn good scooter I might had.
Among several others, a 900 km trip put me side by side with a group of French and German BMW's on the highway. We rode along some 200 km usually "stuck" in the 145 km/h (gps). Well the funny part is that from time to time I noticed and later confirmed when we stopped. They where "checking" how the hell the scooter guy is still there! LOL :-)
New tire and belt and slightly longer ratio on the cvt... Makes a delicious highway vehicle.
Tip: On the 2007 cover the front fairing air vent, makes for a much better handling and comfort. ;-)
RIght on, glad you love your burgman 400, I have the same one and still love it for 10 and half years now! :)
I am from south-africa and bought the chinese puzey salza 150.For short rides to the kafè and back it was "ok" but after about 4months it had to go.I wanted to do longer trips(breakfast run)with my wife and it could hardly get to 80km/h.Also brackets just started to break and had to be repaired(weld).Plastics verh flimsy and cracks also appear.Sold it and bought the Yamaha tmax530 2015(maxi scooter).Man nou that is a goos and strong scooter.I join a bike group and have no problem staying with the guys with there big 1200 and 1300 cruizers.Also got enought storage space(topbox added).This scooter really goes.Just my opinion.
Love my pcx. No chain to oil, very practical. Changed the stock tyres for pirelli diablo scooter and feels great.
At 69, I've owned over 60 bikes. Of all makes. I just bought a 2013 PCX150... and loving it!
two wheels are two wheels. stay safe!
too true, it could be a 50 or a 1300 but its still a bike
@@BonFire201 no
@@zsh Then What? Those are still on 2 wheels. You think a bigger motor is called motorcycle a smaller motor is not? It is still a motor at the end of the day? Tell us why @harveym is wrong and why you're right?
@@zsh legally if it's over 50cc it's a motorcycle in most states
nah
I always had a scooter and I agree with you 💯.
My friends always tell me to get a proper bike but my t-Max is 1000x better then a normal bike 😎
Thanks for making this video 👏
as a european, roads are very different then in the US, So a moto scooter is very recomended and easy to ride here
THAN
@@jonhohensee3258 - English is probably not this person's first language. Give them a break...
@@TheSkete - I AM giving JD a break. I didn't call him stupid or anything like that. I just gave the correct word.
@@jonhohensee3258 - Okey dokey...
What I love most about scooter that other motorcycles dont have.
-It's very silent.
-No gears, easier and smoother driving.
-Much space for storing helmet etc.
I rented a 300cc scooter when I was on vacation in greece and I really loved it compaired to my own KTM supermoto which I also love but in a different way. The thing about scooter is that is so much more practical and comfortable.
Scooters do have gears, mopeds don’t
@@user-vk8yq8oq7p I'm sure he meant automatic shifting.
@@user-vk8yq8oq7p my moped has 5 gears though..?
Jaynéé then it’s a scooter
@@user-vk8yq8oq7p We see mopeds and scooters very differently, what do you classify the "yamaha DT 50r 2009", scooter or moped?
On the startup time: Fuel injection. My Yamaha FZ6R starts in ~1 second, even when it's less than 30F. Any modern bike should start no problem regardless of the temperature...
I love my motorcycle, but I can definitely appreciate a scooter. I wonder how they do windy turns and how they handle wind. That storage seems appealing too.
Scooters are more agile and have better handling and turning radius than most motorcycles
People worry about what someone may think of them driving a scooter, then they put on a full-face helmet and nobody knows who they are or even cares. The only people that know what you drive are your friends and coworkers. The Honda ADV looks pretty good though, kind of a crossover look.
Great video. One safety tip: ride no less than a 125. A little speed on a scooter enhances safety. The 50cc scooters can't keep up with traffic and end up getting bullied into the far right of the lane. And they aren't peppy enough to avoid sudden surprises. I drive a 125 Piaggio Liberty. I don't have a name for it (yet), but he's been a good friend and travel companion.
The problem with 125 at least in Europe is that in many jurisdictions you need a special motorcycle driving license, which is not always feasible/convenient. On the other hand, in many jurisdictions you can ride 50cc (which is easily converted to 70cc) with just a regular car driving license.
Yeah, I'd agree with that. I had a 50cc Yamaha QT and the top end was maybe 33 mph. Great if you can stay off the main roads but dangerous otherwise. You have to hug the curb like a bicycle. My 150 easily does 50 mph which is not a rocket ship but enough to keep up with traffic on the main streets. Speaking of dangerous, I rode bicycles for many years due to poverty and those re the scariest vehicles on the road to operate.
i ride motorcycles ..wound up trading on a scooter...i was shocked by how fun it is to ride or how silly i feel when i ride it...i giggle like a girl ..
I enjoyed my time on a 170cc scooter, but really the arguments for a scooter are a bit narrowed if you're not comparing it to a Harley. I fully agree that people should pick based on what they like rather than just image or pressure though.
hi friend, I own Yamaha Xmax 400CC as my first motorscooter, I never had any motorcycles before since I got my driving license.
after few bad comments from people who drive motorcycles this videos does motivate me that my motorscooter is not bad at all and it is indeed very practical.
thanks a lot!
I'd like to add a little wisdom/experience to the thread. First off, I've owned about 18 motorcycles over 30 years and still own motorcycles, but I also have a Honda PCX150 and a Forza 300. My current motorcycle is a NC700x. Just sold a Yamaha FJR1300. All that said, my go-to vehicle for running around town is my small scooter. The PCX. Nimble, carries groceries. gets about 100mpg and so easy to drive. I take it from Hollywood to Downtown LA, Santa Monica often so I can park just about anywhere. My 150 is slightly more powerful than the 125 in this video so it's also freeway legal and does about 65 before the limiter kicks in, but in traffic, nothing lane-splits like the PCX. I'm about to take an epic motorcycle ride with buddies to UTAH, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. So every bike has its purpose. 2 years ago, I took the mid-sized scooter (Forza 300) to Kings Canyon, Yosemite, and Sequoias. Each bike I have has a sweet spot and those that only stick to motorcycles don't know what they're missing. If you not obsessed with your image, give a small scoot a try. Also, as far as brands go, I agree with many in this thread. Sym and Kymco are excellent brands and are very reliable. Even Genuine is a good brand. (Kimco even makes the engines for the newer flagship BMW 650 scooters as well as their GS motorcycles and originally made engines for Honda back in the day). Happy riding, whatever you ride.
frogzlove thanx man great comment, I like the pcx150 and the Forza 300, I dont know which one to buy pcx 3600.00 Forza 6k.
frogzlove what did u think of the honda forza
wu ming also 65 mpg on it , not bad ay
I still have the Forza and it's a great machine. All it needed was aftermarket rear shocks and Dr. Pulley 19g sliders for a great ride. That being said, I also have a 2004 Helix. I got the Helix for long trips. I might cross the country on it. You can find a good PCX used for about 2k. The same for a Helix. Forza will be more than double, but nobody can really tell you what to get. It all depends on what kind of riding you'll do and you have to feel comfortable on it. Best of luck.
frogzlove great comment, I like to buy new the Forza is 6k much better on the interstate than pcx so I'm leaning towards the forza even thoughits almost double in price.
I saw your video a couple of months ago and convinced myself to buy a scooter for commuting. I got a Genuine Buddy and while that was not one of your recommended scooters it has been really great so far. The reason I went with that brand is there is a local shop that sales and maintains them, that is something you should point out to everyone that is watching your video. By the way thanks for doing a good job it helped me make my decision.
Also got me one of those PCX scooters. Did over 34000 km is the first 2 years. Not a single problem. Had a few bikes before that, but this is the best solution for everyday commuting.
You're 100% right!
I thank God I gave up the "ridiculously heavy"... "rudely loud"... big Turing bike, & both of my extremely "bad posture" crotch rockets... for a much more refined, quiet & classy burgman 650 scooter that can take me everywhere.
I would say twist and go is HUGE factor (for me at least). One less thing to do/worry about. Then you can pay more attention to surroundings and relax a little more when cruising. I'm in Clearwater Fl and it' all stop and go.... shifting sucks!
i am 67 and have had motorcycles for 50 years.now I have a 150 Lance it is easy to ride and at this time in my life I am happy with it. it works great around town.
Scooter is so common in my country Vietnam.
ok die hard motorcycle rider here have 5 of em and I was recently given a tao tao scooter, yes it's more practical around town than my chopper and goldwing but god is it easy to get on and go, it won't replace my bikes but it did open my eyes
I'm getting a brand new Sym Symply 50 tomorrow. I don't care what others think it will get me from A to B for much cheaper than my car
I'm 55 & just ride locally. Sold my old, heavy Hog. Bought a 2015 PCX 150. I friggin love it after I slapped a pair of Michelins on it. Can go grocery grabbing, ride on 55MPH highways here no problem. I usually have it pegged, but get 86MPG. 290lbs over 740 lbs lol, my old ass loves my PCX. Pair of Michelins shipped to my door was $100. Full coverage insurance $115 a year. I friggin love my little scooter.
LightWorker61 I have a 2013 , pcx 150...it's a great scooter, gas mileage, comfort, dependable, but I'm thinking to get his bigger brother Honda Forza 300 , just for the extra speed, for transportation, highway...bit the Forza seems a little to bulky...not a sporty as the pcx...got to keep searching I guess?
Vespa GTS 300 is great for what you are looking for too
LightWorker61 where did you get your insurance from? They quoted me 5x times that much per year.
I have had two scooters and getting ready to buy my third, i don't care what anyone says, i like them, they are pure fun 👍.
to add to your recap..easy to maintain, you can drive it immediately, you can park it even in a narrow area, and average speed on the road for safe driving, and the cost of ownership to have it is very less compare to car and big bikes. Its great to have a scooter, especially like me i live in the suburb far away from the crowded city of metro-manila, Philippines. Thanks a lot for your video. Drive safely and God bless..
yes honda is master race at scooters but my kymco is almost as good
anything honda always means the best engine
You know kymco made honda right
Kymco and sym are both taiwanese manufacturers who started out under hondas wings. Kymco now have connections with kawasaki and bmw. The quality of both taiwanese and chinese machines has improved dramatically over the past 5 to 10 years. It still pays to do your own research though before you buy but if you can then buy from a reputable dealer. Their numbers are increasing too. Lexmoto, sinnis, cf moto and zontes are all trustworthy makes with good aftersales and parts availability. My personal favorite at the moment is zontes. Im on my second bike called the 250s phantom. Ive owned this bike for over three years now and done over 9500 miles with very little to complain about
Honda master race. Hahaha if youre just using it as service. You can replace walking now. Haha
@Falk M Exactly what Civic? Honda's automatic transmissions are pretty weak, but 90% of their engines are dead solid. They also did make some Hybrid Civics in the early 2000s that were horrendously unreliable.
@Falk M Well I guess we're in agreement. If you want a solid Honda the manual transmission is the way to go. That entire car will probably fall apart around the engine.
Thanks for the great video. I ride a 2016 SYM HD 200 EVO with 171 cc GY6 motor. I bought a brand new Harley Sportster 1000 back in 1979, rode it for 10 years, put 42K miles on it, sold it in 1989, and never rode a bike again until I bought my 2016 SYM HD 200 in February of 2018 with 900 miles on it. I now have 4800 miles on it, do all the (simple) maintenance myself and it runs silky smooth. I did my research and all of the professional reviews of the Taiwanese made SYM HD 200 EVO were rather outstanding, compared to the few poor reviews I found of the Chinese built scooters.
No, I did not peruse the reviews of all the Japanese built scooters because I know all those reviews by the pros would have been outstanding, and the price point of those great Japanese scooters would reflect all of those outstanding reviews. So, I went with my barely used SYM HD 200 (171cc) which was $3400.00 new and I paid $1700.00 for at 900 miles.
Yep, there are many solid and reliable scooters out there and tons of fabulous used ones found on the likes of Cragslist, Cycle Trader, etc.,etc.
Not sure what I was trying to accomplish here, haha. Anyway, happy scootering everyone!
Dean
Seattle
Not all Taiwanese scooter are bad, SYM is a very good scooter company, in fact they used to make Hondas scooter for years, I have the SYM HD200 EVO, its about 100 pounds heavier than the PCX and cost about $300 more. Never owned a scooter before, I've test drove the PCX150, BUDDY and VESPA LX, but the SYM really stood up for me, not saying the others are bad. Always wear a helmet, a full face is very recommended, enjoy the summer...
Ismael Mahamat the PCX150 is Made in Taiwan.
coyote102076 Thailand*
my bad. thanks. "over yonder" anyways. :-D
coyote102076 no probs dude. Anyway, I agree with him that not all Taiwanese scooters are bad. I currently own a SYM Maxsym 400i, which I love dearly.
Ismael Mahamat Kymcos are pretty excellent too.
Reliable, well made, practical good priced scooters.
Some even are pretty.
Agreed with everything you said. Riding my cruiser or scooter? Scooter is so much fun!
1) 'Scooting'- no, it's just riding, same as a motorbike, or a bike
2) Scooter riders get road rash too
3) Never smelled of petrol getting off my motorbikes before, not a valid comparison, maybe your Harley or another of your bikes had a leak somewhere
4) Yes, the storage space most maxi scooters have is awesome, I'll give you that
#4 - Definitely storage in some maxis is "outrageous" for a 2 wheel vehicle. My old Burgman 400 2007, had with the addition of a small top box in the back, a whopping 135L total storage capacity. We're talking smart car capacity in 2 wheels. Practical to say the least. :-)
There are some 65L boxes in the market that can increase that value even more...
I have both a 600 fz6 and a sh 125 and I must admit I enjoy the sh125 much more for daily commuting. SO MANY more benefits to riding a scoot.
Great video. I just sold my Harley Davidson XL1200R Roadster. It was a difficult decision for sure. Been thinking of getting a scooter for awhile. You may have very well convinced me.
I love my Honda CRF230L, 6 speeds, dual sport fun, and about 70mpg! WOOO
Tuck Tummy Looks awesome!
Cool vid man, I've just traded my 2020 SV650 for a 2022 PCX 125. I'm saving loads of money and the PCX is a great bike.
4:49 seriously?! Thats my dilemma right now.
Never been on 2wheels before but planning to take riding lessons for my birthday. Ive read so much about the sv650 being the perfect beginner bike. But at the same time i want low cost of ownership & maintenance and good mpgs of a scooter.
I want to learn how to shift but also think an auto would be ez enough. My future 2wheels will be for local trips. Couldnt imagine riding 2wheels for 6hours+.
Feeling overwhelmed tryna fig out which way to go. Im sure it will become clearer post riding lessons. Any input would be appreciated
I got a scooter for a few reasons. Mainly, those are the gas mileage and cost of gas and the insanely low insurance costs. It takes me maybe $2 to completely fill my tank and I can ride for 100 miles from it. The insurance is like $20 for six months.
Basically the cost of maintaining a scooter is nothing.
i have a cbr600rr. its awesome and i love it. are there better bikes in that class? yes. but this is what i love to ride, I'm a honda fanboy. you can't change my mind. I'm dug in and will never change. there is no problem with this. i love your honesty, don't change for anyone!
Very inspirational. After being bike-less for about 8 years and I'm wanting to get back into motorcycling. I had started to look at used Ninja 650's, Suzuki GS500's, etc, but I've really begun to gravitate towards a mid-sized scooter like a Honda Forza, Burgman 200. or Kymco Downtown 300i for around town running and a short commute to work. My dad is a Harley guy through and through and he would sh*t bricks if he knew I was considering a scooter, lol. Anyway, glad the scoot is working out for you and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Have both HD Crossbones and Reflex .. scooter is fun. Love beating the cagers at lights with my 249cc Reflex. Way easier to push around the garage if that's a factor. Parking ,Etc Insurance is crazy cheap..
My favourite thing to do while riding my Honda Reflex is waving to guys on their Harleys.. Their reactions always give me a chuckle.. Everybody on a scooter should try it..
I have a 2003 Bajaj Legend 4stroke 150cc scooter, and I love it so very much. It's made in India it's a very good scoot just like it's cousin the Chetak.
I love my scoots. I have a TMAX from Yamaha and an older Aprilia, both about 500 cc. Along with those, I have a Honda N700 which is perfect as a motorcycle and a CanAm 3-wheeler. They are all different and I choose which one to ride by what I'm trying to accomplish. The Honda, which replaced a too-tall 92 ci (1507 cc) Victory, is also built like a cruiser with feet forward and lower seat. They all are fun to drive. My favorites are the Aprilia and the Honda as they both handle wonderfully and are very flickable.
Scooters are so common in italy, i have a yamaha nmax 125cc 2017 and i love it
I love my Suzuki Burgman 650. I just drove it nearly 600 miles this weekend. From Atlanta to Savannah- round trip
My bike is a yamah n max 155 cc and i love it is fun to drive even on a long distance travel
My own reason for sticking with scooters is that--upon taking a motorcycle class to prepare for the provincial license test--I discovered a raging hatred for manual transmissions. My current ride is a Piaggio BV 350 that is already at 20k km after two riding seasons.
I would take exception to equating the mainland Chinese scooters with Taiwanese "knockoffs". The major Taiwanese marques like Kymco and Sym have a great reputation for quality and reliability. In fact, any Yamaha scooter below 250cc is made in Taiwan. The Kymco GT200i I rode for about 8 years and 50k km lasted through almost daily highway commutes, urban riding, and two-lane excursions down into New England.
I have a 2016 Honda PCX150 and I love it!
+cybervisionbritney Awesome!
I have a Suzuki 110cc motorcycle (no scooter) myself and absolutely love it! light, great fuel economy and totally dependable. Great to see that you´re still riding it. Blessings.
Great vid. Thank you, sir. I am new to scoots. Just picked up a new, old stock 2013 Honda Silverwing. Oh, boy! That beast will give you plenty of room to stretch and also plenty of speed and passing power. Great video, again. Thank you!
I used to be embarrassed to drive a scooter is a primary vehicle. That was until I met an old biker started writing in the 40s and he too was driving the exact same scooter. I assumed it was because he was an older gentleman and scooters are for old people. He told me he was a lifelong motorcycle rider and that this was his first scooter the Honda Helix, after writing a helix he said he'd never go back to a motorcycle again.
Hey, Taiwanese SYM/Lance make great scooters! I actually went with the SYM Wolf Classic motorcycle (used for less than $1500), and it really gets 80+ MPG. However, you have to do a lot of shifting with a 150 in city traffic, and there are cold mornings when i wish i had fuel injection. I would consider a Honda PCX next time, but will probably stick with SYM or Lance, just to have a flat floor to carry a 12-pack or a box of cat litter on.
+Derrick Thompson
Wolf of SYM is not bad because Wolf 150 is derived from Wolf 125 and Wolf 125 was originated from molding of CB125 licensed from Honda.
I've been riding motorcycles and scooters for 43 years now. Currently have an 800 Suzuki, an 1100 Yamaha and a Chinese scooter with a 150cc engine, a Senling 150. Yeah, the heavy bikes do give a thrill with all that power and if I need to go a long distance that is what I use. But the little 150 is my go to around the neighborhood, grocery shopping, taking my 4 year old to the park, or just exploring for fun. In many ways I use it more like a bicycle, going on bike trails, over pedestrian bridges, out of the way dirt trails. It is a Zuma clone with good tires for that and high fenders. I'm probably going to sell my 1100. It just seems like overkill. Even the 800 has way more power than I really need.
I don't agree with his putdown of Chinese scooters though. I've been doing regular maintenance on mine and it has been extremely reliable. What he said about the big bikes is right though. I ride through winter (Nebraska) and I need to warm up the big bike engines with a hair dryer and let them run for a couple of minutes. And they are always a pain in the A to push around the garage and driveway. The scooter just starts right up. It is about as hard to push around as a bicycle.
1 thing I prefer about motorcycles over scooters though is the manual transmission over the automatic. There is less wear and tear on the brakes since a manual tranny allows you to use the engine to brake which also helps with gas mileage.
I ride a 2013 ninja 636. I don't look down upon scooter riders. I wave at anyone on two wheels.
Respect to you man! 💪🏽
i have a 09 burgman 650 and out of all the biles ive owned including 3 harleys this is the best bike ive owned it loves the interstate i cruse at 70 to 80 all the time has a masive storage under the seat and is smooth as silk when riding 42000 miles and still loving it
We asians love scooters and small displacement mc for commute. I have a 115 yamaha fino fuel injected. 80kph is a good speed for me.
Love my 2007 KYMCO 500 EXCITING.
I love my Honda Big Ruckus Scooter (2006), it's great for around town, but when it comes to the open road at freeway speeds, most scooters lack the power needed. Overall, Motorcycles win when it comes to a road trip.
I’m looking to get a scooter, and I would never take it on a freeway or even a highway. Just city streets
I love my 2015 PCX150. I've actually had it up to 65 with a bit yet to go on a straightaway! And using it on city streets it's a joy not to have to kick gears at every light.
Gud day sir.here in the philippines.2019 updated version of honda pcx 150cc.with modern features.keyless to name a few.
Fair and square. Good review and clarification. At the end of the day what matters most is how you define safety and fun. If SF is in a scooter or in a motorcycle then I have no problem with that. Leaving all prejudices at the door and been able to live your life without all that garbage is prime. I am a single 2 wheel motorized vehicle. Once my current R1150RT no longer moves I would go to 650 cc scooter and that will be SF as well
Hello again, I discovered your channel because of the electric bike battery tutorial. I owned about 10 motorcycles and 3 scooters and I couldn't agree more. Let's be honest the only two things in favor of motorcycle are power (for the thrill) and wheel diametre (for gyroscopic effect, security) and, in Europe, we resolved those two problems with what we call "maxiscooters" like yamaha Tmax ou gilera GP 800. I used to live in Paris (more than 20 years) and the scooter was the ultimate transportation vehicule there because parking was also a big issue!
+EFA22000 Shifting your own gears is a pretty big plus too
+Alasdair Underwood In daily use it is not because of the left shoe wear out...
+EFA22000 Agreed. One of our favorite things to do overseas is rent a scooter and just drive around :)
EFA22000 Yeah but you should be wearing proper motorcycle boots. I daily rode my GS500F and had no wear at all in my Beriks
Don't get me wrong, I think scooters are cool, but if you can only afford one bike, like I can, I'll forgo a bit of practicality by wearing a backpack and have something I can have a bit more fun on. I have a CBR600F4i now, it's fine for commuting although I hardly ever use the power (about 88kw) and so would be happy enough going back to a something more economical like my GS500F(s) which were only about 30kw but could easily get sub 3l/100kms
I have a 2013 honda PCX150 and I love it. I have close to 15,000 miles on it and no problems yet. I take good care of my honda PCX150. I also get complements about it and some people are jealous that they don't have one because they just want some way to get around on low gas cost and the kind of speed my scooter has.
Nice !!
اهو .... هم انتة وين ما أروح اشوفك؟!!!!
Honda PCX 150.. best thing i got for city driving and food delivery! Loved this thing!
I've had my Honda Forza 300cc Scooter for about a year now and it hasn't failed me yet. Keeps up with highway traffic just fine. A lot of motorcycle riders are surprised to see me zip by.
Definitely will be upgrading to the BMW GT 650 soon. Heated seat/grips, storage and practicality beats a motorcycle in my opinion.
A year? You can judge a scooter after "about a year"??? please!!
I love my scooters. Yamaha Zuma 125 and Honda Forza. In NYC there is just no better way to get around. Awareness and anticipation is my best friend to ride with me never leave home without. Happy riding
I own a 1985 tomos A3 and i love it (it's the one on my profile picture)BTW great scooter and video,keep it up!
For putting behind my RV, I selected a scooter for just basic running around while hooked up. Does exactly what I need it to do. Ride to live!
smelling like gas and exhaust? What kind of Harley do you drive?
+Wal Of The Mart straight pipe
A 2T, super charge, straight pipe, Harley
What kind of grammar do you use?
That is common when driving a moped
Anything without catalytic converter? Ya dumbass
I love scooters for many reasons... been riding scooters for many years :)
I want a moped for a reason because my birthday is in March and I'm turning 15 and that's the age limit to have a moped that's 50cc or under and I don't wanna wait till I'm 16 to get a motorcycle because I really wanna start riding.
Yep but i think you gotta do your CBT if you want to take it on the road
A scooter is a type of motorcycle. Its like saying sadans and cars are different.
DON'T ignore the advice to NOT buy made in China junk scooters! You will be sorry.
+Sanitys Void why?
+Sanitys Void Most honda bikes are made in china shit for brains. Why is it always the clueless retards that open their mouths. Even generically branded chinese stuff will last if you take care of it.
+Sanitys Void Most honda bikes are made in china shit for brains. Why is it always the clueless retards that open their mouths. Even generically branded chinese stuff will last if you take care of it.
+eraldorh Wrong. Most bikes honda bikes are not made in China. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Honda_assembly_plants
Sanitys Void
I was talking about 125s which are its biggest sellers. Try again.
Have a 2013 PCX150 and a 2013 Harley Super Glide. 90% of the time Ill hop on the scooter for my everyday riding. Love it!!!
Great video! But I wonder if Sym and Kymco should have been included in your list of go-to scooters to buy. It is my understanding that these two Taiwanese companies are fabulous.
Yodaismycopilot I think Kymco makes good scooters. From what I've read they are very reliable. I would still personally take a slightly used Japanese over a new Taiwanese, but I think that's just personal bias.
Mike and Lauren I forgot PGO a.k.a. Genuine Buddy in the USA. Another Taiwanese company with a fine reputation.
@@MikeAndLaurenTV - Kymco has 5 yr factory warranty for their new scooters and that still says something, methinks 😉
I love my moped. I've only had to fill the tank four times in one year and I drive it more than once every day. It's awesome on gas and it's so much funner to commute with. No more be stuck in traffic. No more insurance payments breaking the bank. So many reasons to love them.
I'm grateful for the video but am trying to decide between the pros and cons of a motorcycle vs a scooter. I respectfully disagree that the 125CC Honda is comparable to a Harley. As you said, the size difference is huge. I'm looking for comparisons between a 250 CC motorcycle and a scooter of equal displacement. What are the relative benefits of each? Thanks again for the video.
@@mattcorbyny1 . Wow. I'm grateful for the thoughtful reply. This tells me pretty much everything I was looking to know. Thanks again.
I had an SYM jet 100 and used it to and from work and my everyday commute for 12 years, somedays in 10 inch floods .through storms really reliable
Scooter pro: reliable, comfy, practical, gas milage, easy handling, more utility. Scooter cons: not a motorcycle. Soo yeah the cons outweigh the pros massivly.
not enough pros to convince me to get a scooter!
Scooter reliability is shit and it is very expensive to fix something
The mileage is not that good and it is expensive to do a long distance
Also scootes are big and bulky and the handling is worse than motorcycles
@@ΜάνοςΜανουσάκης-η6χ Depends on the Scooter, but most of them are the cheap Chinese made ones and they are indeed horribly made and unreliable. I'd take a Honda Grom over a Scooter though, more fun in a similarly sized package. Great to learn on too.
I ride the PCX in Vietnam, and it's the most convenient and comfortable for my height. Can't use it for high inclines in the mountains, but for the city ride it's just perfect. Manuverable, nimble, fast, economical, genuinely quiet.
you are a real rider bro, screw the haters.
Good video, interesting, I have also owned several different types of motorcycles. I have had my experience with the clutch world and I just wanted to do something else and ride. I have a Honda Silverwing 2011 and I just bought my daughter a 2013 PCX150 and she loves it. There is no shame in riding these, they get you around just like any 2 wheel motorized vehicle. They are just plain fun to ride on and go adventuring on.
Not 100% fair comparing a scooter to a Harley. ;) A more 'normal' motorcycle with a bag attached to the tank or rear seat will offer a very good compromise. But yes if you live in a big city I'd agree that a scooter or maybe even an e-bike would be the best way to go.
Decided to Ride I've owned somewhere around 12 motorcycles and still love my scooter :) But yes, saddle bags are a great compromise, especially if you need highway speeds.
Although, what percentage of motorcycles are actually "normal"? I personally will always ride a dualsport. I currely don't have interest in a scooter, but I do recognize their strengths. Motorcycles are generally more involved to keep up on. To me, motorcycle riding is a sport. Not a commute. So I stick with dualsport bikes. But theyre definitely a pain in the ass!
PCX150 is an incredible machine. Buy one. It's a blast!!
Good review bud,I would prefer a 250 or 300 or 400 cc but in town alot 125 would do I guess.safe ridding!!!
I prefer a scooter as well over any other type of vehicle. The main reason is the cost, reliability, and anything that goes wrong, I can fix myself. I also prefer the Chinese scooters over any name brand one because the parts for the Chinese ones are interchangable, less expensive, and easier to get. Not to mention there are improved after market parts that are also inexpensive that last longer. I also don't think they hold up any less than the name brand scooters either.
Concise and informative. Nicely done. Thanks.
My first scooter was a used 1986 Honda Elite 150, bought in '87. My second scooter was a used 1986 Honda Elite 150 (yes, the same) bought in 2012. Singly, and then combined for parts, that took me to 2015, when I bought at 2014 Suzuki Burgman 200. Even though they're not practical for year-round riding here in Canada, I can still usually count on 7-8 months a year. The Elites weren't highway legal, but the Burgman will comfortably do 110 km/h (70 mph) with throttle to spare, but I prefer the lower speed roads just to enjoy the ride.
30 years riding scooters, and I've enjoyed every moment, and intend to continue.
many of these complaints are just ridiculous. Weight: There are plenty of motorcycles that weigh less than or close to 300 pounds that are NOT under-powered. Fuel economy: motorcycles can be just as fuel efficient as that scooter. Fuel efficiency does not count if it can't do highway speeds.
It's because he's comparing a scooter to harleys/muscle bikes, not any sport or japanese bikes which don't need power to roll over bumps, start cold b/c their electric, don't make u smell like gasoline ETC. Ticks me off he generalized motorcycles to older ones.
Storage was a huge point
well you could get a 4-stroke 125cc dual sport like a yamaha wr
Can’t agree you more
ICKED You still wouldn’t get the type of storage a scooter has, with so much space underneath the seat...
What we really need is a scooter with great ground clearance and rugged looks. It could be a great touring machine.
I've owned several bikes is my life, including a Gold Wing GL1100 Interstate and ST1300. I bought a 2012 PCX150 in 2016 (only 134km on the clock!) and love how it sips fuel (2.25l/100m), how maneuverable it is and how it can be parked anywhere. I'm thinking of adding a 2017 TMAX for longer trips on the freeway, where 120-140kph will be the riding speed.
ur scooter starts instantly bc it's a Honda, not a scooter. ur motorcycle didn't start in the morning bc it was a Harley, not bc it was a real bike. i'd prefer a scooter too if i rode an agricultural-class Harley.
It starts instantly because it's fuel injected.
Everyone with a carbureted vehicle starts instantly unless (a) there is a malfunction, or (b) the weather is cold. Carb'd engines dont start instantly in the cold, that's why they have a choke (fuel injected engines do not need to have a choke). Since they perform fine in warm weather, I thought I didn't need to be perfectly clear about what I meant. But apparently there is always going to be some prick out there who wants to prove someone wrong. I've had several motorcycles and scooters. One of my scooters had a carb, but no choke - as you can imagine, it won't start in the winter but my fuel injected scooter will.
I'm driving a 2008 Tomberlin RCX 250
or ZNEN 250T-B. It's a Chinese scooter/motorcycle. Perfect for city driving. Super easy maintainence. Cheap insurance, and great on gas. It's fun and so far pretty reliable.
Now you make me wanna get a scooter haha ...
Acytoh
Do it 👍
I own all three as well, a car, motorcycle (big one), and a scooter and the scooter is hands down THE most fun, and easiest. I have to put on all my safety gear to go on the bike, but the scooter is just whatever I'm wearing, and my helmet is in the trunk under the seat. SO easy, and perfect for grocery getting.