2Wheeltips

Howdy Everybody !

  Allow me to introduct myself.  I'm Dave and I live in Smyrna, Tennessee.  Hince the screen name theSMYRNAcowboy. ( Go figure.)  I just joined this group yesterday and I had a very nice comment on my Suzuki Burgman 650 Scooter walk around from Carrol and she asked me to write a blog about scooters so I thought I would give it a shot.  A lot of people have asked me in the past, "Why did you buy a scooter instead of a "Real" motorcycle?"  So with that, I'll start with the story on how I got into riding a scooter.
  Back in the summer 2006 when gas prices first hit $3.00 a gallon, I was talking to my wife on a Sunday morning  saying how I was going to have to get a vehicle with better gas mileage.  I drove a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 truck which got about 14 MPG in the city.  It was costing me a fortune!  As she was reading the Sunday paper, they had an article about scooters.  Then she said, " Why not get a scooter?  That would bet the mileage on that truck of yours."  The first thought that popped in my head ( like most people ) was the old Cushman scooter that Toad rode in American Graffiti.  I told her " Yea, I'd look like Papa Smurf on a Moped!" and let it go at that.......... for now.  That just planted the seed in my head.  So I got on the net and did some research and found out they have MAXI-scooters.  The engine sizes range from 250cc and up to a 650cc.  Was riding a motorcycle for me?  Would I save that much money in gas?  I've never riden before, would I like it?  All these questions were in the back of my mind when I started this journey but there was only one way to find out.  Take the MSF Basic Riders Course and see if it takes, so I did.  I knew if I wanted to test ride a bike, I needed a motorcycle endorsement so I got the course lined up.  First, I needed to decide what scoot ( After I got my endorsement) to test ride.  I had NO idea how many Maxi-scooters there were on the market today.  Burgmans, Sliverwings, T-Max, Majesty, Kymco the list goes on and on.  I priced new ones at a few dealerships and came to the choice of a Suzuki Burgman 400 or 650.  For the money, those were the best scoots for the dollar. IMHO.  Now I've decided on the bike, now to get my endorsement so I can test ride them.

  Now this is where it starts getting weird. 

I got thru the class on Friday night.  We had range day on the following Saturday and I told my coach that I was taking the class ( I'm one of the oldest ones there at 46 ) to get my endorsement to test ride some Burgman scooters.  It just so happens that his friend, a rider coach as well was selling his wifes 2004 model Burgman 650 with 1300 ( thats right 13 HUNDRED ) miles for $5,000.  They go new back then for $8,000.  So I asked him to contact his buddy and he did.  He would meet us on Sunday at the range after class.  To make a long story short, I test rode, secured the finacing and bought the bike.  I have been riding ever since and enjoying every minute of it.
  Like me,  a lot of people didn't even know these type of motorcycles were even out there.  Some riders at work love to rib me about riding a "Scooter" and why not get a "Real" motorcycle.  Then I have to give them a few facts about these incredible machines.

1.  I have MOTORCYCLE licence plate on the back and MOTORCYCLE insurance to ride it. :-)
2.  It is as big or bigger that a lot of bikes on the road.
3.  It's just a MOTORCYCLE with a step thru design.
4.  The top end on the Burgman 650 is 110 MPH ( Like I'll ever go that fast.)
5.  It has a CVT transmission. ( No shifting of gears.  Just twist and go )
6.  Under the seat, there is room for 2 FULL FACE helmets. ( Or TEN  2 liters of your favorite soft drink.)
7.  Low center of gravity and has great control in curves.
8.  Lockable glove box with 12 volt plug.
9.  Windscreen
10.  The Executive models have ABS, Electric mirrors that fold in and out and Electric Windscreen to adjust up and down.

 and with all the "farkles" you can put on them, there very comfortable and enjoyable to ride.



  As far as I am concerned, this bike fit's me like a glove.  Folks, I look at it this way.  Does it REALLY matter what we ride?  We all share the same dangers out there wiether we ride a 49cc scooter or a 110 Cubic Inch HD Ultra Classic Electra Glide.  It hurts just the same doing a face plant going 40 MPH on either bike.
We share the same road. the wind and the sprit of being on the open road.  But most of all, the freedom of riding.

Scooters have come a long way in the past 40+ years.  Like I said, it ain't your Grandpa's Cushman any more.

Ride Safe out there every one.

The Smyrna Cowboy
( A.K.A. Dave.)
 

Have you been thinking about getting into motorcycling but you just don't want to deal with the hassle of shifting gears?  You should consider looking at the scooters on the market today....one thing is for sure..they aren't the scooters of yester-years!

Scooters today are built in a huge variety of sizes and shapes.  Some do look like what one would think of as a scooter...small, not very powerful, kind of like a compact, powered bicycle.  But other scooters might just surprise you...they are fashionable, look very much like motorcycles, are as large as (in some cases larger than) some motorcycles, and are powerful enough to handle highway speeds with ease.  You might also be pleasantly surprised to find out how much storage space some scooters offer and how quiet some of them can be.

Depending upon the engine size of the scooter and the requirements of your state, you may still need a motorcycle license to operate a scooter, so be sure to check that out.  It is still a good idea to  take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course to get your motorcycle license (which will allow you to ride a scooter as well) since you will learn all about riding on two wheels on roads with cars and trucks...but there are also services in some areas that teach you to ride on a scooter and some will provide a scooter for you to use when you take the test to get your license.

Also, if another reason that you are interested in getting into motorcycling is that you can save some money on gas, you should know that scooters get better miles per gallon than motorcycles. There are even some electric scooters on the market now and many can be charged with a conventional power cord.  Of course, most electric scooters still have a limited distance that they can travel between charges.  Check out some scooter dealers in your area (motorcycle dealers sell scooters, too!) and ask for the features and mpg of the scooters you are interested in.   You just might be pleasantly surprised!

And one last word of advice:  if you are going to ride a scooter, you should still dress as if you are riding a motorcycle.  Helmet laws apply to scooter riders as well, and good, protective riding gear is a must whether you ride a motorcycle or a scooter.