Why do you have the size scooter you have?

[Data]

I have a 250 as it's not much more expensive to run, insure etc than a 125 and it has far better performance,
at least for A-roads. .

Snap.

My commute varies from tight urban filtering to clear motorway, so my 250cc is perfect with 90mpg, 80+mph, and only 160kgs.

400+cc scooters are usually 210kgs or more - too big for ease of handling in tight situations, I'd reckon.

125cc - too slow to be handy on fast A roads and motorways.

Mind you, I might give a 500 version of my current scoot (there is also a 125 and all three are near identical externally) a go next time just to see what difference there really is. Does the extra power make up for the extra cost and weight?

Hi Stephen, if you try the 500 you will definitely want one I'd say. Huge power difference in every respect, the bike will be considerably more stable too and will still be very flickable, even in town. There is no sustitute for cubes still...not where scooters are concerned it allows everything to be done with greater ease, you'll see! Weight up to a certain point is not an issue unless you are a very lightweight person yourself, and even then it's usually not a problem with scooters because of the low c of g. My Burgman 400z abs is 225kg's, just 2kg's lighter than my DL1000GT K8 model fully loaded with luggage (empty of course). Yet they are as different in the way they manuouver in town or at walking pace or when being pushed about as chalk and cheese. DL1000 very top heavy and can be awkward, but Burgman feels as if there is no weight at all and actually feels as if it weighs 175kg's or about the same as a GTS300 because the weight is carried so low (solo...get it! he does need to change his name!). I've always found 125's very skitish, bumpy to ride by comparison. Which of course is to be expected...but that's not to say they are crap or anything, they are not. Just a bit too lightweight for me. I guess it's what you get used to, but just saying there are many advantages to having a bigger heavier more powerful scooter and few or no disadvantages for most people. When you try one, you'll see but give yourself time to get used to it.

[Data]

I ride a 125cc X9 because :

I can ride it with my old pre 1980 car license

It is tax free

Just the right scooter for an old fart like me

Do you mean you ride on 'L' plates still and you don't have to keep taking your cbt? How do you ride it without taxing it?

[StephenC]

Hi Stephen, if you try the 500 you will definitely want one I'd say.

Well if I do get tempted the big advantage about sticking with the Satelis in this regard is that the wife won't be able to tell the difference between the 250 and 500.

[Data]

Yeah...you're right! Nice one...

[Lou]

I ride a 125cc X9 because :

I can ride it with my old pre 1980 car license

It is tax free

Just the right scooter for an old fart like me

Do you mean you ride on 'L' plates still and you don't have to keep taking your cbt? How do you ride it without taxing it?

I was going to say this until I saw his location! Maybe different rules in Germany?

[mightbesane]

I was going to say this until I saw his location! Maybe different rules in Germany?

Don't know about Germany, but I found out on a recent trip to France that if you have a car license you can ride up to 125cc without any bike testing. Oddly enough, the state of Pennsylvania is one of 14 states in the USofA that has a treaty with the French to recognize drivers licenses. So I may just slip through without any testing at all when I move over in about 18 months.

[SOLO]

I ride a 125 scooter because its cheap / fun and light for throwing in and out of traffic, and beats travel cost of bus or car. i am not fond of heavy bikes due to my left leg having a metal rod in it, so small and light does me. I don't wish for more speed or power so.... 125s for ever for me

[Steve_D]

I use a Honda SH300i for commuting 12 miles to work as its great for filtering, nippy, short wheelbase and large wheels plus ABS.

About 15 months ago I sold my unused toy, a replica RS2000 mk1 Escort that I had built from the ground up as I just wasn't using it. (I did just over 300 miles in 4 years) and spent the dosh on a brand new Burman Exec. I keep that in work under cover. Too big for filtering in heavy traffic so its used for sunny weekends only. Have covered just over 4000 miles so far including a European trip to Monaco via Italy and Switzerland.

Wouldn't use the Burg for work, wouldn't use the SH for touring. Best if both worlds.

[rintintin]

After years of motorbikes, started with a 250 (piaggio MP3), wanted more power and went for a 400 (piaggio Xevo), couldn't afford anything bigger. Now I've got a piaggio X10 350 (330 actually) which I'm hoping will be the perfect compromise of versatility/comfort/power/economy/fun.....oh and it's got ABS, which I hope I don't have to make use of, but nice to know it's there.

[MjW]

Speed, power. I'd gladly take 750cc tmax.


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