Giving up on scootering...

[szymon]

So, while I've loved my time on Maxi Scoots, first with the S-Wing 125 and then with the Piaggio Xevo 400ie... I recently rented a manual 125cc Varadero to try out a bike. And I have to say, I absolutely loved it. So much more stable and precise than a scooter, much more comfortable to ride (don't feel every bump in the road like on a scooter!), and just all round far more enjoyable. I'm glad I learned on Scooters, but I'm signing up to do a DAS course and will be moving to a bike.

Why don't I just go for one of the automatic bikes out there? Well, that's certainly an option - I have a full automatic license at the mo. However, honestly I enjoyed using the gears. The Varadero is a very high revving bike (14000 rpm on a 125cc!) and I had so much fun on it, even though it had almost no power at all. I loved the control I had over it, being able to choose what level of engine breaking and acceleration is appropriate to the conditions I'm on. And also, I want more choice in my bikes than the Mana and the new Hondas.

I have certainly come to appreciate two things about Maxi scoots - weather protection and storage. Whichever bike I move to will have to have decent fairings and as much storage as I can get - top box, panniers, tank bag, etc. Not the same, but I'll manage I'm sure.

Anyway, I'm planning on doing my DAS when I get back from Skiing after Easter, so come mid-April I will have a Piaggio Xevo 400ie up for sale . Lovely bike, 8000 miles on the dial, service history, I've fitted new fairings and knee guards so the bodywork is in very good condition, I've dealt with the electrical issues (which turned out to be a loose fuse connector on the charging circuit), I've fitted great heated grips, and for the right price I could include a Monokey rack at the back. I'll put up an ad closer to the time, but feel free to make offers or statements of interest now!

-simon

[MrGrumpy]

Is this where we scream Judas, and delete your user account???

I do look at bikes, but I do keep coming back to the essentials of a maxi - I need a decent fairing to ride in winter, and I want lots of luggage space to put helmets, jackets, shopping etc, and so few have. And then I really can't be arsed to bother with a manual transmission...
The Honda N700X with DCT looks like a decent bike, but it hasn't got much of a fairing and the hassle of chain drive, so thanks but no thanks.
I think a Tmax is well up to bike standards of suspension....

[scorpakid]

dont matter what you ride...as long as it putting a smile on your face good luck to you.....i can feel you are eventually going to own one of those huge bmw gs adventure things with huge boxes.... ?

i recently helped my brother move home.... and he asked me to ride his fz600 fazer to the new house for him.... its the one that looks like a naked r6...lovely looking bike.....as i sAT on it and warmed it up.... i was thinking... aww this is going to make me want a proper bike again....

but before i even changed to 2nd gear....i knew i didnt want one.... legs all scrunched up leaning right forward etc.. i even gave it a blast.... didnt enjoy it, dont need high speed anymore... but im still enjoying my x8 too much..

[Dave Weller]

Small bikes do seem to have weedy chains and need adjusting and replacing often, I have just sold my VanVan, I had to replace the chain at 3000 miles and I was always tightening it up. The Valadero should be much better if it has an o ring chain fitted, but my major hate of bikes is getting feet wet, it just does not happen on a scooter.

[szymon]

dont matter what you ride...as long as it putting a smile on your face good luck to you.....i can feel you are eventually going to own one of those huge bmw gs adventure things with huge boxes.... ?

i recently helped my brother move home.... and he asked me to ride his fz600 fazer to the new house for him.... its the one that looks like a naked r6...lovely looking bike.....as i sAT on it and warmed it up.... i was thinking... aww this is going to make me want a proper bike again....

but before i even changed to 2nd gear....i knew i didnt want one.... legs all scrunched up leaning right forward etc.. i even gave it a blast.... didnt enjoy it, dont need high speed anymore... but im still enjoying my x8 too much..

Hehehe, might end up on the GS type thing eventually . Currently leaning towards something like a GSX650F with a top box and tank bag.

When I sit on my scoot now, I feel like I'm perched on top of it...sitting on the bike I was holding on with my knees like you do on a horse, and it felt far more involved. I did over 500 miles in the week I had the Varadero, including a rideout with a bunch of big bikes (which I mostly kept up with since it didn't go on motorways) and a trip down to Southampton.

Maybe in future I'll have both. But for now I'm swinging in the direction of a bike for sure

[mightbesane]

Many of us shift back and forth from bikes to scooters as circumstances change. I rode geared motorcycles for over 40 years before I sat on a scooter for the first time. Now, you couldn't get me to buy a geared bike for love or money...well, maybe money. And I understand being into gearing. I love my manual tranny Toyota and hate driving in automatic cages - it's like riding a sofa down the highway. Anyway, two wheels are two wheels. Wave to me if you ever ride in the Colonies, bike or scooter, it doesn't matter.

[andyscooter]

give it a few weeks and we will get the

i want a scooter as changing gear every three seconds is doing my head in thread

[bioshock!]

what can i say.... Happy riding, whatever you ride

[kayz1]

I have been riding for !! well, a very long time and my first scoot was after a big Op on my left leg after which i could not change gear..So scooter power it was..

I still have bikes and love them but i do not remember the last time i took one out, today i went out on the T-Max, now i remember why i bought it, i mostly take the
Burger as scoots are Sooooo easy to get along with....You'll be back
Health to enjoy whatever you ride..
Lyn.

[johnp]

Good luck with it but you are contracted to stay with us for LIFE.