no, but I'm finishing on a scooter. Old age has set upon my, stretching my leg over is getting tougher, I decided it's time for a step through. I didn't go as small as a 50cc, Got myself a Kymco AK550, Kymco's flagship model. Get's up to a ton real quick
Scooter to motorcycle?
I work in a college town. Now that the weather's beginning to warm up (between snowstorms), the students are pulling their from storage and taking over the streets in some areas of town for another season. I'm sure it's the same in universities and colleges around the country.
Which got me thinking...is scooter ownership any kind of on-ramp to motorcycling? To be clear, I'm talking about the sub-50cc scooters like the Honda Metropolitan and the myriad Chinese brands. Has anyone ever studied anything like this? did anyone here get their start on a little scooter?
Which got me thinking...is scooter ownership any kind of on-ramp to motorcycling? To be clear, I'm talking about the sub-50cc scooters like the Honda Metropolitan and the myriad Chinese brands. Has anyone ever studied anything like this? did anyone here get their start on a little scooter?
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
I don't think a scoot is a starter in motorcycling although it could lead to an awakening to the delights of motorised two wheelers.
Scooters are practical and I have used them a lot thru my commuting years. I discovered the practicality by accident when I borrowed the Wife's 250 Majesty once and never looked back. There is still a scooter of sorts in my shed to this day.
Scooters are practical and I have used them a lot thru my commuting years. I discovered the practicality by accident when I borrowed the Wife's 250 Majesty once and never looked back. There is still a scooter of sorts in my shed to this day.
In S.C. if you lose your driver's license due to a DUI you can still ride a 50 cc scooter since no license is required. There are a lot of these scooters in S.C. Many more than you might expect.
I can't help but think a few of these people move up in displacement and capability after experiencing two wheels. Of course, others just want their car back. It might depend on what time of year they lost their license and the weather they had to endure.
I can't help but think a few of these people move up in displacement and capability after experiencing two wheels. Of course, others just want their car back. It might depend on what time of year they lost their license and the weather they had to endure.
In 1962, I started off on a moped (Hercules Herc-u-motor), quickly went to a Lambretta Li150 and then to a home-built Norton "Bitsa". It had an ES2 frame with a Dominator 88 motor and gearbox.
The need for speed developed very quickly😉
The need for speed developed very quickly😉
10-4. I learned to ride a bicycle back in grade school, but it was an epiphany moment when I mooched a ride on a friend of another friend's Cushman. We didn't go far, but we went a near supersonic 40mph/64kmh for a few blocks down a suburban boulevard. That was over 60 years ago, but I can still recall the exhilaration of imminent danger and my unprotected eyes watering everything into a blur. I was 12, and the ride cost me two cigarettes I "borrowed" from my mom, but it was worth it!I don't think a scoot is a starter in motorcycling although it could lead to an awakening to the delights of motorised two wheelers.
In my view the biggest difference is managing the weight and controlling the bike mainly with handlebar, throttle and brake inputs. Like with bicycles, you can manhandle a really small scooter and never develop a good sense for it. Their tiny wheels and steep rake angles also make for twitchy handling that doesn't translate well to a larger machine.
I hadn't ridden for 20 years and after an extended visit to Europe, I leased a Piaggio MP3 500 to ride. I purchased one in the states and did long rides for two years. I found it's balance and handling different from a motorcycle - doable but not as enjoyable as a motorcycle - so I sold it and graduated to a 650XT and currently on a 1050XT. When I get to point I can't swing a leg or need to be closer to ground I will probably revert back to scooter, but nothing less than 500cc.
I started in 1965 with a 125 Vespa - a friend and I split the cost as neither of us had the entire $60. The most dangerous riding I've ever done - the brakes were more of a joke than anything else, the front brake doing little other than causing the front wheel to bounce up and down, the rear not much more effective. Of course we didn't have the $3.95 that new brake shoes would have cost - might have helped I suppose. Also rode it for a while with a broken throttle cable - cable broke at the twistgrip and again the $1.95 or so replacement cost was not in the budget so I just held the cable with my right hand and did the steering and shifting with my left - couldn't reach the front brake lever but that really didn't matter. Of course there were no helmets or other proper riding gear involved. On the bright side I survived it all and the experience was more positive than negative, enough that I went on to own and ride real motorcycles all over the USA and most of Europe and am still riding today. I wouldn't recommend this approach with today's traffic volumes and the almost total lack of care exhibited by so many drivers lately. Small town Florida in 1965 a traffic jam was more than one vehicle stopped at a red light.
Anything that gets you out of a car and into traffic without the benefit of rollover cages, airbags and a plethora of other safety devices, is good preparation for riding a motorcycle. You'll learn defensive driving real quick.
Biggest difference is the danger level. Riding a scooter isn't safe but it's generally low speed crashes and other people's actions taking you out.
Even a small bike can have the performance of a high end sports car (Whispers - RS250 ....) and there's an added level of danger caused by lack of self control and poor judgement.
Riding is different sure but no worse than automatic/stick shift. It's attitude that's really what needs effort.
I'm not saying don't, because they are a lot of fun and in some ways more useful than scooters.(Range for example).
Even a small bike can have the performance of a high end sports car (Whispers - RS250 ....) and there's an added level of danger caused by lack of self control and poor judgement.
Riding is different sure but no worse than automatic/stick shift. It's attitude that's really what needs effort.
I'm not saying don't, because they are a lot of fun and in some ways more useful than scooters.(Range for example).
um
going from scooter to bike is like going from auto trans to standard trans in a car, or vice versa that pedal, or lever on the left is a brake, but there is no seatbelt like a car, if you grab too much
Um, no, biggest difference is twist and go, no shifting, and that lever on the left is not a clutchIn my view the biggest difference is managing the weight and controlling the bike mainly with handlebar, throttle and brake inputs. Like with bicycles, you can manhandle a really small scooter and never develop a good sense for it. Their tiny wheels and steep rake angles also make for twitchy handling that doesn't translate well to a larger machine.
going from scooter to bike is like going from auto trans to standard trans in a car, or vice versa that pedal, or lever on the left is a brake, but there is no seatbelt like a car, if you grab too much
For me starting around age 12 it was Briggs & Stratton powered minibike => Honda Express 49cc moped => Honda CB125 => Suzuki GS400 ====(30yr hiatus)====> Suzuki DL650s.
In college I used the moped to commute to school but quickly learned I was risking my life in traffic while people laughed at me for riding a moped. Got the CB125 which was much better but the need for speed soon led to the GS400. The 650 is plenty fast for me now. Any powered two wheeler can lead one down this path.
In college I used the moped to commute to school but quickly learned I was risking my life in traffic while people laughed at me for riding a moped. Got the CB125 which was much better but the need for speed soon led to the GS400. The 650 is plenty fast for me now. Any powered two wheeler can lead one down this path.
Lambretta handlebars were clutch/ gearchange left side. Pull in clutch lever and rotate up and down to shift. Throttle and front brake right side of handlebars like a bike and rear brake pedal on the RH floor.
Started on mini bikes. Moved to dirt bikes then a dual sport. Street bike next. No scooters. I may down size from the Super Tenere, but it will be back to a small dual sport.
I think predominantly people who ride scooters don't really have "moving up to a motorcycle" as their end game. IMO most people have scooters for economy and practicality reasons above riding enjoyment.
I have a 250 Burgman which I use to punt to the shops and park at the train station when I'm working in the CBD. I didn't actively seek one out to buy it - this one kinda landed in my garage from a mate - but it is practical and VERY economical.
As some have stated I also see older riders moving to larger cc scooters for health / mobility reasons.
I have a 250 Burgman which I use to punt to the shops and park at the train station when I'm working in the CBD. I didn't actively seek one out to buy it - this one kinda landed in my garage from a mate - but it is practical and VERY economical.
As some have stated I also see older riders moving to larger cc scooters for health / mobility reasons.
Not totally on topic, but it happened this morning and I thought I'd mention it.
I go to work early and arrive right around the time certain college athletes show up for their morning practice/workouts. Many teammates live together and a lot of them ride scooters; they even have their own designated scooter/moped parking area. As I parked my truck, I heard a loud hum approaching. Around the corner came about a dozen scooter-riding scholar-athletes. As the weather continues to warm up, I know I'll start seeing them more frequently. And it always brings a smile to my face. They're like a super-fit, youthful scooter gang.
I go to work early and arrive right around the time certain college athletes show up for their morning practice/workouts. Many teammates live together and a lot of them ride scooters; they even have their own designated scooter/moped parking area. As I parked my truck, I heard a loud hum approaching. Around the corner came about a dozen scooter-riding scholar-athletes. As the weather continues to warm up, I know I'll start seeing them more frequently. And it always brings a smile to my face. They're like a super-fit, youthful scooter gang.
That's just, like, your opinion man.um
Um, no, biggest difference is twist and go, no shifting, and that lever on the left is not a clutch
going from scooter to bike is like going from auto trans to standard trans in a car, or vice versa that pedal, or lever on the left is a brake, but there is no seatbelt like a car, if you grab too much
We're talking very small scooters here, as a transition to motorcycles. There are plenty of 250cc+ twist-and-go scooters that perform, weigh and handle like regular motorcycles. If you already know how a clutch and transmission work, it's not a big factor.
When people ask if riding a motorcycle is "just like riding a bicycle?" No, it's not. The weight is significant and if you don't fundamentally understand how to manage it with the controls, you're going to get a physics lesson like you wouldn't get on a moped.
I'm thinking about going the other way. Never rode a scooter until this summer, then I got a chance to ride a friend's 1985 Honda 150cc scooter, it was so much fun I'm thinking about adding one to the garage as an errand running machine. Don't think I'd replace the wee with a scooter, but definitely want to own one.
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
StromTrooper
A forum community dedicated to all Suzuki Strom owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, purchasing, reviews, accessories, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
DesertBike
166 Replies
Highwayman2016
133 Replies
Rolex
120 Replies
Recommended Communities
