July 10, 2010

by Bob Carter
(Half Moon Bay, CA)

Well I reached the ONE YEAR anniversary on my first scooter. It's a Chinese-made Nemo 150cc model and has run flawlessly. I haven't ridden it as much as I would like to, but ride it when I can. I do baby it, and stick to the speed limits.

Unfortunately I just learned that the dealer I purchased it from has gone out of business. The small businesses have had a bad go of it. As luck would have it, a young man opened a motorcycle repair shop just a quarter mile from my home. His open-house was today. He is more than happy to do the maintenance work necessary.

If you are looking for your first scooter to purchase, I have to say that my Chinese-made scooter has been trouble free.

If I had known then what I know now I would have opted for more horsepower than the 150cc model when I made my purchase. Two factors cause me to say this: I weigh in at 260 pounds and I live in very hilly country on the west coast of the San Francisco Peninsula.

The engine has to work hard on the occasions that I have had to cross the Santa Cruz Mountains to ride in the Bay Area. I have learned to fall in line behind one of the big semis or campers.

Other than that, I couldn't be happier with my Chinese wonder. It is great for around town, and easily maintains 45 to 50 MPH on the flatlands. Pick-up away from stop lights leaves most car drivers wondering what that blue streak was. Not bad for a man who will turn 77 this year and a scooter that cost just under $2000.

I have enjoyed reading all of the interesting and informative comments and words of advice from the members on this site, especially those from the more mechanically knowledgeable commenters. Thanks Kathi for making this forum available.