Should I go back to a scooter or just give up riding?

by Kathern
(Centerville, Ohio, USA)

Hello! I'm so glad to have found your website. Early last year I bought my first scooter - a cheap Chinese 50cc Tao Tao that was super fun and easy to ride. I took the Motorcycle Safety Course and sold the Tao Tao in preparation for buying a 125/150cc scooter.

Two of my friends talked me into buying a Honda Rebel 250cc motorcycle. I really should have gone with my gut feeling! I'm in my 40s, only do short errands (through the neighborhood - shifting is a pain!), and have a lot of trouble braking with the right side of my body while keeping the bike upright with my 5'2" stature. Not to mention all the weight seems to be in front of my arms and it's hard to keep upright.

The Rebel is currently on craigslist and eBay classifieds, and I'm wondering whether I should buy a 125/150cc scooter now or just forgo riding. I know if I'd just bought the slightly bigger scooter last year I'd be happy but now I'm nervous after the motorcycle.

Your opinion is greatly appreciated, especially since you have so much experience with your Genuine Buddy scooter. Thanks so much for your time.

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Should I go back to a scooter or just give up riding?

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Aug 24, 2011

Perfect!
by: Kathi, Site Owner

That's perfect, Kathern! So glad you found the right ride for YOU. Keep us posted, won't you?

Jul 24, 2011

Scooter Update
by: Kathern

Thanks so much Kathi! I went to a really nice store by me - Metro Scooter - in Cincinnati and looked at the Buddy Scooters, Kymcos, and Vespas. The Buddy Scooters are super but they also had a Kymco Like 200 and I fell in love. There was a young man who had a 2009 Kymco People 200 with low miles on craigslist, so I contacted him and we went down and purchased it. The engine size is 163 - peppy but not too much to handle. It has tires similar to the Rebel Motorcycle, but all the ease of a step through platform, weight under the seat (and more balanced by far!), automatic transmission, and tons of cargo space between the compartment under the seat and the huge trunk.

I've only had it for a week but have already ridden over 30 miles on it - a third of the miles I put on the Rebel! It handles so much nicer (at least for me) and I've been able to practice emergency stops, weaving, the "box" figure 8 maneuver, etc., without feeling like I'd lose control of it.

Thanks so much for your encouragement and I'm looking forward to reading the posts and replying if I happen to know something!

Jul 12, 2011

Oh Dear...
by: Kathi, Site Owner

Oh, Kathern, how unfortunate that you got advice from friends to go to a motorcycle when you loved scooting so much! I have to say, that although their intentions may have been good, I'm not sure it was the best advice for YOU.

For your needs, it seems a scooter is a much better choice, and given your size (not too much bigger than me), I would think a scooter would be much easier to handle too. I just told my hubby today that I don't think I could handle a much larger bike than my 220 pound Buddy... and I'm fit! Your Honda Rebel is over 100 pounds heavier.

I love driving a car with a stick, but have no desire to shift on a two-wheeler. There's enough for me to keep track of already and I'm perfectly content going the "easy" route of automatic twist and go! :)

So, anyway... please don't give up two-wheeling. Trade in that too big and feature-rich motorcycle for a simple little 4-stroke scooter in the 125/150cc size. It'll meet your needs and you'll discover the fun in riding once again!

If you wanted to go a bit bigger for some reason, you could check out the newest Genuine Buddy 170i. It has a 168cc engine and will go as fast as 60MPH. But personally, given what you've told us are your needs, I think the 125cc size scooter would do you just fine!

Let us know what happens, OK?

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Should I go back to a scooter or just give up riding?