what scooter?

I want some 2 wheeled fun, but I have to keep it under 50cc, cuz I want GREAT mileage, and I don't want to have to register it or get a bike endorsement just yet.

I am absolutely addicted to the Honda MB5 like this one.

I also want a Honda Ruckus, but they are awfully expensive.

anybody got something awesome that can get up to 50 MPH and more than 60 MPG?

I am falling in love with either a Derbi or an Aprilia RS50

I would even be able to overlook the price for this much coolness.

maroon92 wrote: I also want a Honda Ruckus, but they are awfully expensive.

2009 Ruckus, 300+ miles on it for $2000. That's $500 below MSRP, plus you save all the dealer prep fees and no sales tax. 100 miles per gallon. And, it has cool narrowed and relocated turn signals!

Man, i'm assuming its yours? CT is an awful long way for a ruck. Let me build a bit more spending cash and i might send you a message.

maroon92 wrote: Man, i'm assuming its yours? CT is an awful long way for a ruck. Let me build a bit more spending cash and i might send you a message.

Yup, mine and in CT. Forgot that I also added a heavy duty rear coilover shock as well.

There is an Aprilia RS50 near me that I am probably going to look at. What do I need for it? A license plate? proof of ownership? insurance? is that it?

maroon92 wrote: I am falling in love with either a Derbi or an Aprilia RS50 I would even be able to overlook the price for this much coolness.

That thing is pretty damn cool.

It kinda reminds me of this picture...

I was looking at cheap transportation for quite some time, I looked the cost of buying a really cheap Geo or Civic, but most were over $1000, and only got 35mpg or so. That's good, but add in the cost of inspection and insurance and I was quickly not saving a dime.

As much as I wish I lived close enough to school to ride bike, I don't. I'm also not good enough with waking up to be able to wake up 2 hours before my first class.

Scooters made sense because of the awesome gas mileage and no need for a motorcycle license. However, you still need insurance and you still need to get them inspected. In Pennsylvania, we have a motorcycle permit. Really easy to get an allows to ride as much as you want with a helmet, during the day, and without a passenger.

Scooters, especially those under 50cc are really sucky on speed. In order for me to use one to get to school, I'd need cross a rather large hill, or else take a 5 mile detour. Plus, all of the roads that I'd travel on are higher than 45mph that most 50cc or even older 80cc Scooter's can achieve.

In my case, it made more sense to buy a sub-$400 motorcycle that needs a little bit of work but can be ridden anywhere without the fear of being ran over. This price was cheaper than most scooter I found for sale, and while the motorcycle may only get 40mpg, the overall savings elsewhere would pay for themselves.

The two 50cc "superbikes" i mentioned wil exceed 55 mph quite quickly with minor mods. In my commute i rarely exceed 40. I think i would be okay with it.

maroon92 wrote: There is an Aprilia RS50 near me that I am probably going to look at. What do I need for it? A license plate? proof of ownership? insurance? is that it?

That varies greatly by state. I live in Kansas City. On the Kansas side a moped registered scooter has to 1) be less than 130cc, 2) have a top speed of 30mph or less on a level grade, 3) have 3.5hp or less. So neither that Honda or Aprilia would qualify in Kansas, though a few years ago they were registered that way due to to bureaucratic ignorance. License plates are required as is the payment of personal property tax.

In Missouri it's 50cc or less and a 30mph top speed. No requirement for plates, insurance or property tax. This can cause issues for those who ride across the state line from the Missouri side.

So do some research on your state's regulations and make your choice based on that.

I sat on an aprilia RS50 once. It felt freakishly light after coming off my zx6. I had flagged the owner down and he let me sit on it but not ride it...

yeah, it's only 250 pounds...pretty light for a sport bike.

After a few weeks of looking, I just bought Mrs.Mini a Honda Elite.They commonly come in the 50, 80, 150, AND 250CC variety. The 50 and 80s are nimble but not really suitable for grownups. The 150 and 250s are decently sized and quick enough not to put you in jeopardy in traffic or on the road. We ended up buying an '85-250 with 8K miles on it and all records since new. It looks and runs as new, but I gave primo dollars for it ($1100). While driving it 160 miles to get it home, I was able to run on the highway at 65-70mph(I'm just shy of 6'-0", 240#) and got 68 mpg! A few times I saw 72mph, but didn't want to run wide open for long. Mrs.Mini doesn't ride as fast, and on her tank of petro, she averaged 73mpg. I love my Goldwing, but really get a kick out of her scooter every chance I get.

I think the Aprilia SR50 scooter can also hit 50. Its $3000+, though, and not overly common in the used market.

What are the rules where you are? A lot of places that allow sub-50cc bikes without licensing limit not only the displacement, but the top speed, too. If you wanna skirt the rules, though, a used Yamaha Zuma or a Genuine Buddy 50, and a 70cc kit should help you get close to 50 mph. I would think either one would still deliver over 60 mpg, too.

Turbo Aprilia. That is all.

I absolutely love the Buddy 125, and the 50 isn't bad either. Lots of fun to ride. My brother in law got one and loves it.

What makes a Ruckus worth more than, say a same year Zuma? Is worshiping the alter of the H?

http://www.moto-scoot.net/madass.html

That is pretty awesome.

Most of the 125-160cc pit bike motors (which can be pretty awesome themselves) will bolt right up.

Appleseed wrote: What makes a Ruckus worth more than, say a same year Zuma? Is worshiping the alter of the H?

It's not so much worshiping at the alter, but (some) people like the unique look of the Ruckus (others hate it) and the Ruckus has aftermarket support almost on the same magnitude of a Civic or Mustang. You can build one into just about anything you want.

http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/130_0804_honda_ruckus_bowls/index.html

Ah yes the after market. Forgot about that. The MadAss is cool. You can get it in twist and go or a 4 spd.

Appleseed wrote: Ah yes the after market. Forgot about that. The MadAss is cool. You can get it in twist and go or a 4 spd.

The Madass is neat, but I've read the 50 is a complete dog, even compared to 50cc scooters. I'd like one with a bigger engine (even than the 125) someday.

The Ruckus chassis is also pretty modifiable compared to most scooters. I know there's the one that turns up on here occassionally with a Silverwing drivetrain, but I've also seen pics of Ruckuses (Ruckii?) with a 2 stroke zuma engine. Best of both worlds.

Appleseed wrote: What makes a Ruckus worth more than, say a same year Zuma? Is worshiping the alter of the H?

Better looking (to some), less plastic, and while both are overbuilt, the Ruckus takes overbuilt/understressed to a new level. It's a water cooled 4 stroke single and the cylinder and crankcase are a unit, unlike on the Zuma (and most other scooters).

The aftermarket support is also pretty amazing. Easily the most supported late model scooter. There is also a substantial and extremely devoted community surrounding these bikes, and it's both rural and urban. I think this tends to drive up the price of used ones, and they hold their value pretty well.

suprf1y wrote: http://www.moto-scoot.net/madass.html

WANT!!!!!!!

Buddy of mine had a 50 CC Aprilla GP Scooter with some hop up parts on it.

It still fell under the 50cc catagorey, but his own Honda CBR1000RR culd not touch it to 35, and he said it was capable of 50. He is not prone to tall tales, so I buy it. Apparently the Italians take their scooters very serious and make a lot of go fast parts for them.