Why motorcyclists should give scooters a try

I have a Honda elite 80 for zippin around town and for + mileage rides a Kymco 250 . I love them and spent next to nothing on fuel / maintenance. For 7 months out of the year people look on enviously ✌🏼👇🏼

Last year i was choosing between H-D Electra Glide and Suzuki Burgman 650. I bought Burgman and now i don’t want H-D anymore. Same ergonomics, more features, cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain

Thanks for doing this video but sadly masses of people will miss the point! I have arrived at a compromise you well could know about, a Honda DCT motorbike with some extra plastic panels, semi step-through and foot boards, the Integra! After 50+ years of bikes but now not so fit, this machine seamlessly out accelerates almost anything, so I have all that matters!!!!

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I have never ridden a scooter that did not make me smile. But, I think you are gonna have a hard time convincing many people to drop motos for scooter. Europe and Asia are covered up with scooters, but it is not their identity. America is a car culture - big, loud and shiny is the now, American. Until you find a few heroes riding a scooter, they will never make a dent in our culture. Imagine Brad Pitt pulling up at a premiere on a scoot with a hot chick on back- maybe then?

I consider them the mini van of the 2 wheeled world. As a 25 year, year round scooter commuter it's always puzzled me as to why they are not more popular in the United States.
Good job on rationalizing why scooters make sense.

scooter are like tiny tourer bikes ✌️🤙

I wanted to get one but my wife says I will look like a nerd 😁

What do you think about the Honda cub/hunter? I find them interesting, being too tall for the cool minis they make--grom, monkey et al.

My bike history: Yamaha 175 enduro, Yamaha XS1100, Honda V65 Sabre (1100cc), Honda GW GL1100, Honda Valkyrie 1500. Moving to SE Asia this spring and looking forward to getting 150-300 cc scooter. Different kind of riding, different transport culture, different roads and terrain. Dependability is number 1. Single cylinder and DCT makes it more simple. Ease of maintenance number 2. Number 3 is blend in.

i honestly prefer my honda Cross Cub 110 than these rev & rip scooters since it's easy to speed on the rev & rip ones, they're kinda boring to ride, small wheels so potholes are a nightmare & finally there's not much clearance underneath so when i'm hard turning it scrapes

Vespa GTS, baby! Are you paying for the name? a bit, I suppose but also: all steel body, minimal plastic, HPE engine designed by Aprilia, 80mph with aftermarket tone ring, 63 mpg, lotta torque -very quick and flickable, gorgeous, comfortable, good storage. Try it, you'll like it.

You tell it like it is go scooters!

I have been thinking about getting a scooter next to my motorcycle(s), but even with such low fuel consumption, it makes no financial sense due to depreciation, maintenance and road taxes. For inner city travel I use a bicycle. I still kind of want one (who doesn’t want an extra toy), but am having trouble justifying it for myself.

I'm from India, a place called darjeeling. And people here ride a scooter that are mostly 125cc and it works well. Even I have 2 125cc scooters and I ride uphill, downhill, cities and it's fun and work even in the mountains. The only thing that we are aware about is traction cuz smaller tyres and easier to lose traction and might lose control on a bigger potholes. But it's easy to commute, easy to move, great mileage and easy to repair

Me: He makes sense
Also me after checking out some scooters: Nyeh, maybe after i'm 60

The only reason i will never get a scooter is the terrible resale value if you wanted to shift to a new motorcycle.
almost no dealer want them for trade in at all .

in our country, scooter is seen for its carrying utility and milage. Scooter is good for general city riding where you also have to carry some glossaries and stuff without getting stuck in traffic.

Hmm, I have definitely wondered why someone would go scooter rather than motorcycle or e-bike. One can get brand new 250cc motorcycles for USD $2,000 if they are willing to buy from China. An e-bike being half that, and the convenience of plugging in at home. At 50+ miles per hour (80kph+) on our city streets, a motorcycle just seems like a better bet for safely integrating with cars in the USA. I do worry for people riding those scooters as they also tend to wear little gear, but tons of motorcyclists with the same mindset.

The unsung heroes of 2 wheel vechiles!

Yea they are amazing. I had and have my fair share of bikes ranging from supersports, nakeds, supermotos and what have you. 3 years ago i got myself a beat up 250 Kymco maxiscoot to go to work so the idiot parkers dont mess up my big bike. That thing is unkillable. I went down like 2 times on it, it had beed hit by a semi and pushed on the ground while leaving deep marks in the tarmac, but i got it up, patched the main wiring loom which got cut and it started straight up no issues (i just call him Mad Max). I can put a big ass shopping under the seat, the wife in the back (she is also comfortable mind you) and a big ass gas can sideways on the foot plate and it goes without any hassle. On top of that extremely easy to work on, cheap to run, and the 250s get very good gas mileage. Mine has the 12 inch wheels so extremely flickable, you can go hoon on it too. All in all, it made me respect these scooters.

I have had several motorcycles and several scooters. I think that I am more of a scooter guy but I enjoy both. I just picked up a Suzuki TU250x to go with my Burgman 400.

I started on scooters and that is why I only ride motorcycles now. For a scooter to be practical, it has to be light, small, and efficient, which all means that it also comes with thin tires, bad brakes, and low power.

If we're talking about maxi scooters like the T-Max they're heavier than a lot of motorcycles and more expensive.

So I don't see the point.

Small wheels so unstable and small potholes a severe problem.

Being retired I use my scooter every time the weather is good, and I can fit my shopping on board. Under seat storage for say a gallon of milk, bag hook and a flat floor are perfect for shopping. And a rear trunk for light things like prescriptions a loaf of bread. I love my scooter, it is such a practical vehicle.

A lot of comments on here about the small wheels. People Honda, Piaggio, Kymco, SYM. a lot of companies make scooters with 16 inch wheels. On board storage makes them so perfect for you light shopping runs. And the automatic transmission makes them just so perfect for around town. Been riding motorcycles and scooters since 1982. Why do you think the world loves them? Believe it or not they are fun and so practical. A shame America has not realized it yet.

As always I hear "It has an automatic transmission so you don't have to shift." I have two of each. A 750 and 250cc bike and a 250 and 170cc scooter. The scooters are great for food runs and grocery getting. I have ways to carry food on the bikes too so it's my mood that governs the use. I love the feeling of shifting gears. I've been doing it for 62 years and it's like breathing to me. I don't have to think about it. I also like the ease of twist and go.

400cc is hardly a scooter, yes it looks like one but remember it has same size wheels as 'normal' bike so it is just plastic and cvt that makes them 'scooters', but in truth they are powerful motorcycles... (i am talking about maxi-scooters 200cc+, everything bellow 150cc is basically a moped, and for youngsters, but if you are 18+ you wanna drive sth serious that can easily make some miles without exhausting you in the process)

200+cc Scoot's are the truck of moto's . slower then a sport bike on 0-60, but a work horse. The under seat storage is massive, if you have the rear pack and bags you can hold a insane amount of cargo that makes a touring cruiser cry. Can vouch as i drive the burgman 200 and i still haven't bothered for the storage box yet and i use it as my main driver for every use. a side edit after the fact, scoots trans/motor/rear wheel is one assembly. if it breaks its VERY easy to drop and repair . Drop a failing block and hook on the spare as you rebuild the old block!

100% !!!!!!!

Honda Forza and Honda ADV are just beautiful scooters!

If you are in the U.S., I wouldn't go less than 300cc (somewhere close to 25 hp/25 nm torque). You can get away with less if you live and commute entirely within just city streets, but if, like most people in the U.S., you live in the suburbs, the above is the minimum. This is going to be the maxi scooter beginning range. These are also larger heavier bikes in the 400 pound plus range which is handy when you get on the highway for safety and visibility. The likely progression is starting at 300cc, then 550cc, 750cc, and/or a DCT motorcycle like one of the Hondas with the flagship being the 2024 Goldwing Tour Automatic DCT. I find the people who like scooters exclusively are people with a different personality type from people who will start out on a clutched manual bike. Not all DCT motorcycles fit the profile of the scooter with evenly distributed weight down low, an automatic transmission, and lots of storage, but for a second bike, the Honda Rebel 1100T DCT is a really nice looking bike.

Have just recently discovered your channel and love your content. I’m debating between a Honda ADV 160 and a Honda Grom as an only vehicle in San Diego Ca for non-highway commuting and riding. It would be my first bike, though I have driven scooters and 110cc motorcycles throughout Asia. The ADV has my brain, with the extreme practicality and versatility covering everything I could imagine needing in a 2 wheeler. The Honda Grom has my heart, with its simple, light-weight design, and ergonomics. The problem I have with the ADV, on paper, is that at 300lbs, it is about 60 pounds heavier than the Grom, and with the scooter seating position, all the weight goes to your ass causing the shock to go straight into the back. In the Grom, weight seems distributed between the feet, legs, arms and ass - which I think would make it much more comfortable than the scooter for any reasonable distance. However, the Grom has 0 storage which means I would have to come up with bag storage solutions. Being 125 lbs and just 5’6”, and having only driven bikes in Asia - the American 2 wheelers seem massive for my frame. The Grom seems the perfect size. I have about a 30 inseam so I can probably flat foot a Grom, but toe foot an ADV. I know you love the scooter, but I’m curious how you feel about 150cc scooters compared to the 125cc Grom, which could probably go at similar speeds but have better gas mileage. There are pros and cons with CVT (simple) versus Manual (control), but I could make do with either. Doesn’t driving the PCX feel uncomfortable compared to a motorcycle - with no ability to absorb shocks with the legs? I haven’t tried either bikes because I’m still in Asia, but when I move back to the USA early next year, I will be getting a bike and in the research phase. So far I have only driven one motorcycle, an old 110cc Honda in Vietnam, and one scooter in Taiwan, and some other random small things. I don’t remember how it felt to drive a motorcycle since it was a while back. Regardless, thanks for your awesome content!

i do doordash on a kymco people 150. it's soo much fun. Thinking about getting a burgman 400 so I have more visibility and performance. How are the 400s on maintenance? From what I can tell they're not that much more than a regular scooter. Things kinda get pricey when you get to the 600s. I think the 400 would be fine for doordash. My market isn't really a downtown solely area so I have to get up to speed and go some distance sometimes.

I love scooters. In America though, where I own a car and ride my motorcycle for fun, I wouldn't choose a scooter. As a primary means of transport scooters are hands down the best, they're great for anything from dense cities to highways to rural areas. A sportbike, a cool cruiser, a dual sport, or any other motorcycle without a step through frame is just more fun to ride imo and looks a bit cooler usually too. I love scooters and have had so much fun on them but I still would never tell someone to get a scooter if it was just for fun

Here in the US; After researching to buy a motorcycle; I'm finding myself leaning toward buying a Maxi-Scooter soon; I think that they are cooler looking than motorcycles and much more practical. (Such as the AK550 Kymco).

I agree totally. I have owned several maxi-scooters over the last 20 years (Malaguti Madison 250, Suzuki Burgman 400, Honda SH300, Another Burgman 400, SYM Maxsym 600, and after a 4 1/2 year break I now have a Honda Forza 350. I love them. Practical but still fun. 12 years ago I borrowed a Yamaha Diversion 600 for a week while my Burgman 400 was having a repair done, and I hated it. The riding position, the total lack of weather protection, the manual transmission, the lack of storage. Everything. I was glad when I got my Burgman back!

Owned many motorcycles and some scooters. Scooters are great, very practical, very economical.

I don't get why Americans see 2 wheels as a hobby. And scooters specially as a toy. And need to be persuaded. Maybe the huge distances and parking everywhere plays a role. In Europe we see it as another way of transportation. Cars are ridiculously expensive to buy and maintain, trafic is a disaster and there's nowhere to park. I sold my car and move around with a 125cc scooter. 1 year later, I still don't miss my car.

Too bad our highway system is so bad. 85mph is dangerous. China highway is only 50mph. Safer. Smaller, and lees deaths. If the USA was only less selfish.

It might be an unpopular take, I really don't care who disagrees. As a scooter purist, these are not scooters. They're automatic motorcycles! No self-respecting scooter club would allow you membership if you were riding one of those monstrosities.

I have a scooter and I know they say motorcycles make you look like a badass I feel like a badass on my scooter. I don’t want to ride on the highway only in my car so the scooter is great for me and it goes at least 60mph and it works for the local streets as the max is 45 so it works for me and I use it to go to work and I love it

I have a Tiger and a T-max, and agree with most of what you say. Actually, when parked, more people come to look at the t-max than the tiger! The tiger is more of a long-haul choice, and with full luggage setup can carry more for long trips with say camping and a bit of luxury. The daily driver though is the t-max. I would reccommend a sporty scooter/large wheel scooter, even at the cost of smaller luggage space under the seat, as they not only handle corners and bumps better with larger wheels, but are also giving more confidence and more fun as opposed to really small wheel scooters that may feel a little nervous and bumpy to ride. Thank you for sharing.

TRY THE HONDA 160ADV IT'S TRULY AWESOME!!

Scooters are a great - until you need to do any basic jobs on them. Everything is enclosed, which means you cannot get at anything. Even a simple spark plug clean/change is very awkward and adjusting rear shocks isn't easy. In fact, the handbook says to take it to a dealer to have the setting changed which is ridiculous. If you largely ride solo then you have them on one setting but, if you want to take a pillion then you need to change the setting, and back again when you are solo once more. Rear wheel punctures become a major job which means another trip to a dealer because you cannot remove the rear wheel yourself without specialist tools. I am extremely disenchanted with my scooter!

As us baby boomer's age out I think there is finally the large market that manufacturers have looked for in the USA for Maxi scooters. Freeway capable, low center of gravity, automatic and lighter weight appeal to retirees. Getting cruise control and heated surfaces would be even better for us seniors that want a few more years of riding. The Piaggio MP550 is an amazing tour de force with everything including reverse power and a rear view camera, blind spot monitors, and cruise control. Wow, but the dealer network is very sparse.

I like the 250/300cc size. A good compromise 60mpg, and 75mph. My 250 can get to 70 mpg and will go fast. But at the same time a 125/ 150 will not be quite that fast.. but cab do great at mileage.

I have 2 H-D tourers and a Vespa. Vespa will maintain 60-70 mph in traffic, under seat storage and bag hooks for groceries (plus top box), easier to use with auto and weighing under maybe 300 lbs, gas milage in the 60’s-70’s. Insurance much less. And it’s just more fun to ride/relax on secondary roads. Initially 1/2 to 1/3 price of H-D. Metal not plastic.12” wheels are quite stable at freeway speeds and makes for more flickable in traffic or just maneuverable pushing around. What’s not to like?