125/150cc Class

125/150cc class.

This is the monumental scooter class, It has more options to go across town, more scenic views and more speed and power to handle the road. You can double up and still go where you want to go without issue complaints and problems. Most likely these scooters come with bigger 12" tires for better road handling, double rear shocks, larger foot path and seating... and did I mention speed?

I've ridden my Roketa 150cc the max I've gone is just barely reaching the 70mph mark. but I'm sure its probably less than that due to how unreliable the Chinese gauges are. One time it said I was out of gas and I quickly ran over to the gas station to open it up and find that it was half full... the float was stuck.

So here are my likely choices for the scooters as my first bike in 2015

Yamaha zuma 125 $3390

Again this is my likely choice for a first scooter. I love the styling of this. the rear taillights look like the ports of a jet engine.  The comfort is really good. the seat is stiff yet forgiving. the only scooter that has better seating in my opinion is the Genuine buddy Roughhouse 50r. I also like that the power of this scooter can easily achieve 60mph. and thats before its well broken in. Its tough looking too and the gauges are un-apoligeticly analog.  For the price I've seen these as much as the 50cc version. This would be an awesome first scooter for 2015 and will last a long time with care.

For this scooter it does have a tiny gas tank of only 1.6gallons, 2 gallons would be preferred for its size. Electronic controlled and front disk with a rear drum makes this bike a good performer. rear disk brakes would make this better. A ton of storage space underneath. I'm look at you Yamaha for my first choice in this Scooter class.

Honda PCX 150 $3449

Now this is a sweet ride. I really love the design and style this bike has. Its cool sophisticated looks like a nice motorcycle, yet you have the dependability of a scooter and the handling and comfort too. 

This model has a unique feature if you don't already know which allows the bike to turn off at red lights to save gas. Then with a twist at the throttle it instantaneously takes off without a hitch.  With 2.1 gallons and over 100+ MPG this bike is really in the back of my mind for a great mid touring bike. Its got all the features that I want, the dependability and a built in alarm system too! Plus the delay idling that is unique. This also includes an 12v accessories in the glove box, and duel LED headlamps for increased visibility and linked breaking. This is my #2 choice for my first 2015 scooter

Yamaha SMax 155$3690

The yamaha Smax is the answer the the PCX. its 155cc EFI scooter is a keen model for on road style and comfort. Its long adjustable windshield keeps the wind at high speeds at bay, even the bugs! (yuk!) The interesting thing with this scooter is that it it features front a rear disk breaks unlike most scooters that have a quick fading drum! 81MPG with 2gallon gas tank is a well sought out feature. The extra power will cary this scooter past the 60mph mark. I've not seen this scooter yet but I can tell this is a close second to the Honda PCX. The interesting thing is that I still need a touring scooter and Honda has a brand new bike out that matches the PCX so for a good Mid range scooter I might bump the Smax up a notch and to rival the Yamaha Zuma 125cc for first place. but only time will tell. for the price I'm sure I can wait a bit long for this bike.

Piagio fly 150cc 150$

 

The Piagio Fly 150 1.8gallon 104mpg is an awesome It Italian scooter from Piagio. The build quality is unmatched and the long life these scooters have is unquestionable. All scooters from Piagio or vespa IMOP will almost guarantee a 10 year life or longer with regular maintenance and care. Something to think about when purchasing a scooter. I expected my Roketa Chinese crap to last a year and it died in 4 months! 

I've sat on this scooter a few times at Empire cycle in Spokane. They have a huge selection of Piagio/vespa scooters, Aprillia, and a bunch of other scooters. They also have a basement full of nice used scooters too and I've seen this scooter yet an older model for $1999 out the door price! so... I may look at a used scooter yet knowing that its a good a dependable ride with power to spare. 68MPH is nothing to sneeze at too and the gas tank almost a 2 gallons that is something I look for. There are a bunch of mods like after market exhaust and build kits to take this to 177cc's, roller kits and I believe I saw a stretched kit too but that was a while ago.

If I got this scooter I would get a new exhaust as I hate the factory exhaust they use in all the scooters. I would also install a 12v adaptor to the bike for the glove box and upgrade the headlight too. but not much more than that. I would also save a few dollars getting used!

So far my wish list for my first Scooter is as followed.

#1 Yamaha Zuma 125CC

#2 Yamaha Smax 155

#3 Yamaha Zuma 50f

#4 Honda PCX 150cc

#5 Honda Ruckus 50cc

#6 Genuine Buddy Roughhouse 2 stroke 50cc

#7 Piagio Fly 150cc

#8 Aprilia 50r 2 Stroke racing scooter

The list keeps growing and my brain hurting as I attempt to ramble possibilities for what I should get. as you can see I'm leaning toward Yamaha. If I won the lottery and had a huge garage and all the time in the world I would get them all but I can't and I won't :( 

Realistically each company from Honda to Yamaha has an equivalent make and model, I think that for the rough and tumble scooter I believe the Yamaha zuma 50f would be a great choice for that 50cc class. and the Yamaha Smax 155 for the mid range 125/150cc scooter. After that I think getting the Aprilia 50r scooter or... the Honda Ruckus just to mess around in... Especially the Honda ruckus. I see myself riding that in the winter months when there is little to no snow just to get the 12 months of riding badge!

So the list is done for my first Scooter. and now I'm off to the touring class. 200cc and up of Raw power and highway touring capability, dependability and fun awaits me in 2016! I plan on 2 trips that year. One with my Lovely wife! and one with my best friend Andrew. Its just an idea that we are building on but its something that I want to make a reality!