A 4th Scooter Maybe?

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:56 pm

I have 3 scooters stashed at 3 different houses I occupy during the year. 2 are Buddys, a Blackjack 150 and a Italia 170i. The 3rd is a Aprilia 250 Sport City. This one is my touring scooter. I'm thinking about adding a 4th which would be paired up with the Aprilia. A scoot in the 100cc to 150cc class which I would use for shorter trips. Fuel injection would be nice but not mandatory. Other than a Buddy, any recommendations? I want to stay under $1,500. A local MC dealer has 2 scoots that look fairly decent: a 2009 Sym Fiddle II 125 at $1400 and a 2009 Yamaha Vino 125 at $1700. These are asking prices and at this time of year, I'm sure they can be had for less. Comments on these 2 would also be appreciated. TIA,

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250ie Aprilia SC

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:28 pm

Would this be for a 2nd person? Or just to be a bit lighter?

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:05 pm

The Vino is slow. If you're used to a Buddy (or a SportCity), it may drive you a little batty to totter around on a Vino. You should test ride it before you buy so you won't be surprised.

I don't want to be negative on both bikes, but I have serious reservations about the SYM, too. My insurance company recently dumped my 2007 SYM HD200 coverage because they said parts are unavailable. And the Fiddle II was never my favorite SYM scooter. They were built to a price and you get what you pay for.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Nobody wants to hear this, but there is a funny reversal in the scooter market right now that you could take advantage of. Older Honda Silverwing scooters have lost so much of their value that you can now buy a 2002-2004 Silverwing for the same money you are talking about spending for a Fiddle II. If I were you, I would do that, rack up the miles on the Wing, save the wear and tear on your Sport City, and rotate one of your other scooters to a location where you're going to be doing more local riding. I run all over the USA on my Silverwing and it takes nothing but oil and gas. It's FI so no carb aggravations when you let it sit for a while. I keep mine on a Battery Tender so the battery is always fresh. It's really very convenient to be able to go out, push a button on a bike that hasn't been started in months and be able to ride off on an 1100 mile trip. Mine's a 2002, so the used value is well down into the range you're talking about. Just an out-of-the-box thought...

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:15 pm

skully93 wrote:Would this be for a 2nd person? Or just to be a bit lighter?

Nope. Just for me and a bit lighter as I would use it just for quick trips to the local store and the marina where one of my sons keeps his boat. The speed limit on the road to both locations is 40 mph but most of the locals drive it at 45 - 50 so a 49cc scoot is out. I would use the heavier Aprilia 250 SC for local touring and longer trips like to Bremerton, WA where I can take the ferry over to downtown Seattle. Both scoots would be kept at my summer home which is on south Puget Sound. The Blackjack is garaged at my son's house in south Seattle, where I rent a room from him, and the Italia is in storage in Tucson, AZ where I rent for 3 months in the winter.

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250ie Aprilia SC

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:17 pm

skipper20 wrote:I have 3 scooters stashed at 3 different houses I occupy during the year. 2 are Buddys, a Blackjack 150 and a Italia 170i. The 3rd is a Aprilia 250 Sport City. This one is my touring scooter. I'm thinking about adding a 4th which would be paired up with the Aprilia. A scoot in the 100cc to 150cc class which I would use for shorter trips. Fuel injection would be nice but not mandatory. Other than a Buddy, any recommendations? I want to stay under $1,500. A local MC dealer has 2 scoots that look fairly decent: a 2009 Sym Fiddle II 125 at $1400 and a 2009 Yamaha Vino 125 at $1700. These are asking prices and at this time of year, I'm sure they can be had for less. Comments on these 2 would also be appreciated. TIA,

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250ie Aprilia SC

You want advice? Hell, I want advice: what's the name of the financial manager you and BuddyRaton use?

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:12 pm

If its just for quick trips, why not keep using the SC250?

Not that one can own too many scooters of course...

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:24 am

skully93 wrote:If its just for quick trips, why not keep using the SC250?

Not that one can own too many scooters of course...

The SC250 would be a bit of an overkill as the local store is just 6 miles away and the marina 2 miles. I'd rather save the SC250 for longer trips such as 25+ miles where local speed limits are 55+ mph. And, for my 81 year old legs, the longer distances are actually easier on me as I'm not mounting and dismounting as much as I do for short trips on a smaller, lighter scooter. For me, the 329 lb. SC250 is a heavyweight but I can handle it if I can be in the saddle for 30 minutes or more. But, for a 3 minute trip to the local marina, smaller is better.

I'm now starting to think that a Buddy 125 might not be a bad choice. Or, spend a few more $ and get a fuel injected Honda Elite 110 or 2T Genuine Rattler 110. Or, if a Pyscho 125 should pop up here in the greater Seattle area, I'd be on it in a minute!

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250ie Aprilia Sport City

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:42 am

jrsjr wrote:The Vino is slow. If you're used to a Buddy (or a SportCity), it may drive you a little batty to totter around on a Vino. You should test ride it before you buy so you won't be surprised.

I don't want to be negative on both bikes, but I have serious reservations about the SYM, too. My insurance company recently dumped my 2007 SYM HD200 coverage because they said parts are unavailable. And the Fiddle II was never my favorite SYM scooter. They were built to a price and you get what you pay for.

Thanks for your inputs. My first serious scooter was a brand new Vino 125. After installing a Yamaha windshield and breaking the scooter in, I could do a GPS confirmed 55 mph on the flats. This is all that I would need for my short trips.But now I'm thinking a gently used Buddy 125 could also do the job and I'd be staying within the Genuine family. 3 out of 4 that is.

A used Silverwing 600 is not a bad idea but at 81 yo, my scooter weight limit is about the SC250's weight of 330 lbs. I'm guess the Silverwing is more.

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250ie Aprilia Sport City

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:59 am

For as many miles as you're going to use it, I would just get the first cheap 100cc+ vehicle that peaks your interest.

sure, getting the latest and greatest is great on gas, etc. However it becomes less of a frugality at that point. I'd just get something you can handle well and is fun for you. A used Buddy, Vino, or anything would meet that need no problem!

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 2:40 am

jrsjr wrote:The Vino is slow.

So is the Fiddle. After 4000 miles I could get it up to (indicated) 60mph after a while, but it is not a quick scoot, surprising when compared to its 170cc stablemate, the HD200.

My insurance company recently dumped my 2007 SYM HD200 coverage because they said parts are unavailable. And the Fiddle II was never my favorite SYM scooter. They were built to a price and you get what you pay for..

This I don't get. Maybe those people are reading too many internet rumors. Some people still don't think anyone has taken over for Arson Brothers. Sheesh. Ooty at the symforum says he never has trouble getting parts.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 5:18 am

skipper20 wrote:The SC250 would be a bit of an overkill as the local store is just 6 miles away and the marina 2 miles. I'd rather save the SC250 for longer trips such as 25+ miles where local speed limits are 55+ mph.

I guess I'm not getting the issue. I own an SC300 (at a second location). I don't find it to be a "heavyweight" or difficult to ride in any sense. On the other hand, if you want another scooter for around town, you certainly can't go wrong with the Buddy 125 in my opinion - light, easy to ride, cost effective, as reliable as they come.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 6:45 am

Neither. Save the cash as a 4th scoot isn't really needed. Sounds like overkill to me....

KrispyKreme · Post by **KrispyKreme** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:06 am

Drum Pro wrote:Neither. Save the cash as a 4th scoot isn't really needed. Sounds like overkill to me....

I like you Drum, but telling someone to not buy something when you have a 170i and a Stella?

I eagerly await your response, -KRISPY

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:41 am

Drum Pro wrote:Neither. Save the cash as a 4th scoot isn't really needed. Sounds like overkill to me....

Apostate!

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:57 pm

KrispyKreme wrote:
Drum Pro wrote:Neither. Save the cash as a 4th scoot isn't really needed. Sounds like overkill to me....

I like you Drum, but telling someone to not buy something when you have a 170i and a Stella?

I eagerly await your response, -KRISPY

Why not? 2 scoots seems just about right. Most people have 2 cars but how many have 4 or more? The 170I was almost a starter scoot for me as I barely even ride it anymore I couldn't think about having 4 or more. When would you properly have time to ride ALL OF THEM? + the OP asked an opinion so I gave it. It just seemed a bit of an overkill and an extra expense to me. I'm not saying the OP can't spend their money just Why would you? And is it needed?...

snoozy · Post by **snoozy** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:16 pm

If three is not enough, four won't be either. I say: open up a dealership, or get thee to a twelve step program.

Modern Buddy

A 4th Scooter Maybe?

A 4th Scooter Maybe?

Re: A 4th Scooter Maybe?