scooter

[mr72]

Not-so-secretly I am trying to ease my wife onto a two-wheel vehicle. She's not going to try and ride an ordinary motorcycle, but she's at least mentioned that she thinks "classic Italian" style scooters (Vespa Stella and the like) look cute and fun. No way she's going to let me just go out and buy one and expect her to ride it. But if there was already one at our house? well she might one day try to take it for a spin around the cul-de-sac.

So Wednesday someone posted a "vintage-style" Chinese scooter that "turns over but doesn't start" for sale for the whopping sum of $80 on Craigslist. I emailed about it but as usual got no response. Yesterday the same was listed, price lowered to $50. I texted, arranged to go look at it. It's an hour drive from my house. So I unfolded the trailer and hooked it up to the Jeep and we went off to check this thing out, figuring, how can you go wrong for $50? I mean, this is not a motorcycle like a GS500. This is something where you can buy a brand new cylinder head for $60 and a new carburetor for $35. How hard can it be to get it to run? We're not talking about a real vintage Italian scooter with unobtanium parts and a 1:1 fix-to-ride time ratio. And I figured if I could tinker with it and fix it and make it work, then I could probably sell it and at least get what I paid for it back.

Well, suffice to say, I found the scooter that's not even worth $50. After giving it a hard look, I said 'no thanks' and then while I was driving away I got a text, the guy offered it FOR FREE and I still didn't turn around and get it. I think if he had offered ME $50 to take it, I'd still leave it.

The thing was, pretty much everything on the scooter needed replacement. It needed body plastics, headlight, all four turn signals, every chrome part was completely rusted, the brake master cylinder/lever was not even mounted and was clearly useless along with the brake line fitting, half the electrical connectors were disconnected and there were a half dozen wires that were cut and spliced, who knows why. Not starting was the least of the problems. It didn't help that it was in 100 pieces when I got there to look at it. I told the guy he'd probably be able to sell it easily if he put it together first. The problem buying a basket case like this is if you're not the one who took it apart, it's way harder to get it back together, sometimes impossible. Which screw goes where? what did that wire connect to? you know the drill.

So now I have to figure another sneaky way to get my wife to try riding a moto. I need to find a Stella with no motor at all for $300 or something.

[qcbaker]

Bummer the scooter didnt work out. Sounded like a cheap, fun little project. I usually see cheap two wheeled stuff on my local craigslist thats always a bit tempting. I'm sure you'll be able to find a sub-$1K scooter either over the winter (when everyone wants to get rid of a summer toy) or in the spring (when everyone wants to buy a summer toy lol) that you can lightly pressure your wife into trying.

I'm planning on purchasing a bike for my girlfriend in the spring. She wants to ride as well, but has no experience at all (I had a bunch of experience on dirtbikes, so my GS500F was a perfect first street bike for me), so I'm thinking a 250cc would be good. She likes bikes with the sport-naked look, so I figure I'll get an early 2000's ninja 250 and strip the fairings/cowl off and mount a custom headlight and turn signals. Almost like a streetfighter type thing. Ninjettes are so cheap, shouldn't be too much of an investment. And if she hates it, I'll be able to sell it for about what I paid.

[mr72]

Bummer the scooter didnt work out. Sounded like a cheap, fun little project.

It did, until I saw it

early 2000's ninja 250 and strip the fairings/cowl off and mount a custom headlight and turn signals.

I actually considered a Ninja 500 instead of my GS and looked at a number of them but they really don't come out well in naked form. IMHO. Otherwise Ninja 250 looks like a pretty terrific bike to start on. 

[qcbaker]

I actually considered a Ninja 500 instead of my GS and looked at a number of them but they really don't come out well in naked form. IMHO. Otherwise Ninja 250 looks like a pretty terrific bike to start on. 

The Ninja 500 is a decent bike, my buddy at work has one. Its a nice bike, but the styling doesn't really do it for me.

The 250 has a bit more sporty styling, and this is essentially what I plan on doing:

from something like this:


to something like this this:


May keep the rear fairings on though. All depends on what my girlfriend prefers, since it'll be her bike.

[Watcher]

What about a Honda Trail?



These came in several engine sizes and are fairly common.  I see them all the time on CL in varying condition, usually all sub $1000.


Just keep your eyes open.  CL is full of bubbas and high prices, but eventually you find something priced right or even a good deal.
My last GS I got for just $1300 in perfect working order.  My current Buell I found for $3000 in a market of Buells for $4000...

[mr72]

great idea, but I'm gonna have to find something way more ... um... fashionable? cute? and nearly free or free

[qcbaker]

Oh, come on! The Honda Trail is cute as can be! Just need to clean it up lol

[Bluesmudge]

Another vote for a trail CT110 if you can find one for the right price. Get one of the later models with electronic ignition and there is almost nothing that can go wrong with the bike. I've taught at least 4 people to ride on a trail 110 with about 45 seconds of instruction. Clutchless shifting makes them super easy to learn.


Or get one of the old 60's/70's trail 90's or ct200. They are closer to the aesthetic you are going for, just not as modern.

[qcbaker]

A 60s/70s trail 90 is probably checks a lot of your boxes, mr72.

Not to highjack this thread with my "get my girlfriend riding" plans, but I am currently investigating a nearby '09 ninja 250. Owner says it was "high-sided" but the only apparent damage is a series of lengthwise scrapes on the fairings and a broken right turn signal. Very lucky if thats the case. My thought is that the owner does not understand what a "high side" crash is, and just said that because the right side of the bike is the "high side". I suspect the bike was, in reality, lowsided in a low-speed right hand turn. But you never know. Stuff like that makes me nervous.

If the fairings are all that's damaged (which im a little suspect about, given the price and description) then this might be a pretty good buy, being that I'm planning on stripping them off anyway to try and streetfighter this thing out. Here's the ad: http://lancaster.craigslist.org/mcy/5809457240.html

[mr72]

Another vote for a trail CT110 if you can find one for the right price.

Yeah, um, no way. I mean, no way on earth my wife will be caught dead on one of those. A Trail 90 or 110 or whatever is not a fashion statement by itself that will make hipsters swoon, not like a Stella. Not even in the same universe. And that's the minimum that MIGHT get my wife to ride around on one.

You know, I think it's ideas like thse that would draw her to ride a scooter:



Anyway, it's a moot point. I'm not going to spend $2K on a Vespa or a Genuine Stella in order to roll the dice that maybe my wife will one day consider riding it. I suppose if I found a black one it wouldn't be too bad and maybe I'd ride it occasionally to the grocery store. I dunno, maybe if I go buy a new Ducati Scrambler they'll throw in a used Vespa GTS.

[Bluesmudge]

What are you talking about? Ct200/90/110 is hipster gold. I live in Portland Oregon, I would know. Any real hipster wouldn't be caught dead on a vespa anymore. You are thinking 2013 hipster. Gotta keep up.

[mr72]

haha! my wife's not really a hipster... our kids are more likely hipsters

it's cool and fashionable and cute because it's European. It's not cool if it's Japanese kitsch.

[Watcher]

You'll never know unless you show it to your wife...

But if you're dead set on a Vespa style don't give up.

I searched CL for "scooter" under motorcycles and this came up on page one.
http://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/5831289386.html

There are deals out there.  If it wasn't running it'd be half the price.

[qcbaker]

You'll never know unless you show it to your wife...

But if you're dead set on a Vespa style don't give up.

I searched CL for "scooter" under motorcycles and this came up on page one.
http://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/5831289386.html

There are deals out there.  If it wasn't running it'd be half the price.

Thats a pretty decent deal, even with the duct tape seat lol.

[mr72]

There are deals out there.  If it wasn't running it'd be half the price.

Thats a pretty decent deal, even with the duct tape seat lol.

Yeah I agree, that's a decent deal. But its a long ride from Arizona to Austin.

I'll keep checking. Something tells me once we get to sub-40-degree lows and sleet and freezing rain here in Austin the deals are really going to start to show up.

My wife is not dead-set on anything except that she's not going to ride a motorcycle at all ever. The scooter is only a decent idea because she MIGHT try to ride it if she thinks it's sufficiently cute and fashionable, even if it's just for a loop around the cul-de-sac.

[rscottlow]

Hahaha I love this thread. I talked my wife into sitting on my GS to snap a quick photo the day I bought it. I'm not sure she's even looked in its general direction since then. She was less than thrilled with the idea of me getting my MC endorsement to begin with, and has only warmed up to the idea a little since then. She'll probably never ride on two wheels except for maybe one day if I buy a touring bike in our old age 

That being said, the scooter approach is a good one. I wish you luck in your search.

[Watcher]

@rscottlow

You might be on to something.

Buy the wify some gear.  Cute helmet with butterflies or something, a jacket and some sweet leather pants to show off that booty, then convince her to hop on the back.

I've gotten girls into motorcycles by letting them borrow a helmet and jacket and having them go for a ride.

[mr72]

That's my biggest challenge. I don't think my wife will ever get on the back of a motorcycle, not with me or with anyone. Mostly because: a) when we were newly married many many years ago, we went out to my parents' place that's a wilderness of a subdivided ranch out in the TX hill country and she went for a ride with me on their Polaris 4-wheeler. She was terrified and screamed at the top of her lungs in my ear the whole time. I was young and foolish. Then about a decade later we went on a trip to Isla Mujeres in Mexico and rented a 50cc scooter, which as it turned out had absolutely no working brakes. Plus both of us are 6' tall so this was not a good plan anyway to try and ride 2-up on a tiny scooter for two full-size adults. When we got to the very first stop sign the scooter would not stop and I had to Fred-Flintstone it. This renewed her terror in riding on the back of any 2-wheel vehicle, especially one I was piloting. That was like 15 years ago and to this day my wife still blames me for the scooter brake failure.

I have a tough road to getting my wife to try a 2-wheel vehicle again. But you are right, I should buy a cute helmet and stylin' jacket plus some gloves that fit. Maybe she'd ride around the block with me and see that I'm not a) a 21 year old fool and b) riding on a never-maintained Mexican rental.

[beRto]

I have the opposite problem 

I bought a little Vespa for commuting and getting around town. My wife loves the damn thing! She wants to get her license now.

So that means I'll have to shell out for another scooter. Spend time maintaining a second bike. And most importantly, worry about her safety every time she's out riding (somehow, riding seems more dangerous when someone else is doing it!). Arrgh.

[qcbaker]

That's my biggest challenge. I don't think my wife will ever get on the back of a motorcycle, not with me or with anyone. Mostly because: a) when we were newly married many many years ago, we went out to my parents' place that's a wilderness of a subdivided ranch out in the TX hill country and she went for a ride with me on their Polaris 4-wheeler. She was terrified and screamed at the top of her lungs in my ear the whole time. I was young and foolish. Then about a decade later we went on a trip to Isla Mujeres in Mexico and rented a 50cc scooter, which as it turned out had absolutely no working brakes. Plus both of us are 6' tall so this was not a good plan anyway to try and ride 2-up on a tiny scooter for two full-size adults. When we got to the very first stop sign the scooter would not stop and I had to Fred-Flintstone it. This renewed her terror in riding on the back of any 2-wheel vehicle, especially one I was piloting. That was like 15 years ago and to this day my wife still blames me for the scooter brake failure.

I have a tough road to getting my wife to try a 2-wheel vehicle again. But you are right, I should buy a cute helmet and stylin' jacket plus some gloves that fit. Maybe she'd ride around the block with me and see that I'm not a) a 21 year old fool and b) riding on a never-maintained Mexican rental.

lol thats actually a pretty great story about the no-brakes scooter.

And yeah, my girlfriend was pretty into the whole "pick out your gear" discussion. She's not a very "girly" girl, so it wasn't a "OMG SHOPPING! " thing, but she is a bit picky about some things so I think she was pleasantly surprised at the variety of options I was able to find for her.

Agreed with the seller on a price for that 250 ($1850), gonna go inspect and probably buy it on Wednesday. Maybe next weekend I can spend Saturday teaching her to ride, if the weather is cooperative.