So, having saved up $2500 in the meantime (it's amazing how easy it is to save money when you can't get out anywhere to spend it!), I'm on the lookout for another scootey-scoot. Here's two local options:
2003 Yamaha Vino, 49cc 2-stroke air-cooled. Lady at Vandy has this for sale. It's silver, 3K miles, and described as "mint." No additional equipment mentioned.Seller wants: $1500
NADA average retail: $1095
kbb.com suggested retail: $1195
I spoke to the seller on the phone last week, and told her the info I'd gained online about its value, and said if it were mint-perfect, I'd offer $1100, tops. She balked. However, her ad is still running online, so I suspect I need to take another run at her.
Pros: It's a Yamaha, and they make great bikes. It'll be insurable. This is also the 2-stroke version (last year they made the 2-stroke for the U.S.), and on the used market, they're somewhat in demand, as they're reportedly easier to work on, and easy to modify to get speeds of up to 50 mph (stock, top speed is about 35 mph).
Cons: Unmodified, it would be difficult for me to stay with traffic flow for parts of my commute on this scoot. I have about a mile of 40-45 mph speed limit travel between here and work. Also have to remember to add 2-stroke oil to mixing tank (it auto-mixes the gas and oil).
2001 Honda Reflex, 249cc 4-stroke liquid-cooled. Someone in Cookeville has this advertised on a local classified board. No response to my e-mail queries, yet. The ad says this one also has only 3K miles.Seller wants: $3500 OBO
NADA average retail: $2765
kbb.com suggested retail: $2990
Pros: Honda makes a good bike, too, and this would be insurable, as well. Plenty of power, here... capable of interstate speeds, although I do not plan to do any interstate travel.
Cons: Even if I strike a deal, I'm unlikely to have all the cash for this (although I may have options there), plus registration and tags. I'd have to get a ride to Cookeville, and ride back on the scoot if I made a deal.
So... these are the preoccupying thoughts for me this weekend. Comments?
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7 comments :
JP, I might be in position to get you to C'ville (and trailer it back for you) if you go for the Honda.
Nasvegasdawg
left rev. -- Yeah, I know. I would prefer to get something that won't impede traffic flow, as there are about 57 kinds of assholes on the roads, here. I want something that's twist-n-go, though -- the less thought I have to give to the bike's operation, the more attentive I can be to the 57 kinds of assholes.
So, a scoot is the thang. I'd prefer a maxi-scoot -- the Honda Reflex is a smaller maxi, but it's got a top speed of ~80 mph -- far faster than I need to go on two wheels, yet powerful enough to pull hills without slowing anyone down, and fast enough to get away from trouble if need be.
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Well, now that I know more about your commute I see that my electric suggestion is not relevant.
I will say- stay away from 2 stroke and it sounds like 150cc is more what you need. The big honda sounds like overkill. Keep looking.
Danny Guam -- Hey, I appreciated the comments, anyway; I was just too burnt at the end of this work week to say so. ;)
I actually have an electric stand-up scoot (more like an electrified skateboard, with a handle and brakes). Thing is, it weighs about 40lbs., and having to tote it up and down three flights of stairs, and with its very limited range, it's more trouble than it's worth.
Same could be said of the bicycle I'm borrowing... it's probably only 25lbs., but hauling it up and down stairs sux.
If I can make a deal on this Honda Reflex, I think I'm gonna be happy.
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Jeff,
How will you keep it safe from thieves this time? You can't haul it up and down stairs, after all.
That looks like more than a scooty-scoot. Looks more like those Ninja-thingies :)
L.A. Sandy -- Combination front disc brake lock and thermonuclear-proof chain. The CDM probably wouldn't have been stolen if it hadn't broken down a mile from home. I think it would have been safe all along if it were parked here at the condos. As it was, it was too tempting a target, sitting out in front of Sahib's for a couple of days. Of course, the thieves probably never got it running... the front forks were locked, so they'd have had to tear it up pretty bad to get it in any kind of riding condition.
GeorgeM -- Yeah... not that looks were a consideration, but I prefer the more modern styling. However, if I could get something insurable that looked like a Vespa that could get up to ~50 mph, and was in my price range, I'd buy it, even if I did look like a douchebag riding it. :)
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