xbeemer
0
This is partly in response to a PM sent to me asking that question. Since it took me a while to get to the answer, I thought it might be worth discussing here on the open forum.
Actually, when I first started thinking about riding again after some 20 years and a lot of wear and tear, I wasn't thinking about scooters. But bikes have changed so much that even though I had over 30 years riding under my belt, I felt like a newbie.
Also, though I am loathe to face it, my ability to physically handle a bike has diminished in small ways and large. Picking up a dropped bike would be a problem now. Heck, even getting my leg over the seat is problematical. Possible still, but not easy and far, far from graceful.
Keeping a single riding position for very long would be difficult. That means comfort is more of a priority. Feet are numb from diabetes, so I'm not all that sure about how well I could handle a foot gearshift. Since I really can't afford a bike purely as a toy, it would need to have the storage for grocery store runs and the like. And since I no longer have the tools, the patience, or the ability go scoot around on the floor, doing my own maintenance is not an option. So it would need to be ultra reliable.
So I made a list:
ABS for safety
Good storage
Good fairing and screen
Shaft drive for minimal maintenance
Water cooled (Texas summers)
Upright seating position, legs not tucked.
Medium displacement and weight
Reputation for reliability
Automatic shifting of some kind probably a good idea.
You good folks on this forum were very helpful, and someone suggested the Bergman 650, so I checked it out.
Initially I didn't know there was much difference in scooters other than displacement. But after doing the research I discovered Maxi Scooters such as the Bergie 650 (but not 400), the Honda Silverwing, and the Yamaha TMax were more like bikes than the scooters they outwardly resemble: Engine mounted on the frame, dual cylinders for smoother ride, larger wheels, and so on. Each point arguable, but the overall mix makes Maxi Scooters very similar to "real" bikes in every way that counts except looks, and at my age, looks are pretty far down list of concerns. And now, even BMW is about to make a Maxi Scooter. Apparently they read the stats on aging boomers.
So, while I haven't bought the Burgie 650 yet - I'm still considering the new BMW C650 and hoping for a road review soon - I'm pretty close, and I've definitely decided it will be one or the other.
Actually, when I first started thinking about riding again after some 20 years and a lot of wear and tear, I wasn't thinking about scooters. But bikes have changed so much that even though I had over 30 years riding under my belt, I felt like a newbie.
Also, though I am loathe to face it, my ability to physically handle a bike has diminished in small ways and large. Picking up a dropped bike would be a problem now. Heck, even getting my leg over the seat is problematical. Possible still, but not easy and far, far from graceful.
Keeping a single riding position for very long would be difficult. That means comfort is more of a priority. Feet are numb from diabetes, so I'm not all that sure about how well I could handle a foot gearshift. Since I really can't afford a bike purely as a toy, it would need to have the storage for grocery store runs and the like. And since I no longer have the tools, the patience, or the ability go scoot around on the floor, doing my own maintenance is not an option. So it would need to be ultra reliable.
So I made a list:
ABS for safety
Good storage
Good fairing and screen
Shaft drive for minimal maintenance
Water cooled (Texas summers)
Upright seating position, legs not tucked.
Medium displacement and weight
Reputation for reliability
Automatic shifting of some kind probably a good idea.
You good folks on this forum were very helpful, and someone suggested the Bergman 650, so I checked it out.
Initially I didn't know there was much difference in scooters other than displacement. But after doing the research I discovered Maxi Scooters such as the Bergie 650 (but not 400), the Honda Silverwing, and the Yamaha TMax were more like bikes than the scooters they outwardly resemble: Engine mounted on the frame, dual cylinders for smoother ride, larger wheels, and so on. Each point arguable, but the overall mix makes Maxi Scooters very similar to "real" bikes in every way that counts except looks, and at my age, looks are pretty far down list of concerns. And now, even BMW is about to make a Maxi Scooter. Apparently they read the stats on aging boomers.
So, while I haven't bought the Burgie 650 yet - I'm still considering the new BMW C650 and hoping for a road review soon - I'm pretty close, and I've definitely decided it will be one or the other.