School me on scooters, please

[Captain Wheelgun]

I'm thinking about getting a scooter as an adjunct to my truck for daily getting around. I like my truck, but it is generally overkill for going to & from work and general running around.

I have done some general looking on the web, and have pretty well decided I need one of the 250cc + 'superscooters', mostly due to the fact that I am on the wrong side of 300lbs, and anything smaller would be working way too hard trying to haul my a$$ around.

ISTR that at least on member here (Termite?) had one of these scooters, but I'd like any info that any of you can offer.

Thanks for your help.

[BadgerVet]

There are also a couple of 600cc scooters available. Try to test ride the 250 and see if it's enough power for your weight on the roads you travel.

[Aglifter]

There's some 6 cylinder scooter that can do ~110 - my buddy has one (bad knee, so he can't shift gears on a motorcycle, his scooter is an automatic.)

If you're going to ride one, I suggest that - personally, I'd suggest a small car instead, but to each his own.

[Dub_James]

Looks like Yamaha finally got the T-Max to the U.S. this year. 500cc fuel injected inline twin. Nice machine. Suzuki have the 650cc Burgman, and Gilera have the 850cc GP800, but I'm not sure what the availability is for that in the U.S.

Not sure what Piaggio's current range is like, but I do know they have the MP3 in the U.S. which has 250, 400 and 500cc variants.

[Termite]

ISTR that at least on member here (Termite?) had one of these scooters, but I'd like any info that any of you can offer.

Sorry I didn't see this sooner.

Yes, until recently, I and Mrs Termite had a 2005 Yamaha Majesty maxi-scooter. I sold it a couple of weeks ago to a man who was buying for his son who is going off to college.

The Majesty is a 400cc scooter, with a top speed(according to Yamaha) of 95-100mph. I personally never got it that high. I averaged about 53-54 mpg, combined mileage, majority town/suburban driving. Best ever mileage was 59.5 mpg, and worst was 49.5 mpg. I had installed the Yamaha accessory rack and trunk w/backrest, and I HIGHLY recommend you do this on any scooter. It will give you the ability to carry more items/luggage, and gives any pillion rider(passenger) something to lean back on, and a sense of security.

I would rate the Majesty as excellent for rural, suburban, or urban commuting, where speeds routinely exceed 60 mph. It is certainly freeway/interstate capable, at least for reasonable distances(<150 miles). I would not exceed 80 mph for extended times, however.

There are numerous forums dedicated to scooters. The Yamaha Majesty Forum is an excellent source of info for both the Majesty and the TMAX scooters.

If I can answer any other questions for you, let me know.

[Captain Wheelgun]

Thanks for the information, Termite. I'll take a look at the forum you linked. How much weight have you carried on your scooter? You mentioned carrying a passenger, hopefully anything that will carry two normal sized people will be able to handle me.

[Termite]

Thanks for the information, Termite. I'll take a look at the forum you linked. How much weight have you carried on your scooter? You mentioned carrying a passenger, hopefully anything that will carry two normal sized people will be able to handle me.

I weigh about 200. Mrs. Termite weighs..........(he looks around carefully)....140-ish. That much weight does reduce the Majesty's acceleration a bit, but it's still adequate. You can add aftermarket variators which will make it accelerate quicker, but at the cost of higher fuel consumption.

As for storage volumn, the underseat comparment is 16 gals(60 liters), and the Yamaha factory assessory trunk(top case) is 40+ liters.

I have come back from the supermarket with the following:
12pk of sodas, loaf of french bread, gal of milk, a dozen eggs, half dozen large baking potatoes, and a 6pk of Samuel Adams, all under the seat.
In the top case were 3 plastic grocery bags with assorted other items. And there was still room to bungee more stuff on the pillion seat behind me.
Try that on a Fireblade, Ninja, or Gixxer.

[McClarkus]

I have been to Mecca. I did not have a towel wrapped around my head. I did not use a camel. I rode my Harley to Milwaukee. It got close to 45 mpg depending on how crazy I drove. It will haul the mail and the groceries at the same time. The Mrs can just about take a nap back there. Electra Glides come with electric cruise control, saddle bags and a trunk. Seriously - a scooter? I need some 'splainin too......

[Evyl Robot]

Once you do find one, you have to post pics of yourself on it!

[Captain Wheelgun]

Once you do find one, you have to post pics of yourself on it!

Sorry, I don't want to be responsible for a nationwide outbreak of projectile vomiting and a sudden shortage of mind-bleach