Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 May 2006
SCOOT's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: usa
Posts: 9
How about a scooter

Hello I just got here and thought with the price of gas why not travel on a scooter?

Like maybe a vespa! Gt200 or lx150 me thinks it would be fun. anyone here travel on a scooter? thanks
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 May 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Golden, CO USA...on the road since Sept 2005
Posts: 343
Scooter

If you poke around here a bit you'll find a few scooter riders- some of them on (or planning) some pretty ambitious trips as well!
__________________
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..." L.B. Armstrong. www.davesgreatescape.net
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readme...e&id=661274218
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 May 2006
SCOOT's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: usa
Posts: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by hook
If you poke around here a bit you'll find a few scooter riders- some of them on (or planning) some pretty ambitious trips as well!
cool, This is my kinda place then. I love it when a plan come together!
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 May 2006
Bill Holland's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Stoke, UK
Posts: 210
Look for posts by Wheelie, he's planning a big trip on a vespa and sidecar
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 May 2006
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
Smile

Why not? Guys have riden around the world on Cub 90s and crossed continentals on 50cc scooters. A big scooter would be fine.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 May 2006
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
Check out this recent thread.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-courage-21095


These are a couple of links from the above thread:
http://www.cobrasales.com/news/cobra...orts112004.htm

http://www.scootercannonball.com/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 May 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Don't opt for a scooter to save money on fuel. In fact, don't opt for a scoter to save money on anything, period.

My Vespa PX200E EFL for instance uses 5.3 litres per 100km on mixed riding, unloaded (eventhough the brochure says something like 2.2 or 3 or something). Loaded, it uses an average of 5.5 litres on decent roads, and 8.5 on horrific roads (mud/sand/washboards. If I remember correctly, a BMW GS650F Dakar uses about 3.5 Litres (somebody corret me if I am wrong). The Vespa PX200E EFL is a two stroke of really old design, and newer four stroke scooters would offer better mileage. Still, the underpowered engine and the heavy loads you would be hauling, would translate into high revving and increased fuel consumption. Small engines have to work hard to move you along fast, move you up hill, move you in head wind, move your heavy loads, etc., using lots more fuel than a bigger bike doing the same job.

Other issues, take for instance tyre wear. A scooter's small tyres will wear a lot faster than that of motorcycle equivalent.

Small scooters are simply not designed to haul heavy loads, travel fast for long durations and distances at a time, or travel under harsh riding conditions in general... meaning that you are more prone to having things go bad, maybe really bad.

If you want to take the pragmatic and financial sound route, then trading in your scooter for a small motorcycle is the way to go. For the same price of your used scooter, you could likely get a decent 250-350 used offroader.

You choose a scooter for the same reason you would choose a chopper, Tuk-Tuk, moped, trike, or any other silly ride, because you just feel like it.

My wife and I will during June/July be riding two Vespas from Cape Town, South-Africa, to Kenya, Nairobi, a distance of about 6.000km. With everything that can likely go wrong, I will be carrying allmost half a scoot in spare parts. For the cost of all my scooter, my upgrades and modifications, spares, tools, etc., I could just about have purchased a stock BMW Dakar which would need very few mods, spares and tools. Well, this might be an excaggeration, but only a slight one.

However, if you have the time to wait for parts to be sourced and couriered to you in some desolate corner of the world, then you won't need to fork out lots of money for parts you will likely never use. But if you plan to go fast like me, then you need to be prepared for anything that have any significant probability of going wrong, and with a Vespa, that inludes just about everything you can think of, as well as just about everything you cannot think of.

If you have some special kinky and perverse relationship to classic rides or scooters, like I do, then go for it, if not, then reconscider.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 May 2006
SCOOT's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: usa
Posts: 9
Yea thanks for the advice, I bought my vespa for the same reason you said i want one! and so far i love it, took it to the mountains last weekend loaded with gear and it's only a 150. 2006 lx150 is sound smooth and maintance free so far. I love the ride on the scoot and it's so easy to ride does 60mph all day and 65+ mpg why ride anything else.

I guess your telling me vespa does not offer roadside ast,like bmw!lol
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 May 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Quote:
Originally Posted by SCOOT

I guess your telling me vespa does not offer roadside ast,like bmw!lol
There are a lot of us in here who travel routes where we at times will cover vast distances where there isn't much assistance to be had for anything...

But, if you were to cruise arround southern Europe for instance, travelling fairly light, scooters would be great (from an acceptable level of pragmaticism that is).
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Long Way Round Scooter Style richtea Which Bike? 9 2 Jun 2006 13:25
differences between a moped and a scooter? BMBaxter Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 3 Nov 2005 19:23
france scooter license smirkey Europe 1 31 Jul 2005 03:05
WHO RIDES A SCOOTER SCOOTERDUDE Which Bike? 16 19 May 2005 00:48
Around the world on a 250 scooter... brclarke Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 0 6 Jul 2001 02:58

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:18.