New scooter owner!!!!!!!!

[scooterbabe]

Hi!!! I am about to buy a zuma 125! If anyone has one, please tell me about it...performance, milage, maximum speed, maintenance...anything! I need to learn as much as I can about the bike I am going to buy!!!! And I think the best way to do that is to connect with other riders! So please tell me what you know! Thanks to all!:)

[jprestonian]

Isn't this doing things backwards? Deciding what to buy BEFORE the research...?
.

[scooterbabe]

I've done much research, but have not joined any forums until now. i didnt realize there was such an active community for riders! I suppose i could say that I really like what the 125 has to offer, but Im starting to see that there might be a better option out there for me. which is why I wanted to meet some people with experience and find out more about my new interest before I buy!

I really have had a hard time finding out about what kind of tread the tires have for the zuma. Specifically so I can compare the 125cc and 49cc. Do you know anything about this?

[j~scoot]

I don't think tire tread should be a selling point. The Zuma comes with slightly knobby tires, but when those wear out you can get slicker or knobbier tires. I'd look at what requirements you have for things that can't be easily swapped out. What other specific models are you looking at? people could always offer their opinions about them. Or are you just looking for any suggestions?

[Carlson]

What do you need your scooter to do? If you are going to do highway riding where speed limits are 55 mph or over, a 125cc is not going to be adequate. A 125cc will require a Motorcycle endorsement, the 49cc may not, depending upon your State laws. You can go to the Yamaha website and compare the Zuma and Vino 125 as to size, weight - and seat height may be a consideration if you are an average size woman. Both the Zuma 125 and the Vino 125 are great scooters, you really can't go wrong with either. I have an 07 Vino 49cc, it is also a great scooter, but it's top speed is 38 mph.

[scooterbabe]

Yes, i am looking for any suggestions. My husband wants me to get a KLR (thats what he has). But I feel that I should go with something a lot smaller first...to get used to riding a bit. I am looking at the zuma125 or vino125. i have considered getting the smaller 49cc zuma or vino. But this is wahat I want out of my new ride:

-Legal for highways

-Ability to go at least 55 mph without pushing the engine

-Good suspension (I like the way the suspension feels on the KLR and other dirt bikes I've been on)

-Tires and fenders that can handle some dirt and gravel roads

-low seating for my short legs (the Zuma125 is a bit too high for me, I cant get both feet on the ground)


I would like some advice on how to find out if the scooter Im looking to get is going to be one that I can easily modify/customize. For example, can I change the seat or lower it somehow on the zuma125? And where do I go to get new tires? The dealer I bought it from? (is that the only option?)

[scooterbabe]

Also, what is a motorcycle endorsment? And how do you get one?

[Carlson]

-Ability to go at least 55 mph without pushing the engine

That requirement puts you in a 150cc. A 125cc won't cut it unless you mod it. But why go to all that expense and work, just go and buy a 150cc. A motorcycle endorsement is a code on your Driver's license that makes it legal to ride one. Most States have a Motorcycle Safety Course you can take to get the endorsement. Some States require a MSC. Other States you can take a motorcycle written and driving test just like the one you took for your auto license. Check with your State DMV for details. You may have a difficult time finding a 150cc scooter with a seat low enough for you.

[sooznd]

The Genuine Buddy comes in a 150 cc model--same size as their 125 and a tad lower seat height than the Vino 125, might be worth a look.

[JSharpPhoto]

you should also look at the Kymco S200. It's actually a 166cc, and it rides on 16 inch wheels, so it'll be a LOT more stable at higher speeds and on these dirt roads you speak of. It's about the same price as a Zuma 125, but you'd get more of what you're looking for. If you go here...

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/peopleS200/index.html

You can read all about the kymco, as well as a side by side comparison of the scooter next to a Zuma 125. a couple highlights...

The Kymco has electric, and kick start. Since the Zuma is fuel injected, it doesn't have a kick start. Can someone confirm this? Another good point is Kymco has a 24 month warranty, vs. yamaha's 12. (i know yamaha has the extended warranty, but it's extra cash).

The Kymco seat is 0.3 inches higher, but you shouldn't worry about that. You shouldn't put both feet on the ground when you're sitting on the seat. They'll teach you about putting one foot down in your safety class. Now, that being said, if you feel that either scooter is too big for you to control, that's another story. If that's the case, you need to change your priorities, because you won't find a single 150cc scooter, other than maybe a Stella, that has a seat height lower than 30 inches. I'm a proud yamaha vino 125 owner, so I'm CLEARLY not biased. I genuinely think the S200 is a better machine all around than the Zuma 125.

[scooterbabe]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I have been looking at the KYMCO and I like what I see, never heard of that brand name before though...

I also like the genuine buddy, but cannot locate a dealer on the west coast, anybody know of one?

[g~scoot]

if you go on genuine's website you can get a list of dealers. there are a few around your area. One in Sacramento and a few in the bay area. I think you would be happy with either of those the kymco's are great and the buddy is one of my favorite scooters around.

[Scootnut]

WOW! Hard to believe it's been 2 years since I've been on this forum. I just wanted to tell scooterbabe that whatever she decides to buy, just enjoy the heck out of it and don't second guess yourself.
Have fun! ,,,...

[Scootnut]

BTW....How the heck is Frankenscoot? Remember me? I remember you when you firsty joined here. Are you still in Florida?