The Deal?

[Straightaways]

:raf: I live 9 miles out of the nearest "town" in a lakefront community in South Texas. The road between my residence and "civilization" (and work) is a 6-lane highway with a speed limit of 60mph. (Most keep to that speed limit. It's Texas, and many go over it; however, there is a large elderly/retired population down here who drive under the limit too. Full-sized Motorbikes are EVERYWHERE.) I drive on this road nearly every day, and I am considering a scooter for transport. What do you all recommend? I really don't want to go over a 150 displacement, and I really like the retro-stylings of the Bajaaj, Mojito, the Stella, Vino et. al. Is there a match for me out there anywhere? Can anyone help me out? :confused:

[Aviatrixie]

Do you have a motorcycle endorcment?

From what I can see of you, buy a Vino, stage one it, and have fun.





:raf: I live 9 miles out of the nearest "town" in a lakefront community in South Texas. The road between my residence and "civilization" (and work) is a 6-lane highway with a speed limit of 60mph. (Most keep to that speed limit. It's Texas, and many go over it; however, there is a large elderly/retired population down here who drive under the limit too. Full-sized Motorbikes are EVERYWHERE.) I drive on this road nearly every day, and I am considering a scooter for transport. What do you all recommend? I really don't want to go over a 150 displacement, and I really like the retro-stylings of the Bajaaj, Mojito, the Stella, Vino et. al. Is there a match for me out there anywhere? Can anyone help me out? :confused:

[Straightaways]

Since I've relocated to Texas, I haven't sought endorsement. I had a Harley before the move, but I sold it to finance the house down here .... PRIORITIES .... and I haven't had the need for endorsement since. But, now things are so that I want something for inexpensive transportation and for fun. Would the Vino keep up with traffic? I read a lot about the bigger-wheeled rides having greater stability .... Would this be an issue?

[Aviatrixie]

btw... I grew up in McAllen TX. Are you near there?

[Straightaways]

I'm on Lake Conroe in Montgomery County .... about 40 miles north of Houston.

[Aviatrixie]

I used to date a guy in Houston.

Way too humid for me!

[Straightaways]

It is humid, but if I have a decent breeze blowing in my face, I should be able to handle it. It's always the stoplights that kill the rider.

So, The Vino would be kool? I mean, I'm 6' 1" and 200lbs (solid muscle, I assure you! :) Damned Beer!) Would it run me up a fairly steep grade or two?

[Aviatrixie]

There ARE no steep grades in Houston. Houston is about as flat as you can get.

want to get serious? ;)


It is humid, but if I have a decent breeze blowing in my face, I should be able to handle it. It's always the stoplights that kill the rider.

So, The Vino would be kool? I mean, I'm 6' 1" and 200lbs (solid muscle, I assure you! :) Damned Beer!) Would it run me up a fairly steep grade or two?

[Aviatrixie]

yeah... tuned well it would.


It is humid, but if I have a decent breeze blowing in my face, I should be able to handle it. It's always the stoplights that kill the rider.

So, The Vino would be kool? I mean, I'm 6' 1" and 200lbs (solid muscle, I assure you! :) Damned Beer!) Would it run me up a fairly steep grade or two?

[larry-new]

Hmmm...a 6 lane highway...well, at least it's not a two lane!

How-so-ever, to my way of thinking, a 6-lane is a freeway, and that 60mph (read 70 to 72 for the LEGAL drivers) does not do much to disabuse me from that notion.

To not be a hinderance to traffic, you need to do a comfortable 55-65 at all times...and what will produce those speeds?... a 150 to 250 bike.

It would not be pleasant (this excercise is supposed to be pleasant, nes'ce pas?) to ride an underpowered scooter at WOT for 9 miles...it sure would make me glad to arrive at work, in one piece !

Vino 125 ...MAYBE.

Majesty...a cruise in the park...

Honda Reflex...handle it fine.

Kymco B&W 250 ...here's a scooter style that has a LOT under the seat...


Having negotiated 30-55mph roads for 1500 mi. on a Zuma, I'm looking for a bit more reserve in my next bike...the 55mph were, "I hope I get off of this , like REAL soon!" I'm untouchable in the 30mph zone, however !

Larry [ shiftless unto death ]

[scooterconvert]

If you want something that you don't have to mod or tune to get speed, you should get a 150cc. The smaller the engine, the more you're going to have to "tune" and mod it to keep up with traffic. With a Stella or Bajaj you will be able to do over 50mph without any modding or tuning. The less mods you do the less likely you are to break down.

[larry-new]

If you want something that you don't have to mod or tune to get speed, you should get a 150cc. The smaller the engine, the more you're going to have to "tune" and mod it to keep up with traffic. With a Stella or Bajaj you will be able to do over 50mph without any modding or tuning. The less mods you do the less likely you are to break down.

I second that ! Well said :worship: .

Mods vs. reliability...

L. [<shift]

[Straightaways]

Scooterconvert,

You are pleased with your Bajaaj, yes?

In my first post, I mentioned that I would like to have a 150cc bike, but I just wasn't sure if it would do well enough to keep up .... Of course there are crazies on the road, but most are fairly polite.

I'd prefer the manual transmission, so I have a great interest in both the Bajaaj and the Stella scoots. (I've only owned one vehicle with automatic transmission.)

So, why the Bajaaj over the Stella .... or vica-versa?

[Aviatrixie]

I've been riding bkes and Scooters for years. Many many years.


If you want something that you don't have to mod or tune to get speed, you should get a 150cc. The smaller the engine, the more you're going to have to "tune" and mod it to keep up with traffic. With a Stella or Bajaj you will be able to do over 50mph without any modding or tuning. The less mods you do the less likely you are to break down.

[scooterconvert]

Scooterconvert,

You are pleased with your Bajaaj, yes?

In my first post, I mentioned that I would like to have a 150cc bike, but I just wasn't sure if it would do well enough to keep up .... Of course there are crazies on the road, but most are fairly polite.

I'd prefer the manual transmission, so I have a great interest in both the Bajaaj and the Stella scoots. (I've only owned one vehicle with automatic transmission.)

So, why the Bajaaj over the Stella .... or vica-versa?
Yes, I'm very pleased with my Bajaj. I think the Bajaj and the Stella are equal in quality. Which one is better is probably very subjective. The major difference is the engine - Bajaj 4 stroke and Stella 2 stroke. It depends on what you want. I think the Stella is a little better looking. Both have manual shifting. I wish I could test ride a Stella but they are hard to come by in Cali.

[Straightaways]

So, is there anything I should look at with wheel size, seeing as how I will keep the scoot up in the 55-60 mph for a while on a daily basis? What I've read is that scoots with a larger wheel diameter (rides like the Pople 150) have much more stability. Is that much of a concern?

[marylandmark]

Stella is my vote- 2 strokes have better take off then 4 strokes most of the time..

I don't mind doing 75MPH with my 12 inch tires- feels stable enough to me. Larger tires are more stable but don't think it will be much of an issue if you have good tires on it..

[florida derbi rocket]

You should ask Erich (Provo Owner), in a E-mail about his stella..Or call? I think he's Got stage 2 Kits? and has an Aftermarket pipe Available. :c: John

[scooterconvert]

I ride my Bajaj over 50mph every day and I don't feel unsafe on the tires. Once you get used to how the scoot handles, you won't notice tire size at all.

[Straightaways]

:ll That's good to know. I was just curious about it, because since this is Texas, there are a lot of trucks the size of army tanks. I didn't know how much of a difference there would be. I appreciate everyone's help.

[marylandmark]

make up your mind yet?

[thinbluelion]

I've ridden my lil' scoot all around the Clear Lake area, south of Houston. For riding into Houston though, I stick to my larger Reflex. You DON'T want to be on Houston freeways on a small scoot, otherwise I may get to meet you in a professional capacity and that would be bad. :)

[larry-new]

Nice to hear the professional opinion...

The reflex at 250cc would be a good minimum size for such a rush-hour trip.

L.[<s]

[Straightaways]

I've ridden my lil' scoot all around the Clear Lake area, south of Houston. For riding into Houston though, I stick to my larger Reflex. You DON'T want to be on Houston freeways on a small scoot, otherwise I may get to meet you in a professional capacity and that would be bad. :)

I would just stick to the Lake Conroe/The Woodlands area. I wouldn't take it all the way down into Houston. That would be a little much. So, 150cc would be plenty, yes? You seem like a nice enough person, but I think I'll steer clear of meeting you in your "professional capacity." :)