New ride

[Jarlaxle]

Possibly. I'm getting my motorcycle licence...and may be buying this:



It's a 2008 Qlink Commuter 250, made by CF Moto.

And yes, I got the memo: 1985 called and want their scooter back!

[Gob]

If you're getting a motorbike license, why not get a motorbike?

[Jarlaxle]

Because they generally don't get 75mpg!

[oldr_n_wsr]

A lady across the street from me has a CF moto motorcycle. Auto tranny but it looks like a motorcycle not a scooter. There was a problem with getting it registered/passing inspection as motorcycles need to have a foot brake and hers had nothing but hand brakes. Don't know how it was resolved but she has a valid registration.

I have a 500cc Kawasaki Vulcan and get 60mpg. My dads Harley Heritage gets 50mpg. If you can survive the traffic (here on LI it is bad) it's not a bad way to commute. Of course I prefer my car and my coffee cup in the morning commute and like to ride my bike for leisurely persuits.

[Jarlaxle]

This one DOES have a foot brake, but many scooters do not.

[oldr_n_wsr]

This one DOES have a foot brake, but many scooters do not.

Guess they resolved that.

[dgs49]

Do I understand this correctly that this is a 250cc scooter with a passenger seat and a trunk?

Now THAT is optimism! Why not a trailer hitch as well?

[oldr_n_wsr]

I would guess that is an option or available as an after market.
My first bike was a 250cc (two stroke which would do 95mph) back when the biggest bikes were in the 550cc range. Then came the Suzuki 750cc. I really wanted that bike but never got one. I got married and had a family instead. No regrets. Didn't ride for 20+ years, but now ride as often as I can.

[Jarlaxle]

Do I understand this correctly that this is a 250cc scooter with a passenger seat and a trunk?

Now THAT is optimism! Why not a trailer hitch as well?

It's a "maxi scoot" (the wheelbase is as long as a Harley Fat Boy)...and it will run 65MPH all day and all night. (It's a Honda Helix clone.)

The top case is huge...it will swallow a full-face helmet and an armored jacket, two helmets, or four bags of groceries and a 12-pack of soda. There is a smaller trunk under the top case (which will not hold a helmet due to its odd inside shape)...unlike most scoots, it has no under-seat storage. I recall the top case was standard for that reason...otherwise, there was noplace to put a helmet.

[oldr_n_wsr]

My cousin has a scooter and the only thing I find about them is they tend to be a little more unstable when making turns than a full size motocycle. I think it's the wheel size. (diameter not width, or maybe both?)

[Jarlaxle]

Finished day 2 of the motorcycle safety course. Learned a few things. One: the Honda Nighthawk is definitely OFF the shopping list. I don't FIT on the damn thing...pegs are too far back, seat is too low, too hard, and too far forward...and it SHAKES! (Problem: I don't fit the Suzukis or Yamahas they have, either.) Also, even on the training range, the brakes (tiny MECHANICAL drums) were starting to fade.

Second: I definitely want a full-face helmet. (Which I figured.)

Third: No matter where I was, I was somehow ALWAYS downwind of one of the bikes running like absolute shit, and inhaling fumes.

Fourth: it's FUN!

[oldr_n_wsr]

jaraxle they are training and/or "first" bikes. They manuver well and are small enough to easily get around an obstacle course. You don't want to take your road test on a Harley Fat Boy.

I've found scooters are nice for foot placement in that they have a floor pan that you can stretch out a bit as opposed to the fixed foot pegs of a regular bike. My bikes pegs are a little too close for me, but I put on cruising pegs on the crash bar so I can stretch my legs out when need be.

I'm not a full face helmet kinda guy (except for snowmobiling but that is more for keeping the cold out), not even a helmet kinda guy but in NY it is a law. (I guess I have a death wish ) But whatever you feel more comfortable with. Just make sure whatever helmet you get has adequate ventilation (it gets hot in the summer) and has good peripheral vision. I would go with a clear visor and wear sunglasses in the daytime underneath. At night you can just use the visor.

And yes, riding is fun, just remember to keep your head on a swivel, expect the unexpected and always ride like noone else on the road sees you (as they usually don't).

[Gob]

jaraxle they are training and/or "first" bikes. They manuver well and are small enough to easily get around an obstacle course. You don't want to take your road test ever ride a Harley Fat Boy.

Fixed

[Lord Jim]

I'm not a full face helmet kinda guy (except for snowmobiling but that is more for keeping the cold out), not even a helmet kinda guy but in NY it is a law.

Well older, since you're German, maybe you should get yourself one of these numbers:



Looks pretty badass...

[Jarlaxle]

jarlaxle they are training and/or "first" bikes. They maneuver well and are small enough to easily get around an obstacle course. You don't want to take your road test on a Harley Fat Boy.

Actually, one student's husband took his road test on, get this, a Honda Goldwing! He scored perfect.

[oldr_n_wsr]

When I took my road test (1976-77?) they first had us go around a bnch of cones making figure 8's and long right and left hand turns/arcs. The guy after me had a Harley Electroglide wiht these long tail pipes with fins on them. He could not make the figure 8's at all, he kept scraping the tailpipes and fins even after the instructor widened the cones for the figure 8's.
I took my test on a yamaha 250. No problems at all.

I believe the goldwing sits a little higher than most of the harley's.

Anyway, good luck jaraxle and ride safe.

ETA
Does the place you took the lessons give you the road test also? When my father got his license, he took a course and they gave him the roadtest at the end of it. No need for appoinment with DMV. For my son, I had to ride his bike to the test and he drove my car as you had to supply a car and driver and have someone with a MC license ride the bike to the area. No permit riders allowed in the DMV testing area.
Good thing was, they gave him his license on the spot.

[Jarlaxle]

Passing the course means they waive the test...but I do need to go to the DMV. Blarg.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Well it's good you passed and don't have to take the road test. Sucks going to DMV, but what can you do.

As I said, I got my license way back in 76-77 and after I got married (1984) I didn't have an MC until 2008. Just kept renewing the license.
It didn't cost any extra.

[oldr_n_wsr]

I'm not a full face helmet kinda guy (except for snowmobiling but that is more for keeping the cold out), not even a helmet kinda guy but in NY it is a law.

Well older, since you're German, maybe you should get yourself one of these numbers:



Looks pretty badass...

I have seen guys wearing them, but haven't seen any that are DOT approved.

[Jarlaxle]

They aren't...they are sold as "novelty helmets" to get around that. Im going with a full-face helmet.