I am full-timing for about a year now, with a 1998 Class C, currently no toad, but am thinking about a 3-wheel motorcycle or a moped. I'm 68, and haven't ridden a cycle in years, just want something to go to the grocery store, etc in, but want a little storage available. I plan to boondock some, so want something that can go 30 miles without beating me to death, but am on a limited budget (SS) and limited savings. a moped on a bumper rack on the back of my 32' rig would work good, but a little concerned about visibility and the limited mpg on rigs like the Honda Metropolitan, for example...any suggestions or ideas? advice welcomed.
The blog shown above is from an RV'er now turned Mariner. They use scooters to get around both when they were travelling in their RV and now while travelling on their yacht. Seems to be a good fit for them. Scooters are a little bit easier to deal with than a motorcycle and a lot more comfortable than a moped.
Trabuco said
03:18 PM Jun 10, 2015
I have a Harley and they are pretty heavy 900lbs or so as would any full size motorcycle. I would think about a scooter in the 150cc or possibly a little larger. Easy to ride, easy to maneuver, easy to find a parking space, and good on gas due to their weight.
Sushidog said
07:16 AM Jun 11, 2015
Though we are 10 yrs younger, we have similar plans when we retire to a FT lifestyle 3 yrs from now. In preparation, we purchased a pair of small Ice Bear motorbikes similar to the old Honda CT-70s for the use just as you describe. Here's a shot.
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We chose these because they were inexpensive (about $1,100 ea shipped to my door), reliable (based on a proven design with spare parts readily available, and no belt to wear-out like scooters use) and they still deliver around 100 MPG. They have little 125cc engines (of a proven design that are easily and cheaply repairable or replaceable if needed) so they are not very fast (about 60mph wide open, after I upgraded to a bigger carb and 2t higher geared cs sprocket. BTW you can't easily do these kinds of mods to a scooter.) but 45-50 mph is a more comfortable cruising speed, so they are mainly for around town use. I bought a couple of quickly detachable bicycle baskets from Wal-Mart, which I attached to the rear rack, to make them a more practical grocery getter and for short errands. They are legal in all 50 states (even CARB compliant with a small catalytic converter in the exhaust) and are cheap to register and insure (insurance for the pair is only $99/yr through GEICO.) I got them here: www.scooterhighway.com/monkey-ib-championdax-l.html Here's a link to a thread I started about the adventure of the purchase and modifications of these bikes on another forum: www.popupportal.com/index.php
If you have your heart set on a scooter I recommend the Genuine brand, particularly the Stella and Hooligan models (whether you want max performance or max MPG) but they cost over 3 times more than my little Chinese, Honda clones, if price is an important consideration.
Unless you want something more car-like, like an Elio - when and if they are ever produced. www.eliomotors.com/
They say they will be flat-towable too, if you can wait till they are finally produced.
Chip
PJ Vagabond said
03:54 PM Jun 11, 2015
I have been looking at a Honda Metropolitan, light enough I can load/unload it myself, I have COPD and am not in the best of shape health-wise (primarily due to overweight). The Honda for the reliability, and because I can no longer do the maintenance on it myself...and because it will fit on a bumper-mounted rack. the idea of a 3-wheeler is nice, but am leary of unknown brands..... Thank you, everyone for your advice and information. right now I am still leaning toward the Honda Metropolitan, but haven't made a final choice yet.
Sushidog said
06:46 PM Jun 11, 2015
Honda is a fine brand. Very reliable. I've owned quite a few Honda motorcycles, but the 49cc engine in the Metropolitan is really small. Not enough power for me to be comfortable riding. It might hit about 35 mph with a teenage rider, perhaps 30 mph with a heavy adult on level ground, less climbing a small hill. Plus your drive belt won't last long with a heavy rider onboard.
If you are in love with Hondas, I think the PCX150 would be a better choice for a heavy guy, as the engine is 3 times larger. True it's a little heavier (think sturdier) but so are you. Its 14" wheels provide better stability (easier to ride) than the 10" wheels on the little Metropolitan too.
Chip
PJ Vagabond said
01:30 PM Jun 22, 2015
after much consideration, i am now looking for a good used Piaggio MP3, preferably 250, up to 500 cc. thanks, everyone for your advice and input.
Sushidog said
08:03 PM Jun 22, 2015
I love that BV 350 and it's over $3,000 less than the 500cc MP3, ($9,000) leaning 3wheeler. It's lighter, more compact and gets better gas mileage too - up to 70 mpg from a scooter that will top 86mph. Sweeet!
Have you seen the Sunny from the ScooterDepot? It's a 150cc leaning 3 wheeler for only $1,999 www.youtube.com/watch Of course it will only go about 45-50mph.
I am full-timing for about a year now, with a 1998 Class C, currently no toad, but am thinking about a 3-wheel motorcycle or a moped. I'm 68, and haven't ridden a cycle in years, just want something to go to the grocery store, etc in, but want a little storage available. I plan to boondock some, so want something that can go 30 miles without beating me to death, but am on a limited budget (SS) and limited savings. a moped on a bumper rack on the back of my 32' rig would work good, but a little concerned about visibility and the limited mpg on rigs like the Honda Metropolitan, for example...any suggestions or ideas? advice welcomed.
The blog shown above is from an RV'er now turned Mariner. They use scooters to get around both when they were travelling in their RV and now while travelling on their yacht. Seems to be a good fit for them. Scooters are a little bit easier to deal with than a motorcycle and a lot more comfortable than a moped.
We chose these because they were inexpensive (about $1,100 ea shipped to my door), reliable (based on a proven design with spare parts readily available, and no belt to wear-out like scooters use) and they still deliver around 100 MPG. They have little 125cc engines (of a proven design that are easily and cheaply repairable or replaceable if needed) so they are not very fast (about 60mph wide open, after I upgraded to a bigger carb and 2t higher geared cs sprocket. BTW you can't easily do these kinds of mods to a scooter.) but 45-50 mph is a more comfortable cruising speed, so they are mainly for around town use. I bought a couple of quickly detachable bicycle baskets from Wal-Mart, which I attached to the rear rack, to make them a more practical grocery getter and for short errands. They are legal in all 50 states (even CARB compliant with a small catalytic converter in the exhaust) and are cheap to register and insure (insurance for the pair is only $99/yr through GEICO.) I got them here: www.scooterhighway.com/monkey-ib-championdax-l.html Here's a link to a thread I started about the adventure of the purchase and modifications of these bikes on another forum: www.popupportal.com/index.php
If you have your heart set on a scooter I recommend the Genuine brand, particularly the Stella and Hooligan models (whether you want max performance or max MPG) but they cost over 3 times more than my little Chinese, Honda clones, if price is an important consideration.
If considering a 3-wheeler there's this:
gokartsusa.com/Kandi-KD250MB2-250-Three-Wheel-Roadster-Motorcycle.aspx
or this:
www.extrememotorsales.com/150-scooter-trike-8.htm
The latter is of course much cheaper, lighter and easier to take with you.
Unless you want something more car-like, like an Elio - when and if they are ever produced. www.eliomotors.com/
They say they will be flat-towable too, if you can wait till they are finally produced.
Chip
I have been looking at a Honda Metropolitan, light enough I can load/unload it myself, I have COPD and am not in the best of shape health-wise (primarily due to overweight). The Honda for the reliability, and because I can no longer do the maintenance on it myself...and because it will fit on a bumper-mounted rack. the idea of a 3-wheeler is nice, but am leary of unknown brands..... Thank you, everyone for your advice and information. right now I am still leaning toward the Honda Metropolitan, but haven't made a final choice yet.
If you are in love with Hondas, I think the PCX150 would be a better choice for a heavy guy, as the engine is 3 times larger. True it's a little heavier (think sturdier) but so are you. Its 14" wheels provide better stability (easier to ride) than the 10" wheels on the little Metropolitan too.
Chip
after much consideration, i am now looking for a good used Piaggio MP3, preferably 250, up to 500 cc. thanks, everyone for your advice and input.
Have you seen the Sunny from the ScooterDepot? It's a 150cc leaning 3 wheeler for only $1,999 www.youtube.com/watch Of course it will only go about 45-50mph.
But for less than 1/2 the price of the MP3 ($4,098 shipped to your door) you could get a 65-70mph, liquid cooled 300cc leaning 3 wheeled scooter: www.scooterdepot.us/trike-gas-motor-scooters-300cc-3-wheels-moped-d300tkb.html
It may be a good compromise, depending on your resources.
Food for thought.
Chip