R.A. Rudolph.....I am intrigued. I will email you. Unfortunately I will not be able to purchase anything until I move out there in 6 weeks, however. Anyway, check your email.
here in indianastan typically the scooter rider is a guy who has lost his driving privelidges. although here in indianapolistan there is a vespa club that tools around. there is some guy who rides by my place who has the world's loudest fucking scooter. you can hear him coming for a couple of miles. i assume he's ridin to alabama liquors up the street.
55mpg seems to be the actual mileage, though I think it says 65 in the official info. Think it's pretty good - the bike is basically an automatic motorcycle in terms of size (around 300 lbs).
sanofiSYN- yep. I'm seeing an increasing number of them out over the past couple of months. This is probably a combination of the typical higher ridership in summer than winter, and gas prices encouraging people to pursue more efficient forms of transport. I tend to see about 8-10 scooters a day out and about.
Do you Vespa riders have a car, as well, or just solely rely on the scooter? I'm thinking of moving out to L.A. I've always wanted a Vespa, so am really considering it in lieu of a car. Only problem - what if it rains? Does it ever rain in sunny L.A.?
That's what I'm doing.....ditching the car, buying a scooter. Hopefully this ^ one.
Los Angeles also has a public transportation system that many people fail to mention. My roommate is also going car-less, so perhaps we'll keep you updated on our experiment.
cool. let me know of any pitfalls. i definitely don't want to get a car if i don't have to. never liked driving all that much. i bike all the time here in the east coast, but i don't know how feasible that would be in los angeles.
sano, I've been living 90% car free in LA for the last month and a half, and I don't feel like it's put a dent in my life any. REally, the vast majority of the time I do use my car these days, it's only because I don't want the battery to drain out again from lack of use. Depending on where you live and where you work, it's totally possible to be car-free here, it just takes commitment.
there are typically three or four weeks of bad weather when riding a scooters will suck. not east coast/mid western/southern thunderstorm intense deluges, but steady heavy rains for a few days in a row and 40 degrees.
you can invest in a rain suit, buy a bus pass, rent a car, or join a car share for those days that are too cold and wet to be safe on two wheels.
few weeks ago test drove a smart fourtwo- fun little go-car(t). the official word is that the american version will get milage in the 'forties' pending official epa testing. So 55 mph is great for a gas powered vehicle. going turbo-diesel pushes the EU fourtwo to about 55mph , but a scooter sits just as many people and can ride circles around the smart car.
This is true. Which brings up a question, specifically for scooter riders and rationalist, since you are my operative on the ground in LA currently....
Scooters just park on the sidewalks, right? Is this OK/legal? Perhaps I should invoke the almighty powers of the scooter gang....
The most common way I see scooters parked is 2 or 3 to a regular parking space in a lot, or perpendicular to cars in street parking. But, I do see scooters and even full-sized motercycles parked on the sidewalk with some frequency, so I thiiiink it's legal, but I guess it might just be one of those laws that's not really enforced, because I see this more often on private property (shopping centers) than on public sidewalks.
i used a motorcycle as my daily ride in LA for a few years. last year of grad school and couple years of working.
many things are possible with a cargo net except most home improvement projects.
how do u prevent the scooter from getting stolen in a regular parking space if u don't chain it up and lock it down? i'm assuming it's not that hard to do.
do you feel safe riding a scooter, particularly in a car-centric city with belligerent drivers?
I'm seriously considering getting one, but I do have safety concerns. I've heard about the high incidence of motorcycle deaths -- I'm assuming that's because people go at high speeds on the freeway, rather than 30 mph on surface roads.
anyone (two people) can steal a motorcycle or scooter just by lifting it into the back of a truck. not much you can do about that aside form trying to chain it down. but seriously, a chain suitable to prevent that kind of theft will be mighty heavy.
i just used a disk lock on my front wheel that was bright orange, and was lucky i suppose.
personally, i wouldn't ride a scooter but opt for a motorcycle. all things being equal between the two, i like having the throttle as a another means of escape/avoidance.
there were times when i was glad to have the power to just get out of a potentially ugly situation.
farwest1,
1. wear a helmet.
2. take a motorcycle safety foundation course.
3. stay alert - no daydreaming.
4. always position yourself such that you have at least one escape route.
4a. never ride in the center of the lane because you're riding in the oil & grease streak.
5. position your bike/scooter such that your headlight is in the driver's side rear-view mirror of the car in front of you.
5a. periodically move from the left side of the lane to the right (makes you more noticeable as a moving image)
6. never stay with the flow of cars - always a bit faster or slower - always vary your speed a bit so you're making yourself more noticeable and less apt to be forgotten.
7. keep your cool - don't bother getting pissed off at drivers.
8. learn what counter-steering is and practice it. not so important with a small scooter but critical with a motorcycle when it comes time for a quick avoidance maneuver.
that'll take you a loooong way towards being safe.
Scooter for sale in LA
Aprilia Scarabeo 150 scooter for sale - $2,500
Excellent condition, low mileage! only 1850 miles... very reliable, had its regular service at 650 miles and has never had any problems.
Fun & easy to drive, gets 55 mpg, easily rides 2 people. Big wheels make it safer than a vespa.
Comes with a helmet box on back, lock & cover.
We're only selling because we have a 1-1/2 year old daughter and don't have much chance to use it. We will be sad to part with it.
Would be great for commuting to school or around town - is highway legal as well. Easily goes 50/60 mph.
Here's a link to the model, ours is silver/gray color w/tan seat.
http://www.speed-sports.com/motorscooters/scooter_models/aprilia_scooters/scarabeo150.html
We're in the silverlake area - bring your helmet to check it out and drive it home!
email me at [email protected] if you're interested
has wonderk bought her scooter yet?
Thank you for thinking of me, Steven!
R.A. Rudolph.....I am intrigued. I will email you. Unfortunately I will not be able to purchase anything until I move out there in 6 weeks, however. Anyway, check your email.
is 55 mpg good for a scooter? I'm in intrigued too but i'm so bloody far away. Pity because its a very beautiful model.
wish you luck on the sale
here in indianastan typically the scooter rider is a guy who has lost his driving privelidges. although here in indianapolistan there is a vespa club that tools around. there is some guy who rides by my place who has the world's loudest fucking scooter. you can hear him coming for a couple of miles. i assume he's ridin to alabama liquors up the street.
55mpg seems to be the actual mileage, though I think it says 65 in the official info. Think it's pretty good - the bike is basically an automatic motorcycle in terms of size (around 300 lbs).
wow that's pretty damn good
my car gets 33mpg and its a car.
Just out of curiosity:
Since L.A. is such a car-centric city, does anyone rider Vespas or scooters there?
Yes. Bikes even! And some people - gasp - walk!
sanofiSYN- yep. I'm seeing an increasing number of them out over the past couple of months. This is probably a combination of the typical higher ridership in summer than winter, and gas prices encouraging people to pursue more efficient forms of transport. I tend to see about 8-10 scooters a day out and about.
i ride a vespa!
Do you Vespa riders have a car, as well, or just solely rely on the scooter? I'm thinking of moving out to L.A. I've always wanted a Vespa, so am really considering it in lieu of a car. Only problem - what if it rains? Does it ever rain in sunny L.A.?
That's what I'm doing.....ditching the car, buying a scooter. Hopefully this ^ one.
Los Angeles also has a public transportation system that many people fail to mention. My roommate is also going car-less, so perhaps we'll keep you updated on our experiment.
cool. let me know of any pitfalls. i definitely don't want to get a car if i don't have to. never liked driving all that much. i bike all the time here in the east coast, but i don't know how feasible that would be in los angeles.
sano, I've been living 90% car free in LA for the last month and a half, and I don't feel like it's put a dent in my life any. REally, the vast majority of the time I do use my car these days, it's only because I don't want the battery to drain out again from lack of use. Depending on where you live and where you work, it's totally possible to be car-free here, it just takes commitment.
there are typically three or four weeks of bad weather when riding a scooters will suck. not east coast/mid western/southern thunderstorm intense deluges, but steady heavy rains for a few days in a row and 40 degrees.
you can invest in a rain suit, buy a bus pass, rent a car, or join a car share for those days that are too cold and wet to be safe on two wheels.
few weeks ago test drove a smart fourtwo- fun little go-car(t). the official word is that the american version will get milage in the 'forties' pending official epa testing. So 55 mph is great for a gas powered vehicle. going turbo-diesel pushes the EU fourtwo to about 55mph , but a scooter sits just as many people and can ride circles around the smart car.
...and doesn't require a standard parking space!
This is true. Which brings up a question, specifically for scooter riders and rationalist, since you are my operative on the ground in LA currently....
Scooters just park on the sidewalks, right? Is this OK/legal? Perhaps I should invoke the almighty powers of the scooter gang....
The most common way I see scooters parked is 2 or 3 to a regular parking space in a lot, or perpendicular to cars in street parking. But, I do see scooters and even full-sized motercycles parked on the sidewalk with some frequency, so I thiiiink it's legal, but I guess it might just be one of those laws that's not really enforced, because I see this more often on private property (shopping centers) than on public sidewalks.
i used a motorcycle as my daily ride in LA for a few years. last year of grad school and couple years of working.
many things are possible with a cargo net except most home improvement projects.
motorcycles can't park (legally) on a sidewalk.
how do u prevent the scooter from getting stolen in a regular parking space if u don't chain it up and lock it down? i'm assuming it's not that hard to do.
Maybe this question calls me out as a wimp, but:
do you feel safe riding a scooter, particularly in a car-centric city with belligerent drivers?
I'm seriously considering getting one, but I do have safety concerns. I've heard about the high incidence of motorcycle deaths -- I'm assuming that's because people go at high speeds on the freeway, rather than 30 mph on surface roads.
anyone (two people) can steal a motorcycle or scooter just by lifting it into the back of a truck. not much you can do about that aside form trying to chain it down. but seriously, a chain suitable to prevent that kind of theft will be mighty heavy.
i just used a disk lock on my front wheel that was bright orange, and was lucky i suppose.
personally, i wouldn't ride a scooter but opt for a motorcycle. all things being equal between the two, i like having the throttle as a another means of escape/avoidance.
there were times when i was glad to have the power to just get out of a potentially ugly situation.
farwest1,
1. wear a helmet.
2. take a motorcycle safety foundation course.
3. stay alert - no daydreaming.
4. always position yourself such that you have at least one escape route.
4a. never ride in the center of the lane because you're riding in the oil & grease streak.
5. position your bike/scooter such that your headlight is in the driver's side rear-view mirror of the car in front of you.
5a. periodically move from the left side of the lane to the right (makes you more noticeable as a moving image)
6. never stay with the flow of cars - always a bit faster or slower - always vary your speed a bit so you're making yourself more noticeable and less apt to be forgotten.
7. keep your cool - don't bother getting pissed off at drivers.
8. learn what counter-steering is and practice it. not so important with a small scooter but critical with a motorcycle when it comes time for a quick avoidance maneuver.
that'll take you a loooong way towards being safe.
safer...
Back for sale again... will be posting on Craigslist but giving a heads up to archinectors.
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