Sort of trailer related

[Charles Richerson]

I am wanting a scooter to carry in a rack on the front of my truck when I am pulling my Bigfoot 21'. This scooter is to be used around campgrounds and parks with maybe a small amount of running to the store for milk and bread. It needs to be able to haul a 200# old man, a small tackle box and a fishing pole.

Don't worry about the weight on the front of the truck as I have a front mounted hitch and a tilting motorcycle rack on a 3/4 Chevy HD. But do worry about the weight I have to lift since I am not a weight lifter by a long shot.

The old Honda Trail 90 is the one I remember that would have been perfect but they are not made anymore. I know they are being restored but I prefer to buy a new scoot to keep down problems.

Does anyone have any suggestions. I have already shopped the mainstream motorcycle dealers.

Thanks
Texas Charles

[Ed Felker]

Charles:

Don'y know what kind of prices you were thinking about -- but did you consider any electric bikes or hybrid electric bikes?

Here's a link:
http://www.electric-bikes.com/others.htm

[Kurt in BC]

How about a Honda Kick N Go ? Uses no gas too!

[Andrew Gibbens]

The old Honda Trail 90 is the one I remember that would have been perfect but they are not made anymore. I know they are being restored but I prefer to buy a new scoot to keep down problems.

The CT-90 is (more or less) still being made, such as this one: Mini-Trail

But they are all Chinese replicas and the quality is variable. Then again, for only $700 and if you're not intending to use it that much, they may be just what you want.

Andrew

[Donna D.]

I don't know the brand name, but there's an electric scooter that looks like it was built on a folding foot-powered frame...lightweight aluminum. The difference is it has a bicycle seat and is powered (I think it's also made using a 2-cycle gas motor?). I would be concerned if the weight was past the "tipping point" where it wasn't convenient to get on and off the truck, it would be less likely to be used often. One thing about using the type I described, it's small, lightweight and would fit just about anywhere. The only problem with this type, is they may not be street legal (depending on jurisdiction), but would be just fine for zipping around a campground or private property.

Here, I Googled since I can't describe this very well: e300 electric razor scooter

[Steve L.]

I've always worried that the small scooters with their small tires would be too prone to stumble over cracks, pot holes, storm drains etc. Larger diameter tires tend to climb up out of a pot hole rather than come to a complete stop.

I've seen a number of Vespa type scooters in camp grounds but I've also started to see them specifically banned in more and more camp ground rules. I think the way around this is to have them DMV licensed. Pretty pricey I'd guess, although locally we can get a Schwinn 49cc unit for under 2 grand new.

The Honda 90 type scooter seems like a good way to go although I'm still fascinated by the whole Segway thing. Not cheap either.

[Charles Richerson]

I hadn't thought about an electric bike. Looking over the web site listed was interesting. But I noticed all the dealers were on the West Coast or in the Florida Keys. I would have to see one before going that way. As I live in North Texas it is a long trip to either point.

Let me get back to the weight issue. When I said lite weight I meant in comparision to full size motorcycles. I hope to stay under 200 to 225 pounds. Also I would like it to be street legal in case I wanted to run a short distance on a back road. Getting it tagged and insured is a given. I already have the motorcycle license.

My truck is a big truck. It is a four door crew cab 3/4 ton Chevy. Too much to putt putt to the river in campround. When I first bought the Casita I purchased a bicycle for the same use I am wanting the putt putt for. I soon remembered why I was so happy to give up a bicycle as a teenager when I got my first car. Well I purchased the Bigfoot and got rid of the Casita I found out I am enjoying the RV trips and I decided to try to find a scooter. BIG BOYS TOYS and Ladies jewelry doesn't need to make sense.

Texas Charles

[Joe Z]

I lived out in Arizona for a while and a very popular scooter was a Stella which was made in the old Vespa factory with their plans in mind....some of the parts are even interchangeable and they make a 49cc or a 149cc ..... nice setup but as a previous post said they are starting to restrict them in campgrounds.
click on or copy/paste the following link.
http://www.genuinescooters.com/access.html
Joe

[Cam A]

The Honda Ruckus would be my choice: http://powersports.honda.com/scooters/mode...;ModelId=NPS507
I think it can be licensed, but, in Manitoba, does not require a motorcycle operators license to run it.

[Mike Watters]

OK - might not fit on your front carrier... Not the most practical bikes in the world... but how about:

110cc bike

Or... a little bigger...

250cc chopper

mkw

[tomWc]

The Honda Ruckus would be my choice: http://powersports.honda.com/scooters/mode...;ModelId=NPS507
I think it can be licensed, but, in Manitoba, does not require a motorcycle operators license to run it.

second vote for the ruckus, it's under 50 cc and licensed like a moped in most places

[Brian B-P]

The products sold as "scooters" by all the mainstream motorcycle dealers, as well as scooter specialist such as Vespa, include models with engines from 50 cc to 125 cc which would meet the load capacity and weight limits Charles listed.

Don't assume too much about not needing a license. While some areas do not require a specific motorcycle license for qualifying vehicles, anything operated on the road (like the one to the store) with an engine will probably need some form of vehicle license, and a Honda Ruckus, any Vespa, and similar models require a motorcycle operator's license in many jurisdictions (such as here in Alberta). Since some dealers here fraudulently claim that their products do not require a motorcycle operator's license, I wouldn't believe sellers of these products elsewhere, either.

The problem is that many people read only a bit of the rules, and see a license exemption for motorcycles with engines under 50 cc (the "50" models are often 49 cc for this reason); however, they ignore all the other qualifications. The 82 kg Ruckus is much heavier than the weight allowed in the no-motorcycle-license category here (55 kg), and I'm sure it's too fast as well - it does not qualify as a moped in Alberta.

Illegal doesn't necessarily mean not permitted... enforcement varies. Personally, I would get the right license.

Drivers Handbooks
Alberta drivers' handbooks

That Alberta site has a Power Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorcycles, Mobility Aids, Off-Highway Vehicles and Prohibited Miniature Vehicles booklet which describes and addresses the types of vehicles that are being discussed here.

[pjanits]

I'm not sure but I think a lot of campgrounds won't let you use them. Most likely a prevention to keep the kids from blasting around all over the place, but adults have to suffer too.

Actually a Segway would be really cool, I know you can rent them too.

[Charles Richerson]

I looked at the Ruckus by Honda but turned it down after test drive. It is underpowered even for a 50cc and the seat sets too low for me. So far of the fairly new scooters I found a 2nd hand Yamaha Zumi 50cc with 60 miles that suits me best. But it is built of plastic and glue. I don't think it would last very long running over rough roads even on a carrier much less on its own two wheels.

Right now I am leaning toward buying a 30 year old Honda Trail 90 or a Trail 110 and having it rebuilt. I have found several that look very nice but need all new seals and rubber items.

Hey if my truck dies if has to have enough power to pull the Bigfoot.

Texas Charles

[Mike Watters]

If you're concerned about rough roads...

Have you looked at any of the smaller dual-purpose bikes?

Or maybe a REAL small conventional bike? (Kawi's Eliminator 125 maybe...)

Mike

[Susan Tiller]

Charles the electric "sound" like a good idea butttttttt.... I tried several and found that to haul this 108 lb rear of mine where I wanted/needed to go, was not cool when it ran out of power and I had to push the thing back. You are a bit heavier than me.

I finally got a "Honda knock-off" 49cc retro scooter and have no problems. Where I have been, the 49cc you do not have to have the MC license, registration, and insurance. It is treated as a mo-ped. A street legal cheap scooter. Oh yes, hubby rides it and weighs close to your pounds and gets speeds of about 30mph.

[Joe Z]

OK - might not fit on your front carrier... Not the most practical bikes in the world... but how about:

110cc bike

Or... a little bigger...

250cc chopper

mkw

The Bikes not bad but the PICTURES are REALLY GREAT......
Joe

[Jack Walter]

Honda also makes a larger version of the Ruckus called the "Big Ruckus" - 250cc, automatic gearbox, street and freeway legal, small wheels and wide tires. They are really pretty cool but a bit heavier than you want. You might take a look at them though - also look at the Yamaha TW200 - its a wide tired beginners bike.

There are thousands of the older Hondas around - from the Trail 90's and 110's to the old SL100 and SL125 dirtbikes - shouldn't be too hard to find one that could be put in good shape easily.

[Jack Walter]

Here's a CT90 in California for $750 with only 713 miles:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/294799858.html

[Rusty01]

Charles, I have a Honda CT 70. It weighs about 150 lbs. The guy I bought it from weighed about 230 and rode it all over the place. On a tank of gas, a little more than 1/2 gallon, it will go about 100 miles. It is street legal, having a horn, headlight, brake and turn signals and mirrors. A motorcycle endorsement is required if it is ridden on the streets. Top speed is about 50 mph. It might be a good compromise. I use it to find fishing spots that are just a little bit too far away to walk. It also enables me to see just a little bit more of the country than I would otherwise see, as well as doing the milk and bread run. It is not noisy, just does that Honda "put put" sound.