Who here has a two wheeled motorized vehicle?

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We picked mine up in NC last weekend because they were willing to come off MSRP by $1600 and our local dealer would only come down $600. I am so totally in love with this scooter. It's a 2007 Yamaha Majesty 400cc. It gets about 55mpg and can go about 100mph, but so far, I haven't taken it over 55mph. It is a great scooter and I think that I might be taking it to work on pretty days to save some on gas. Now, if I can just sell the 2002 Vulcan Classic in the garage, I will be all set to save some money for real!

Today I took the scooter out into the God aweful traffic outside of our neighborhood, which was a bit unnerving, but I managed ok. I didn't want to go too far on my maiden run outside of the neighborhood, so I just ran it up to the Pet Superstore to grab some poultry free snacks. It did good and so did I. I was most pleased when a biker in the oncoming lane did a drop hand wave to me. It was so cool!

I know I'm a geek, but at least I have fun with it.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

55mpg?!?! That's awesome!

 

[M4travels]

I have been considering this mode of transport for some time now. Glad to hear you're happy with yours. I'm only about 3 miles away from work and my little Scion xA does great with mileage, but 55 mpg still beats 32! I'm gonna keep on thinking!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

You guys do know that they make relatively inexpensive less powerful, but still street and highway legal scooters than the one that I bought that get gas milage in the 70 to 100 mpg range right? They usually cost less than $50/mo to insure when you insure a car too.....or atleast that's all that mine runs with State Farm.

Scooters are automatic, so you don't have to shift gears. You do still have to get the motorcycle rider's authorization added to your driver's license. I strongly urge any of you that are considering the purchase of a motorcycle or a scooter to take a safety course first. I did the one through Honda last year. It was an invaluable source of information and training.

It's just a shame that I am not more comfortable with the whole shifting thing or else I would have happily kept my motorcycle. I just don't feel safe out on the roads here with it being as busy as it is and still so uncertain about shifting. I feel that it's a major safety hazard to myself and others.

 

[susieh]

What are the legal requirements to drive/ride a scooter/motorbike in the US?

Here in the UK you have to do CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) which is a one day course with an instructor (half is off road, mix of theory and practical and half is on road with instructor until they are happy you are safe on your own).

That qualifies you to ride a bike up to 125cc. To ride anything more powerful you have to take a 40 minute theory test and a 40 minute practical test. Then you can ride up to about 400cc for 2 years after which you can ride anything you like.

CBT is a legal requirement for anything 50cc and above - ie for the smallest motorized cycle you can buy.

My 600cc bike does about 45 - 50mpg, top speed is about 140 but I've never taken it above 120 (and generally dont go above 90). It's a sportsbike which is by far the most popular bike here yet I've hardly seen any in the US.

 

[insoin]

I have a couple of two wheeled vehicles.

My first is a 2005 Honda CBR100RR Repsol Edition

My other one is a 1999 Honda Shadow 1100 American Classic Edition

The only requirement here (in my state) is that you get the permit by passing the test, and then you have to wait a few months and pass another test and a road test to get the full license. No size requirements of starting small and working to the larger size bikes.

 

[insoin]

Oh and by the way my Repsol will do over 140 MPH. I have had the Shadow up to 110. I don't ride like that normally, but those times were at a track on a special come race your bike day. But I do know if I don't pay attention, I can easily be doing 80 MPH without even realizing it on my Repsol.

 

[susieh]

your CBR1000R is known as a FireBlade over here (my DH has a 2007 one in Honda Racing Colours - red, white and blue) - are they called that in the US.

Do you wear a helmet (and do you have to wear a helmet)?

I understood it depended on State Law whether you needed to or not but I would not feel at all safe on a bike without my 'lid' on. I also wear full leathers in the summer and full gortex kit in the winter - none of this riding in shorts and t-shirt thanks!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

State law here requires that I wear a helmet. I would most likely wear one even it it was not law. I used to ride little scooter bikes as a kid without a helmet. I would ride off into the woods across from the house and peel that sucker off. When it was time to come back home, I would just stop back by the old abandoned car in the woods where I left the helmet and put it on again before I went back home. I was so bad!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I have a couple of two wheeled vehicles.

My first is a 2005 Honda CBR100RR Repsol Edition

My other one is a 1999 Honda Shadow 1100 American Classic Edition

Nice bikes! Corey has a blue and black, two tone, Honda Shadow, I think it's a 2005. She loves that bike, but it's almost too tall for her, but thank God for thick soled boots.

 

[TammieLand]

We picked mine up in NC last weekend because they were willing to come off MSRP by $1600 and our local dealer would only come down $600. I am so totally in love with this scooter. It's a 2007 Yamaha Majesty 400cc. It gets about 55mpg and can go about 100mph, but so far, I haven't taken it over 55mph. It is a great scooter and I think that I might be taking it to work on pretty days to save some on gas. Now, if I can just sell the 2002 Vulcan Classic in the garage, I will be all set to save some money for real!

Today I took the scooter out into the God aweful traffic outside of our neighborhood, which was a bit unnerving, but I managed ok. I didn't want to go too far on my maiden run outside of the neighborhood, so I just ran it up to the Pet Superstore to grab some poultry free snacks. It did good and so did I. I was most pleased when a biker in the oncoming lane did a drop hand wave to me. It was so cool!

I know I'm a geek, but at least I have fun with it.

After an unfortunate run in with the Italian Police iN Amalfi - I'm sticking to a car.....

but, GEAUX YOU!

 

[insoin]

your CBR1000R is known as a FireBlade over here (my DH has a 2007 one in Honda Racing Colours - red, white and blue) - are they called that in the US.

Do you wear a helmet (and do you have to wear a helmet)?

I understood it depended on State Law whether you needed to or not but I would not feel at all safe on a bike without my 'lid' on. I also wear full leathers in the summer and full gortex kit in the winter - none of this riding in shorts and t-shirt thanks!

They do not call them the FireBlade here, just the CBR 1000RR. And funny enough you cant get the Red, White, and Blue one here. I would love to have had the RWB one.

I always wear a helmet and protective clothing as well. It's not the law here, but I will try to take care of myself as best as I can.

 

[insoin]

Nice bikes! Corey has a blue and black, two tone, Honda Shadow, I think it's a 2005. She loves that bike, but it's almost too tall for her, but thank God for thick soled boots.

Thanks! I'm lucky, I sit flat footed on my Repsol. And have plenty of room on the Shadow.

 

[susieh]

My bike is a Honda CBR600 and I can get the balls of both feet down or one flat and one on tip-toes! It's no problem most of the time but I struggle to move the bike backwards on any sort of uphill slope and I am dead nervous about pushing it without me sitting on it.

It's good to know I'm not the only female on this site who rides a motorbike - you'd love my leather jacket - it was made to measure and has Tigger on the back all done in leather.

I can't get the photo to load to show you!!!