Fun, utility,economy, it's everything I'd expect from Paladin.

Yup, looks like a good scoot to have! Whats the top end on it? I've seen some 300 scoots that can do 90mph...
I have a MAJOR 4 lane I have to travel all the time with folks that can't seem to go under 60mph at times (6-8am and 4-7pm).
I'm always looking for higher mileage and versatility, plus the weight factor for that thing has to be great!

My neighbor has large Suzuki 800 V-twin cruiser motorcycle, and a Suzuki 650 Burghman scooter.  He likes the scooter much better than the V-twin, and has over 100,000 miles on the scooter.  He loads it up and rides it like a touring bike.....we just got him some stronger springs for the forks as he loads it up heavy and only had an inch of fork travel left when sitting still.

Art Webb wrote on 05/16/15 at 22:11:02:


Art....I may have said that in a way that made you think he had an 800cc scooter - so I fixed it.  His motorcycle is an 800 Suzuki Volusia.

Well, after much searching the net and local listings... I might actually think about getting a Vespa, heck they would do well on regular blacktops.
I am not sure I would interstate one for long distances, but would be really interesting taking a long tour using just state roads.
Here is a you tube on the GTS250 top speed...


And a local craigslist ad has a fairly cheap one.... but I am not sure if the forward luggage rack is available for the front on the GTS250.
http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/mcy/4986734013.html

all that and the fool did it one handed.

so must ride fairly well.

old_rider wrote on 05/15/15 at 12:56:08:
Mine is a 150, actually 150.46cc and is 50-State freeway/Interstate legal.    55 mph is no problem, 60 mph is lazy, 65 mph is eventually.

First run over the Grapevine, WOT, I only got 60 mpg.  Hold to a hair under WOT, averaging about 62 mph, I get 70-75 mpg.

With the stock 120/70-10 rear tire I did an actual 65 mph, an indicated 72 mph, at which point I hit a rev-limiter.  I now have a 130/70-10, go maybe 68 mph actual at an indicated 75-76 mph, with the rev-limiter at maybe 77 mph which I haven't hit yet.

L.A. streets generally run 10-15 mph over the posted speeds.  Doing an indicated 50 in a 35 zone I have to watch my butt.  At right now, looking at Sigalert.com, at 10 pm on a Sunday, traffic is running 65-70 mph.  On the freeways in light traffic I am on the right, passing slower vehicles.  In heavy traffic I am in whatever lane is fastest, and actually have gone into the Diamond Lanes.  I wanted less weight, and the 150 is about 250 pounds, wet.

The big frame Vespa is 250/300 (actual  244/278cc) weighs about 330 pounds, same as a 250 cruiser, and like a 250cc cruiser can do 75+ mph easily and generally can touch 85.

Paladin. wrote on 05/17/15 at 22:12:26:


That instant move is one of the few concerns I have
the other is 'backroad fun'
leaned over in a tight curve on a moto feels right, I'm not sure if leaned into the same curve on a scoot would
Also I'm not always kind to my ride
One of the things I like about my XS11 over the S40 is the ability to stand up on the pegs riding down off a curb (I park on the sidewalk at my place) I suspect a scooter wouldn't appreciate that treatment
Probably I should be on a Dual sport lol

still, the scooter has so much going for it, including that big splash guard when there's puddles on the ground
I had no idea a 150 was 50 state hwy legal, there's a place in Houston that sells cheap Chinese 150 scooters, and according to them their's aren't highway legal
I gotta respect them telling me that, they cost themselves a sale