Cannonball Forums

Yeti Scoot · Road Kill Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

Howdy all,

My buddy and I are interested in participating in the event this year, but neither of us has a scooter yet. We both know how to ride (motorcycles some years ago, and I taught him way back when), but aren't too familiar with scooters. Both in the process of getting the M certification on our licenses.

We're both ~200lbs (ok, maybe a little more), and he's almost 6' 4"...any advice on what cc or model scooter would be suitable?

Thanks in advance!

MungoJerry · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:47 am Post subject:

The 400cc scoots are not elligible so I would look at the Vespa 250 or 300 and Piaggio BV250, Kymco Yager (if you want to get into a lower class),People S250 or Grandvista, SYM RV-250 and HD200 (ditto for Yager) as starters. You can't go by what people say you have to sit on the scoot yourself and see how it feels (Test drive even better).
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Jerome
..a little bad, a little mad, and dangerous to know.

mogeewogee · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:13 am Post subject:

BTW .... 300's not eligible either.

+1 sit on it , ride it, the Vespas have more "leg room" IMHO. Being able to slide back on the saddle is good.
different strokes, check em all out! Have fun!

remember...."theres no replacement for Cubuc Inch displacement" LOL
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"So far behind that I think I am ahead..."

bagel · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:34 am Post subject:

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I have to say that it sounds like it might be a little premature for you to go this year. The Cannonball is a very demanding ride, so if you haven't ridden for years, and you're going to be riding scooters that you're totally unfamiliar with, I think that's kind of a bad idea at this point in time. Instead, I would recommend that you take the MSF course, then get proficient riding on a daily basis, then get used to riding longer and longer distances, over the course of the next two years... and then begin to prepare for the next Cannonball in 2012. The litmus test is to ride on your scooter to someplace at least 350 miles away, stay for the night, then ride back first thing the next morning, so you arrive before sunset. This really is a very serious ride, and it takes a lot of experience, proficiency with the bike you're riding, and sheer stamina to slog through 10 days of riding across the entire North American continent. But take the time to work your way up to it, and go for it next time!
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Tom "Bagel" Donohue
Vespa Club Los Gatos
2007 Vespa GTS 250 i.e.

mogeewogee · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:44 am Post subject:

Yeah yeah ...what Bagel said!

+1
_________________
"So far behind that I think I am ahead..."

Yeti Scoot · Road Kill Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

Thanks all for your time...sorry that it took me a bit to get back to you!

We're going to give it some serious thought this weekend...my buddy is coming up for the weekend and we'll try to be realistic about doing it this year.

Cheers!