Dream team...

[Tokkyu40]

I run a pair of scooters instead of a car. When one is down the other gets me around while I'm waiting for parts.
I was thinking of what the ultimate scooter combo would be. My current preferences are for a TGB Delivery for local load carrying (built-in 60 gallon tail box) and a SYM HD-200 or City-Com 300 for long distance comfort and high fuel efficiency.
What two bikes would you choose for all around car free utility?

Claude

[B650E]

I would add an AN400 to my 650Exec and I think that would be the perfect pair.

[johnp]

My 2 bikes would be the Burger 650 for everyday use and at the moment for pleasure the Honda VFR 1200.

[insane]

burger 650+honda vfr1200auto.

[TheDarkCutlass]

I think if I was to get rid of my car (that I rarely drive, but love to death) I'd go with a 650 to add to my 400. Only reason I'd say this, is that if I were to get rid of car, I'd want to have a bike that could easily handle a trailer to haul crap around that I normally use car for. While under seat storage + top box is ALOT of room, alot of room doesnt mean it can carry large odd shaped items (although I have strapped such things to the back of my bike)

[Jim]

(built-in 60 gallon tail box)

Liters ?

[Colchicine]

I'd go with a 650 to add to my 400

*gasp*
Just how cold is it in hell right now?

[Chet_Benson]

60 gallons

Liters ?

Sounds like someone modified an old oil drum and added it to the back.

[Tokkyu40]

(built-in 60 gallon tail box)

Liters ?

Sorry, I was going off my faulty memory. It's only about 40 gallons (150 liters).
http://www.peirspeed.com/delivery.htm

Like I said, this would be for carrying things.

Claude

[sc00ter]

I know that the TGB scooters are tanks and I too was looking at a Delivery at one point, we just dont have any local dealers near by. As for the second scooter a Burgman 400 or if you want to go cheaper track down a used Honda Reflex. You could also do a all-in-one and find a Honda Big Ruckus and get one of those monster huge trunks for it from Battle Scooter and just take it off when not needed. I have two scooters for the same reason and I find that one just sits for months on end till the gas gets stale, hence Im ready to down size soon.

[billmeek]

Currently, I have 3 bikes at the house. A Honda Elite 80 is used for local errands because it's a blast to ride a little scooter every now and then, and it's dirt cheap to own, maintain, and only sips fuel. Even with my weight it still gets over 100 MPG.

I also have a 1982 Honda Silverwing (motorcycle, not scooter) that is the "backup" bike for any travel greater than I realistically can do on the Elite. Even the local grocery store is out of reach to the Elite since I don't want to be doing 35-40 MPH on a divided highway with most traffic going 70+. It's also fun to shift gears every now and then. Since it has a topbox and panniers, I can use it for hauling items too.

But my primary workhorse is the Burgman 400. With the 55 liter storage and an additional 55 liter topbox (Givi E-55), it covers most of my hauling needs. When something doesn't fit in the trunk or topbox, I have the option of using the trailer too.

I've considered building another trailer (or modifying this one) to give me a little more flexibility. The lights to the trailer are mounted on the cargo box of the trailer. What I'd like is to be able to swap out the lidded cargo box with an open box to haul taller items such as bags of garbage, computer boxes, or 50 pound bags of dog food. Another option to the trailer would be to pull the cargo box off and replace it with a rail and tie-down points to haul the Elite. That could be handy if I needed to have work done on either scooter as a way to take the Elite for repairs or as a ride while I leave the Burgman for service.

If I had to do it over again (and only going to buy 2 bikes), I'd probably opt for a bigger engine than the 80cc Elite in a small scooter... something that can maintain 55 (or maybe 70) MPH so that it's not too limited as the backup bike. The Elite 250 or a Honda Big Ruckus would be good choices for used/older bikes. For a primary ride, I'd get either a new model Burgman 400 or 650 and outfit it with supplemental storage.

[TheDarkCutlass]

I take my idea back, if I had to have 2, i'd get a 50cc. Because with it only being a backup bike, I wouldn't drive it much, so why pay extra for tags/insurance for something I would rarely drive.

[thmoze]

I have just completed my "dream team"..Last year got an 09 Exec and in Feb I got a new Triumph Thunderbird...Burgman for commuting, errands and general fun, and the T Bird to fill that spot in my soul that craves the 100+ lbs of torque!!! I am in bike heaven!!!
Len

[billmeek]

TheDarkCutlass,

A 50cc will work OK in the city. But for us rural folks, it's better to have something that can easily handle highways speeds. I use my bikes to do onsite support and a small bike would more than double the time to get to some sites. For instance, one customer is a little over an hour each way on the Burgman. Because of the roads I have to take on the Elite, it's around a 3+ hour ride one direction.

It really depends on where you live and your needs.... and of course, the budget.

[TheDarkCutlass]

True bill, but or us deep city folk, 50cc is perfect. Its what I started off on and it was great. I rode it everywhere with 0 problems. The way our traffic lights are, even a long trip only really have to add like 10-15 minutes .

Heck, it takes me about an hour just to get OUT of the city

[Duster]

I take my idea back, if I had to have 2, i'd get a 50cc. Because with it only being a backup bike, I wouldn't drive it much, so why pay extra for tags/insurance for something I would rarely drive.

Depends where you live....
no free scooter rides here regardless of motor size...
license plates, insurance, M-endorsement on your
drivers license, annual safety inspection....
gotta have it all.

[sc00ter]

We Virginia residents dont have to have nothing but a helmet to own/ride a 49cc scooter. Plus, I've found that the police will not harass you if you have overkill safety gear on and the "moped" is going faster than the 35mph max allowed speed. I still ride the Zuma to work and it has a stage 1 kit and it will cruise a solid 47mph all day, faster if its cold and dry out, and I have never been stopped, even if a pass a cop on the main blvd. on my commute to work (20 miles each way). I was riding the 125 Buddy and a cop pulled up in front of my house (he was following me) and asked me why did I have a plate on my moped! Instead of explaining what the scooter was, a 125cc-in big numbers on the side panel, I just told him it was in case it got stolen it would be a more serious crime if the thief got caught with it. He said that was a great idea. So yea, we still have it pretty good in VA as far as "moped" laws go. Pays to keep one around.

[TheDarkCutlass]

I did get harassed one time on my 49cc bike I had... because I wasn't in the right lane (I was in the process of slowly merging over all the way to the left to make a left turn up ahead). As far as the speed restrictions, yea I've noticed that too. I removed the govenor off mine and added slider weights to it so it could do around 40-45 fairly easily, and never got messed with about it. It also goes to show ya how there are so many 150cc's around here without tags on them... Cops are ignorant about it and automaticly assume it doesn't need tags.

[Tokkyu40]

Here in California everything gets tagged and taxed and 40mph boulevards are a dime a dozen, so even an unrestricted 50 would be a little over matched.
A SYM HD200 is capable of cruising the interstate on long trips, so the Burgman would be redundant as a long range bike (and terribly uncomfortable).
The TGB has the disadvantage that the dealers tend to be too mobile. One store sells them, then another one pickes them up for a while. I'd like a bike with a more stable dealer network. I wish Kymco had a freight bike.

Claude

[Desert Rat]

I've got a wife , a 5th wheel RV, a tractor, 4 horses, a horse trailer no way I could do without my F-350 diesel

[emmettken]

My 400 and a Tuc Tuc.

[cheap0]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I've given this much thought, and my answer is about the same as billmeek's. I'm in a rural area, much more rural than him, and while 50cc could get me to a few nearby towns, it would be slow. I would want a B650 as primary bike and a 125-150cc as secondary, for the same reason: the ability to reach highway speeds if necessary.

For me, the 400 is a good compromise, though.

[DewaltDakota]

I had an 08 400, and added a 10 Honda Sh150i as my "backup bike." My ride to anywhere consists mainly of hilly 55mph roads, with traffic running at least 60mph. The 150 has a max speed of 65mph on flat land, and I just felt like I didn't have enough power to adjust my position vs. cages in high-speed traffic, to stay out of their blind spots. After a year, I ended up swapping out (literally) the 150 for another 400.

I now have both 400's equipped the same way (Givi top box, windshield, Ram mounts, etc.), so there's no compromising when I ride "plan B."

[Tokkyu40]

The 400 has become my freighter. With the helmet hooks, I can lash long items to the side of the bike.
For touring, the Piaggio BV250 is a lot more comfortable. For me, that usually means I build to a mild misery after 100 miles or so, then it stays there for the rest of the trip. The Burgman would just keep building misery until I was ready to get off and push the bike for the last 80 miles.

Claude