Thinking about buying a Scooter

Just starting to look into the idea of picking up a Scooter, mainly as a secondary vehicle for popping around when it doesn't require the Pathfinder (or it is unavailable).

Any thoughts on this?

I was sort of eyeing a 150cc Italika at Walmart - 20,000 pesos. Seemed pretty reasonable...

Get a Harley....LMAO.....meet Pedro......Possibly a life altering experience! BTW welcome to Lakeside....been outa town for awhile.

Right. Gay guy on a Harley. THAT'S gonna happen.

C U at the next swarm!

Axixic wrote:Right. Gay guy on a Harley. THAT'S gonna happen.

It all works with the right "Leathers"

Jim W wrote:C U at the next swarm!

...maybe.

Jim W wrote:


It all works with the right "Leathers"

Hmmm - leather chaps... THAT could work...

A scooter would be a great and fun way to get around locally, so long as you don't need to haul anything, go to the grocery store, etc. No parking hassles, fewer traffic hassles, your eyes are at street level and more open to the world surrounding you, etc.

I'm sure some people will tell you it's "too dangerous", but you can ignore that stuff. I'd keep my eyes open for a good used one before buying new at Walmart, though.

Rosa Venus wrote:A scooter would be a great and fun way to get around locally, so long as you don't need to haul anything, go to the grocery store, etc. No parking hassles, fewer traffic hassles, your eyes are at street level and more open to the world surrounding you, etc.

I'm sure some people will tell you it's "too dangerous", but you can ignore that stuff. I'd keep my eyes open for a good used one before buying new at Walmart, though.

Hmm. Pedro? Don't go there.

The only thing about cycles is that there's nothing between your body and what hits ya. Considering the mad drivers, the senile, the nearly blind and the mostly deaf geezers.......it oughta be exciting.
I dunno about anything sold at Walmart. Good point about looking for used.

Axixic wrote:Just starting to look into the idea of picking up a Scooter, mainly as a secondary vehicle for popping around when it doesn't require the Pathfinder (or it is unavailable).

Any thoughts on this?

I was sort of eyeing a 150cc Italika at Walmart - 20,000 pesos. Seemed pretty reasonable...

Before you buy a bike, look @ a quad....maybe safer, and much more durable on the cobblestone.

This is really not such a bad idea. However, I'd consider one of these dual sport bikes of the same ccs with much larger wheels, will handle the cobblestones much better. Talk to Intercasa (Spencer). He has a lot of experience in this area and can help you find out what and where to buy.

Safety is a concern, for sure. But at the lower "in town" speeds I feel (perhaps stupidly) less concerned.

The problem with a quad is that they aren't street legal. I note that doesn't seem to matter Lakeside but I may want to take it with me to other areas. I would want something that can be properly licensed and insured.

Used? I have noticed the casual attitude that people (both gringo and non) seem to have about vehicle maintenance locally. Makes me very reluctant to consider used.

We have one that we bought at Soriana when they first started selling them sometime around 2004 . It's a great 2nd vehicle...I'm sure it is a piece of crap by most motorcycle dude standards but other than maintenance (available locally) we have not had to put any money into it to keep it going.
The biggest danger for me seems to be dogs. I got chomped on the leg once so chaps or at least half chaps are a pretty good idea.

Axixic wrote:Used? I have noticed the casual attitude that people (both gringo and non) seem to have about vehicle maintenance locally. Makes me very reluctant to consider used.

You should buy new then since you've figured everything out. Already.

Had a friend who bought an electric scooter for running around town, he loved it and he was a pretty big guy for riding any bike. No engine, no gas, no fumes, no noise. He would charge it at night from a regular outlet and he had lots of power for around town the whole day. A bit pricey since they are not as popular yet, but no upkeep and the power used is almost not noticeable on your home electric bill.

Rosa Venus wrote:
You should buy new then since you've figured everything out. Already.

I appreciate the smiley to let me know that you're teasing.

I am just a bit of a "stickler" when it comes to vehicles. Not that I know all about them (far from it) but I have bought my share of "other people's headaches".

otrocanuck wrote:Had a friend who bought an electric scooter for running around town, he loved it and he was a pretty big guy for riding any bike. No engine, no gas, no fumes, no noise. He would charge it at night from a regular outlet and he had lots of power for around town the whole day. A bit pricey since they are not as popular yet, but no upkeep and the power used is almost not noticeable on your home electric bill.

Gee, I dunno. Seems like an "old guy" vehicle. Don't you think?

C'mon you're a "real" man. Buy a motorcycle. Put on those leathers in the cooler weather. Who knows who you might attract?

When I see wording like: "casual attitude that people (both gringo and non) seem to have about vehicle maintenance locally", I have to wonder if we don't have a politician in our member list?

CheenaGringo wrote:When I see wording like: "casual attitude that people (both gringo and non) seem to have about vehicle maintenance locally", I have to wonder if we don't have a politician in our member list?

I thought what he was trying to say was that some people have a real casual attitude about maintaining their vehicles. I would agree with him and that's why I wouldn't buy a vehicle in Mexico.

I am on my second used Mexican Vehicle. Both were 10 years old when I bought them. The first one now has 180,000 miles on it and it runs great. I have done regular maintenance to it and drive it like its stolen. The other one we just bought only had 50,000 miles on a 2002 Expedition. I would only buy a Mexican Vehicle. I believe in supporting the economy that I live in.

Axixic,

I know a guy who has a brand new/hardly used motorcycle that looks pretty cool. I think it is a 150 cc and he only has used it a couple of times and doesn't use it anymore. I wanted it but it is kinda small for me.

If you are interested, I will hook ya up so you can see it.

It's a great deal.

Big Daddy

IMO motorcycles handle the roads here much better than scooters.
Big Daddy what's the price on that 150cc?

I don't think there's a problem buying a second hand vehicle in Mexico:
1) If there is a file with all the maintenance records included
2) If you have it checked out by your own mechanic

When we sold both our VW bug and then the Chevy C2, our files got significantly lighter. I keep ALL paperwork to do with a car.
BTW, the VW bug was used, the Chevy C2 was new and our present vehicle was bought used...no problems and no complaints with any of them...all Mexican vehicles.

viajero wrote:IMO motorcycles handle the roads here much better than scooters.
Big Daddy what's the price on that 150cc?

I will find out the price and send it to you tomorrow.