2007 Piaggio BV250

Say what you want about scooters, but they have their place. Do they look cool? No. Do you look like you should be wearing a pink bunny suit when you ride one? Yes. But they are care free to ride, and offer gobs of storage space. Ever been on a scooter shopping spree? Then you've never lived. For all the crap people might throw about it not being a motorcycle, it is a two-wheeled machine, and as pure as any other riding experience.  

How did I end up with one? That's a fair question. To be honest, I didn't pick it out for myself. But I ultimately ended up with it, and that's not a bad thing. In fact, some years I put more miles on the scooter than I do on my motorcycles. I ride it around town, and commute to work frequently. If I need to make a small trip to the grocery store, this is usually my summer ride of choice.  ​

Good and Bad

Good:
It gets well over 70 mpg, can go about 85 mph, you can ride it with one hand (so your other hand is free to carry a dog, or whatever), and has storage space that rivals most gold wings. And with 16" wheels, it is as stable as a motorcycle as well. I did upgrade the front brake pads, and replaced the rear shocks with a QA1 monoshock. And I removed the windscreen completely (no buffeting anymore). I also removed the EVAP and air-injection system, which gave even MORE storage space under the seat. 

Bad:

1. It is pretty much the "minivan of motorcycles"
2. Often gets ignored from biker wave
3. Won't pop wheelies
4. People get upset when they are passed by a scooter

Future Plans

It does just about everything I want a scooter to do. I might consider trying different clutch springs, and variator weights to improve acceleration. Maybe make version 2 of the intake (quieter).