Vehicles & Servicing Best Posts in Thread: Best scooter for the money?

Nice to see someone close the circle and tell what they eventually decided on. Be safe.

 

I also started replying about bikes other than scooters. The OP and a subsequent poster asked specifically about automatic scooters, but the question is from an inexperienced rider (at least one who is 250 pounds or so) who wants to start with a full automatic in order to pay full attention to driving (no distracting shifting, with or without clutch).

 

Thanks for all the info. I ended up with a new Kymco Super 8 150cc scooter. I had a line on a used 2015 version of the same model, but there were enough serious paperwork glitches that I opted out of the drama and bought new. So far, very happy with it, although it's my first scooter/motorbike of any sort, so I have nothing to compare it to. Being a newbie to two-wheeled motor transport, I wanted a scooter and auto transmission so that I could concentrate on the rolling circus developing around me at all times, and not worry about shifting gears, too.

 

When I purchased a motorcycle shortly after I moved here I decided on a 125 cc model size. I had raced 125 cc Bultaco Sherpa motocross about 4 decades ago. I do not have those same quick function in my body now. The 100 ccc models did not have the power to get me out of trouble spots. I tried the 200 cc and thought that with my frustrations in traffic I may use those extra CC's to accelerate too fast when frustrated escaping traffic and get myself in trouble. I can handle organized traffic flows but that does not occur here in the Philippines. When you have dogs, cat, goats, caraboos, pedestrians, bicycles, push carts and caraboo pulled carts, reverse direction motorcycles as well as drunken pedestrians and drunken drivers on the same road you are on: care must be taken. That larger motorcycles can supply the extra speed you may want, but at the same time take you into speeds that can cause you problems as objects come at you. I have the old Yamaha 125 YBR model 2011, there is no grade too steep including Tierra Alta for the bike. I am very happy with the motorcycle, it is not a scooter. The frame size of the MC fits my body. The older used models sell in the 30 to 40,000 P range. Just some thoughts.

 

If you are good with semi automatic look at the XRM 125 Motard, 125cc, disc brakes front and rear, plenty of power for up and down Valencia to Duma for you and a passenger. It was a close 2nd but I went with a Rouser 180 only because I wanted extra power and ground clearance getting further up the mountain past Valencia where the road is steeper and the pavement ends. The XRM would have been a no brainer if I didn't have the need to go up in the province.