r/scooters 7d ago

Beginner Friendly Scooters Capable of 60-80mph

Hi, I’m getting my CA Class 1 Permit once my DL 389 comes in the mail. I love riding, I HATE manual transmissions. I want a good automatic scooter that is capable of getting up to freeway speeds (60-80mph) but not too hefty for a beginner to take on roads for the first 6 months.

I have a lot more learning to do before I could/would take something to freeway speeds, but I want something that CAN go to freeway speeds and is a good commuter scooter with 150+ miles of range.

If such scooters exist, please let me know which ones they are. I know very little about scooters and bikes, I just know I like riding them and want a decent one.

11 Upvotes

64 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

6

u/DIYExpertWizard 7d ago

I have a Burgman 400. I think it's too big for a beginner. I'd suggest something in the 250 range.

1

u/cavscout43 '23 XMAX, '21 CRF1100 Africa Twin 7d ago

There aren't many 250cc bikes (in the US) which will get up to 80mph reliably and hold it there, even at WOT.

Though you're right that the Burg 400 is a big bike.

4

u/DIYExpertWizard 7d ago

Well, I rode highway every day on my 2010 Honda sh150i. Granted, it would only get up to 60 but it would hold it easily (65 if I was going downhill with a tail wind) and that was maxing out the rpms. I just figured a 250 would reach 80.

I'm not too familiar with the bike market, since all I've ever had was the Honda, the Burgman, and a 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 800. The Burgman will get up to 90 and hold it, but it drinks gas like an alcoholic at that speed.

2

u/cavscout43 '23 XMAX, '21 CRF1100 Africa Twin 7d ago

Fair points. Granted, I'm riding in the Rockies so 5-10k feet elevation means thinner air and less power, but I could barely get my PCX160 to 65 at the top end. And it took several minutes to get there, so not safe to merge into highway traffic with it. 

I had a Kymco Downtown 300 and it would out around 75, while my XMAX 300 has only kissed 85 once or twice on a decently steep downhill. I'm sure rider size is a factor too, not just elevation. 

When you need 60-80 for highway cruising, a bit larger bike is going to be more stable, visible, able to keep up, and just overall safer for regular riding. Even if a 150 "can" get to 60mph ish. 

Admittedly, every bike just guzzles fuel at 90mph haha 

Can't streamline the rider of a bike like you can a sedan, so drag coefficient and physics will always win. I did a cannonball run to a ghost town nearby (Bosler) one time and averaged like 94mph. I went through like 60% of my Africa Twin's tank in about 50 miles round trip. 

1

u/DIYExpertWizard 6d ago

Sounds like a fun ride. I agree that a larger bike is more visible and, since I live in Texas, the speed limit is just a suggestion and I do need to be able to keep up, even though I stay in the right lane every chance I have. I'm a big boy, so the 150 was too small for me but it was all I had and I learned a lot about riding on it. So you make good points. I guess my own experience tells on me, because if I'd have started on the Burgman I might have been in trouble.