As far as the scooters go. It depends on the scooter as well. The 50cc vespa tyoe scooters, I believe most of them have about a 40mph top speed. On the other hand the Honda Silverwing and their like cruise quite happily down the highway (some of them are 650cc....basically a big rolling couch ) Some of them are even automatic.

The smaller scooters also have very quick handling due to the small tire size and a fairly rough ride....

BUT, since you say you have not ridden much. I will offer you the same advice I offer most anybody who is new. AFTER taking the MSF course. Pick up a used 250-500cc bike and ride it for a year or two before dropping the big $$$$ on your dream bike. Because statistics show that you will drop your bike while learning to ride. It may be something as simple as forgetting to put down the kick stand and having it fall over in a parking lot, but you may as well do it on a cheap bike. Also a smaller lighter bike you can "muscle" around a little better while you are learning to ride. Remember that nothing is where it is in a car. And you have to co-ordinate all of your hands and feet.

Some of the best ones for this:
Honda Rebel (250cc will do 55, they made a 450 for a while too)
Nighthawk - Varouous sizes, but stay away from the 750 while learning (heavy)
Buell Blast
Harley Sportster 883
Vulcan 500
Yamaha Virago 250, 500 or 535
Kawasaki LTD 400, 440
Suzuki GS500

Remember that this is a learning bike. It may not have all the options or chrome or whatever your dream machine vision is, but if you decide that you really like riding, it will always work as a trade in. If you decide you hate riding, then sell it and you are not out much. Also the smaller bikes will do MUCH better on fuel. The wife's GS500 gets about 60mpg on the average. My fathern has a Blast and gets 70 highway commuting 30 miles a day. My 1200 gets around 45-50 depending on how I ride it.

But take a riding course FIRST. Either the MSF or Riders Edge (same course, just another name)

DONT carry a passenger until you are comfortable with the bike yourself (in fact, practice with a load strpped to the seat before putting a human there)

DONT ride beond your limits just to keep up with your buddies.

DO have fun with it and save gas at the same time.

DO ride a bike that you are comfortable on.

DO ride safe

Jim

 

One unmuffled, loud motorcycle does more harm to the image of riders than one hundred muffled bikes. We're still trying to live down the "Wild Bunch" image, and loud/straight pipes aren't helping it any. Just remember that there's a politician out there that will use this against you when they pass a law stating that only the original manufacturer's exhaust systems can be used . They're out there waiting, and loud bikes are just playing into their hands. Just give 'em a reason.

 

I like loud exhaust but those Harley's just sound like CRAP. The only good sounding Harley are the ones with a very quiet stock muffler. I have a '72 Honda CB450 with stock duals, sounds nice. My dad on the other had has a '74 Honda CB 750 with 2-1 dual straight and its LOUD. It sounds nice though, much better than a Harley.

 

Loud bikes attract looks; that's why the chumps like the noise; they get a reverb from the sound waves bouncing around the empty walls in their head!

Go by a Harley dealer's lot on a sunny Saturday; they can't get enough noise, those weekend PC "outlaws", riding around in their official licensed Harley logoed clothes..."Look at me, I is a weekend rebel on my bike, and I can make noise and spin tire on my oil leak".

 

Is it just me or does it bother anyone else that some people that ride Harley's have the full look.... Harley hat, gloves, boots, vest, chaps maybe...and EVERY piece of their clothing looks like they just bought it. That bugs me, very bad. I wear an old ratty jean jacket that my dad wore in the 70's which is skin tight, and nothing else I wear matches.. yellow work gloves and a motocross helmet. To me that looks cool and very unique. I would rather wear clothing that makes me look like I dumped the bike a few time rather than look like I came from a business interview. I think everyone should wear clothes that look like they actually use them!!!

 

Boss50, that motocross helmet will do nothing for you in a crash at speed. Try a nice street helmet.

Just looking out for you.

 

Never been one to conform. Don't get me wrong. . . I'm not bashin' anyone.

Don't wear clothes with big logos on 'em, either. They don't pay me to advertise.
I ain't doing it for free. They won't give me the clothes 'free' either.

Jeans. Brown leather jacket. Helmet. Boots. Life is good.

 

Boss50, they all wear leather (myself included) because that is the only thing that can stand up somewhat to the road. Denim doesn't stand a chance against ashphalt. I guess you've never dumped a bike before. Once you have you will understand why they wear that stuff. Most bikers by stuff for function over form, and if you can get both, more power to you. I wear it all, black leather vest, on warmer days, jacket, chaps, and gloves if its colder out. And helmet of course. Why? Not because I want to look cool, (brown looks better IMO) but because if I fall, I want a fighting chance to survive.

Pgayda, you think the harley guys are chumps, how about the idiots that decide to do a catwalk at 80 mph down the highway on their Yosh piped crotch rockets screaming at 10,000rpm, wearin baggy T-shirt and jeans, which are just waiting to get caught in their chain. Which sounds like crap, by the way. Or they slam on the front brake, pull the rear end up, and then fall on their head?? Smooth. The sound of a Harley, or any other V-twin, isn't nearly as repulsive as the sound of a 4 popper flippin away at 10,000+ rpm.

Trevor

 

loud farts saves lives.

fart fart

 

I think this has gotten a little childish.

Nobody will change their view on something because of crude remarks.

I thought this site was here for people to help one another and work together. I don't think that means we all have to think alike, but we can agree to disagree, and still respect one another. The people you call names today (some of them belong to this site), might be the people with the answers to your next problem.

There are alot of things I think are foolish, that people do and spend their money on. And I'm sure they think alot of what I do is foolish. So what. This is not a perfect world. It's not the world according to you. Besides, people spending money on whatever they are interested in is good for the economy. Sooner or later, the money spent on things you think are foolish will change hands a few times, and then get spent on something that supports whatever business you are involved in.

Everybodies views and opinions are important, even if they are opposite. But why get ignorant and crude with one another?

 

Quiet engines are boring. I have modified every vechile I own to make it louder. My truck had a stock exhaust on it. I tore it out and ran straghit headers for a few weeks but almost got a ticket for it so I got the loudest muffler I could find. My bike was too quiet so I took of the spark arrester and now its nice and loud. Personally I like flying by people with the motor roaring and annoying them, kinda fun. It should be noted I am 17.

 

Agreed. I personally like loud engines but the harleys sound like crap and they think they are "tough guys" when really all they are is pencil geeks that put on a leather jacket and a bandana to look cool. Of course not all people who ride Harleys are like this but a lot of them are.

 

Since we are touching on motorcycle fashion trends....People can see you on a bike. You are out in the open, they see your back, front, sides and face if there is no shield. They see your bald spot on you head, they see your butt-crack if your pants are saggy, and the old dunlop is wide.. they see your every flaw or feature. That is why so many riders are insecure and probably feel the need to "dress up" when riding. It is something you will become aware of as you go along, you do become a bit self-conscious.

So while you're feeling self-conscious, a neighbor, or riding friend gets a bigger, shinier bike than yours. Then on another day, you get snubbed( no greeting wave from a passing rider) while riding your scooter, and you have a big white DOT-approved helmet on that makes you look like Gazoo (the little green Martian on the Flintstones). This makes you more insecure and you start thinking how to improve your "look" on the bike. Visits to the local bike shops start becoming more frequent, again and again you look at the selection of helmets over and over until you decide you would look better without any helmet on.

Next year you have a couple extra bucks, and decide to upgrade your scooters jets and exhaust. To make yourself feel and look tougher, you get loud pipes, a leather jacket, leather gloves, and Harley D. leather boots.
Then a few more people notice you and wave, the snubs become less and less frequent. But then your Mom and neighbors start complaining about this other personality you have become, and they say stuff like, "yea, I heard you leave at 4 AM this morning" and " will you be joining the Hell's Angels, or what?"

The whole thing is crazy. There is an entire sub-culture existing under our noses. Bike riders have their own culture and every person reacts a little bit differently when they are on the road.

Just remember this one thing, the whole world will try to sum up what kind of person you are as you drive past. You are, in essence, an open page for all to read while you are riding. No biker can escape this judgement!!

 

924, I'm not sure if you are trying to make a valid point or are being scarsactic, but here's my reply if you are being serious, and any biker will agree with me. The leathers we wear isn't a fashion statement, or that isn't the primary role of leather. It is the only thing protecting if and when we dump it. If it happens that the leathers someone chooses look good, well that's just a fringe benefit. It's the same as someone with a nice house - if they can afford the house they aren't going to put crappy stuff in it. Since Harley's are the most expensive stock bike sold, one can assume that those with a new one have the excess cash to get the expensive leathers as well. People get Harley boots/gloves/jacket etc. because they like the Harley product. It's the same as a Ford guy having a Ford shirt, or Chevy guy with a Chevy shirt.

Trevor

 

No I am serious, I have nothing against leathers, and all the bell's and whistles. I am trying to describe one aspect of what it is like to ride on a bike. If fashion trends, bells and whistle's weren't important, then why does Harley have more space on the sales floor for clothes, helmets, bandannas, and riding gear than motorcycles?? Each person will have their own look when riding, some people are trying too hard to create a look, some people don't care, and some of us were destined to ride!

I became self-conscious in my younger days. I was riding my 1976 KZ400 and a couple of guys in a truck next to me said, "nice moped!!" I was embarrased, have you ever ridden a KZ400?..It ain't a 1200 Sportster!

So any potential newbie riders out there beware...try to get a bike that fits your needs and PERSONALITY too! If you are 6 foot 5inches it may be a good idea to buy a larger bike, and not a Vespa scooter. Dig?