I have spent so much time reading tons of past threads, I am finally taking the time to post and say, "Howdy!"

No scooter yet, though, as my husband says, I probably know as many specs on all the available scooters as the dealer personnel I rode in my 20s on a Yamaha 250 bike; however, that was many moons ago.

Today I visited Big Easy Scooters in New Orleans (friendly, helpful) and sat on a Genuine Blur 220i <sigh>. That dang seat is just incredibly high. (I'm 5'0"). Though I love the super sporty looks, I'm giving up on that one. I don't see how the seat could ever be shaved down enough to put enough foot on the ground. Disappointing that they seem to make so many scooters geared toward tall women

Last week I sat on a Burgman 400. Way too much machine for me. Too heavy, and I'm no wimp...but I wouldn't feel safe, which translates to, I wouldn't ride. Dealer had one with a Tow-Pac installed, but I guess I just don't like the extra width in the rear.

Have researched many others and would like at least a 250. I have all but decided to go with a Grand Vista. A semi-local guy has one with 1100 miles for sale for $2900 which he says is "like new." But...I see that TJ in Austin has a new-old-stock 2010 for sale for $3,499. Decisions, decisions.

Anyway, I just wanted to say "Hi" and say that I have learned so much already from all the great Divas in this group. I'm sure I will have many questions....

~Sara

Hey! SO glad you've joined us! WELCOME!

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2009 Monzo Honda Met "Squirt"
My scooter blogs:
http://www.49ccscooterlife.blogspot.com
http://www.ohioriverramblersscootin.blogspot.com

(i'd go with NOS...warranty is a good good thing)

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Hi & Welcome,

Yes, the GV-250 has the lowest seat of any 250cc scooters that I have tried.
The only wish is for larger wheels, but otherwise, it starts easily and runs well.
In addition to looking great!

As a used scooter, I think his price was high.
Some GV-250s do show up on EBay, but then you have to pay shipping of about $500.
I guess CraigsList is a good place to shop ?
here is a search:
http://www.searchtempest.com/results.ph ... maxAsk=max

Scoot Safely,

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New Rider in 2010
Grand Vista 250

Thanks, MaryK
True, I guess he is a bit high. It is a 2009 which he says he bought new in May 2011, so he says it has the remainder of the 2-year warranty left, and he identifies it as "like new." However, his listing does say "$2,900 OBO" so I very well may strongly explore the "OBO" part. But...for $500 more (give or take) I can get a brand new (well, 2010) one from TJ's, so I'm strongly considering new. I'm thrilled to find out that I actually have a shop here in the Lafayette, LA area who, as of April 1, will be a certified Kymco repair shop, so I feel much better knowing that I can get my scheduled service/warranty work done locally rather than having to go a few hours away for that.

Even my dentist, with his $3,789 bill today for replacing a bridge , has not thwarted my enthusiasm.

If the used scooter is the color you like and is in good shape, then I'd offer $2500, which is reasonable.
So good to have a dealer in the area.
Looking at parts and labor, my dealer is cheaper than the motorcycle dealers.

We took the scooter to the dealer for the 1st oil change, but my DH did the next one and saved the receipt for the quart of oil.

Lot of luck with your purchase. Be sure to test ride before you buy.

scoot safely

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New Rider in 2010
Grand Vista 250

Good info, MaryK. Thanks so much for your input.

I see you're in SE Arkansas. Not that far from me. We have a small place on the lake up at Toledo Bend on the Louisiana side, and I try to spend the entire summers up there. That's where I think I will use the scooter a whole lot -- cruising around all the little roads up there, exploring and chillin'

I read some about the pros/cons of the smaller wheels of the GV. Have you found that to be a problem? I questioned whether to go with something with larger wheels, but...gee...then the seat height becomes a problem again. Ah, the joys of being vertically challenged

~Sara

I started with a CF Moto 150cc that had larger wheels, but was very difficult to start.
The larger wheels (or something) made the bike feel more stable at low speeds.

The GV does feel less stable at low speeds (<30 mph), but I have never had any problem with control of it.
It seems to want to "hunt" instead of just going straight. I have not read of any owner having any control problem.
At higher speeds that goes away, and it is very secure feeling. Interstate speeds are great.

Like you, I needed the lower seat height. The other Plus is that there is a lot of room under the seat.
Kymco makes another seat for the GV250. It looks taller, but owners have stated that it is actually shorter, when seated on it.
Guess you sink into it.

Yes, guess we are about as close as any 2 GV250 owners.
We seldom ride more than 30 miles in any direction, so my DH refers to our rides as in-county rides.
It would be good to meet, if you are ever up as far as Pine Bluff.

Our internet exploration shows that Piaggio makes a 150cc and a 350cc scooter that has larger wheels and a 30" seat height.
http://www.piaggiousa.com/scooters.html ... /fly-50-4v

Dealer are pretty far from us (Rogers, AR). Yours is Baton Rouge, so you may want to drop in.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/5025/Moto ... Rouge.aspx
The major problem is price compared to Asian scooters.

Good luck with your search.

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New Rider in 2010
Grand Vista 250

I love the look of the Piaggio BV350...ooo...so purdy with the brown seat...

But -- it's official -- I am going to Fairhope, AL to pick up the Grand Vista on Saturday! A friend of my husband's at the local Honda shop loaned him a motorcycle trailer, so I think we're all set. Holy Moly!

I'll post pics soon. There won't be any major riding yet. I am signing up for the Louisiana Motorcycle Safety Course, which will be held in Lafayette April 13-15 -- and lots of practicing -- and lots more reading (ordering Proficient Motorcycling) and lots of gear ordering I'm going to take it very slowly.

Thanks for the info, MaryK, re: small wheels at low speeds. It will something I will try to be cognizant about.

Woo-hoo! I am too excited!!

That is great. Which scooter are you buying (new or used)?
What Color?

Glad to hear that you are taking the Safety training.
I missed my chance when I dropped my 1st scooter the weekend before the class.
I was too sore and the scooter too broken to make the training.
Now, I am too dumb to take the course...but I know I should.
Also, there is no place close-by to take training.


Be safe on the journey and great luck with your scooter.

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New Rider in 2010
Grand Vista 250

Hi, Sara! Welcome to Scooter Diva! And congrats on your new Grand Vista! I am a long time and very satisfied Kymco owner (We have 2 People models), and so I suppose I'm biased, but I think you picked a great scoot. I have and have had several friends with GV's, and I think you'll really enjoy it. As Mary mentioned, it has great storage, and they seem to always go further than me on a tank of gas....and how cool are those electric mirrors? It does have smaller wheels than some bikes, but the positive side to a bike with small wheels is it tends to be more nimble. There are pros and cons to them all. All in all, I bet you'll love the GV!

And PS, I think you can drop the "almost." If you were still a lurker, you might be "almost" a Diva...but you're here now...
no more "almost!"

@MaryK -- It's white. I've decided to get the used one. The Out-the-Door price for the new one in Austin was considerably higher than what the seller is asking for his 2009. Hopefully it truly is in "like new" condition, as he says. He's an older gentleman and sounds quite honest (if you can make such a judgment call over the phone ) He says he bought it new in May 2011 and has 1100 miles on it but became too afraid to ride when he witnessed a motorcycle accident in which someone was killed. Yikes! But he says he has been taking it just around his subdivision periodically to keep the battery charged. How bad can it be? If nothing else, I can learn on it and upgrade to a new one in a year or so.

Hurry up, Saturday!!!

@Happy Camper ~ Thank you, ma'am! I am loving no longer being a lurker, and being -- instead -- a "gusher"

True -- as with everything else, all choices have to be made with some sort of trade-off involved.

Couldn't decide between two jackets (the Firstgear Mesh Tex Hi-Vis and the TourMaster Sonora Hi-Viz) so I had to order both of them so I can make the decision between the "trade offs" there. Ai-yie-yie. Now to decide on a helmet.

Must.Get.Sleep.

Hey, MaryK...have you seen this? (Oh, goodness, I'm so silly. You probably know all about it, but I'm like a kid in a candy store ready all about these things.)

http://www.scoottheozarks.proboards.com ... thread=783

Oooo...looks fun. Don't know if I'd be ready for something so adventurous as that by September, but maybe something to shoot for 2013

Yes, I have seen the Rally info, but it is further than I want to scoot to.

Ordering 2 of the jackets to compare is a good way to do it. We usually order 1 at a time and spend
too much time waiting for a delivery. We do like the Hi-Vis color for jackets. A mesh jacket with a
wind-proof liner should do most of your riding season. For true winter weather, leather is the only way to go.

We bought HJC helmets and are happy with their prices and quality.

Scoot safely,

White is a good color.... my dealer had only the red.... Used is great and 1100 miles is nothing as far as wear.
Just check the scooter for drop damage and charge the battery well when you get it home.

Use a low-charge-rate charger like a Schumacher Maintainer (Wal-Mart $20-22)

Haven't tried this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-XM ... p/15140193
have 2 of these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-XM ... p/15140193

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New Rider in 2010
Grand Vista 250