Hi all!

Here is my story: I've never had a driver's license. I get super panicky when I am behind the wheel of a car (had my permit twice, expired both times). I can't explain, I just can't stand to be behind the wheel of a car. I am fine on a bicycle, and since my Husband is sick of driving me everywhere, we have decided that a Scooter is the way to go. I've been pre-approved for a loan and I am looking at the Honda Metropolitan and the Elite. I really want the Elite, but from what I understand of Maine State Law, I can only operate a 50cc or less scooter on a moped license; anything bigger requires a motorcycle license, which requires a car license (please, if someone can dispute this, let me know! I want to be wrong!). I have a couple of questions for Divas in Maine:

Winter in Maine - can we ride through the snow or not? Legally, that is. I'm pretty hardcore about weather, so it's mostly a question of law for me.

Is there any way to ride a 108cc scooter without having a car license? Anyone who's done it and can advise me on how?

Storage - with no garage, how do Divas keep their rides from being tampered with? I'm picturing heavy chains and electrified seats (I live in a pretty ghetto neighborhood; my bicycle was vandalized last year!).

I want to do most of the maintenance/upkeep myself; any good books or websites for learning that?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

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The thing about glitter is, if you get it on you, be prepared to have it on you forever. Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.

The first thing to do is to take scooter safety training. Talk to your Honda Dealer about it, but he may not know anything.
http://powersports.honda.com/services.aspx

Or contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
http://www.msf-usa.org/scooterschool.cfm

More info: http://search.dmv.org/dmv/maine/moped-safety-course

and http://www.scootmaine.com/?p=10
and http://www.aandjmss.com/

I hope you find the info you need.
Many of the safety courses will furnish the scooter/motorcycle.
ALL you furnish is a helmet and some schools have those available also.

Take the training... whether for a scooter or for a motorcycle. Then decide what you want to ride.

Remember... wear your safety gear.

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New Rider in 2010
Grand Vista 250

I would really recommend getting the training before you buy a scooter. Since you haven't ridden before it would be awful to saddle yourself with a loan then decide it isn't for you!
I can't say what Maine allows but my nephew was able to get a motorcycle license in California without a regular drivers license but it took him a lot of talking and hitting up different DMV employees before it got OK'd.

I have no idea where you are in Maine but I rode a 50cc there last year in a hilly area. It was awful climbing hills, seriously not powerful enough to do in traffic. Might be OK in a flat area or if you are somewhere that traffic isn't an issue.

I'm 99% sure I won't regret the purchase. My dad was a motorcycle guy, and I love my bike and I always loved riding with my dad. After more research, I'm thinking of going with a more powerful scooter (100-125 max) simply because it is a very hilly area. I appreciate all the great links and tips! Keep it coming!

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The thing about glitter is, if you get it on you, be prepared to have it on you forever. Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.

I haven't spent any winters in Maine, but I grew up in the Midwest with its wicked snowy winters.
I wouldn't plan on riding a scooter, or any two-wheeled ride, on snowy roads.

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Patriot Guard Riders of WA State
Ride Captain - Peninsula District
"...for those who man the battle line, the bugle whispers low,
and freedom has a taste and price the protected never know..."

Hi there...
1) definitely take the scooter/motorcycle class before you buy a scoot.
2) go to the dealerships and sit on the scoots to check for weight and touching of your feet
3) if you have hills like we do in pennsylvania, I went from a 125cc to a 500cc because the 125 couldn't take the hills
4) remember that being on the back of a bike is not the same as driving a bike

I wish you luck and fun in searching for a scoot!!!

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stingher aka Alisa

Since you have indicated looking at Honda scooters, you really should look at the Honda PCX125 or new PCX150.
Much better and cheaper than the older SI150. The Honda dealer may be able to find you a PCX125 traded in on the new 150 ?

Good luck and scoot safely,

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New Rider in 2010
Grand Vista 250

There is a 2005 Honda Metro and a 2006 Yamaha Vino 125 I am looking at. I really want the Vino. I'm not the lightest flower of femininity, and I think the Vino would have an easier time with the extra weight on hills. I've also read a ton of reviews regarding the Metro having problems with hills and low speed, and I really need something that can manage 40mph without being full throttle.

I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions! You gals rock!

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The thing about glitter is, if you get it on you, be prepared to have it on you forever. Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.

I moved from southern Maine last year. So my last winter there was 2010/2011 which, if you remember we got a TON of snow. And it's just cold. I rode in temps as low as mid-high 20's in the morning and it would be 40's in the afternoon coming home. On an 8 mile morning commute I was fine except for my fingers. So I wouldn't plan on riding consistently year-round in Maine.

And as far as a Metro doing 40 MPH w/o being full throttle, I don't think you're going to see it.

I had a Maine driver's license so I am not sure what applies if you don't, but I had to take an all-day class to get my M/C permit. I was a new rider so I rode on the permit for awhile before taking the road test. Honestly? The process of licensing M/C riders in Maine is wayyy too easy. The road test was a breeze. If you've never been a driver before, all the more reason to take some riding classes.

If you're going to make the investment, do it right. Get training and get a bike that will do what you need it to do.

Good luck!

I miss Maine summers!

Check with your local DMV re the license question. I'd think you could get a scooter license without a car license.

If you have lots of hills, a 49cc scoot will struggle up them at 20mph. I rode one for 5 years out here in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Get something bigger, but not too big, to start.

My Elite 110 goes up them easily, no problem! It is a very quick, user-friendly scooter and will run a Vino 125 down from 0-53mph due to it's fuel injection. Also tons of storage room for grocery runs.

Check out my blog re my adventures on one and then look at the blog link called "Scooter For Fun" on the left column. Mike there rides an Elite 110 in Portland Maine. You can post there and talk with him too.

A Met weighs 176 lbs and can be lifted into a pick-up truck very easily. An Elite weighs over 200 and has theft prevention on it's ignition switch and locking steering.

I've reviewed my Elite on my blog after riding a bunch of them. You might find all that interesting and helpful. Check it out!

Good luck!

Deb

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

I have not heard of a state where it is illegal to ride a scooter or motorcycle in the winter. I have friends that rode year round in NH. They both had larger scoots they rode in the summer, and in the winter switched to their first, smaller scoots. One was a Honda Metropolitan, and the other a Genuine Blur. The fellow with the Blur ordered studded tires from Germany, and used those on his winter commute. Studded tires may be a legal issue.

It's common in many states to allow riders with a standard driver's license to ride a moped, which is a bike 49cc and under (they may be referred to as 50cc, but if you look at the specs you will see they are just under). A few state may allow riders without a license...I will ask a few friends in Maine if they know. But the majority of states require a standard driver's license for a moped. In most states, a bike 50cc and up is a motorcycle. And in most states, they require a motorcycle endorsement. Some states have "motorcycle only" licenses.

If you are shopping at a dealer, they can probably give you some idea. A salesman may know requirements for plates, but not licenses. The best source of info is to go to the actual license bureau or town hall or wherever one gets a license in Maine, and talk to the folks there.

Each state has different ways it defines what a "moped" is. For example, in NH, a modern 49cc scooter is considered a moped, IF it can't go above a certain speed...I don't remember what that speed was. Something like 25 or 35. In Florida, that very same scooter, regardless of how fast you tell them it can go, is not a "moped" unless it has pedals. If it doesn't have pedals, it's considered a motorcycle.

Any small scooter can easily and quickly be tossed into the back of a pick-up or into a van. The only thing you can do is make your bike less easy to steal. When I got my first scooter way back when, we wheeled it in the front door of the apartment and kept it overnight in the hallway. There are other threads on here, and online, about different ways to chain your scooter. Even covering it is said to be a help. I've also read where a man in DC who chained the front wheel of his scooter up when he was at work came out to go home, and all that was left was the chain and front wheel. I don't know if insurance is required in Maine, or if it would be required by a finance company on a new purchase. But I would strongly advise it.

One of the fellows I mentioned that rode year round in NH lived in an apartment. By his apartment rules, nobody was allowed to park a "motorcycle" in the parking during winter. He put his larger scooter in storage. They allowed his Met, because it was a moped and not a motorcycle, to stay. He parked it by, and chained it to the in ground bicycle rack.

Are you in the Portland area, by chance? The folks at Cumberland Co Choppers are avid riders and scooterists and should be able to help you out with a lot of info.

Oh, I would love to get an Elite, but there are none in my area for the price I'm looking. And the Vino 125 is gone (sold last week and they left it on the website anyway; should have called ahead). So, now I am thinking to heck with buying used, I'm going to get a Metro 2013. Might as well; they're coming out this month and they look slick. Trying to find a local MMSEC class but so far, no luck. It's tough, because I work weekends and don't need the all-inclusive training; just the in-class stuff.

Spent an hour and a half at the DMV grilling the guy about licensing. With a 50cc, all I need is the moped license. I'll deal with the slow hills when/if I need to. My work commute looks to be pretty flat (from inside the bus). I'm thinking if I need an upgrade down the road, I'll deal with it then.

Yes, I am in Portland. On the West End, in fact, which is why I worried about the hills (High Street, State Street, and Congress Street all have those fun hills). I am not allowed to have my bicycle inside the building (even though there is plenty of room in the halls and under the stairs for several). I think they same rules apply to the mopeds as well. There are a couple of places where I can chain it that I can see from my windows and I am planning on a cover most definitely because we have TONS of birds crapping all over everything. Chain, cover, slingshot from the window above...ain't nobody messing with MY baby!

I am really grateful for all the help! You guys are fab!

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The thing about glitter is, if you get it on you, be prepared to have it on you forever. Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.

You should go see, or at least call, and ask to talk to Darrell Clark and/or Scott Pitcock at Cumberland County Choppers and Cycles. Tell him Debbie from the NH club gave you their names. Cumberland Co Choppers is a Genuine scooter dealer, and they have other scoots from time to time. Darrell and Scott are very active in the local scootering community and can help guide you in the right direction. PM me with your name if you want, and I'll give them a head's up to look out for you.

This would be a long ride on a stock 49cc, but maybe you can at least come hang out at the start with us and say hi:
http://www.lobster-roll.me/

PS: There are also some scoots on CL...do you have a friend with a pickup that could help you get one from outside Portland?
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/3083527664.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/3078728026.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/3039451253.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/3011472898.html

It's a great choice and 49ccs are a blast! Just stay "hi viz" with clothing and accessories and get over on the side of the road and ride when it's over 35mph.

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

But being in the city often there is no "side" to get to. There are no shoulders just angry commuters seeing you as a road block...just saying.

I would look into what Happy Camper says. Lots of motorcycle dealers don't know squat about scooters. Sure, they will sell you one but that is as far as it goes. If another scooterista gives you a reference for a dealer that knows their stuff I think it is worth a look.