G'day... Potential new 600 sport owner

[Patriotblue]

Ok so I've just turned 40 and have no experience whatsoever riding motor bikes/ scooters.

I booked in some motor bike lessons but after an err umm " incident" so now I'm not so sure anymore.
However by chance I came across this BMW range of maxi scooters.
Apart from looks these machines look more than capable of fulfilling my " weekend warrior" cruising plans.

Only queries I would like some feedback on is what the experience is on highways and how they perform riding up hills..

Thank you


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[JaimeC]

They're essentially 650cc MOTORCYCLES disguised as scooters. They make roughly 60 hp at the crank and weigh slightly over 500lbs. By comparison, I dated a girl who drove a Chevy econobox car that weighed almost 3,000 lbs and made the same 60 hp.

I don't care if you're built like Andre the Giant... it'll be more than powerful enough for your needs, as long as your needs don't include engaging BMW S1000RR's in drag races for "pinks."

 

[Edumakated]

Ok so I've just turned 40 and have no experience whatsoever riding motor bikes/ scooters.

I booked in some motor bike lessons but after an err umm " incident" so now I'm not so sure anymore.
However by chance I came across this BMW range of maxi scooters.
Apart from looks these machines look more than capable of fulfilling my " weekend warrior" cruising plans.

Only queries I would like some feedback on is what the experience is on highways and how they perform riding up hills..

Thank you


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I own a c600 and here is my take. It is more power than you will need under any circumstance. It doesn't accelerate as fast as say a crotch rocket, but it will blow the doors off most cars at a stoplight unless you are challenging m3s or similar sports cars. You will get to 60mph in about 5.5-6.5 seconds. You can cruise on the highway at 80-90mph without even trying. You can lead the pack in the fast lane and not be wanting more power.

As Jaime said, it is really disingenious to refer to the BMWs as a scooter. They are much closer to motorcycles than scooters. About the only thing scooter like is the seating position and storage.

I wouldn't call it a beginner scooter at all. I started off on a Vespa 300 and glad I did because I think I may have gotten myself into trouble jumping straight on the c600. Yes, it is easy to ride but it is hefty weight wise and the power could get a new rider in trouble.

I love it and it will serve most people's riding needs flawlessly. I use mine for daily commuting and it has no problem hoping on the highway or handling just riding around town.

 

[Oldscoot]

I agree with the caveat that just because the BMW technically qualifies as a scooter that it deserves less care than a 650cc motorcycle. It is fast and heavy and if you don't respect it you will surely end up having an "incident". My Sport pulls strongly at all reasonable highway speeds and climbs hills with equal aplomb.

 

[SteveADV]

The biggest problem I see is the "weekend warrior" part. After you have taken the MSF basic course (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), and you get past the first few hundred miles on a C600, you'll be hooked and weekends will not be the only time you ride. Find a vacant parking lot and some country roads and take the time to practice on your bike. Don't showboat and never push yourself beyond your comfortable limits.

I've always described it as flying close to the ground. Man and machine. The freedom to fly anywhere. It's something, man.

 

[AZ Tee Jay]

I certainly agree with SteveADV about the MSF course. Not only because I used to teach it but because you will get to use their bikes to experience (if need be) the "oops" that often accompany the learning phase. Even "experienced" riders (that have made it this far by pure, dumb luck) don't understand basic concepts like pushing the inside grip AWAY from you to tighten a turn and certainly don't practice emergency braking (I still need to do that with my scooter).

Anyway, don't give up! This motorcycle/scooter this is just how SteveADV describes it.

If everyone did it, it wouldn't be exceptional - and it is!

 

[Patriotblue]

Thanks so much guys for your input.
I have just booked myself in for a rider training course with a very reputable firm and look forward to eventually posting a picture of my Sport in the not to distant future.

Funny I just read the following on another forum now ..

"Keep this in mind, if you are even considering doing weekend joy rides, a scooter WILL NOT cut it! (well maybe if you're keen on being overtaken by literally everyone and holding up even cars behind you) You'd be far better off getting a VTR or a Zeal or something. ..."



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[JaimeC]

Obviously someone who thinks "Scooter" means "less than 200cc."

 

[SteveADV]

Uh, yeah, like many of us have said that ride these things....they can go faster than you should be allowed to go. And they can do it comfortably for long periods of time.

 

[Patriotblue]

Wow I'm really surprised at the level of ignorance people have of these machines; out of all of my friends with " real" bikes, only one has supported my thinking, and he's a serious BMW adventure guy. It's almost like I should be embarrassed at my age for looking at actually buying a scooter.
Like I kept trying to explain to people, having an automatic takes a whole bunch of variables out of my head and the more reading I do, the BMW range comes out on top.
Thanks again for a great forum full of great info guys.


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[Oldscoot]

Patriotblue - You won't find anyone on this forum who is embarrassed by riding a BMW scooter. I'm a former serious Harley rider, short track racer and have owned dozens of motorcycles. Most of the other forum members have owned and still own "real" motorcycles and they greatly enjoy their Sports and GTs.

When it comes to choice of bikes - you've got to please only one person - and that is you.

If someone wants to give you tough time - simply give them the Australian equivalent of "Did you mistake me for someone who gives a shit about your opinion?"

Or perhaps a simple "Gday" would suffice.

 

[SteveADV]

Patriotblue. Different strokes for different folks, my friend. Bikers...err, scooterers (oh yeah, I said that) might be a somewhat different breed. Like most people on this forum including those that ride the Burgman or Tmax (a couple of exceptional rides in and of themselves), we have been willing to think outside the box to find what works for us.

These big bad ass scooters - or whatever you want to call them - are designed to provide the same type of freedom as other midsize touring bikes...They just do it better.