To Scoot or Not to Scoot

[Vudu13]

We have been on the road now for a month, without a Toad. We see many others with Toads, but not sure that we want to use our nice and new Cadillac SRX as a Toad, or the hassle of pulling a Toad. We are thinking of purchasing two Honda 50cc scooters, and mounting them on a rack, on the rear of our FR3 30DS. Anyone have any advice, good and bad, or experience with hauling two 50cc scooters? Any knowledge of scooter racks/systems? Any help or feedback would be nice, and we plan to make a purchase in a couple of months, after we leave the warmth of Tucson

[Hoglou]

Have you scooted before? Thats the real question. With such small tires scooters are easy to over steer and go horizontal. For a new rider I highly suggest a small cc street legal dirt bike. Does not way much more but you get the stability from the gyro effect rom the bigger diameter tires. Used to call them feeder fish for cages....
Past rides:
Susy 250 hustler
honda elsinor
yam 650 twin
honda 550 4 (smoothest engine ever)
Yam 750 triple
susy 650 one lung
HD softail std
HD roadking
HD ultra

Loved them all, retired from all scooters at 60, and was able to walk way..... everyone knows someone who didnt..

Go get a cheap jeep and toad....

[Vudu13]

I know what you mean by walk away... we have a '97 HD Heritage and a Sportster, but don't want to trailer them and wife is done riding (friends with crashes). We also have TOO many cars, all are loved ('08 Saturn Sky convertible, '60 Ford Thunderbird, an '08 Toy FJ Cruiser 4X4, and oh yeah, the new Caddy SRX) and cannot part with any of them. One more car in my garage will have me searching for a divorce lawyer. Soooo, yes, I think we want to Scoot, but want some advice from those who have been there, done that, and have great advice. Thank for starting the feedback Hoglou :-)

[Technorick]

I haul a triumph Bonneville 750 cc and a 250 cc scooter on this "no jack" swivel wheel trailer.

It's the best of both worlds. It's easy to load and tracks with the back of the coach. We love having the bikes and don't miss having a vehicle.

[Technorick]

More pics. The double ball mount keeps the trailer from jacking allowing you to back up straight. The trailer rear tires swivel. The cons are that the extra (behind the rear tire) length must be accounted for when turning.

As for using the scooter, my wife likes it cause it's automatic. We have been to Montana, Wyoming, and all over and always find a way to stay off major highways with the bikes. While camping the bikes are used for rural local trips to manuver to points of interest and down down contested area. We see no issue with using a small wheel scooter for local round town travel.

[Harkerr]

Be careful. A crash can be life changing.

[Linnemj]

Our Honda Metropolititan 50 cc scooter has a top speed of 37 miles per hour on a flat surface. While they are light and easy to ride, this size scooter may be too small if you are traveling highways posted 55 mph. You might consider moving up to a 125 or 250 size scooter. Another option would be one 450 cc scooter and ride two up. There are a wide variety of rear hitch mount carriers available.

[Leismom]

I saw an article that has electric bikes that can ride for 60 miles on one charge. I have a 250cc kymco scooter that I tow with a hydraulic lift. I am able to load and unload myself

[capobchtim]

My wife and I have been bringing our Vespas with us for years. The big difference is that we haul them in a toy hauler, T25FQMX. We are in our mid 50's and we have been through motorcycle safety courses, which is a great aid to defensive driving on a motorcycle. Go down to your local dealer, motorcycle or vespa, and take a trial ride. Just know that many if not all of them will only let you ride if you have a motorcycle enforcement on your license.

Once we get to our site we love to go out and explore on our Vespas. We live in California and travel to wine country in central and northern California quite a bit, and there is nothing better than cruising in the hills on a bike! In fact we are going up to Paso Robles next week and our Vespas will be coming with us.

[Technorick]

I agree (with Linnermj) we never take the scoot on the highway. Even the 250 is too small and light and a passing semi would suck it up!

Before the purchased of the swivel wheel trailer I consulted with FR about adding the "Hydra Lift". The model I was considering was six hundred pounds! just to mount the mounting saddle and lift platform. I was concerned about the factory "extended" frame welds added to the the F53 chassis, the downward pressure, the increase in rear axle weight, and steering maneuverability while balancing 1200lbs of motorcycles off the back of an already six foot extended rear. For my application, I was persuaded NOT to add the Hyra lift to the FR3 chassis. For a lighter lift and a smaller bike I could see it working.

[OldCoot]

Scooter may be ok in sunny weather, but one tends to get wet in the rain, whereas the Caddy has a roof, windshield wipers, heat & air. If you're going to trailer something, trailer the Caddy.

[pennred]

We travel with a Honda PCX 150 Scooter . This is an ideal size that will keep up in traffic , we ride it 2 up and only need the 1 scooter , saves having 2 license , 2 inspections , insurance on 2 units. It is light and easy to haul in our pickup bed . The 50 cc scooters are very slow and tie up traffic and are actually dangerous because of this .

[Bikeaman]

Hi I recommend Honda Pcx 150 if you are experienced bike driver. 65 mph with 105 mpg I use a Versalift on back of 24' Forster sprinter rack folds vertical so not longer . Takes two people at 60 mph.

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by Technorick

Attachment 102852
I haul a triumph Bonneville 750 cc and a 250 cc scooter on this "no jack" swivel wheel trailer.

It's the best of both worlds. It's easy to load and tracks with the back of the coach. We love having the bikes and don't miss having a vehicle.

Nice. What is the brand name?

[RV Pilot]

Here's my set up. It's a 2016 Honda Grom 125cc. It weighs about 250 pounds. I believe the list price is $3299. I found it a better value than the scooters myself. It's easy to ride and works great for around the parks or to the nearby hiking or eating locations. Both my girlfriend and I ride on it together. It's a little tight but were not very large people so it works.

[camaraderie]

We have carried our two scooters on a rack and NO toad across the country and back and other places as well. They are great...125 & 150cc....don't even consider a modped if you are planning on exploring rather than using it as local transportation in a site you know well. See our thread here for more info and don't hesitate to pm me if I can help further. http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...own-67485.html

[Technorick]

Originally Posted by Delco Bobby

Nice. What is the brand name?

Delco.
It's a "smart trailer"
http://smarttrailers.com/

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by Technorick

Delco.
It's a "smart trailer"
Smart Trailers

Thanks. Web site is under construction but is still interesting. Hopefully they will have more info and pricing soon.

[camaraderie]

They also do swivel wheel stuff here: The ultimate single wheel trailer system. in both single and double wheel units in case Smart Trailer doesn't fit your needs.

Hey T.Rick... is that a Kymco 250?

[Technorick]

http://youtu.be/CWc4S_s7CbA

Swivel wheel demo movie above. There are many variations and sizes.

Scooter is the evil twin to the Kymco. It's a Jonway 250.