ColdCola:Can I ask you a question I asked of others here. What makes you prefer the Scarabeo 500 over a motorbike? (Since it's sort of up there in that price range). Is it the fact it's auto that you like? Or style? Or something else?
Hi ColdCola,
As mentioned, or at least hinted at, before I started my two wheel riding on a little Suzuki Stepthru back in the late 60s to middle 70s. Since then I've always been drawn to and dreamt of owning and riding a Harley (hopefully not a swear word here). The reality is that due to pounding the pavement over many years I had a hip replacement late last year. When I went through the licencing process (pre learner/provisonary courses) I came home very sore from continuously getting on and off the bike, each tme swinging leg with the bad hip over the saddle. In order to get back on two wheels I turned my attention to a scooter. Having said that, last week when I had a free afternoon in Melbourne I toured the delights of Elizabeth Street visiting Scoota City, Peter Stevens and Harley Heaven. It was great to finally see so many scooters side by side in order to make comparisons. Strangely enough though, no Aprilias. Travelling through QLd I had noticed lots of large bike cruisers, many Harleys, but also Hondas and Yamahas. I did look at quite a few of the Yamahas surmising at their relatively low seating but more upright riding position, but I cannot see any of them replacing "Big Red Audrey" in the near future..
But to get back to your question, to me the Scarabeo 500ie does have all the best features of a two wheeler. A lot of "modern" bikes need to rev at a pretty high rate, that is, if you twist the throttle in top at under 4,000rpm, they cough. If you want to accelerate to overtake or get out of danger, you have to change down. With a CVT "gear box" a scooter is just that, Twist and Go, and one comment you hear from anyone who has ridden a Scarabeo is its incredible torque at low revs and right through the range. Yes, the styling is well engineered and built. Lots of lockable storage room ,compared with a couple of leather panniers and an incredibly comfortable riding position. The big wheels are a real necessity for me. Here in Tassie, our roads are windy, narrow and rough surfaced. I also need something that will take me around town but also make light work of highways. Lastly, but by no means least in importance, I want something reliable with good servicing backup. So, of course I have only one choice.
I would need around $30K+ for a Harley, but I can pretty well have all my dreams fulfilled for around $13K new less secondhand.
When you look at any scooter in the Scarabeo range, you are definitely drawn to have a second but more once you have ridden one you are compelled to own one. They have that definite "X Factor" or "je ne sait quoi" .... in my humble opinion.
ciao, Mike