(Note the actual cover of the March 2009 edition, but you probably already knew that.)
For the first time in 27 years, Consumer Reports has put scooters (and small motorcycles) in the line up. It’s exciting to see that last year’s scooter fever seems to have inspired others in the mainstream media to take them more seriously.
In their report, CR tested eight small-displacement scooter models. There were three 50cc scooters, three mid sized (125cc – 150cc) scooters and two entry-level motorcycles. Why they insist on calling them “entry-level”, I have no idea. Is it that people start out with 250′s and as they “grow up” they move on to 1800cc bikes? Not me, anyway, among the scooters tested were the Vespa LX 50, the LX 150, the Kymco People 150, the Motorino Allegra (who?), the Yamaha Vino 125 and one more 50cc scooter, which one? I’m not sure.
Hopefully this will inspire some of their 7 million print and online subscribers to go do some test rides. I would have liked to see more than four brands represented, but I suppose I should be happy they looked at ANY scooters.
Look for the report to hit news stands or ConsumerReports.org in late Februrary, early March.
3. February 2009 at 3:53 am
The scooter review is in the current issue. Most subscribers received the copy this week.
3. February 2009 at 5:24 am
Nice find! The Honda Ruckus is the other scooter they tested. You can see a Consumer Reports video here that gives an overview to all these scooters:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/video.htm?bcpid=1329233564&bclid=1118015109&bctid=8622043001
It's good except for the part where he states the obvious ("scooters don't come with air conditioning…") and the part where he says "but for the same price you can buy a motorcycle!" as if scooterists are simply wannabe motorcyclists who are drooling to 'upgrade' if they could only afford it.
To be fair, it seems like Honda and Yamaha treat scooters the same way….as a stepping stone to a 'real bike'. My hats off to companies like Vespa who actually understand that some people love scooters and aren't simply looking for a really cheap way to get around. I really love the Aprilia SR50…all that delicious technology in a 50cc.
3. February 2009 at 11:38 am
I’ll have to look for this issue. Thanks for the heads up.
3. February 2009 at 3:58 pm
yep, my copy came two days ago.
additionally, CR i guess has a forum for cycle/scooter discussion (doesn't everyone) now:
http://discussions.consumerreports.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?folderId=1&listMode=13&nav=messages&webtag=cr-0806camotorc
nothing terribly exciting on it.