2013 Honda Metropolitan Review

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

Yeah, I like the Zuma too; it reminds me of the old mini-bikes every kid wanted back in the day.

IMO, scooters are supposed to be "Audrey Hepburn" (excellent metaphor, BTW). Scooters are inherently gay (and I don't mean "gay" in the sexual orientation context). They should be cheery, small, unthreatening, and generally light in their loafers. When you put big-ass motors and B-King styling on them, they become "not really" scooters and "not really" motorcycles, and they don't fill either role very well.

There's an interesting story in one of the print mags this month on a Ruckus club that modifies the hell out of their scoots. Most of the customization is styling, although a lot of them also do performance mods. Of course one of them had to have install a turbo:

TotalRuckus • View topic - Project EFI Z28x-Turbo Honda Ruckus : with VIDEO PG 1

Ruckus Club? Really?

I think that changes the definition of the aforementioned word.

[Beer Baron]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

When you put big-ass motors and B-King styling on them, they become "not really" scooters and "not really" motorcycles, and they don't fill either role very well.

I agree that the big scoots are not really scooters in the traditional sense and that they are really automatic motorcycles. Don't get why they are not "real" motorcycles. They are great for touring, commuting and errand running. And they do those roles very well.

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Beer Baron

Don't get why they are not "real" motorcycles.

If you can ride it in a skirt, it's not a real motorcycle.

[Beer Baron]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

If you can ride it in a skirt, it's not a real motorcycle.

That's an interesting metric you use, I can see you have given this a lot of thought.

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by Beer Baron

That's an interesting metric you use, I can see you have given this a lot of thought.

He also wears a LOT of Women's clothing....

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

Yeah, I like the Zuma too; it reminds me of the old mini-bikes every kid wanted back in the day.

Hey, you're right. I can't believe I never noticed that.

IMO, scooters are supposed to be "Audrey Hepburn" (excellent metaphor, BTW). Scooters are inherently gay (and I don't mean "gay" in the sexual orientation context). They should be cheery, small, unthreatening, and generally light in their loafers. When you put big-ass motors and B-King styling on them, they become "not really" scooters and "not really" motorcycles, and they don't fill either role very well.

Great points. I withdraw the criticism. Do you know what kind of scooters the Mods generally rode? There's a certain historically geeky appeal to that scene, as well.

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

If you can ride it in a skirt, it's not a real motorcycle.

Slam dunk.

Now I'm just waiting for Buz to chime in about my Sporty in three... two... one...

[schizuki]

Just checked out the Genuine Scooter Company site. Wow. Those guys get it. Stylish scoots and cheeky, on-target marketing. Thanks for the tip, Sliphorn.

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by schizuki

Just checked out the Genuine Scooter Company site. Wow. Those guys get it. Stylish scoots and cheeky, on-target marketing. Thanks for the tip, Sliphorn.

Seems McCaleb is doing a lot of things right with Genuine. Smart (but a little deceptive) that that nowhere I could find on the site, even FAQ section, does it mention where the scoots are built. I had to dig around off-site to find out they are built in Taiwan and Indian.

[seruzawa]

Oh poop on you killjoys. Some of the best fun I ever had was running around on a Lambretta 150 when I was a teenager. Scooters can be a hoot. In fact almost anything on two wheels is fun, provided you have the right attitude and aren't a depressing snobbish lunkhead.