Help deciding

Jverrelli

New member
I currently have a 09 MP3-500, I'm 6'4 300 lbs. I'm ready for a new ride, I commute to manhattan to work everyday and I'm looking at a bmw gsa 1200 but I like the simplicity of a scooter, what would you get, how do u think I would fit on the scooter, will it handle lanesplitting well? Thanks
 

SteveADV

Active member
Hey, Jverrelli, the Jets could use some help on the line:D

As to your serious query, I am 6'2" 210 with some old football injuries coming back to haunt me (hip and knees). I am not big enough for an equals comparison, but for me the C650GT is a better more comfortable fit than other bikes. Although any dual purpose will be taller if that is what you are looking for. Lowering the pegs on the GSA changes the ergos rather significantly and you no doubt would want to do that. I love the dual purpose bikes, but for a daily rider in the Big Apple I personally would much prefer a bike with a CVT and a trunk.

Check this site out. Put in the Piaggio, the 1200, and the C650GT and see what you think.
Motorcycle Ergonomics
 
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Snowdog

New member
The BMW scoots are excellent for taller people. I am 5'8" and My Sport can be a challenge for me at times. A Silverwing might be small for you, as a comparison. There should be enough power and You tube has a number BMW scoot lane splitting video's. I can split on mine, but, want to live longer.
 

Xian Forbes

New member
I wanted a GS and or an RT. for the type of riding I do the Sport is perfect. Especially in lane splitting, it's nice and slim. The other bikes need luggage to get the same utility. Plus heated seats and grips are nice. Not shifting is also a plus.
 

JaimeC

New member
Lane splitting is definitely NOT legal. I've had many friends pulled over and cited for doing it. HOWEVER, one time I was stuck in traffic on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway right next to an NYPD car. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the cop looking at me curiously. When I looked at him, he pointed at me, then waved his hand forward indicating all the space between the stopped lanes of traffic. I didn't need to be told twice...

Later on, I realized: "Hey! He could've been setting me up for his buddy down the road" but thankfully, the cynic in me was proved wrong THIS time, and I wasn't late for work.
 

Doraemon

New member
I like the looks of the MP3 500's, but for anything longer than a few minutes for me it felt cramped. being able to stretch the legs out and sit a little more relaxed feels great.
you can stretch out on the GS as well but it requires more cost to add additional foot pegs.
 

wsteele

New member
I like the looks of the MP3 500's, but for anything longer than a few minutes for me it felt cramped. being able to stretch the legs out and sit a little more relaxed feels great.
you can stretch out on the GS as well but it requires more cost to add additional foot pegs.

I have a 500 MP3 you can get a bracket and pegs for it changes the bike completely
 

Xian Forbes

New member
Someone in sf bay area has shown up at rides on an mp3 with outriggers. It's like the craziest thing you've ever seen. Might as well just buy a Mazda miata.
 

Doraemon

New member
In e tiny beautiful island of Singapore...

53b1af33eec401e7f01e94d3c0ae2c84.jpg
Thats one small jalan...
Where is it?
I have a 500 MP3 you can get a bracket and pegs for it changes the bike completely
Guess if I had seen knowledgeable staff I might have bought one for winter.
 

Scorpion56

Member
Welcome to our "club". There is an impressive knowledge base within these walls. We've had new members ask your question, for a variety of reasons. If you scroll up to the top of this, or any, page and find the search box, then enter "Convince me already", you'll see a fairly recent thread by that name. As you sift through the responses, you'll see some good info on why we all bought the 600 Sport or 650GT. IMHO, I'd say that we are very pleased with our decisions to buy the German urban mobility vehicle. For those of us who do two-up riding, the power and handling of the bike are still there. Of course, the 300 lbs or so of weight are distributed differently, but the bike is up to it (with tire pressure and rear suspension spring pre-load adjustments).

As to lane splitting in NY.... I was visiting my in-laws (via car) further out on the Island a few weeks ago, and wondered if I would survive riding the L.I.E. or Northern State by bike - never mind lane splitting.
 

JaimeC

New member
LIE is WONDERFUL for two-wheelers because we can go right into the HOV lane and pass all the cars idling away in the main traffic lanes!

And the Northern State isn't that big a deal either. The REAL problem road is the Southern State Parkway. Doesn't matter what time of day or night you're on that thing, it's ALWAYS congested no matter which way you're going. I avoid that road like the plague.
 

JaimeC

New member
And just one darn-tootin' minute there! You're from BOSTON, but you're concerned about OUR traffic??? If you can drive in that congested, confusing maze of twisty roads up there, Long Island is CHILD'S PLAY!!
 

wsteele

New member
LIE is WONDERFUL for two-wheelers because we can go right into the HOV lane and pass all the cars idling away in the main traffic lanes!

And the Northern State isn't that big a deal either. The REAL problem road is the Southern State Parkway. Doesn't matter what time of day or night you're on that thing, it's ALWAYS congested no matter which way you're going. I avoid that road like the plague.
Those 3 roads that your speaking about is why I moved to Vermont I can deal with the weather more so than the conjestion and the crazy drivers there,although those drivers come up here during the winter and are destroying our ditches
And road signs and telephone poles crashing into them.
 
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JaimeC

New member
Those 3 roads that your speaking about is why I moved to Vermont I can deal with the weather than more so than the conjestion and the crazy drivers there,although those drivers come up here during the winter and are destroying our ditches
And road signs and telephone poles crashing into them.

Vermont is beautiful in the summer. No way in HELL I would survive one winter there. I barely make it through the winter here! If I had my druthers, I'd live where the only place snow exists is in Currier & Ives lithographs and TV shows.
 

Jverrelli

New member
Thank all of you for your responses, I sat on a gsa today and felt more cramped than on the 650, I'll be trading in my MP3 this week, it was a great first scooter, I liked the look and the 2 front wheels, but with the condition of the roads in the 5 boroughs I have had to replace some parts in the front suspension, at one point one of the wheels was at risk of caving in, like when a ball joint on a car fails, I'll post what color and options I get, and yes lane splitting is illegal but I feel it's safer than sitting in traffic, I only go at most 10mph faster than traffic, I got caught once, on the LIE heading west where the GCP meets there was a task force catching all bikes, the police were standing on each white line! I told the officer I thought he was crazy for standing in the middle of the highway to catch motorcyclist, I used a ticket lawyer I googled, he got it changed to a J walking ticket, definitely worth the 350. And no points, I'll be posting again soon. J
 

Xian Forbes

New member
I agree that I often feel safer splitting lanes, especially during commute stop and go. It's much harder to get rear ended when your not there.
 
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