who else here would actually prefer a motorcycle over a scooter?

[Iahawk]

I like the involvement of both hands and both feet to ride a motorcycle... throttle, brakes, clutch, shifting....but at other times I like the 'mindless' riding of a scooter. My Helix can be ridden using basically only the right hand for throttle and front brake. Nothing else for the left hand or feet to do. Heck, as long as I kept moving I could ride the Helix with only a right arm (no legs or left arm required).

So mindless may be too strong of a word...but that's how I feel when I'm on the scoot. It's a nice break from the complexity of a motorcycle. Until it gets boring and I miss the shifting, clutch, etc.......

[klaviator]

See Klav, I love the look of your Versys there, but how on earth could I throw a leg over that?!  I could just see me falling over backwards whilst trying!  I know all about the "use the foot peg to mount" school of thought, but always fear my weight would cause problems for the prop stand?  Maybe I'll try it again.

Edit:  This shows how from 1:20 onwards...

I don't use the footpeg to mount method, it just doesn't feel right.  I'm 6-2 with a 34" inseam so I can still get on and off of my motorcycles but it is getting harder.  It is much easier to get on and off my scooters and the Vespa is much easier than the ADV150 which has a hump to get my foot over. 

[klaviator]

How about this...scooter for short errands and being the ultimate grocery getter but a motorcycle for longer trips and faster riding and just for the sheer pleasure of riding.

Scooters are much better than motorcycles for short errands but they are also great for longer trips and the sheer pleasure of riding.  Not all motorcycles are suitable for long trips.  I have a KLX250 which is a blast to ride but I have never gone touring on it.  I have done some 300 mile days on it but never an overnight trip.



My longest trip last year was on my Vespa, not my Versys.  If I really want to ride a lot of miles the Versys is better but my idea of touring these days is to enjoy the ride and also stop and enjoy the scenery.  For that my Vespa is a one of the best touring bikes I have owned.  I did a 2000 mile loop through California, Oregon and Washington on it last year.

[monkeybongos]

I’ll echo Hawk’s view. 
Also, implied but not stated, each one increases appreciation of the other.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I didn't realize there was a scooter in that last photo. I only have a 20" monitor

Stig

[wymple]

My longest days have been around 600 miles, and on motorcycles. I love my scooter a 500, and it's got a good seat, but I could never fathom a 600 mile day on it.

[rjs987]

I actually did do a 660 mile day once on my CTX1300 motorcycle. Just after that I decided to keep my riding day to between 350-450 miles or close to that. It's not that I was uncomfortable, I wasn't at all physically needing to stop. It was that I realized my mental alertness was fading by that distance. I've gone several 440-460 mile days on my Burgman and AK 550 and those were easy for me. I could easily see riding at least 660 miles on either of those super scooters... but don't for my mental health. If I were riding a 400 or smaller class scooter I don't think I would even attempt more than 300 miles in a day. That's why I keep to a bigger than a 500 class bike... I still travel LD several times a year. When I'm ready to stop doing that I'll possibly downsize my ride to between a 150-300 class scooter.

[randyo]

I have done an IronButt Association BunBurner Gold ride on my V-Strom 1000, (1500+ miles in 24 hours) I would do it on my AK550 as easily. Hardest part was the time I spent planning the right route, so I wouldn't get stuck behind a truck trying to pass a truck on i-81 in VA. 24 hour gas station where I needed em, etc. Plan was to travel from New Hampshire to the Ozarks, around Little Rock. ended up NH to Joplin, MO, more time on my computer exploring routes than the 23:05 hours it took to do the actual ride

[Neil955i]

Much respect Randy. Having done 1,000 in 23 hours & change I doubt I could’ve done another 500 on top of that!  As it was I fell asleep in my dinner that night!