Coolant gurgling / scooter purchase

[nxski]

Sorry but it makes no sense not to replace the belts, especially with only 20k left on it, removing the bottom pulley and over is simple, and the access for timing and tensioning the belt is much improved, not to mention that the balance belt or tensioner could be more tired than the timing anyway, and any failure in either belt could mean stripping all of it down again. But thats just me. And I wont mention the water pump lol.

I won't comment on how easy it is to do the rest of the work, but the balancer belt, tensioner, waterpump, thermostat, etc were replaced about 80,000km and 1.5 years ago by CVI, so I don't see any of them failing within the next 20,000km.

Regardless of everyone's thoughts what's done is done. Back to topic, the deli is running better now? A bit more confidence to get you through the winter.
Firesong

The van is running better, there is always work still to be done, but it can wait until I have funds. Once I get some new tires on her, she will be ready for winter. I'm hoping that I won't be driving the van much though as $500/month in fuel (my current expense) would be a bit hit on top of the new apartment fee's.

The $2000/year was what ICBC quoted me for a 399cc bike. They told me I could expect to pay closer to $500/year as soon as I reach 25 years of age. A friend has turned me on to a private insurer that sounds like they could do a lot better, but I will most likely buy a scooter to begin with and then upgrade to a bike shortly after, so I don't have to be waiting on my license.

[thedjjack]

you want liability only on a bike... (so private is not an option...)

lock it with a heavy bicycle cable and you are dead typically for the other claims..

scooter or motorcycle take a class6 professional course or stay off 2 wheels... I really think scooters are too small for the roads...

[nxski]

Private doesn't have liability eh?

I agree the scooters are more dangerous, but not too small...look at Europe.

I'm not worried about the lessons and I have steel toe boots to kick in the doors of those who don't look where they're going.

[thedjjack]

wheels are too small on scooters so they do not balance or are as stable as a properly tired bike...

This is not Europe...most scooters are some electric thing riding on sidewalks or side of the road not like a motorcycle that owns a lane...

A Honda XL185-350 will sell everyday for ever for $1200-1500 and a scooter will be worth less and less with time...

Plus on the weekend you can hit the dirt.....

Get professional training....watched too many people I know get smoked...

[nxski]

I've ridden scooters with 6" wheels and never had a problem balancing (that's more on the rider). My main fear with small tires is the potholes. I'm not looking at those silly electric things, more like a Honda Ruckus or Yamaha.

Scooters from a good brand hold their value extremely well actually, and I could afford something fairly new which won't need tinkering.

Professional training costs $ which I don't have, as does the motorcycle insurance (if the private isn't an option). In 2 years, when I'm 25, I will have the money to upgrade, take lessons and pay for insurance. Until then, it's scooter time, since I can't afford to drive my van either.

[SquamptonRyan]

I have a 2008 Yamaha bws 50. It rules, 2 stroke is where it's at, and you can score a minty one in the lower mainland for around 1500. I also had a Yamaha c3 50 , but the bws is far superior!! Brap

[nxski]

I have a 2008 Yamaha bws 50. It rules, 2 stroke is where it's at, and you can score a minty one in the lower mainland for around 1500. I also had a Yamaha c3 50 , but the bws is far superior!! Brap

I love the Yamaha scooters, thanks for the tip! How fast can yours go?

[SquamptonRyan]

At 190 lbs and 6'2" I can hit 63 on the flats, 60 if it's cold and I'm wearing a puffy jacket! Nice thing about the 2strokes is that the mods are endless. Mine is stock, but a friend has the same scooter and he put on a 250 dollar pipe, hits 75 on the flats now.

The bws is a super stable well built bike. I live in Squamish and ride it 10km down hwy 99 a few times every week to hike the chief, never felt unstable on the highway.

[nxski]

That's awesome, I'd be stoked if I could hit 75!

[luckydad]

Nick
I HAD a BWS 50 for over 7 years. It was my daily rider to work and errands EXCEPT when it was raining or snowing. 30 kms return trip. Saved me a lot on gas and insurance. Was extremely happy with it for over 30,000 kms.

It all ended Oct 1, 2012. On my way to work at 3:30 pm, Someone passed and clipped me on the right. I woke up with a neck brace, the paramedics lifting me into their straight board. Couldn't move but I could see from the corner of my eye my poor scooter across the road. Four broken ribs, broken shoulder bone, torn rotator cup, two bum knees and I am still suffering over a year later.

The thing is you can ride it as safely as you can and want but some f@$$&%g a$$hole might not care. Hit and run too. And ICBC said I have to prove I did not cause the accident. Yea right!!

BTW, if you plan to hit 75, you better have both wheels well balanced. Tried it downhill on Willingdon Ave. in Bby. Shakes like crazy.

Phil

[nxski]

I remember hearing about your accident, it sounded horrible! I have no intention to deive 75 on a regular basis, but I'd like to be able to keep up with traffic on Lougheed highway, and extra acceleration would be nice for avoiding potential collisions.

[thedjjack]

It is not the rider that makes the difference bigger wheels spinning have more balance...

Honestly if you cannot afford professional training stay off 2-wheels.... I have seen and watch friends die, break backs, and more...

It sounds like a mater of time....small scooter, dark rainy road, traffic going 60-80km/h (Lougheed) and a scooter full throttle at 63km/h....

take the bus....sorry but I have driven everything on two-wheels...scooters in Thailand awesome!!! Scooter in Vancouver bad bad idea...

But like you said you are under 25 so I guess you cannot possibly die.... I had too many friends that believed that...

Problem with scooters is they are too slow for Vancouver traffic, people ride them like bicycles.... If you cannot afford it do right, do not do it...

[nxski]

It is not the rider that makes the difference bigger wheels spinning have more balance...

Not quite what I meant. Yes, larger wheels are more stable, but smaller wheels are stable enough if the rider has good balance.

A scooter is too slow for certain streets, but fine for backroads. I realize it's a risk, and I don't think I'm invincible, but I'm willing to take the risk because I can't afford not to. Even transit is quite a bit more expensive than driving a scooter and would take me ages to get to work.

[glenn]

Get a bicycle. About as practicle as a scooter, but it will turn you into an iron man. It cost nothing to operate, and there are dedicated bike lanes all over the place. Get fit while you commute.

[nxski]

Get a bicycle. About as practicle as a scooter, but it will turn you into an iron man. It cost nothing to operate, and there are dedicated bike lanes all over the place. Get fit while you commute.

I do have a byicycle, but a number of my customers have advised me not to bike to work from where I'm located since it would be quite a long commute.