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The Lounge => Media and Inspiration => Topic started by: Abyssal Maw on August 05, 2008, 11:40:38 PM

Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Abyssal Maw on August 05, 2008, 11:40:38 PM
I fell in love with this bike last week, and I am going through all my finances and crap and trying to put together a plan to get one. I need to get a motorcycle license amongst other things, because in my state, this counts as motorcycle. It gets about 60mpg, and goes about 60mph. 2 stroke engine, manual shifting.  

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2114/1592542323_38b77efb8e_o.jpg)

Haven't decided on a color yet. They have one in green that I like, but I want to chrome it out front and back with racks and do some extra mirrors like fucking Quadrophenia. The red one is sweet too.

I'm a mod, not a rocker.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Aos on August 06, 2008, 12:03:49 AM
How much does something like that run?
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: droog on August 06, 2008, 12:08:41 AM
Have you ever ridden a bike before? I recommend a defensive driving course if not.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Koltar on August 06, 2008, 12:10:54 AM
Dude,

 That is SO Eddie Izzard of you .

- Ed C.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Ian Absentia on August 06, 2008, 12:56:01 AM
Hey, yeah!  I've seen a couple of those zipping around town.  A strong style competitor to the Vespa -- nothing so gauche as the Honda scooters.

One thing to bear in mind is that, in spite of great gas mileage, scooters have shitty, shitty emission standards.  Great for your personal economy; terrible for your city's air quality.

!i!
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Aos on August 06, 2008, 12:57:25 AM
Is depopulation by scooter fumes a Walkerp approved extermination strategy?
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Ian Absentia on August 06, 2008, 01:02:03 AM
It doesn't seem to be working in Vietnam, for instance, where both scooters and urbanites are multiplying greatly.  And the air is thick enough to cut with a rusty machete.

So, that's a no.

Sweet looking ride, though.  I'd go for the green -- it's kind of a pale, minty-green, yeah?

!i!
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Abyssal Maw on August 06, 2008, 06:15:14 AM
The 2003 one was kind of a mint green. The 2008 is "Avocado", which looks kinda cool nonetheless. It runs about $3500. They have sort of a toothpaste-blue colored one and tangerine as well.

(http://genuinescooters.com/images/scooterpages/stella/green_stella.jpg)
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Danger on August 06, 2008, 07:44:52 AM
Yeah, the scooter bug was nibbling on me a while ago, so I digs where ya coming from, brother.

Cool thing about the Stella is the neato aftermarket stuff you can get for one, and the fact that it's got a nice, sturdy metal body.  The retro look is nice, too.

Hell, I've seen a scoot be-bopping around here with a frakkin' sidecar, so you can use that for the whole "but, it can  be practical," argument with others.

Buddy makes a nice series of scoots too.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Abyssal Maw on August 06, 2008, 08:03:48 AM
Quote from: Danger;232484
Yeah, the scooter bug was nibbling on me a while ago, so I digs where ya coming from, brother.

Cool thing about the Stella is the neato aftermarket stuff you can get for one, and the fact that it's got a nice, sturdy metal body.  The retro look is nice, too.

Hell, I've seen a scoot be-bopping around here with a frakkin' sidecar, so you can use that for the whole "but, it can  be practical," argument with others.

Buddy makes a nice series of scoots too.


I started out looking at the Buddy (and the Yamaha Vino). Theyre automatic, and I could get them in little 50cc version and sort of dip my toes into scooters instead of going in full force.

Then I started doing research, and .. well, those are still great, but that Stella is so great looking.

Here's one with a sidecar:

(http://www.riversiderides.com/Genuine/GIF%20Images%20for%20web/pink_stella.gif)
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Danger on August 06, 2008, 08:37:09 AM
Now that's what I'm talking about!

Can't see, though, just how well a scooter would go about pulling the extra weight of the sidecar alone, not to mention putting a passenger in it.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: droog on August 06, 2008, 08:39:47 AM
Ay ay ay! A 150cc 2-stroke with a sidecar? Don't take it on the freeway.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Aos on August 06, 2008, 12:00:24 PM
I've been thinking about getting one as well. I need something to get back and forth from the university, and I don't want another car.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: TonyLB on August 06, 2008, 04:40:17 PM
My wife has been keeping an eye on the development of the all-electric versions of these ... I'll have to ask her which model she's currently favoring.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Ian Absentia on August 06, 2008, 06:45:09 PM
Quote from: Abyssal Maw;232488
...and I could get them in little 50cc version and sort of dip my toes into scooters instead of going in full force.
Having owned an 80cc automatic before, I'd strongly recommend nothing less than a 150cc, and preferably with a manual shift.  The lack of responsivity and acceleration power proved perilous on more than a couple of occasions.
Quote from: droog
Ay ay ay! A 150cc 2-stroke with a sidecar? Don't take it on the freeway.
Personally, I just plain wouldn't take a scooter out on the freeway.  Even a 250cc, without a sidecar.  'Round-town only.

!i!

(P.S. That avocado green is kinda cool!)
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: droog on August 07, 2008, 02:26:27 AM
If you're going along Ian's lines, while you're at it, dump the whole scooter idea and get yourself the biggest motorbike you're allowed to get. Trust me, it's a lot more fun.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Abyssal Maw on August 07, 2008, 07:42:33 AM
Quote from: droog;232942
If you're going along Ian's lines, while you're at it, dump the whole scooter idea and get yourself the biggest motorbike you're allowed to get. Trust me, it's a lot more fun.


I'm a mod not a rocker!

Seriously, I just want a little classic-style scooter for running around the village.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Danger on August 07, 2008, 08:05:48 AM
Nonsense!

Purchase that Harley, the required black t-shirt (with, of course, reference to said brand of motorcycle; flames, snakes, knives, etc. on shirt are all optional), put on the ridiculously small "beanie" type helmet (which will do you zero good in an accident, but hey, you're fighting the man and his "rules," right), slap on the wrap-around shades and find a similar group of men and all the rebellion they could afford to put on their credit card and GO WILD!

Well, go as wild as your wife will let you, that is.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Aos on August 07, 2008, 11:28:18 AM
Hell yeah! Owning a Harley is the first step to scoring some Grade A roadcow.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Engine on August 07, 2008, 11:55:28 AM
Quote from: Abyssal Maw;232470
It runs about $3500.

*vomits*

Jesus, man. For that kind of money, you could buy, you know, an actual vehicle. ;)

I don't mean to disrespect the Stella - okay, I do, but not seriously - but that's real money. You could seriously buy my BMW three times over for US$3500. Have you considered something in a used variety? It seems like you're paying a huge premium for the appearance and resulting social pleasure of a thing, and that's a lot of money to spend just to look and feel cool, which by the way isn't as long-lasting as one might think.

Crapping on your dream of awesomeness isn't my intent, although I know my shower of realism looks a lot like feces from where you're standing. It just seems to me that you could spend the same [or less] money and gain more personal pleasure, which is the logical thing to do if you like pleasure.

If you do get this, or something like it, please do the planet a favor and check out the 4-stroke conversion packages that are becoming available [mostly due to third-world countries and their large population of inexpensive 2-stroke motors]. Or have me do an electric conversion for you, but honestly you won't be as pleased with the range [which doesn't matter if you're driving only locally], and you're really just swapping burning gasoline for burning coal.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Aos on August 07, 2008, 12:15:25 PM
I want  scooter, but I never buy any kind of vehicle new. Ever. first there's the instant devaluation as you drive away from the dealership. Beyond that, payments suck- and if you lose you job, or unexpected expenses come up, monthly paymets can cut into your ramen and egg money.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Ian Absentia on August 07, 2008, 02:02:10 PM
Quote from: Aos;233055
I want  scooter, but I never buy any kind of vehicle new. Ever. first there's the instant devaluation as you drive away from the dealership. Beyond that, payments suck- and if you lose you job, or unexpected expenses come up, monthly paymets can cut into your ramen and egg money.
Plainly you need to begin stealing vehicles.  Just remember to rotate them out of personal use regularly and dispose of them in reliably safe locations.

Oh!  And I saw an avocado green 125cc Buddy on my way into work this morning.  A little more moderne, but still with classic lines.  125cc is a nice power-to-weight ratio for a 'round-town scooter, with enough power to occasionally take a passenger for a short trip.

!i!
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Abyssal Maw on August 08, 2008, 07:51:08 AM
Quote from: Engine;233043
*vomits*

Jesus, man. For that kind of money, you could buy, you know, an actual vehicle. ;)

I don't mean to disrespect the Stella - okay, I do, but not seriously - but that's real money. You could seriously buy my BMW three times over for US$3500. Have you considered something in a used variety? It seems like you're paying a huge premium for the appearance and resulting social pleasure of a thing, and that's a lot of money to spend just to look and feel cool, which by the way isn't as long-lasting as one might think.

Crapping on your dream of awesomeness isn't my intent, although I know my shower of realism looks a lot like feces from where you're standing. It just seems to me that you could spend the same [or less] money and gain more personal pleasure, which is the logical thing to do if you like pleasure.

If you do get this, or something like it, please do the planet a favor and check out the 4-stroke conversion packages that are becoming available [mostly due to third-world countries and their large population of inexpensive 2-stroke motors]. Or have me do an electric conversion for you, but honestly you won't be as pleased with the range [which doesn't matter if you're driving only locally], and you're really just swapping burning gasoline for burning coal.


Well, part of it is a gear fetish thing.

 I think I am momentarily putting aside my dreams for the Stella and starting with a smaller 50cc 4-stroke bike just for around town. It costs about half as much.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Engine on August 08, 2008, 08:09:29 AM
You've got to be a lot wealthier than I am. Then again, dead people in Ethiopia are a lot wealthier than I am, so I suppose that's natural.
Title: I'm buying a Stella...
Post by: Aos on August 08, 2008, 10:04:29 AM
Quote from: Ian Absentia;233115
Plainly you need to begin stealing vehicles.  Just remember to rotate them out of personal use regularly and dispose of them in reliably safe locations.


!i!


Said behavior matches my avatar, anyway.