I'm getting close to finalizing my RV retirement plans (2019 Newmar Bay Star 3401, if anyone is interested) and now I'm casting an eye at what I may use to get around if I don't want to move the RV. One of my coworkers just got back from out west in their Class C and we were discussing the roads out there and how tight some of the tunnels (in South Dakota I think?) were. That led to talking about towing a smaller vehicle when she said "We are thinking about getting scooters!"

Well....that's an idea. Cheap, light, easy to move around, capable of light grocery trips. In addition, I want something that can deal with gravel roads.

Which leads me to the Honda Ruckus or the Yamaha Zuma 125. Both seem to be very popular with aftermarket crowd, have good reviews. The 125 I feel certain would be better on asphalt roads than the 49.5cc Ruckus. I wonder about the tires though. I was told the Zuma has "fat tires" but they don't really look it. I also read that the Ruckus feels better to ride.

So, anyone have any experience with either or both?

Actually, since you are thinking gravel roads, I would opt for a Yamaha TW-200.
Great little bike and well suited to a lot of different riding situations.

You'll limit what you want to do if it's rainy.

I'll get plenty of grief for this, you really want to go into hand to hand combat with traffic on a scooter? If you are retiring I'll assume your not young and pliable any longer.

The UTV's are becoming very accepted around here as road vehicles. You may want to consider one of them.

X2 on the UTV's and they can be licensed in South Dakota for on the road use. You can also license your MH there as well.

Just buy a Jeep.

The TW200 did cross my sights, but I decided I didn't want an actual motorcycle. I figure even a bike as low as that might be cumbersome to throw a leg over as I get older.

If it's rainy, I won't be out doing whatever. I suspect most of my time will be spent in the southwest, so that shouldn't be a limiting factor. LOL I also considered UTVs, but the Razor (the SF guys here in WV love those) looked to approach the cost of a car! And they would have to be trailered.

And the Jeep was my first thought, but I really didn't want to bother with towing anything. I also looked at electric bikes (QuietKat and Evelo) but their range seems kinda limited.

I'd get a Jeep, myself. I don't think I'd enjoy riding a scooter in traffic, wearing a helmet in the weather. Particularly when it's really hot. And I've had too many close calls with distracted drivers when I'm in an immense highly visible pickup truck.

I flat tow my old CJ-7 jeep fairly regularly. It's no big deal. I just drive it up to the back of the tow vehicle and hook it up. Takes maybe 5 minutes.

Wife and I debated this. We have a 30 foot class C daily driver is a Subaru Forester. Not going to tow bar the Subie you need a trailer to get all 4 wheels off the ground. Other vehicle is a 2016 Expedition EL. Almost as big as the class C itself! So then we thought about getting a smaller travel trailer to tow behind the Expedition when we wanted to take longer trips to places where we would want a vehicle to get around in.

Conclusion we came to is we can rent a lot of cars cheaper than any of the other alternatives. You can have rentals delivered and picked up right at your camp site. No hassle and much cheaper and easier than towing around a separate vehicle. The scooter idea sounds good but rain is going to make it a bad idea. Rain days are when you are going to want the transportation the most.

While UTVs might be road legal in some places it is likely the are not road legal in all places.

I believe it would be fair to say scooters are legal everywhere. The trend I have seen is that 49cc or less typically don't require a tag (see some vs. all statement above), but I would opt for something requiring a tag so that you remove limits.

I am not sure if you plan to RV fulltime or not. Before punching eject on stick and stone structures, please realize the RV lifestyle isn't for all. If the opportunity presents, I would suggest several long (month) outings while still having a home. You will need to sort out mail, insurance, tagging, and licensing but to mention a few. A trailer or fifth wheel changes the discussion also.

Good luck whatever you choose. Feel free to reach out, my email is in my profile. I have done full time RV in the past while working. The experience of others can save your heartache if considered.

Scooters are easy to get on and off, they typically have built in storage, good weather protection with their front bodywork and floorboards (further improved with a small windshield). They're also easy to just get on and go heck you don't even have to lift a leg over the seat just slide on, turn the key, push a button and go.
But with their small wheels and relative high rear unsprung weight they don't do so well on rough roads. That didn't stop me from taking my Honda Elite 250 on some gnarly trails. Got high centered a few times but it was light enough to push it off.

Honda's CT110 is the perfect RV bike IMO only problem they don't import them here, yet at least. A Super Cub might fit your need though.... https://powersports.honda.com/...er-cub-c125-abs.aspx

I know two couples who are RV’ing around the country. One had a Honda Ruckus that got stolen. He bought a Toyota Yaris. The other couple tows a Cooper. They like having AC here in the South.

Sorry, I have zero experience with scooters.

I think it's a great idea though. I'd have a motorcycle rainsuit just in case. A scooter, with it's ability to keep up with traffic, is probably safer than a bicycle. It would certainly have greater range in a timely manner. Easy on fuel, low maintenance, definitely easier to transport with a hitch mounted carrier vs a car or UTV and won't affect your motorhome's mileage nearly as much either.

The TW200 looks like fun, though. My dad is almost 80 and can still swing his leg over a motorcycle. Barring some sort of injury, if you do it on a regular basis, maybe it's an ability you don't need to worry about losing? You could start with a TW200 and years down the road switch to a scooter.

I would consider a side by side ATV/UTV, with a roof, full windshield, doors and back windshield.

We've been RVing over 8 years and camphosted for four of those.

You'd be surprised how weather can just up and turn on you. We have a Polaris Rzr but that might not be your style. Get whatever is most comfortable and will be as you age. We think the seats in the Rzr are much more comfortable than the Ranger.

One reason (besides price) that we went with a travel trailer than a class A is that we can disconnect and go wherever without an extra vehicle. We got our Rzr when we discovered what a hoot they are. You can get toy haulers that accommodate these vehicles so you can have the best of all worlds.

Congratulations on your pending retirement and GOOD LUCK!!

Get a Jeep.

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes...lass-G/model-G550W44

you only live once

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Get a Jeep.

You can have it all!!!
This is on my retirement "to buy" list.
So I can take the Harley along but they make all kinds of configurations if you wanted two scooters , a side by side quad , etc...

I would like that Jeep, grumpy! LOL

There are several RV's with built in garages, under or in back, depends on the budget and what you want to take with you, car, bike, scooter, atv etc.