Malaguti 50cc Ducati Corse scooter - what do you know about this ride?

[stopintime]

I have a friend, female, who likes to go on rides with me. Now she's thinking about riding herself - loves the dark 696, SportClassic Sport 1000S and the black Streetfighter. Her getting a license will be a while, but she might get a scooter to get around on while she learns about traffic.

We saw this and I'm wondering if anyone can tell us a little about it?

[scduc]

I cant really say much about this one in particular, but we are looking at getting a couple for scooting around town. I live in a small, old community and some thing like that would be a blast.

[booger]

Looks like a Phantom F12. Malaguti is an old Italian scooter maker. Good scooters, but nothing explosively great about them. All the 49cc scoots are similar in performance. The Phanton F12R Ducati Corse Superbike looks cool, but to me it also looks like a Chinese clone. The Aprilia SR50s are badass and have lots of performance mods available. A bright red Vespa would be the coolest.

[sfarchie]

Regardless of which scooter she gets, 150cc is the smallest displacement I would get. I also have a Vespa GTS 250 and it has plenty of pony for 2 up rides. A 150cc struggles up the hills of San Francisco two up, but is fine for one. She would quickly get bored with anything smaller.

If it's a temporary ride, get something used. I often contemplate selling my GTS, but it works well for the short errands so it's a keeper.

[alessandro85]

malaguti is a good brand and f12 is a good product.

anyways.. I'dd prefer a vespa too. 

But, if it's just for learning to ride.. maybe you should spend the minimal price and use money for the monster/mods later.

[Jarvicious]

snip... A bright red Vespa would be the coolest.

I know we spend a lot on our bikes, but 5k still seems too much for a scoot.

[Mash]

I made the transition from dirt to street by riding a 49cc Zuma for a year.  While I knew how to ride, and I've driven a car for 35 years, I didn't have any experience on the street with a bike.  It was a good choice for me.

As far as power was concerned, I was fine on streets with a 40mph speed limit, but would still get cars stuck behind me sometimes.  I learned how to ride with cars all around me, and to own my lane, even if I was going slower.  I also learned how invisible bikes are and was able to concentrate on things like blind spots, left turners, etc. 

In Virginia, scooters don't need plates, and you can (usually) park on the sidewalk. 

Since I got the monster, my 16yo son has taken over the Zuma.  On occasion, we've ridden together through the neighborhoods, and it's been a fun and practical way to teach him the ropes.