I am trying to find out what the best option is for buying a turn around vehicle for fishing on my own.

I see a lot of people buying/selling Honda Trail 90's and 110's...how fast will one of those go with a 200 lb adult on it?

I think I need something that will do at least 55mph, and is somewhat light so I can manipulate it into my truck bed or trailer without someone else.

Any suggestions from anyone on makes/models of motorcycles, mopeds, or scooters that could possibly fit the bill? Or anyone come across a sweet method for hauling them on your truck or SUV?

The help is much appreciated.

Sorry, I don't know the Honda's top speed, but I doubt they'll go 55.

One option is a Kawasaki KE 100. They are street legal, 2 stroke, and light. Kawasaki made them for 10 or so years, and they just took them out of their lineup. They are about 1000 used and were 1995 new. Sorry, I sold mine last summer.

I use a little Honda Elite 50cc scooter. Light weight, easy to manhandle, 2 cycle oil injected, top speed about 35 mph. But that will take you 10 miles in less than 20 minutes which seems plenty fast to me and I don’t need a motorcycle variance on my driver’s license.

For hauling I made a bracket from a 6 foot piece of 4 inch steel channel by cutting a 90 degree notch about a foot from one end, bending it to a right angle, and welding it solid. Then I bolted this to the tongue of my drift boat trailer. I use 4 ratcheting tie-downs to secure the whole mess. This rig is very solid and I haven't had a single problem with it so far.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you decide.

A 55mph scooter? I'll say that you are Gutsy! I purshased a Viza Viper scooter for my turn around on short floats. It has a 31cc motor, brakes, handle bars and a seat and is chain driven. Not fast (about 25mph, 230lb rider) but any faster would be suicidal. I have used it several times on 8 road mile turn arounds. No problems yet. Been past by a couple of troopers and all have done is shake their heads and drive by. It weighs only 35 lbs and folds small enough to fit in the back of my drift boat. Pretty slick if you don't crash.

Do you guys feel safe doing 25 or 35 on a road that is posted at 45 or 50? For example the high bridge to Sultan float on the Sky where you have to use Hwy 2. I guess you ride the shoulder as much as possible and that gives passing room for other vehicles?

Do they make any mopeds that are faster, like 100cc's or more?

Thanks for the input!

Hi Gusty, or should I say gutsy...
I thought about the same things for turn-arounds. Call and talk to local bait-shops instead and find out where you can get a shuttle for $10-12. I found out there are 3 services depending on which section I fish and the rig is always waiting for me when I'm done.

I use a Honda 110 as my spot rig. It will get to 55mph on a down hill run and will maintain a safe speed on any highway you might use it except maybe I-5. I recently saw a 90 in centrailia at powersports, it was fully restored and was a mint bike.

Coho and I have raced on flat ground on Honda 90's, his a '69, mine a 72, both in top tune. Top Speed in a crouched position with 220lbs on board is 46mph. The great thing about 90's is mileage, and trailability. They will climb anything. Before I sold my drift boat I upgraded to an XL250 so I could go 60+ on the highway. It was a significant weight difference though. Both were mounted on a rack that I built which fit into the receiver of my truck and added about 24" of space between the rear bumber of my truck and my drift boat trailer.

Gusty,
I've used my scooter on the Cowlitz, Lewis, Kalama, Wynoochie, Satsop, and Humptulips. Haven't had a problem so far. I just keep out of the way as much as possible and pull over and stop when necessary. Doesn't happen very often.

Remember, you see people in pointy hats and spandex riding $1000 bicycles on our state's backroads all the time.

River Raider,

Are you refering to shuttles on the Skykomish. I asked around last year and was told nobody provided shuttles for the Sky. Was I misinformed?

It is all about the Vespa.... www.vespausa.com

I have a Yamaha QT50, also known as a Yamahopper. It is light enough that I can lift it into the bed of my F150 by myself, and it has a top speed of about 28mph.

I'm thinking of getting a sticker for it, you know, 55 with a red circle and slash.

How about a mountain bike?

Fits perfect in the boat, and the best part about it is you can take out wherever you want.

Thanks for the assistance everyone. That Kawasaki KE100 sounds interesting.

If you see someone in waders creeping along the shoulder make sure you wave.

Live to ride baby--my HAWG is a Honda 90. Top end when tucked with waders and rain gear on is 50. Going to Sturgis S.D. for the big "Turn Around".



plenty of bike for its purpose

I rode a Honda Trail90 for years. The key is they have a dual sprocket. A small sprocket for higher speeds, lower power of course, and a large sprocket ring that fits over the smaller one to increase its size for more power lower speed. With the trail sprocket on I could go about 40 or so. When I was riding it to school on the roads I took the larger trail sprocket off and could get up to 55 almost 60. Then again I was in high school and weighed 150lbs. soaking wet. Wish I still had it, the clutchless shift and the mileage were outstanding. Could have used a little more suspension, but hey-we are talking early 60's!

FYI

When you say scooter are you referring to the ones you have to stand on. Like the ones that are so popular with the kids today except with a motor. If so those are not street legal and cannot be made to be street legal.

My chocolate lab has been fishing with me for years. Her favorite part of the trip is riding back to pick up the truck on my Honda 50. It's one of those plastic bodied bikes with the little platform for your feet, that is her spot. It looks pretty funny but works like a charm. Different strokes I guess!

So with one of the moped (under 50 cc) do you need to license it and have insurance in WA.

Giz...

No. We are talking about mopeds, which are often called scooters.