Need a little help deciding which scooters to consider

[gdh]

Hey guys, great site and very informative. I've been lurking a while and digging the vibe here.
I would like to get a scooter for my commute and quick trips, I'm a student and I work part time. My work commute is literally a 1 minute walk to the office of the apartment complex in which I live, so that's not relevant. My school commute is about 5 miles on surface streets with speed limits of 20-45mph (I don't think I need to get up to 45, but the ability wouldn't hurt). For all you Portlanders/Beavertonians, I'm going from 158th and Walker to the PCC Rock Creek campus.
I rode a dirt bike once, a few years ago, and I still can feel the rush and pure joy I felt while twisting the throttle. I am thinking, obviously, of a Spree, Elite or Aero, but I'm open to other manufacturers as well. I don't plan on doing any modding, but I'm handy with a tool box so that's somewhat flexible, if it's really worth it. Acceleration is important, as the roads are a little busy out here (nothing ridiculous, though, I mean, it is Oregon. We're a pretty chill group).
My budget is sub $700, most Sprees and Elite 50s run $500 in the Portland area. Jogs and whatnot are harder to come across so I'm not sure what they go for around here. I'm thinking about a Spree, predominantly, but those 45mph roads may pose a bit of a hitch in my get-along. I know that a kitted out Spree would be ok, but I'm looking for other options that maybe I haven't thought of, too.
I appreciate any help at all and thanks for reading my novella.
Graham

[oldrock]

I have a stock spree and it does 28mph at wot with me (190lbs). When I drive it on the 30 to 35mph streets it is fine. Cars do pass me quite a bit but nothing extreme. On the other hand when I get on a street that has 45mph speed limit, it gets a bit crazy because cars are flying by me. If you have to do a mile or more on a 45mph street, I'd plan on getting something capable of doing at least 40mph. Course from what I have read, any of the scoots can do that with enough mods. If possible, I'd try to find a scooter that already has a cvt in your price range. Or get a low priced spree or elite and plan on spending the money to do the mods to get the speed up. I didn't understand why everyone was wanting speed mods when I got my spree but now I am starting to understand. It is not fun doing 28mph when everyone else is flying by you doing 45mph.

[eliteguy50]

The spree can be modded to acheive that top speed but it will still not accelerate quickly like an elite/jog/aero/vino/ruck/met...

[gdh]

For some reason, I was under the impression that the Spree accelerated better than the Elite, but had a lower top end. So if that's wrong, I should be looking at an Elite?

[eliteguy50]

For some reason, I was under the impression that the Spree accelerated better than the Elite, but had a lower top end. So if that's wrong, I should be looking at an Elite?

The only honda scoot (in USA) that a spree can beat is another spree or maybe a gyro. Look for an aero or elite (but not elite "E") for honda 2t.

[fightingplankton]

i'm w/ eguy5-0. i've got a spree, and after a good deal of modding im up to 33. i'm not happy w/ the speed at all.
i've got an aero80 i'm working on, but that requires endorsement.
i'm headed to spokane here shortly to pick up an aero 50. from what ive read, they're very peppy for stop and go driving and have a fairly decent top speed.
hands down, elite/dio is your ticket to speed on a honda 50(i just prefer the look of the aero).

[zuphilius]

i'm headed to spokane here shortly to pick up an aero 50.

Not if I get there first!! J/K!!

[fightingplankton]

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[fightingplankton]

x this was supposed to be a pm. sorry about this.

[odinxxix]

im with the majority on this get an elite 50. do some light mods and 50 mph is acheivable. and its hella fun to ride.!

[gdh]

There seem to be fewer of those (fewer Elites vs Sprees) even though they had a longer production run, fewer in this area, anyway. So an Elite 50 (not e) should be good, what about an 80?

[eliteguy50]

So an Elite 50 (not e) should be good, what about an 80?

it will get you around, but there are a few drawbacks...heavier & bigger so it is not as agile, it does not have much in terms of aftermarket support, it is an 80 instead of a 50 so some states require a motorcycle endorsement, it is a 4t so you wont get that aroma. The benefit it that they are everywhere and so are the OEM parts. They are "cleaner" (use oil instead of burn oil). Fuel economy is similar to the 50's.