[Phil]

Hello Everyone,
i am a newbe to this scooter forum, so have a little patience with me please.
Well, i know that i do not have to tell you all about the gas situation through-
out the country, COMPLETELY ABSURD!
I own two vehicles, a Subaru Outback,and a Hyundai Elentra, both of which
are pretty decent on gas,the Eltranta which is a little better then the outback.
The Elantra is my wife's car. Now then, i am seriously contemplating a scooter
purchase in which i admit i know nothing about, and have found many,many,
on the web.This is the purpose of joinning a scooter forum for me, that is to
find advice and answered questions by the many experienced scoot owners.
Can i please begain some of my questions in researching the many scooters
in which i have found.
Firstly, i believe that i would like a "Touring" scooter of at least 250cc,anyone
own one that they can tell me about?
How about air cooled Vs. Water cooled? Which should i consider?
How about brand names? I understand that the japanese scooters are a better quality then the Chinese scooters.
My price range is probibly in the $17 to $ 1800 dollar bracket, but i understand
that the "cheaper" scooters just do not hold up,i do not know, i am afraid
that before this is all over that i am going to get "shafted" bad.
I am open for ALL advice and recommendations that anyone here can offer
me.
One other thing, i live in a mountainous part of the state of Pennsylvania and
this is why i mentioned a 250cc. My weight is 150# and i do not want to kill
the scooter on some of the climbs,especially the Rt.247 mountain climb which
is also twisty and curvey two lane road, i would hate to have to just "put Put''
up that road being that i would have no tranny to shift to the next lower gear.
Ok,i am now open for some advice and help in making a selection.
Thank you all so much for any help that can be given to me, much appreciated!

Phil