At what price

[02Tac]

Ok, at what price per gallon will you consider something like this, or an older model (4stroke of course) for commuting? They claim up to 115 MPG.

[Scratch33]

Heck, if I didn't have to commute in insane freeway traffic I'd be on one now.  Need something that can get out of its own way - a 250 at the very minimum.  And when you get to that CC range, a motorcycle's as good as a scooter.

[Rincewind]

Saw a Honda Helix yesterday with "72 MPG" taped across the back using hardware-store letters.  I lol'ed.

I have ridden a few 50cc scooters like that before..  They are so slow, I think I'd get run-over by the Amish horse and buggies.  Joggers would point and laugh as they passed me.  

Seriously though - I'd rather ride my bicycle.  

[Wockman]

Well I'd definitely lose some cool points but I wouldn't mind something like that to run back and forth to work.  My commute is only 2.5 miles so the XX barley gets warmed up...

I like the Honda Big Ruckus and the new 3 wheeled Piaggio MP3 looks like it would be a blast to ride.

[Scratch33]

I like the Honda Big Ruckus

+1.  So of course, Honda killed it.

[Shaggy-R6]

Gas would have to be at around $2.00/litre ($7.57/gal) to really effect my budget.

[greench440]

Gas would have to be at around $2.00/litre ($7.57/gal) to really effect my budget.

Wait another 2-3 months.....

[MadMax96]

Saw a Honda Helix yesterday with "72 MPG" taped across the back using hardware-store letters.  I lol'ed.

I have ridden a few 50cc scooters like that before..  They are so slow, I think I'd get run-over by the Amish horse and buggies.  Joggers would point and laugh as they passed me.  

Seriously though - I'd rather ride my bicycle.  

The Honda Helix is a 250cc scoot actually..  Long before I had a motorcycle, (high school days) a friend of the family let me borrow it for the summer since he had a back injury.  They will do 70mph+!  His even had a Honda/Kenwood stereo with digital tuner..  yeah, I was pimpin back then.  I remember it was a 1986 model.

[Rincewind]

The Honda Helix is a 250cc scoot actually..  Long before I had a motorcycle, (high school days) a friend of the family let me borrow it for the summer since he had a back injury.  They will do 70mph+!  His even had a Honda/Kenwood stereo with digital tuner..  yeah, I was pimpin back then.  I remember it was a 1986 model.

Yeah I would definitely consider a 250cc scooter like the Helix, or even a 100-125cc model.  

[jwhite518]

If my commute didn't include highways and 5 mile long bridges, yeah sure.

[Shhted]

I'm already considering it.  I originally thought Ruckus, but now I'm leaning towards something else.  If it works out, I'll announce it here with an epic purchasing ride.  

[Mookie]

I want a Sachs Madass 125 soooooooooo bad!

[R.Markus]

Already have two scooters.

[Yankee Dog]

...............  My commute is only 2.5 miles ..............

2/5 miles!!!!  you really ought to be on a bicycle.  

Yankee Dog

[Rincewind]

I want a Sachs Madass 125 soooooooooo bad!

Now you're talkin

[Wockman]

2/5 miles!!!!  you really ought to be on a bicycle.  

Yankee Dog

If I didn't have to cross a busy 4 lane highway and the fact that I am terribly lazy I would.

[Krismark]

I ride to work on one of these...


a KYMCO Bet & Win 150.

I get 60mpg+ at speeds of 65-70MPH (GPS verified). I actually had a guy in a Volkswagen Corrado stop me the other day to tell me how impressed he was at how my bike hauls balls. Handles like a champ as well. I love riding it.  

[Flyer]

We have a pretty sweet deal here in the True North Weak n' Wobbly.
Honda Canada will sell you a CB125RR, with a 3 year warranty, roadside assistance, Joe Rocket jacket, pants, and gloves, for $3499 CDN. That's two g's less than a Vespa 150. A real looker too!  

[stefrrr]

I remember the day when $3499 CDN was less than $2499 US. *sigh*

[Krismark]

We have a pretty sweet deal here in the True North Weak n' Wobbly.
Honda Canada will sell you a CB125RR, with a 3 year warranty, roadside assistance, Joe Rocket jacket, pants, and gloves, for $3499 CDN. That's two g's less than a Vespa 150. A real looker too!  

I still like the scooter better though. I can wear my normal work shoes (sure it's not as safe) since I don't have to shift. I also don't have to worry about my pants getting dirty or anything like that since it's a step-through.

You should see the groceries I can haul home on that sucker too! I wish I would have had my camera the other day. I had a whole cart full in/on that sucker. Thank you reusable Mejer bags!

[Galo]

I still like the scooter better though. I can wear my normal work shoes (sure it's not as safe) since I don't have to shift. I also don't have to worry about my pants getting dirty or anything like that since it's a step-through.

Banned for blasphemy!!

Fuel economy is not a good reason for buying a smaller bike....see table below
Bike         MPG       Miles Ridden/wk       Cost/Gal   Gals consumed   Fuel cost/week
Ninja 250       70             150          4.5                      2.14                  $  9.64
Sprint 955      42             150          4.5                      3.57                  $16.07
Maxima          25             150          4.5                      6.00                  $27.00

7 bucks a week does not justify buying a 70 mpg bike......

[R.Markus]

The C3 is cool as fuck.

[02Tac]

Banned for blasphemy!!

Fuel economy is not a good reason for buying a smaller bike....see table below
Bike         MPG       Miles Ridden/wk       Cost/Gal   Gals consumed   Fuel cost/week
Ninja 250       70             150          4.5                      2.14                  $  9.64
Sprint 955      42             150          4.5                      3.57                  $16.07
Maxima          25             150          4.5                      6.00                  $27.00

7 bucks a week does not justify buying a 70 mpg bike......

 Ok, does not seem like a big difference, but lets take a scooter claiming 115 MPG and for the sake of arguement we will only let it have 90 MPG VS the 42 for the motorcycle.  That gives me just over $9.00 a week savings or $468 a year if used only for commuting.  Now figure in the savings you have on the other vehicles. Less oil changes, Less frequent replacement of motorcycle tires, few miles driven on the car which can put you in a lower mileage per year insurance catagory.  Granted we may only be talking a grand total of $600 - $700 dollars a year, but do you really expect gas to drop to $1.50 again any time soon?  How about if it hits $5.00 a gallon as many expect it to. Now you are at a tic under $500.00 just for gas.  I do not know about where you live, but I can pick up a used scooter for less than I would save in 2 years and given that the last scooter we had (1987 Yamaha Razz, bought new) was still running stong when we sold it in 2001, with over 15,000 miles on it, I think a scooter would more than pay for itself even if I dropped the 2K for a new C3.  

[Krismark]

7 bucks a week does not justify buying a 70 mpg bike......

I does when it puts a smile on your face.



Oh, and the best part about riding a little bike/scooter is that even on shorter trips (like my 12 mile commute) you feel like you are actually "going for a ride" since you can push the limits of the bike a little more in that shorter time. It feels like a waste to pull out the big bike for 12 miles, but that's a decent trip for my 150cc.

[stefrrr]

The C3 is cool as fuck.

Looks dorky as hell to me.  

[Rincewind]

Looks dorky as hell to me.  

closely related to the ice cooler scoot

[ZED]

Why would I ride a scooter when I can ride one of these?
- my KLR 650 that gets 61mpg
- my wifes XT225 that gets over 100mpg

And, as a bonus, they don't look dorky like a scooter and your get to ride them like a real motorcycle.  

[02Tac]

 First off, if you are worried how you look when you ride I have to ask what is the point.  SO, you have two bikes that get very good mileage.  For me, my bandit gets about 38mpg commuting, mid fourties riding back roads and I am not sure yet what the highway mpg is so going with a scooter that will get more than double the mileage would pay off in the long run.

 You need to factor in the cost difference between a scooter and a larger bike.  Even a TW 200 will set you back close to 4K unless you can find one used.  

 Like Krismark said, a scooter can turn a mundane trip to the store into a bit of fun.  The Razz we had (all 49cc of it) was actually enjoyable to commute on because the routes that were boring on my motorcycle were now fun with the scooter.  It might surprise you to see how fast you can take tight corners on a scooter.  Faster than on the motorcycle.

  I am not saying scooters are for everyone, but just pointing out that they are a valid way to save on fuel costs. That is as long as you are not afraid of being seen on one.

[JReazor]

I'd have one now if I had a sub 30 MPH commute. I'd burn less then 2 gallons a week, tires would last longer then they do on my SV and there's plenty of room to stop for groceries on the way home.

Hell, you could probably find a good used one for not much more then some have spent on a nice set of hard luggage.

[R.Markus]

It might surprise you to see how fast you can take tight corners on a scooter.  Faster than on the motorcycle.

That's no lie.

I am not saying scooters are for everyone, but just pointing out that they are a valid way to save on fuel costs. That is as long as you are not afraid of being seen on one.

No, they aren't for people that are so insecure that they fear that they might get made fun of. Most of the posts on here sound like cruiser riders that are afraid that their friends might stop talking to them if they don't buy a Harley Davidson. Pathetic really.

[spd2918]

I bought this book: http://www.megawattmotorworks.com/display.asp?dismode=article&artid=188

I bought a Ninja 750 with a smoking engine and next winter I will build the electric bike.  For my limited commute I will spend about $.50 a week in electricity after spending less than $2K on the bike.  I will go with used bits as much as possible and I don't need to go over 30 MPH.

[R.Markus]

Now that is awesome.

[Zerosum]

If gas prices ever went crazy-go-nuts, like over $8/gallon, I'd get a scooter.  But it would have to be a Sachs Madass.  Of course, I'd have to find a way to get one from Canada...



Plus it says "Mad Ass" on the side of it.  That's just awesome.

[02Tac]

Electric conversion, VERY INTERESTING!  Does it come with a sound board and speaker system for the "load pipes save lives" crowd?

[Zerosum]

The idea of a Ninja 750 humming down the road at 30mph is sort of amusing.  But cool, too.  Please keep us posted on your progress!

It'll be funny if, in the future, the streets are full of old, big-bore bikes that have undergone electric conversions.

[Rincewind]

If gas prices ever went crazy-go-nuts, like over $8/gallon, I'd get a scooter.  But it would have to be a Sachs Madass.  Of course, I'd have to find a way to get one from Canada...



Plus it says "Mad Ass" on the side of it.  That's just awesome.

They sell them here in Lancaster...   at least I saw them for sale last year at one dealer.

[Jeff]

That MadAss is BadAss!

I'm seriously considering a scooter for my 7 minute commute where the speed limit never goes above 35mph.

Jeff

[steve.ski]

The C3 is cool as fuck.

It looks like you have one of them C3s packed in your backpack.

[highside]

If gas got REALLY crazy, I think I could bring myself to ride something like this:



MZ-125

[02Tac]

That MadAss is BadAss!

I'm seriously considering a scooter for my 7 minute commute where the speed limit never goes above 35mph.

Jeff

I am thinking for a 7 minute commute a scooter is the obvious choice.  Toss in some decent rain gear and you are ready to go.

[Jeff]

I am thinking for a 7 minute commute a scooter is the obvious choice.  Toss in some decent rain gear and you are ready to go.

I also have limited space in my garage, so I'm weighing my options to cover the most fun available in as few bikes as possible. So I'm also thinking about a Supermoto.

Jeff

[jstark47]

We used to have a Honda Reflex (250cc scooter).  It would do 65mph comfortably, and with my (100 lbs lighter than me) wife aboard it would do 70+.  But it had very little in reserve at that speed.  14 miles of my 31-mile commute is on I-295.  To be safe on that road at rush hour, you need to cruise at 85mph with something left over for radical evasive maneuvers.  There is no way any scooter that gets 70mpg is going to be a safe commuter bike there.

My wife just got a G650Xcountry as a second, lighter bike.  It's getting over 50mpg, and that's around town, and she says she's been whacking the throttle.  It will do the freeway cruise speeds.  Put a windscreen and a Givi E30 box on it and you've got your lower-cost commuter.  (mebbe I'll "borrow" it from her days she's taking her other bike....  )

[ZED]

If I had a 7 minute commute that didn't get above 35mph, I'd ride a bicycle.

[Jeff]

If I had a 7 minute commute that didn't get above 35mph, I'd ride a bicycle.

I've considered that as well, but my wife doesn't want me too while she's pregnant, in case she needs me home pronto.

[R.Markus]

If I had a 7 minute commute that didn't get above 35mph, I'd ride a bicycle.

That was my first thought also.