I ride my bike to work because I enjoy riding my bike. Even if someone gave me a brand new Vespa or Honda, I'd probably ride my old Trek to work anyway.

And yes, I HATE the frickin' smoke-spewing '70s Puch mopeds that the hipsters have adopted. (I guess they got bored with their brakeless fixed gears.)

A 50cc is more like a moped, not a scooter. I never would have bought one of those unless I weighed about 90-100lbs and was 5' tall.
I actually sold my Triumph and Suzuki motorcycles once I got my 4-stroke 250cc Vespa. The vespa is much more fun around town and beats most cars off the line. I cruise at 65 quite comfortably and it tops out around 80+mph. And 72-74 mpg is awesome.

Months ago, I was going to get a Honda Ruckus 49cc scooter (100 mpg!) for commuting around LA. Even went and got my motorcycle permit. (in Cali, you have to have a moto license for even 49cc). I had some problems buying it and later started riding my mtb around, then ended up getting my new road bike instead. I'm kinda glad it worked out this way. I feel way healthier now than I would have just sitting on a scooter.

I've had a couple of motorcycles, but I got rid of my last one at the beginning of the summer because they're not nearly as practical as a bike and because they pollute more than an SUV.
(Source: https://www.latimes.com/news/printedi...,1076364.story)

Bike Pros
-> You can haul more stuff w/ trailer, panniers, etc.
-> You can wear shorts without being a SQUID
-> You can park/go just about anywhere
-> You get exercise
-> It's not as cold
-> You don't have to change the oil or wrench on it as much
-> It's usually less expensive, depending on what kind of bike or scooter you get
-> Even though you don't have to have motorcycle endorsement to ride a 50cc (or smaller) scooter (in the US), you probably should still take a motorcycle training course

Cons (bike, pros for scooter)
-> You can go further on a scooter with much greater ease
-> You won't sweat as much (but you still stink like "road" - it's hard to describe but other bikers probably know what I'm talking about)
-> Scooters are heavier and probably harder to steal

Other than that, a scooter is still cheaper than a car but a bike is still cheaper than a scooter. Both are prone to theft - even though a scooter is heavier you still need some sort of supplementary lock.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Keep the 110!!! gas prices are making these worth a LOT more than they were just a few years ago!!

Good responses. I especially liked the first repsonse straight agter my OP.

Some of you mentioned you would skip the scooter and go straight for the bike as it would cost you less money. Then why not skip the bike and go for... roller skates. You can skate to work, and you would use up even less space that a bike does. It would be even cheaper, you'd get even more exercise. Even less maintenance than a bike would be required.

Because roller skating is an entirely different aesthetic than cycling. In my mind, skating has much more in common with walking or ice skating than it does with cycling.

Similarly, cycling, scootering, and motorcycling are more alike, to me, than any of the three are to roller skating. Despite being human-powered, they are conceptually different means of transportation.

It's sort of how car owners recommend cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans to prospective drivers instead of motorcycles. A motorcycle may use gasoline and wheels to get around the way a car does, but it occupies an entirely different mental space, and requires an entirely novel set of skills to operate.

Finally, my advice would be to pick a side: either get a motorcycle or a bicycle. Scooters, IMO, are a poor compromise between the two.

I actually have no idea what you're talking about.
Are you from Jersey?

I think that depends on what your purpose is and your environment. For an urban city dweller, a scooter makes perfect sense. It gets better mpg than a motorcycle and has significantly lower insurance rates. Usually there's more cargo room than a motorcycle as well. Plus in many states, if it's under 50cc, then you don't need a motorcycle license. Of course, if the rider lives out in the country or suburbs where the speeds are higher or distances are farther, or needs to drive on the freeways, then i'd tend to agree with you.

I think a scooter is better than a motorbike for commuting. They're smaller (more nimble), come with auto gears (no stalls), more upright riding position (more comfortable), and have more storage space (under seat as well as box at rear, m/bike has only box at reaar).

Sorry bhop - I should have read your post before posting the same stuff myself.

My cousin's Vespa LX is the handiest thing ever. I use a bike for the shorter distances though.

Get both, definatly both. I tend to bike 3 days of the week and ride my scoot the other 2. The scooter is just as fun as the bike, and it's nice to have a non-car option when you're tired or you've managed to over-sleep. I would reccommend that if you do decide to get a scooter, purchase it from a real person in a real store. I bought mine online almost 3 months ago and I'm still trying to get all the legal paperwork for it completed

As far as operational costs, I've been tracking my fuel consumption pretty closely with car vs. scoot vs. bike and while the scooter does save me about $0.10 per mile (fuel consumption only), it's not likely to pay for itself any time soon.

Again, get both... options are always fun!

It depends on where you live and ride. Suburbs, sure the 250cc is great (and you pretty much need the speed to get on some of the larger roads), but downtown the 50cc is all you need and you can park on the sidewalk.

BMW has long been a source for exceptionally clean burning vehicles. They make some smaller bikes that are embraced by motorcycle commuters. The F650GS (had one) is one such example. I bought that yeller bike shown above new and have been very pleased. Every BMW motorcycle I've owned came equipped with a robust catalytic converter installed, as well as a nice flat repair kit and detachable touring bags.

Here's the NA SITE for those interested.


Tailwinds,