Do you have any material to back this statement up? I don't want to get into an argument over new 2-stroke technology, and I am certainly lacking at knowing what 2 stroke motors go into a scooter these days, but for the most part MODERN 2-stroke engines get a bad rap. They are no longer the smoky polluting motors they used to be. They are making them that are "cleaner" and more efficient than 4 strokes now, but because they have this rap sheet nobody will buy them. I have them in all my jetski's, and I can have them rebuilt (do it myself) for under $200, do that in a 4 stroke if something blows up. I am willing to bet that new little 4 stroke that Yamaha is putting in the Zuma is as clean as they are in their motorcycles. I just hate hearing people bash scooters and 2 strokes when technology has come a LOOOONG way. Here is one article if people are interested. I could find more, but don't feel like wasting my time.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...5/ai_103990207

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/pr...29/0/home.aspx


9 gallons - sorry.

My only point is you cannot beat a motor cycle when it comes to emissions. I do not need material to back that up since a motorcycle with a cat on it is going to beat any 2/4 stroke engine.

That makes more sense. Google sez that 9 gallons = 1.2 cubic feet.

No matter how far the technology has come, at the end of the day you're mixing X ounces of oil into X gallons of gas, and burning it. Technology can't make the oil not burn. Maybe you're talking about oil technology, do they have a bio- or synthetic oil that you can use now that doesn't pollute as much when it burns?

I am very close w/ a person who works as a scooter mechanic. Coming from someone who works on scoots all day, the advice was: NEVER buy a Chinese scooter, they are bottom of the barrel crap that tears up within 2k miles. Don't waste your money. Any savings you got up front you'll pay back out in repair and parts. If you must buy a scooter over a motorcycle, buy Honda or Yamaha. A small motorcycle (like a Honda Rebel for example) is a better investment, can be had for same money up front (used) and less polluting emissions. Also a small motorcycle can go on highway which one of the smallest scooters cannot do.

Personally I think scooters are a good idea in theory but I'd wait a few years and buy one of the most reputable brands at that time. If you need two-wheeled motorized transport NOW I'd say buy a motorcycle. Those two-stroke engines are f'in nasty. I was in the market for a scoot a couple years ago and the two-stroke appeared to be the best deal, but spewing that much filth into the air everywhere I went was out of the question. The cyclists who share the road with you will thank you for not running two-stroke! :-)

I worked as a 2 stroke engine mechanic for a bicycle/motorcycle shop back in the late 70's early 80's and can attest to the air and noise pollution of these engines at that time. The engine described in your link is one example of upgrades made in the technology. I'd like to see the engine reviewed by a 3rd party to prove the claims made by the manufacturer.

My final word on these is either get a 4 stroke motorcycle and learn to use it properly or become a better bike rider and don't go to the gas powered motor- but if the latter truly is not a possibility, for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and get a decent, well made motorcycle.

I'm don't want a cheap no-name Chinese scooter. I was thinking more along the lines of a Piaggio Fly, Yamaha Vino, or Honda Metropolitan which are all four-stroke.

This was true in 1980, but not now. Most sold are 4-stroke, and have to meet fairly strict emissions standards, so they pollute much less than an automobile. I can only think of maybe two (reputable) companies that sell 2 strokes, and one of them is a scooter made to replicate scooters from the sixties. (The Genuine Stella.)

The cheap Chinese scooters that only run for 1500 miles may be an exception, and I know that this is the internet, but get your facts straight before you decide to hold forth as if you are an expert, lest you confuse others who are just as clueless as you.

The major scooter brands are putting cat converters on their 2 stroke models (the few they sell)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Zuma

The 4 strokes have them as well, from the major builders, I have no idea what those cheap chinese scooters have. All I am saying, and I will not get into this argument as I have done it to death on jetski boards. 2 strokes can be (not all are) more efficient, and cleaner running, and certainly more powerful than a similar displacement 4 stroke. If anyone is interested they can certainly look it up, the technology is out there, however, it is not widely used because the majority of the population relate the 2 stroke to the noisy nasty engines of the 70's and 80's or weed eaters. It is too bad, the MPG a 2 stroke can get is amazing, maintenance is a SNAP.

For scooters from 50cc to 200 cc ,check out this page: Motor Scooters http://www.rcplanechat.com/Motor-Scooters.html

To all the naysayers:

I'm just going with what I've read as of late; here are sources saying that motorcycles and scooters are worse for emissions than are cars. Don't blame me, blame the newspapers. Oh, and don't call me clueless. At least I have sources.

http://www.latimes.com/classified/au...tory?track=rss

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsup...ry/463709.html

Both articles address Cheap Chinese knock-off scooters, not reputable brands like Honda, Kymco, Suzuki, and Genuine. They specifically mention the Genuine Stella, a retro two-stroke, because it has a modern catalytic converter. Read more carefully. I'm not an expert on modern Volkswagens because I did an oil change on a '66 Beetle.

OK, how's this?

Here's the EPA's exhaust emission standards for cars and pickups in grams per mile: http://www.epa.gov/OMS/cert/veh-cert/b00001a.pdf

Here's the EPA's latest figures for motorcycle and scooter emissions in grams per kilometer: http://www.epa.gov/OMS/cert/veh-cert/cert-tst/05m.zip

If you look at the THC or "total hydrocarbon" and CO or carbon monoxide standards in the first document, and you convert the test numbers in the second from gm/km to gm/mile, you'll see that only 8 models of motorcycle / scooter (or more precisely motorcycle / scooter engine) fulfill the least stringent 5-year standard for hydrocarbons and only 22 models for the equivalent carbon monoxide standard.

Incidentally, you'll note that the Westward Industries GO-4 Interceptor II does execeedingly well on both fronts, and would be a good choice, if you're looking for a motorized two-wheeler.