[ORCA]

A recent article appeared in the local news paper regarding the surge in the sale of scooters.

A dealer commented that his scooter sales were up 100% from this time last year. He was surprised over WHO were buying them, however. Instead of younger folks of student age it was 50, 60, and even 70 yr. olds!

I'm thinking about it myself even though I currently own a Harley. However, I would want one powerful enough to safely ride on the highway at highway speeds.

Regarding riding safety, anyone who decides to purchase any two-wheeler should (at a minimum) take the Basic Rider's Safety Course. These courses are offered on a continuous schedule in most localities. The one here is taught as part of the community college system. This advice extends to those who may have riden motorcycles at any point in the past.

[misterno]

http://money.cnn.com/video/

Interesting video.

[heroineworshipper]

We found the guy who still has a job in Illinois, and it's selling golf carts.

[Plantagenet]

The Aussies have come up with a great idea for shared, rechargable, very simple electric scooters that city dwellers could share and use to zip around.

Groovy electric scooter for urban trips

Build some electric mass transit and nukes to power it, put scooters downtown and keep cars out, and the environment would be rather pleasant in big cities.

[mos6507]

What, no mention of Obama? Who stole your account, Planty?

[gnm]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', 'W')hat, no mention of Obama? Who stole your account, Planty?

[Micki]

The particular scooter featured seems to have very limited scope.
It doesn't handle bags etc so you can only carry very limited amount of stuff, it is suitable mainly for younger crowd as many older (35+) would find a scooter like that scary, it wouldn't be perceived as very safe (except the helmet there would probably be need for glowes, elbow and knee protction) and large increase of these would create more chaos in city traffic, it is only for short distance travel.
So what would be the suitable target group for this? Young people going from one innercity place to another or just playing around.
Biciclyes and facilities for transporting these on public transport would probably be a solution that could have more uptake.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Micki', 'l')arge increase of these would create more chaos in city traffic, it is only for short distance travel.

[Micki]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Micki', 'l')arge increase of these would create more chaos in city traffic, it is only for short distance travel.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Micki', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Micki', 'l')arge increase of these would create more chaos in city traffic, it is only for short distance travel.

[SeaGypsy]

It can't be rocket science to make a similar bicycle speed all weather enclosed vehicle for icy or wet climes?

What could developed countries gain in efficiency by accepting a modest reduction in performance? Why does the new fleet have to compete on equal performance measures?

The trade balance alone could be affected so positively as to be an enormous boost to net productivity.

[Plantagenet]

India and China already make very small and lightweight electric cars that are used in those countries. The US can't compete in this export market because our government regulations on auto safety rules require US auto manufacturers to build very heavy and safe autos if they are to be sold in the US market


India's REVA electric car.
.

[vision-master]

Here's my 'scoot'.........

[Plantagenet]

I got a basic Honda Ruckus last summer.....its been fun to ride on the some of the old mining roads here in Alaska and it gets about 100 mpg.

[Micki]

It doesn't make me drool quite as a big fat harley does but that scooter looks pretty nifty. A no-nonsense scooter for tough roads. How does it feel/perform in the burbs or city? Who much did it cost?

[Plantagenet]

I really like it. The tires are a bit wider then a typical scooter, so its good on dirt roads...Most of my friends use 4-wheeler ATVs on the dirt roads, but I can go most places they go if I'm careful. I dumped it once in mud. It has fully automatic transmission so you just have to turn the throttle and go. Maxes out at about 40 mph, so you can ride it on back city streets--- it only has a 50 cc engine so no motorcycle license is needed.

I bought it used on Craigslist and got a really good deal. New they are $2k+

[/quote]

And its a babe magnet.

[Micki]

Babe magnet? And only one seat...what a shame.
Anyway I did a quick search and it is not available in Australia.
The one I really fell for is this one. It looks totally bad ass but it is so far just a concept model.

[Micki]

Vision-Master, what model is your bike? Is it something Japanese?
Looks like a Harley wannabe. Not bad looking at all but they just can't get the engine sound right.

EDIT: After a bit of searching I guess. Yamaha Road Star. Right? Some article mentioned it looked a lot like Fat boy, so I guessing that, Road Star.

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Micki', 'V')ision-Master, what model is your bike? Is it something Japanese?
Looks like a Harley wannabe. Not bad looking at all but they just can't get the engine sound right.

EDIT: After a bit of searching I guess. Yamaha Road Star. Right? Some article mentioned it looked a lot like Fat boy, so I guessing that, Road Star.