[Heineken]

Millions upon millions of older Americans and women and disabled people simply cannot ride these things.

Older, battle-ax-type ladies are the big shoppers. Think of the consequences of subtracting them from the buying public.

Hmmm . . . maybe not so bad!

But we go down as an economy.

[bl00k]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'M')illions upon millions of older Americans and women and disabled people simply cannot ride these things.

[gnm]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jato', 'A') small displacement scooter will not work in my area. I need to go with the flow of traffic at 60 MPH. Therefore, I will be purchasing a KLR650, which gets 50-60 MPG. I will commute on the KLR.

[dohboi]

Even if they get ten times the gas millage, they will be obsolete within a few years. Oil prices have gone up more than ten fold in about eight years. That rate seems to be now accelerating. Get over oil-powered transport.

And laugh while you can, monkey men.

[yesplease]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dohboi', 'E')ven if they get ten times the gas millage, they will be obsolete within a few years. Oil prices have gone up more than ten fold in about eight years. That rate seems to be now accelerating. Get over oil-powered transport.

[dohboi]

yp wrote: "assuming the same increase"

Is this a good assumption? Surely, the whole sale oil price will have an ever-greater and more direct affect on retail gas price as the former goes through the roof.

[frankthetank]

So the future will be interstates full of 49cc scooters? This is going to get good. Can't wait until i see the first scooter pulling a boat. I think my chainsaw has as much HP as a scooter

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Hawkcreek', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')here did you go to and is your ass still numb?

[emersonbiggins]

Americans on mopeds - something doesn't quite add up...

[emersonbiggins]

We'd be wise to learn from the Italians.

49cc Vespa with 75mm recoilless rifle


"Mad Max, with some sensibility."

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', 'A')mericans on mopeds - something doesn't quite add up...

[yesplease]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dohboi', 'y')p wrote: "assuming the same increase"

Is this a good assumption? Surely, the whole sale oil price will have an ever-greater and more direct affect on retail gas price as the former goes through the roof.

[GeoJAP]

As far as scooters/mopeds go, does anyone know if there a viable electric technology incorporated in these that is set to debut soon?

I've actually been looking at scooters for a while. In Austin, it's very viable transportation. Sunny and warm most of the year, not that many freeways, lots of smaller roads to choose from. Other cars on the road would be a menace, which is a downside.

The Yamaha Vino 125 seems to be a real gem at $2500, 90 MPG, 55-60 MPH.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produ ... /home.aspx

[criticalmass]

I get 55 to 60mpg on my Triumph. It's injected and I ride mostly in town.
The Vespah that I had actually got over 100MPG consistently and it was a 50cc model 2 stroke.
I also had a Suzuki FA 50 that did nearly 100MPG. I see nothing wrong with this mode of transportation and wish local governments allowed lanesplitting to further entice two-wheeling. It would just be cool to be able to zip past giant tubs of steel on 4 wheels as you roll up to the stoplight. If the 25MPH limit were done away with on mopeds we'd have an even better system because you'd have more route options for travel.

On a bike, you have far less frontal area and you drag coefficient had got to be smaller than a normal vehicle's.

[eastbay]

This is bit of scooter news showing what's happening to the scooter market lately. A week on a gallon, huh. I get two weeks.

U.S. scooter sales have risen 65.7 percent in the first half of 2008, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, making the industry one of the biggest beneficiaries of a more than 30 percent spike in oil prices this year.

"They are just flying out of here," said Steve Travers, who manages a scooter and motorcycle dealership in midtown Manhattan. "Consumers want to escape gas prices, they can't afford to drive their cars and they want an inexpensive way to get around."

[Maddog78]

Riding a scooter is like making love to a fat chick.
It's all good fun until your friends see you!


Just a little joke. They are a practical alternative for short commutes. Doesn't really fit my situation personally but I can see the attraction for sure.

[Lumpy]

Here is the situation:
1. I am in my 50's, and have never been the driver of a motorcycle, although I have been the rider for an extended (vacation) trip and many short trips (I could arrange to take a course in motorcycle riding.)
2. My employer (I contract) pays my mileage ($0.585/mile)regardless of what I drive/ride
3. I commute to four different outlying locations -- three days/month the commutes are either too far or up too steep a grade for me to consider anything besides an enclosed vehicle.
4. Other days of the month the commute is either 42 miles round trip or 54 miles round trip - certainly doable on a motorcycle, I would think
5. Weather where we live would make it practical to use a motorcycle to commute for 7 months a year ... and more like 8 months, really, if one kept an eye on the weather. (Occasional warmer days earlier in spring and later into the fall.)
6. Would need to carry a laptop (have a backpack this fits into) and some files daily. (Thinking paniers for these.)

I am looking for thoughts as to what might be the best ride for me to look at buying. Cost is a factor. Comfort is a factor. Safety is a factor.

Ideas, please?

Lumpy

[Frank]

Check out: http://www.msf-usa.org/

If you start riding you'll probably wonder why you didn't start 30 years earlier! Definitely take a safety course though: you can often sign-up somewhere and get a beginner's permit in one weekend.

good luck!

[Lumpy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Frank', 'C')heck out: http://www.msf-usa.org/

If you start riding you'll probably wonder why you didn't start 30 years earlier! Definitely take a safety course though: you can often sign-up somewhere and get a beginner's permit in one weekend.

good luck!

[skeptik]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frankthetank', 'A') guy at Menards yesterday claimed he put on 459 miles using 3 gallons of gas on a scooter (guessing a 49cc model)?? I didn't think they got that good of fuel mileage. The dude was like 300 pounds!