[eastbay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frankthetank', 'I') got a problem with scooters. A lot of the people on them (high school/young adults) should be on f-in bicycles, not motorized scooters. Jesus kids have become lazy.

I'm all for commuting on them. I can't wait until the Scooter Interstate Act of 2009 opens the shoulder of interstates to scooter travel.

Seriously...at some point these are going to be peoples sole source of transportation. At least until the time comes that the pumps run dry.

Just to put in perspective...a bicycle ridden by a human gets the equivalent of 1000mpg...

[frankthetank]

The 1000mpg comes from a google search. My guess would be it depends on bicycle type, human involved, and the terrain...

Lets say 500 to 1000mpg...

When does a scooter become a motorcycle? When i say scooter, i'm talking 50cc...

[Vegas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frankthetank', '
')
When does a scooter become a motorcycle? When i say scooter, i'm talking 50cc...

[TheDude]

Some scooters are 799cc+. It's the step through design that matters, not the engine size. The big new models they call Maxi-Scooters AFAIK the 49cc models don't hit freeway speeds, nor do they require a motorcycle endorsement.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')n the US, in general, a 50cc or less scooter (with less than 2 hp and capable of no more than 30 mph) is classified as a moped and requires only a driver's license.

[eastbay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('frankthetank', '
')
When does a scooter become a motorcycle? When i say scooter, i'm talking 50cc...

[heroineworshipper]

My scooter rant got shoved into the open discussion category. Personally saw someone trying to push an E300 across a street because it didn't have enough power. $1000 in LiPo batteries would solve that problem, but now the break even point is 8000 miles. LiPo's must be stored in a cool space.

LiPo batteries, like the scooter, are rapidly going up in dollars per amp hour. No matter how expensive gas gets, the alternatives rise equally in price.

[jimmyz]

Picked up a honda metropolitan last week. They only had two left a 2006 and a 2007 so i took the 07 the 06 was only $100 less. It does get over 100 mpg i filled it up at 98 miles and it was 3.80 to fill up at 3.99/gal. It goes about 43mph.

I plan to us it to go to work and back most days. 10 miles to work. I do also have a 03 vibe and it's paid for so i'm not selling it. it gets good gas milage and has a ton of space in it, and i also tow my boat with it.

Now it's time to start on my garden again. We moved so i have to start over again, but didn't do it this year.

[canis_lupus]

I'd like a good, used KLR 650 but Mrs. Lupus says no new vehicles that can't fit a baby seat.

Those Metro's look so cool...congrats!

I think one of the best decisions I ever made was to work from home. I do believe I'd go nuts if I couldn't hoe my garden in between sales calls.

[skyemoor]

Good choice. I admire your ability to proactively keep from getting financially drained by $5 -> $10 gas.

[frankthetank]

I would love to own an Aprilia SR 50



Not realistic, but if one could convert their 12ooo miles they drive in a year from a 20mpg beast to a 120mpg one (the SR50 gets that), then you could cut your yearly fuel usage by 1/6...saving roughly $2000 in the first year alone.

[geojap2]

I just bought a Yamaha Zuma (49cc) on Friday myself. I love it. It goes about 35-40 mph with my big butt on it (I'm at 240 but am getting back in shape and losing weight as we speak). It gets 123 mpg with an extremely skinny person on it. I have not yet seen what I get for mileage.

I bought a 5 gallon gas can to keep in the garage, which will give me 500 miles of driving using my own home gas station. I will probably buy one more 5 gallon tank for a total of 10. That should buffer me against any temporary fuel supply shortages which are increasingly likely to happen this summer and next.

I also own a Toyota Matrix, which is the Toyota version of the Vibe. Great car, tons of carrying capacity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Zuma

That is the Zuma but the rider is not me:

[TommyJefferson]

When you ride down the road, look down at the pavement whizzing past under your feet.

Imagine falling onto a belt sander.
That's exactly what it's like when you take even a low-speed spill.

Please buy some body armor, gloves, and boots.

- Ankle injuries are the most common type of injury for two-wheelers.
Boots help prevent this.

- The first thing to hit the belt sander is often your hands.
Gloves help you keep your fingers.

- Armored mesh jackets you can wear during the summer have prevented me from having to go to the emergency room and get the meat sewn back on my arm.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... othing.htm

- Side-zip Boots are cheap at big box sporting goods stores and easy to change when you get to work.

ATGAT = All The Gear All The Time

[jimmyz]

I ordered a Armored mesh jacket off ebay. just need to get the gloves. I also have a dot full face helmet.

[CarlinsDarlin]

The belt sander comparison is a good one. We bought Carlin new fingerless gloves for Father's Day exactly for that reason. The only item I have yet to buy him is chaps. He has the gloves, the jacket, the helmet and a vest for days when it's too hot to wear his jacket. He should get chaps for his birthday. Then he'll be fully geared up for riding his motorcycle.
K

[Vegas]

Yeah, folk riding scooters in flip-flops make me cringe.
Scateboard shoes are quite good for bikes too, not as much protection as boots, but very thick tops.

Gear is good, but you also have to pretend you are invisable to every vehicle around you. I'd rather enjoy a patch or two of road rash than get rear-ended @25mph(my personal greatest fear riding in traffic). Act like every car is going to kill you, justifiable paranoia...

[CarlinsDarlin]

Vegas,
That's why we also installed Cobra pipes on his motorcycle. The louder the bike is, the more likely someone will notice you coming. He's definitely loud enough. I can hear him coming about a mile from the house
K

[allenwrench]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('geojap2', 'I') just bought a Yamaha Zuma (49cc) on Friday myself. I love it. It goes about 35-40 mph with my big butt on it (I'm at 240 but am getting back in shape and losing weight as we speak). It gets 123 mpg with an extremely skinny person on it. I have not yet seen what I get for mileage.

I bought a 5 gallon gas can to keep in the garage, which will give me 500 miles of driving using my own home gas station. I will probably buy one more 5 gallon tank for a total of 10. That should buffer me against any temporary fuel supply shortages which are increasingly likely to happen this summer and next.

I also own a Toyota Matrix, which is the Toyota version of the Vibe. Great car, tons of carrying capacity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Zuma

That is the Zuma but the rider is not me:

[geojap2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('allenwrench', '
')Tell that rider to put on some boots. A lady I knew had her ankle ripped half off riding in thongs. Boots may not have helped that lady 100%, but at least she could have had more protection than thongs.

(PS..when I was a kid, I used to ride the freeways in L.A going to the beach in thongs and swimtrunks on my 650 ...the things we do when we are young!)

[frankthetank]

I talked to an officer of the law this afternoon (cop) and he told me they had a scooter accident just today. Some Chinese built 125cc. I guess the lady wasn't experience and came into a parking lot and lost control and somehow accelerated into a park car of something. Did a bunch of damage to the scooter and i believe she sustained injuries. I told him the only thing she'll be driving now is a motorized wheelchair.

Maybe a little practice driving to test the limits and educate yourself on the handling might be wise.

[Bella]

I have ordered an Equinox electric scooter. It is the size and style of a Vespa but it is 48vdc electric. Supposed to give me 50+ miles in range and about 35 mph as well as only costing about 15 cents per charge (via house current). I am SO looking forward to these wheels, It should arrive next week. I only have to go 10 miles to work so it should cover 3 seasons of commuting easy. In the winter I'll just drive my good ole jeep. Bella