Gasoline prices feed resurgent scooter fad

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=0165fb8adeffb534

Soaring gasoline prices are spiking U.S. interest in scooters and mopeds, including Italy's iconic Vespa.

Available new for as little about $1,000, scooters get as much as 75 miles per gallon and enjoy a sort of retro, Euro chic appeal among young folk, the Christian Science Monitor reported Tuesday.

Those young folk are said to embody a sense of social purpose, adopt a team approach to life, and rebel from their elders by hewing to the small-scale.

This (moped resurgence) is a reflection of a deeper generational shift going on, says Neil Howe, a cultural historian and coauthor of Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation.
more...
75 miles per gallon is pretty good... For those wondering for a cheap alternative...

[stepnw1f]

1. I Will Get One

If I find a job more local. Right now I drive way too much.

[Born Free]

19. Consider a 70 mpg Buell Blast ( American motorcycle company)

Buell Blast is a small, not so popular 500 cc bike that will run 70 mph all day and get between 50-70 mpg depending on your riding style and conditions. As a commuter I get about 60 mpg on ours and it is not stock, the stock setup usually gets better gas milage. The bike comes with a 2 year unlimited milage waranty or if you want you can some times buy them cheaper from a Riders Edge course at the local HD/Buell dealer. The downside is they are a single cylinder, vibrate a lot at low rpms and are not very fast compared to real sport bikes, and they are not very comfortable for long rides. They do handle well and have excellant brakes and even though they appear to be sport bikes you sit on them like a touring - more straight up. Buell is and American motorcycle company , many Harley riders hate Buell and they consider the Blast a piece of crap built for girls becasue it is smaller, it has one of the lowest seat heights available on a stock bike, about 25". They did have some gasket problems with earlier models but the last few years have been relatively trouble free.
Oh- you will need one of those cheap magnets to trip the signal lights, as many time the traffic light sensors won't detect the Blast and give you a green light.

[earthside]

2. Honda Metro

I bought a 49cc Honda Metro last year.

In Colorado, this size scooter is classified as a "motorized bicycle". That means that I don't need to have a license plate ... all you need is to be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's license

I'm getting probably 80 miles per gallon. I use it to go to the library, the grocery store, the health food store and for quite a few local errands.

Except when it is really windy or really cold or it it is raining, I've been able to drive it in every season.

And ... it is fun.

During the Katrina gasoline run-up I was stopped at traffic lights by folks wanting to know what it was like to use a scooter -- they were pretty impressed by the miles per gallon. Interestingly, I see more middle age people driving these scooters around here (west Denver suburb) than I do younger people. I figure the 'nerd' factor might keep the young from scooters, at my age, I don't care what anybody thinks ... I love filling up maybe once a month!

You can see me on my scooter at: www.DaveChandler.us

[Bruce McAuley]

8. My $40 Yamaha Jog...

It's an 86, and I had to jury rig a headlight because someone busted the headlight shell, but it starts and runs great, and is surprisingly peppy for 50cc, and has a belt drive that will climb any hill around. It only weighs 125 pounds and gets great mileage and is a blast to ride. I now look for reasons to go uptown and get a gallon of milk or drop packages off at the Post Office. In Washingt5on State, you don't need a helmet for these mopeds, or a special motorcycle license, but I got a nice bicycle helmet, I still like the protection. I have an unlimited motorcycle license, but I don't need it for this little pooter. If I'm lucky, I only have to start the car once a week to check out the yard sales.

Bruce

[MsTryska]

28. here's a question...

Would you take your scooter on the highway?

[racaulk]

3. Rising gas prices have definitely made me rethink my lifestyle.

Because the public transportation system in Atlanta is lousy, I have to drive entirely too much. I've been trying to think of ways I can drive less and not be so dependent on my car. I haven't considered scooters, but I have definitely put some thought into buy a nice bicycle. It would be a lot easier on my wallet, better for the environment, and I would have the added benefit of the extra exercise. I have shower facilities at my office, so why not?

I've also been trying to carpool more, combine trips, etc. so that I won't have use as much gas. It's a change on a very small scale, but every bit helps.

And my next car will be a hybrid, no question about it!

[ladjf]

4. Pluggable electric scooters are even more efficient. Can be

charged from grid, solar and/or wind generation.

The biggest current problem with PV solar is that there is so much demand, the manufacturers can't keep up. The technology is moving away from silicone based panels to cheaper thin film. Several big manufacturing companies are going online in 2006 and 2007 with cheaper and more efficient thin film PV panels.

Wind, geothermal, wave are all picking up steam. The big fossil fuel companies are spending millions debunking alter energy processes.

Four billion years ago, oceanic microbes were forced to "invent" photosynthesis thereby saving themselves from extinction. If they were "smart" enough to show us the way, we should be smart enough to follow their example.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. America has a ways to go before we reach the level of oceanic microbes.

:banghead:

[ikojo]

5. I scoot 15 miles to work on my Vespa

LX 150. I LOVE each and every minute I spend on my beloved scooter. Before I had my scooter I took the bus, but they changed the route and a one hour commute each way turned into 90 minutes each way. Now I get to work via scoot in approx 35 minutes.

Scoot on!!!!!

[TlalocW]

6. I used to have 4 mo-peds

When I was in high school. In 8th grade, dad asked my brother and me, "What would you think if I got you a little motorcycle?" I was ambivalent as I would rather have had a computer, but he got us one anyway that summer. Then we found out why he got it for us. He decided we needed paper routes. :) So my brother and I eventually had 4 mo-peds since the first two we bought, Old Yeller (we wanted to shoot it) and Blue Thunder (no muffler) weren't as dependable as the last two we bought. Blue Thunder was the speed demon though... I got it up to 35 mph once. Whooo!

What model scooter sells for $1000.00?

TlalocW

[Bhaisahab]

7. Here's an option

from India. Bikes and scooters rule the roads in cities here. The mobikes sold in India are designed for utility rather than to make a 'statement' (like the harleys). India is like bike heaven. there are so many bikes on city and town roads. The Splendour is by far the highest selling bike (in New Delhi at least).

Hero Honda Super Splendour
125 cc, ~90 kilometres per litre of petrol (over 180 miles per US gallon), costs just under a thousand dollars

[htuttle]

9. I've been riding a Bajaj Chetak for a few years

There's a few Chetak riders here, judging from past 'scooter threads'.

I have a 2003, 150cc 4-speed. It only gets about 105 mpg and cost about $2,000 in the states, though. I think the 2006 models are closer to $2,500.

I ride it all year round, except the days that it snows.

[Bhaisahab]

12. wow. chetak in the US?

i mean, wow! great going dude!
out here scooters are being phased out by consumers themselves. apparently 50% of the country's population is now below the age of 30. and young kids generally consider scooters to be the preserve of middle-aged men and women. so they prefer buying bikes.
however, self-starting scooters are making a big dent among women consumers. the latest entrant to this market is Hero Honda's Pleasure - a 100 cc gearless scooter, gives around 110 miles a gallon, and as can be seen from the pic below, makes no bones as to who its for :)

[htuttle]

13. They made a minor resurgence a few years ago

Bajaj came up with an export model for the US market around 2001-2002 or so (not sure what's changed -- they're all 4-strokes, and I think the mirrors are slightly wider). They acquired a reputation as sort of a 'modern day classic Vespa' in a lot of scooter circles, especially with the manual 4-speed transmission. The Chetaks seem pretty reliable, too.

Most other scooterists in town (and there are a lot of them with the University) are on little 50cc Honda's, so the Chetak seems like a 'big' scooter by comparison. I don't see many small motorcycles (100cc-200cc range) around here. Mostly scooters and larger 400cc and up motorcycles.

[MountainLaurel]

48. That's interesting

There's one parked just across the street from where we park our Piaggio (in our neighborhood, almost every signpost has a scooter attached to it). I had wondered about where they were from.

[phusion]

14. Wonder where you buy those in the US? n/t

[Scout1071]

25. I can't find anywhere they are sold in the US?

Why are brand new $1000 bikes available all over world, except the US?

[jseankil]

11. Love it, but fear my safety of the streets

I don't trust drivers in the city but I love the idea of having one of these 'scooters'. I see most of them only go up to 30 m/p/h Any faster ones?

[tokenlib]

17. Look for a used Yamaha Zuma..

49cc but with a top unofficial speed of 35-38MPH or downhill you might hit 45.

[Theduckno2]

15. Another available option?

It is all well and good that there is a growth in scooter use, but wouldn't some of those "young folks", maybe even those dealing with childhood obesity, benefit from riding a bicycle?

75 miles per gallon is nice but I like to think I get 10 miles per potato (statistic not based on science, just whimsy).

Just some thing to ponder over coffee and a donut. :donut: Ha Ha

[frankenforpres]

16. ah, i prefer motorcycles

scooters really kind of suck in my opinion


of course it is subjective



i think it is more a hipness factor, than a gas price factor

[mrcheerful]

18. Not to mention that those scooters don't have enough power to get you out

a bad situation. Having ridden cycles for over 30 years I wouldn't let my loved ones on them. They go fast enough to get you hurt or killed yet not fast enough for you to dodge anything. Plus the fact that most states you have to ride near the side of the road. Those of you out there that have ridden cycles should know that the best place to ride is near the center lane, right where the left tires on an auto go, you ride next to the curb and it puts you right in the blind spot on most cars and trucks. But hey what do I know, after all people know more then I even though they never done it before.

[matcom]

20. you don't know what you are talking about

my 250cc Reflex has PLENTY of acceleration to get out of a situation. tops off at 80 on the highway and gets 75 mpg (you need a motorcycle license)

if that is too small for you go with the 580cc Silver Wing (Honda) or the 650cc Bergman (Suzuki)

[chopper]

21. asdf

actually, my old vespa is much more manouverable than a motorcycle. smaller wheels and all that. i can swerve around opening taxis and around potholes with ease. only thing i'd like is better brakes, but then again my scooter is 33 years old.

if you're talking about 50cc mopeds, then yeah, those are weak. in the city tho, they fare very well cos they're pretty much powered bicycles and are pretty manouverable as well. just not very powerful.

[MadHound]

24. Not every scooter is a 50cc bike

I've got a '05 Bajaj Chetak, 145cc, tops out at 60mph, gets 100mpg. Lovely little bike, plenty of pickup with the four speed tranny, and manuvers much better than a bigger, heavier bike, and has a much more stable ride.

I don't ride on the side of the road, I ride in the normal bike position, like you said, left side of the lane. I keep up with traffic just fine, and can dodge things just fine. Oh, and I get aprox twice the gas mileage that bigger bikes get.

For having thirty years experience, you sure haven't checked out much beyond those bigass hogs. You should really go test drive some of the smaller bikes, I think you'll be pleasantly suprised.

[chopper]

22. asdf

funny, i'm a vintage scooterboy, and every die-hard scooterist i know digs motorcycles, and most have one or two in their garage.

but there are so many motorcyclists who turn up their noses at scooters. i don't get it, must be some kind of 'manliness' thing.

[matcom]

23. i have had nothing but positive reactions from motorcyclists

they ALL wave to me and most pull up beside me and strike up conversations when we are at stop lights.

[spinbaby]

26. I'd die if I had to ride one to work

Quite literally. I commute on I70--wall-to-wall semis as far as the eye can see. I'd be squished like a bug.

[One Honest Guy]

27. effin idiots.

Yeah, I could have gone into a 12 paragraph rant/essay on why the "young folk", as the article puts it, lack even the basic benefits of a healthy common sense, but hey, I wouldn't be honest if I did that.

Do these scooters by any chance have ipod charger ports? Like, no doubt, right?! :sarcasm:

Hey, here's a better idea: walk, run, or use public transportation. Not cool? Oh well.

[MadHound]

29. Sorry, I live in the country

I have a fifty two mile round trip commute, and there is no public transportation where I live. Walking would be time prohibitive, as would running. And while biking is an option(one which I employed for years when I had only a twenty mile round trip commute) again, it is a matter of time, I don't want to have to get up at the crack of dawn just to start out on a bike trip.

Therefore a scooter makes perfect sense to me. I cruise at 55-60mph, I get 100mpg. I'm saving tons of money, which I'm rolling over into a woodstove this fall, save even more money on energy.

And besides, scooters are fun as hell. Two wheels friend, closest you can get to flying without leaving the ground.

Now hey, if you have any better ideas for me, I'm willing to listen. But you shouldn't blanketly dismiss a solution when you don't even know the full extent of the situation.

Oh, and I'm not "young folk" by any stretch of the imagination either. Just somebody who keeps their mind open and believes that it is better to be part of the solution than part of the problem.

[One Honest Guy]

30. I bet you would be "flying".

At least once a week, until one of the "flying" sessions ends up in a fatality. Especially because of your "fifty two mile round trip commute" and "I live in the country". What about temperatures and weather? You know: winter, rain, blizzards, storms, etc? Especially because of your "fifty two mile round trip commute" and "I live in the country". Thats a lot of time to spend on a scooter. Like I said, lack of basic common sense.

Also, you think these come with ipod chargers?

[MadHound]

32. LOL too funny friend,

And pray tell, what do you drive? Are you part of the solution, or part of the problem?

Actually riding in the country is a lot less dangerous than riding in the city. Less traffic, fewer pedestrians, etc. etc. Just miles of open road.

As far as the weather goes, no, I don't ride when it's raining or snowing. However I will ride in sub-freezing weather, though 25 degrees is about my limit.

As far as safety goes, well, riding a scooter is safer than riding a bike, since one can keep up with traffic better, and can accelerate out of the way of danger. Millions of people ride motorcycles and scooters, and manage to do so day in and day out without killing or hurting themselves. Yes, you have to be more alert, and drive more defensively, but hey, that's a good thing anyway. But to some people, it's a big scaaaaaary deal to ride two wheels:shrug: If that's you, then any sort of two wheels is probably a bad idea on your part. Being paralyzed by fear is not a good way to ride:shrug:

But to call this a "lack of common sense" is just overblown hype friend. Like driving around a gas guzzling SUV, and paying an ever greater portion of your paycheck for fuel is common sense? I don't think so. Especially in a vehicle that is as accident prone, and prone to rollovers as an SUV is.

It is obvious that two wheels is out of your comfort zone friend, and that's fine, we all have a comfort zone about these sort of things. But just because your own fears and fallacies prevent you from taking a sensible transportation option doesn't give you the right to baselessly denigrate other people's choices in travel. We ALL need to help with this problem, we ALL need to contribute to lowering energy consumption. I'm doing my part, are you doing yours?

Oh, and no, it doesn't come with an iPod charger, but if this is what will get you on a scooter, hey, swing by sometime and I'm sure I can rig one up for you:eyes:

[chopper]

36. asdf

What about temperatures and weather?

what about em? i have friends who scoot in all weather short of thunderstorms. they do fine.

Thats a lot of time to spend on a scooter. Like I said, lack of basic common sense

lot of time to spend in a car, too. i've ridden 3500 miles at a stretch on my scooter, and it was the most fun i've ever had.

[Bridget Burke]

43. For several reasons, scooters are not for me.

But there's a Vespa place near my home. They're awfully cute.

I'm old enough, as it is. The best way to look even older is grouching about "kids these days!"

Have fun.

[One Honest Guy]

46. Exactly.

You said: "i have friends who scoot in all weather short of thunderstorms"

You couldn't have proved my point better if you tried.

Everyone thinks Bush is awful, right? Just wait for next generation's presidents. It might be one of your "i have friends who scoot in all weather short of thunderstorms", friends. If the condition of current education system is any kind of measure, and society in general, then god, if there is one, help us all.

[matcom]

47. are you drinking early tonight?

your post makes ZERO sense :eyes:

those of us who 'scoot' are making a difference in OUR lives and the environment. deal with it the next time you climb in your Lincoln Navigator k?

on edit: bought my scooter last year. i'm no "kid". at 37 this is my first bike. got my motorcycle license to ride it.

[chopper]

51. asdf

i think you're on goofballs or somethin'. that made no sense at all.

[Maiden England]

41. Oh the doubters, in their cushy SUVs...

I have rain gear for rain, and warm (or plug in heated) clothing for cold. I even have mesh armored jackets for the summer. I can ride in anything except ice.

As for the safety. Well, 2 days ago, a friend of mine's father was killed in a wreck. A car wreck. A cage isn't necessarily going to save your life.

Oh BTW, my friends Road King, has a 12v cigarette lighter, which can be used to charge an iPod on the fly, but my nano, has more than enough juice for a whole days riding.

[AngryAmish]

31. Why don't you run?

Are you lazy? I can run 52 miles in twenty minutes.

[MadHound]

33. Dude, I stopped doing the two minute mile when I turned forty.

Hit the big four oh, and I just crapped out:rofl:

And yes, boy howdy I'm really lazy somedays. And proud of it;)

[AngryAmish]

34. Two minute mile?

I can run a mile in 35 seconds. You must hate freedom.

[MadHound]

35. You got me, nailed to the wall

:rofl:

I ride a scooter, don't run, and against this war for oil. Yes, I suppose I might as well face the fact that I'm a traitor to this country. Does this mean I get an all expense paid move to someplace sane, like Canada, or Sweden or France?:bounce:

[AngryAmish]

52. Move to Russia or buy a Hummer.

I bet you don't even know the words to the national anthem.

[Atman]

37. Not to mention the INSURGENT scooter fad!

Gas is so expensive, Iraqis can't drive their explosive-lade cars to their targets anymore. They've taken to backpacks and mopeds.

[lutefisk]

38. It might look geeky, but I suggest at least wearing a helmet

Scooters look so cute and harmless, but that can lull riders into a false sense of safety. If you're going to ride, at least protect your head, if no other body parts. I cringe when I see people zipping along on scooters in flip-flops, hair blowing in the wind.

My last motorcycle got 25mpg on a good day. Some SUVs can do better than that. Weird, huh?

[MadHound]

42. Hell, I not only wear a helmet

Which being licensed as a motorcycle, I'm required by law to do. I also wear a motorcycle jacket, complete with ballistic nylon elbow, shoulder and spine pads. Had my share of bumps, bruises and road rash in my younger days riding a Hodaka 250 Thunderdog, along with racing bicycles. These days I don't recover as quickly, or take a blow as well as when I was a kid, hence the protection.

[matcom]

44. yup

FULL helmet with face shield and leather.

the bias here with the "Scooter" moniker is getting outstanding :eyes:

[Maiden England]

39. I came >< this close to buying a scooter

but then I accidentally brought a Harley Davidson 883 sportster instead. How did THAT happen :eyes:

Anyway, I learned to ride a scooter before I learned to drive. I had a Piaggio (made by vespa, but not retro - modern design and fairly quick). That experience spurred me to get two wheels again, when the gas prices shot up last year. My sporty gets 50 mpg in town, over 60 on the highway. Plus we just got back from a touring vacation (because on a bike you can still afford to do such things) to NC, it was getting almost 80mpg in the mountains. We did just over 2000 miles, and it only cost $100 in gas.
I wave to everyone on two wheels - because I used to love it when people waved at me on my little moped. The experience is the same, and thats all that matters. Besides we are all doing our bit to save on gas, and that in my book, rocks.

Those buell blasts are awesome little bikes - but think very hard about buying a second hand one from Riders Edge. They spend their life doing less than 20 mph around a parking lot, being dropped, erm I mean driven by complete novices. After that experience, they are not happy little bikes. Although if you freed one, and got it to let its hair down a few times, it might love you forever! I know most riders that have ridden them love them.

The good thing about getting a high end scooter (like a silverwing) or a motorbike, is the ability to go long distance (and take luggage), like I said we did a week touring, no problem. You can't do travel like that on the smaller scooters.

[Born Free]

49. Yes, the Riders Edge course Blasts are roughed up maybe even scratched...

Those Riders Edge Blasts are like little rescues at the local shelter, just waiting for a good home - the clutch may be a bit grabby but it will smooth out over time. they may even have some scratches, looking more like a street fighter than a cummuter. The Blast engine is overbuilt for it's particular application. The Sportster has a bettter feeling clutch, and overall smoothness, especially at lower rpms, but the Blast transmisson feels about the same, it has the "Harley" clunk. The Blast is not for 2-up long hauls or long distance touring.

We do have an Ultra Classic that we use for the 2-up riding but the day to day commuting to work is for the little 60 mpg Blast. I laugh when coworkers suggest it's fast...with an open exhaust and the little higher rpms to keep it smooth, it may look and sound like more than it is, a little, easy to handle commuter made by an "American Motor Cycle Company"

[Maiden England]

40. Now THIS would be cool

http://imgsrv.canadaeast.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CE&Date=20060422&Category=TTMONEY10&ArtNo=604220465&Ref=AR&MaxW=580&title=1

Electric motorcycle gets 180 km per charge


Jiro Saito, vice-president of Japanese electric vehicle manufacturer Axle, rides an Axle EV-X7 electric motorcycle. The bike is powered by a new hybrid magnetic motor, developed with its partner company General Corp. The vehicle can travel at speeds up to 150 kilometres per hour and has a range of 180 kilometres (112 miles) on one charge. The battery can be charged at home and the vehicle is said to be ‘noiseless.’

(so much for loud pipes, save lives. I'd have to have a 140dB horn on the darn thing!)

[matcom]

45. loud pipes don't save lives

they are noise pollution and i for one, wished to hell they would be banned completely

[Born Free]

50. huh?

sorry can't hear you the ringing in my ears is too loud...