Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 5270

Tal Tales
To scoot or not to scoot?

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: zanzibar
Posts: 10477

I had a Honda Spree when I was 15, and it was easy to ride and operate. The scooters you are looking at are probably just as simple (and likely have electric start, mine had a problem with the electrical system so I had to kick start it). No shifting, just a hand throttle and brake levers like you'd have on a bicycle. They don't go fast enough to get you in much trouble. I did have to learn the basic rules of thumb shown here to get my moped license. I only needed that when I was 15, in Michigan you can drive a scooter or moped with a regular driver's license.

I did have one friend ride my Spree around the block and come back bloody after crashing it. He broke off a brake lever and bent a turn signal. He claimed a woman in a car forced him off the road.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2004
Location: in colorado somewhere!
Posts: 28539

Tal. I would definitely get a scooter if they didn't look so fucking gay,but anything over 50cc you have to tag and insure. But then again,a MotoredBike like mine has some rules in CA too but it's doable.
A scooter is actually safer in that you can go traffic speeds. A MotoredBike likes to cruise around 20.
If your job is only 6 miles away you can do a Motoredbike,be a complete hero among your peers,and get 160 MPG or at least that's what I'm getting on my rack mount.
You don't get as much recognition in a scooter.
I love my Motoredbike because of it's simpleness but Colorado also has a vastly amazing trail system so it's idea here. On the trails there are no traffic lights,rush hour or anything. Just smooth cruise.
Riding in busy traffic pretty much sucks,man.
Cronus costed me 130 bucks at Costco. My Rack mount engine kit runs a bit over 400 bucks. So were looking at $550.00. But I will make that all back in all the gas I saved. Barely a month old and already I got 700 miles on Cronus. That's a bit less than 5 gallons of gas. How much gas would that be on your car to go 700 miles? Compared to a 30 mph car I saved 20 gallons in about a month...times 4 that's 80 bucks. So by November or so I would have made back my money. And my truck gets 15 mpg so compared to my truck I saved 160 bucks in one month.
A scooter is less maintenance but more expensive. But less maintenance means you're gonna ride that puppy daily. And you'll make the money back in maybe two seasons.
Then of course if you question your two wheel riding ability and sometimes you want to take someone along with you then get this!
http://www.gekgo.com/scooter_coupe_..._%20trikes.html

__________________

[Ignore Sig]

(I stopped the moving so that Simple Simon can play my embedded video's. EEEEE!!!!)

Santa is coming. That gives me joy. It gives me even greater joy that Hawley will get a coal this year.

Last edited by Large Filipino on 05-26-2008 at 09:51 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Rancho CucAmonga, CA
Posts: 453

Tal think about the people you're living around. Is commuting via scooter seem like a safe way to go? I feel your pain re: gas prices, but being laid up for 2 months cause some drunk drive gave you a tap isn't going to help matters. And san diego doesn't seem to be very bike friendly compared to other places.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2004
Location: in colorado somewhere!
Posts: 28539

Yea I avoid busy streets like the plague. Check out your route to work. If you can do it on a bicycle considering bike lanes and taking side streets then a MotoredBike is teh way. If there's even 100 feet on your route that has no sidewalk and cars will get really close to you then a scooter is teh way.
But a scooter cannot ride the sidewalk....a MotoredBike can't do it anyway...in some states.
But I do and cops don't hassle me.

__________________

[Ignore Sig]

(I stopped the moving so that Simple Simon can play my embedded video's. EEEEE!!!!)

Santa is coming. That gives me joy. It gives me even greater joy that Hawley will get a coal this year.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged