High gas prices lead a third of Americans to consider scooters
Are you a scooterist? A new survey released Monday shows that roughly a third of Americans are thinking about it, with 30 percent of U.S. consumers saying they'd consider using a scooter. When consumers were asked if they'd be likely to use a scooter if they could save $25 a week on gas, 35 percent said yes.The survey was sponsored by Piaggio Group, makers of the iconic Vespa and other two-wheelers (and three-wheelers!), which enjoyed 15 percent U.S. sales growth in 2005. The company expects scooter manufacturers to enjoy record sales this summer.
[Source: Piaggio Group Americas]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ME 2:01PM (5/23/2006)
I am, but the funny thing is I won't actually be saving any money for about 5 years, since I didn't sell my car. $25 per week, if you rode the thing every day year round would still take about 3 years to pay off a $3500 scooter.
But if you want to use less gas, a scoot is the way to go.
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Noah 2:04PM (5/23/2006)
I own a scooter and it blows, it's too slow. We just bought a motorcycle to replace it.
The dealer told us it could be registered as a moped and that's not true (not legaly anyways) It's not just about the engine size in Alberta it's also weight and speed.
--Noah
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Navigation Blog 2:06PM (5/23/2006)
the scooter and motorcycle industry is so stoked right now
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Dave 2:07PM (5/23/2006)
The economic benefits of this are still questionable to me. Any scooter that is 'highway-worthy' and can keep up with 55-60mph commuting traffic already costs about 5 grand. That puts you in a beautiful 2 year old sport bike or a cruiser, both turning in 40-50 mpg. The only scooter advantage I see is that its complete lack of power makes the rider less likely to be involved in a triple digit single vehicle accident or traffic citation.
Then again my $900 beater still does 30 mpg, and the dark sunglasses that stop people from recognizing me as the Chevy Cav's owner only cost $150.
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bhtooefr 2:24PM (5/23/2006)
Well, 70 MPG on that highway worthy scoot vs. 50 on the motorcycle...
Hell, my Jetta gets somewhere around 50, and cost the same price as your Cav + two pairs of sunglasses ($1200). :P
Now, if there were a diesel scoot (or even a moped), I'd rock that...
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AA 2:33PM (5/23/2006)
Somebody say diesel?
http://www.gizmag.com/go/4272/
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Bill 2:35PM (5/23/2006)
I live in the kind of neighborhood where a scooter would be great for running errands, and I'd never need to get past 35mph anyway.
The only issue is I don't have a good off-street place to park one.
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Jeff the Baptist 2:37PM (5/23/2006)
"The only scooter advantage I see is that its complete lack of power makes the rider less likely to be involved in a triple digit single vehicle accident or traffic citation."
The Hurt report showed that the average speed of most motorcycle accidents is 30 mph. Without protective gear, those scooter riders are still going plenty fast enough to get hurt.
The good think about motorcycles and scooters is that they sip gas. The bad thing is that you need to spend money on insurance, maintenance, plus the vehicle and protective gear. With current gas prices you might break even.
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Cervus 3:22PM (5/23/2006)
Last year I traded in my '97 Toyota RAV4 for a Corolla. On average I got 23mpg with it. The Corolla gets 35mpg or so.
Last September I got a slightly used Honda Reflex 250. I rode it to work today, and I've been out on the freeway a few times.
I figure that with gas prices the way they are here ($3.40 per gallon) I would be spending nearly $300 a month on gas with the RAV4. By getting the Corolla and the scooter I'm now paying less than half that, which is about the cost of the minimum monthly payment for the loan.
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She Devil 3:22PM (5/23/2006)
Just get a motorcycle so you can get out of your own way and don't have to wear a gay, mint green, matching helmet.
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Howard Kerr 3:25PM (5/23/2006)
I've driven scooters, and motorcycles... I got WAY more banged up on the scooter. The low speed/low risk idea is deceptive. I agree with those that say a good, used, mid-sized displacement motorcycle is a better bet. If nothing else, you will get a little more respect from other drivers when you are on a motorcycle and because it is by nature louder than a scooter, people will be more aware of you in general.
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Chris G 3:26PM (5/23/2006)
I have had a Honda Metropolitan for 3 years now and its perfect for driving around in DC. I also have an A4 but for my commute to work the scooter saves me alot of money and in fact time.
Instead of dealing with the traffic jams I just jump up on the sidewalk or drive inbetween the cars since its not a motorcycle its a huge gray area that no cop has any clue about so they just let you do as you please.
Viva La Scooter
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Vinny 3:28PM (5/23/2006)
I spend $60 per week in gas just commuting with my Armada that has a 23 gal tank. I rode a motorcycle to work every day last week and it only cost me $10 to put in 4 gallons. I'm taking that from now on, weather permitting.
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Deuce 3:29PM (5/23/2006)
Ride a bike, leave your car in the garage.
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TINMAN 3:33PM (5/23/2006)
I'm personally a fan of Large Displacement, _AMERICAN_ bikes, naturally carbureted. I'm somewhere in the high 40's as far as mpg goes, and take pride in the fact that I'm not some ice-cream vendor driving my A4 back and fourth the the Bath Houses looking for a john. Translate that into I'm not going to have a scooter, not even with the flower basket. I'm infavor for anyone else who wants one, and will do my part to "educate" other drivers who may not realize that they are there, and that others will indeed take a door panel (see the A4 coment above) off for driving while incompetent.
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Matt 3:40PM (5/23/2006)
I have a Baja Chetak (150cc 4 stroke old school vespa knock off) I bought 3 years ago for $2k and enjoy thoroughly. 50+ in 3rd gear, 60+ in 4th which is really about as fast as u want to go on a machine w/ 10 in wheels and drum brakes! I do agree that the scooters are more dangerous than a motorcycle ridden responsibly. I did put a performance pipe on mine though so it sounds like an old British single - they definitely hear you comin. That having been said, it's(scootering) really about the experience. I bought a 91 GTI for 1,300. and that got33 mpg and was weatherproof with heat and everything!
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Fastman 3:43PM (5/23/2006)
I have a real question: Why do 99% of scooters have rainbow stickers or that equal sign sticker stuck to them?
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UH2L 3:48PM (5/23/2006)
What about riding a bicycle around town? I get probably 500 miles per gallon (of food) when I ride that thing :-)
I do see how driving an efficient used car is better than a scooter. Plus you can use it to carpool or carry things and it's safer.
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Al 3:57PM (5/23/2006)
7. I live in the kind of neighborhood where a scooter would be great for running errands, and I'd never need to get past 35mph anyway.
The only issue is I don't have a good off-street place to park one.
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Hey, you might as well walk then...
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Mia 3:59PM (5/23/2006)
Scooters are for homosexuals.
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