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People should get a scooter, and they are kinda cool too, especially in summer, going downtown, no parking worries, helmet and stuff locks under the seat, weatherproof in the rain, easy and cheap to maintain. Or a MTB with a hub motor!

Hi,

Tell us about your ride. I would like to hear about scooters.

Yes, tell us more about the scooter and how you got an amazing 140 mpg. Makes it a very tempting option, but I am not sure that I could get 140 on my highway commute.

yes how fast you can go because i got a long commute. and what type of terrain you have because i got a hilly commute. etc etc.

Aren't many scooters that will actually get 140 mpg. Maybe one of the new fuel injected Honda Cubs which aren't imported into the US. Have to keep it under 25 mph though to get that kind of mileage.

Q

People should get a scooter, and they are kinda cool too, especially in summer, going downtown, no parking worries, helmet and stuff locks under the seat, weatherproof in the rain, easy and cheap to maintain. Or a MTB with a hub motor!

Aren't many scooters that will actually get 140 mpg. Maybe one of the new fuel injected Honda Cubs which aren't imported into the US. Have to keep it under 25 mph though to get that kind of mileage.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense because someone told me they get just under 40 MPG in a Harley cruising at 65-70 MPH. Hmmm, so the smaller ride and the slower you go, the better the FE .

My quoted 140mpg is from a Honda Today, a 4 stroke 50 twist and go automatic. The cub with the bigger wheels is better mpg wise but I like the auto, it rains alot here so feet stay dry on the platform and cause I leave it outside all the time the plastics prevent deterioration of metals. If I had an under cover storage the motorcycle types with larger wheels and manual transmissions would be my preferred option. I do like underseat storage though, instead of carring helmets, jackets etc. Honda rates the fuel usage re Today 50 at 65 km/liter @30km/hr thats 270mpg imperial about 230US. I did a tank to tank test and got 39km/liter riding full tit everywhere lots of hills and 60 km/hr most times. That said my MUCH FASTER Honda X8Rs 2 stroke still does 35km/liter with twice as much power...much bigger wheels/tyres, brakes and suspension, 25% more weight...A true sports scooter made by Honda Italy, full tit everywhere and still getting 100mpg US. Vespa's have got awful economy. The Yamaha Jog has 'new generation' 2 stroke technology and can return 50km/liter fairly easy. I had a fully modified scoot that only got 15 km/liter but 'wow' performance in city traffic. The only gripe I have with the twist and go transmission is that you cant coast unless you start your coast from 3km/hr or less. All other motorbike transmissions are the same-no coasting. A scooter hyrid with a hub motor in the front wheel that becomes a generator, drastic weight reduction by use of a single speed transmission say a belt drive direct to rear wheel hub, and pedals in a sub 50kg MTB style frame. So at takeoff, rider could use 28cc single speed gasoline engine driving rear wheel, hub moter in front axle, and pedals all providing extra power needed for moving from standstill. At hills one could combine electric and gas and/or pedals. See my 1967 Vespino for sale here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-164920537.htm

Hell, I reckon sub 30kg with only a 400watt hub motor and low amp/hr lithium iron batteries. Someone should make one now and make alot of money! Huge mpg potential with coast function, pedals and hybrid electric

I have a scooter (central Texas) -also a 2008 Scion Xb, Nissan Quest 7 pass. van, and a Ford 1 ton crew cab long WB 4 wheel drive pickup. There is more difference between my Scoot and most of those small high milage scoots than between my pickup and a gocart. There is a great difference in scooters so as with 4wheels of any kind you must first determine what you are going to use it for and where. In the last 5 years I have had a yamaha V twin 1300 cruiser (motor cycle) 1800 Honda Goldwing, Honda VTX and now a Suzuki Burgman 650cc Executive scooter. The Gold Wing is the BIG BOY Rolls of motorcycles (1800cc flat six cylinder) and my scooter is the ROLLS of the scooter world. The GW is considered tops in the touring 2 wheeler but in many places I have ridden it will not keep up with my scooter (both well over 100mph). Both will easly handle interstate speeds cruise at over 80 mph with quick pass. A lady friend 40+yrs. on a scooter like mine left the Dallas Ft. Worth area with baggage and camping gear at 6 AM one Sun. and 16 hours later was at a little town 800 miles away at 9000 ft. in the Colorado mountains 70 miles west of Colorado Springs. In Texas you had better be able to keep up with or out run the traffic everywhere you plan on riding the scoot especially in and around the big cities in Texas. I don't even like to drive my one ton around the big cities here. Yes, first determine how you plan on useing the scoot as you have a lot to pick from. It's kind of like getting a pickup as to some who have no experience with pickups a pickup is a pickup is a pickup and they wind up getting a light half ton expecting to tow a 15000 pound 5th wheel camper and can't understand why it falls apart on them in a very few miles.

Yeah but scooters are only practical if you never have to go on the freeways, were I live that would be next to impossible.

Plus in my opinon, the speed and handling of a m/c makes it safer to avoid most situations that may arise.

First off let me say the lady I spoke of is 40 ish years of age and lives in the midcities of Dallas Ft. Worth and has not a lot of time on 2 wheels or her scooter so her long SOLO ride was something I really don't care to do. I am 76 years of age and have owned and ridden all types of motorcycles since my early teens. My son in law has my Goldwing now and rides it often from Mansfield to Love field area.------NOT ME. The last time I rode 2 wheels in the DFW area was a couple of years ago (1300 VTX) in the midcities area but I'm older and smarter now. It has to be almost an emergency for me to go up in the DFW area and then I use my one ton Diesel 4wheel drive (Ranch Hand armored front rear and sides) pickup and I still don't like it. I live back country SW of Hillsboro for several years and is as close to DFW or other cities such as Houston that I care to ride. You have a good point on motorcycles but how much experience do you have on a 650 Suzuki Burgman Executive scooter? All it is really is a suzuki 650 high performance sport bike with a step through. It will handle free ways with most any motorcycle but I try to stay off freeways around big cities. It will handle sharp twisties like a knee dragging sport bike and much better than most cruisers as the big V Twins and even my ex GoldWing will drag metal trying to take the curves half as fast as the Burgman. Yep my son in law was hitting 130 mph on straights on the Wing trying to stay with me and couldn't. ---BUT-- It isn't the small scooters for mileage they are talking about here even though cruising from here to the SW down to Del Rio and the Big Bend at a laid back easy cruise of 60 mph it gets 60 miles per gallon. Much better than my V twin cruiser VTX or Wing which got 40. You are correct on light bikes as the 250 Ninja are Interstate legal and give good mileage. My 17 year old Grand son has one and comes down and rides back country with me often.

Short trips, errands, living downdown when you dont want parking hassles...all the family can ride them.... cheap as chips to buy, license, insure...easy to maintain...easy to manuoeve around in the garage....fun...i'm still getting 140mpg without trying...cant wait for inexpensive, reliable, electric ones to appear

You have a good point on motorcycles but how much experience do you have on a 650 Suzuki Burgman Executive scooter? All it is really is a suzuki 650 high performance sport bike with a step through. It will handle free ways with most any motorcycle but I try to stay off freeways around big cities.

I know it's not addressed to me, but I'm just a few miles under 27,000 miles on my 2007Burgman 650. (Not the executive.) It is a great bike anyplace but on the dirt. But it will handle dirt roads ok. It is a great second bike. I consider it too big to learn on.

I get just over 60 mpg in the city and on rural roads, about 57 mpg on the interstate at 65 mph. The key to these figures is easy acceleration (3,500 RPM) and very gentle throttle changes at speed.

If riders only knew how capable this "scooter" is, they would own one. But it doesn't save gas. Many times, I've headed to the corner store and decided one 50 miles away was a better option. It's just too much fun to ride.

Personally, I don't think a motorcycle or scooter is a good commuting option. I get 48 or 49 mpg on my Kia Rio. This is right in line with most motorcycles. The problem with commuting is the weather changes while we are at work. The need to get home can tempt a person to ride in hazardous conditions. I wouldn't want to do big city rush hour either on the interstate or city streets.

Plus, motorcycles and even small scooters are not overgrown bicycles. They handle differently than people think bicycles do. For instance, in order to turn right at any speed above about 10 mph, one has to push on the right handgrip. (Turn the handlebars left.) Lacking this one little piece of information can easily result in a crash. There are many more little pieces of information.

Commute times can be reduced easily by 50% or even more! if you want to weasel up to the front of the line of idling waiting cars....

Glad to see this thread. I've been seriously thinking about getting a scooter. Leaning toward a 150cc street legal Chinese made model to start with. Mostly for around town, but I'd like to ride it to work once in awhile on nice days. That will require a short stretch on the highway to get over the river. I really don't want anything more powerful, because I'm afraid I'll be tempted to drive on the highway more, and that scares the crap out of me. All the stuff I've seen flying around on the interstate was bad enough while in a car!

Also I may be moving to California in a couple of years, so I need one that conforms to California emmission standards, which narrows the field a bit.

Just a note on the highway v surface street part of this discussion:

I've only been riding a few months and do not have a "big" bike (Vulcan 500) but I generally feel safer on the highways here in San Antonio than on the surface streets. I particularly like the highways when they are 4-lane (2 each way.) I'm fine with doing 65-70 mph and it is so much easier to keep track of potential threats there than on some of the surface streets with all their intersections, store entrances/exits, and other hazards. I do avoid the >4-lane highways during rush hours. Am I alone in this thinking?

mmm. best i have ever heard mpg-wise on a scoot has been about 120. They vary in value, but a good 150cc chinese scoot can definitely be the best bang for your buck. I recently purchased a 2008 TNG RS125, 125 cc chiense scooter for $2100 from a dealer (internet scoots can be much cheaper, but assembly is required and tech support/ service is sketchy at best) that I wrote about here. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10758) I consistently get about 70mpg on mine and I weigh 205. They are hella fun and tanks fill for under $5 to boot!

I just noticed a local body shop put up a sign saying they now sell scooters. I guess I'll stop by one of these days and see what they carry and for how much. I'm still leaving the internet buying option open though. Then I can have it delivered to my door and take my time getting it ready to ride. And then my first ride can be from my house, rather than from the dealer. I've never had a motorcycle license, so I'll need to get a permit and practice and then take the test.

Plus in my opinon, the speed and handling of a m/c makes it safer to avoid most situations that may arise.

+1

my concerns are the other "drivers" out there.
agree with that lower speeds ( 35 MPH) would be "safer" than highway speeds...
but the roads i would travel are definately NOT good for bicycles ( almost no curb or burms)

Could one attach a trailer to a scooter? that would make the usage for local shopping and such a no brainer.

steve

yay summers here! shorts, t shirt and sandals weather zooming around on the scooter getting 140mpg

I wear leather gloves to be safe

Yeah but scooters are only practical if you never have to go on the freeways, were I live that would be next to impossible.

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Even on regular roads a 50cc vehicle with a top speed of only 35mph is a danger to the operator as there just isnt any power to keep up with traffic.

I would love to get myself a scooter to replace the motorcycle I used to have. I need a car for cold/weather/family, but elsewise, it's just me and a backpack's worth of "necessaries."

For the roads I drive, I'd need one capable of 55 easy (so say a top speed of 75 mph).

What kind of mileage would one in that class get? a 40 mph top speed scooter would work about 30 % of the time for me, but jump that to 60~75 top speed and it'll do about 80% of the time.

The scooter that I currently own is a Kymco People S 250 (I am selling the one I spoke of earlier in this thread). It has a 250cc engine, goes 80mph with 220lb me on it, and gets around 62-68 mpg with E10... and that's at about 4/5 throttle. It's considered a maxi scooter, in comparison to a 50cc... and it's a heck of a lot of fun to ride. A lot of umph for a 350lb bike and is really stable at higher speeds. Although a 250cc motorcycle will probably net you more mpg if you get the right one. But I'll bet that cycle won't have storage and a 12v socket to charge your phone or ipod under the seat! :woot:

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/peopleS250/PeopleS250_08.jpg (http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/peopleS250/index.html)

Sounds near perfect for me. I'd be in the 40 to 50 mph range, and could do a LOT of coasing...probably net near 80 or so MPG or more. What's something like that run? $2000?

Sounds near perfect for me. I'd be in the 40 to 50 mph range, and could do a LOT of coasing...probably net near 80 or so MPG or more. What's something like that run? $2000?


The problem is that these scooters are belt driven with automatic variator transmissions that don't disengage from the drive shaft out of the engine. Coasting is like taking your foot off the gas pedal in a manual transmission vehicle and not putting the gearbox into neutral. Coasting with a scooter is really only possible/effective at a speed low enough to disengage the clutch, about 17mph or so. It's all about easy throttle usage and shutting down at long lights, but I only do that if I have a few cars already stopped behind me, because I want to be able to get out of the way quickly if necessary.

Also, that scooter new will run you about $4800 with TTT at the shop near me. I guess a used econobox might be better for that money and get almost the same FE, but a) I got this one used for $3500 and b) sometimes two wheels is just a whole lot more fun. :D

Holy Pants! For $5k I could buy a good used car that would get near double what my Lumina is pushing!

I guess a small 250cc motorcycle is probably the way to go, then. I would kind of miss the storage, but one of those can be found in my area for $800 to $1400 - less, if you don't mind a beater that needs work.

2 wheels are more fun the majority of the time, except in bad weather (rain), this really sucks as I have ridden a full size HD for 9 yrs now. I can get 42 +mpg with my y2k Road King, engine has been heavily modified but still a smooth road bike. Please remember if you get a 250 cc scooter for the mpg, you will have to ride it home in the afternoon heat, thunderstorms, etc., and is truly different than driving home thru this weather in your car. during a thunderstorm, you run a higer risk of "not being seen" by the other guy, etc., you also don't have the luxury of riding on "good weather days" in alot cases, it ain't raining in the morning but like h#ll when you leave work. Believe me, seeing 65mpg while you ride the scooter home in a driving rain storm will give you 2nd and 3rd thoughts about owning a scooter. But yes I considered one, but I am not willing to ride in the heat and thunderstorms anymore.

I feel you there. I've ridden in the rain before; it's like getting hit with mini-paintballs at 60 mph.

I think the original mopeds with pedals like on a bicycle, are the best type of scooter.

A extra lightweight modern design with efficient cycling and a pulse and glide feature... 300mpg plus

Yamaha C3

The best engineered scooter on the planet

Some sources:
http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/mc/lineup/scooter/vox/environment/

65.0 kilometers per liter = 153 mpg at 30 kph

It might be helpful if it's in English.

That and an intro of yourself.