Scooters vs Motorcycles
07.22.2008
I have this summer seen a disturbing increase in the number of motor scooters on the streets, I assume that because of the high prices of gas. Now don't get me wrong, I think there are places where scooters make some sense, such as on a college campus or the small streets of a european city. However, out on the open road, whether in town or otherwise, I would suggest that they are not the correct choice for a means of transportation when compared to a full-fledged motorcycle. This is because I believe them to be more dangerous, not as much of a value when compared to their motorcycle cousins, and the wrong choice for almost anyone of any age.
Danger, Will Robinson
Scooters are dangerous.
First of all, while all two wheeled motor vehicles are admittedly more dangerous than most cars, scooters of all stripes are inherently even more dangerous than a motorcycle. Their design, which places the engine far back on the chassis, causes the center of gravity of the scooter to be very far back, too. What this does is create a physics situation where, when braking, the back tire of the scooter will much more easily slide out from under you than with a motorcycle.
Secondly, many scooters, especially the smaller 49cc sizes ones, have barely enough power to get out of their own way. This is fine in a closed environment like a quiet college campus, but is totally unacceptable on a city street. When the Mack truck comes barelling down on you, you want something to happen when you pull back on the throttle.
Thirdly, I tend to see more scooter operators riding without standard protective gear, including even a helmet, when compared with motorcycle riders. Sure, many motorcycle riders foolishly go without helmets or protective jackets, but it seems like most scooter riders decide not to wear even a helmet, let alone other protective gear. Their attitude is almost certainly along the lines of, "it's just a scooter" - unfortunately, it "just" being a scooter doesn't help anything when they go down and their head hits the pavement at 30mph.
Scooters are cheaper, right?
Well, yes and no.
Yes, entry level scooters can be cheaper than even an entry-level motorcycle. However, in the grand scheme of things this price difference isn't all that much.
Consider, for example, the entry level Honda 49cc scooter, the Ruckus. The base MSRP of this model is, at the time of this writing, $2,149. Relatively inexpensive, right?
Well now consider the entry level Honda MOTORCYCLE, with a full 234cc engine, the Rebel. The base MSRP of this model? $3199, at the time of this writing.
And that's just comparing the base model scoooter. Many people I've seen have opted for the larger scooters, with larger engines... and when comparing these larger scooters, with similarly large engines as the Rebel (above), they are actually MORE expensive than the Rebel, a full fledged motorcycle. Indeed, the higher end scooters, sporting only a 582cc engine, are more expensive than all but the highest end Shadow models which have 750cc engines.
But I'm going to buy used, so I can get a scooter really cheap!
Well, yes, you can. But if you're considering a used scooter, why not consider instead a used motorcycle? In general, low end scooters and low end motorcycles that are just a few years old become even closer in price! If you consider that the Rebel is only around $3000, how cheap could you find a 5 year old one?
Scooters get better gas mileage, right?
Well, yes they do. However, in the grand scheme of things, not by much.
Using the Ruckus again as a bench mark, my research (Honda oddly doesn't seem to have this info online) indicates that the Ruckus gets around 90 to 100 mpg. Pretty good, right?
In contrast, the Rebel (again, info not directly from Honda) appears to get around 70 to 80 mpg. A pretty good difference, yes; but when also comparing style, power and safety, is the extra 20mpg really worth it? I mean, you're already (with the Rebel) almost certainly saving 40 to 50 mpg or more compared to your car?
And again, many that I've seen have opted for the larger scooters with bigger engines. These larger scooters do not get the gas mileage that their smaller cousin, the Ruckus, gets. For example, the Honda Helix, gets only around 60 to 70 mpg, about the same as the Rebel (or perhaps even less), making the choice between motorcycle and scooter even easier.
(When making this comparison, you'll want to do your own research into the mpg rating for each scooter or motorcycle you're considering - quite literally, your mileage may vary...).
But the vehicle will be for my teenager.
I've noticed that perhaps half of all scooter riders I've seen are teenagers. I believe, in fact, that in some states/jurisdictions that the smaller 49cc scooters can be legally driven by teenagers even younger than driving age. In addition, even once a teenager is of driving age, they often get scooters because they're relatively cheap and their parents must figure "it's just a scooter, right?" (see dangers of scooters, above). For these and many other reasons parents purchase or otherwise allow their kids to operate scooters.
However, I believe that kids younger than driving age (16) ought not be operating any motorized vehicle on the street, for lots of reasons (which I won't go into here, but you can probably guess many or most of them). Beyond that, though, parents should consider the dangers of scooters above and weigh that with the danger of a more powerful bike in the hands of their teenager. However, in my mind, I'd rather any child of mine to have an inherently safer vehicle, instead of worrying about whether they can mentally or morally handle the power of a full, low-end motorcycle.
Now, I'm not saying you should go and buy a teenager a sport bike, like the Honda CBR600RR. But if you're trusting your kid to ride a two wheeled motorized vehicle at all, then give them (or allow them to buy) something like the Rebel that is inherently safer.
More importantly, though, whether on a scooter or motorcycle, make sure they wear at least basic protective gear (a properly fitting DOT helmet and motorcycle jacket) and take an ABATE motorcycle safety course in your state before ever letting them hit the streets.
Having them take the safety course will help to alleviate any danger posed by "too much power," and quite honestly a 250cc motorcycle is enough, but not too much, power for any responsible teenager.
But a motorcycle is too much power for me.
The same logic above (see "teenager") applies even to older folks who feel perhaps a motorcycle might be too much bike for them. I would suggest that you will be MUCH safer and more comfortable riding an entry level motorcycle than any scooter out there.
But again, make sure to wear at least basic protective gear (a properly fitting DOT helmet and motorcycle jacket) and take an ABATE motorcycle safety course in your state before ever hitting the streets.
Taking the safety course will help to alleviate any danger posed by "too much power," and quite honestly a 250cc motorcycle is enough, but not too much, power for almost any adult rider.
But scooters are so cute!
Many might like how cute or trendy scooters are. But are those mental concerns as much of a consideration as value or, more importantly, safety?
Conclusion
I personally believe that almost anyone, anywhere will be better served by the purchase of any motorcycle over that of any scooter. Entry level motorcycles are inherently safer, aren't much more expensive, and a get nearly as good mpg as entry level scooters. They are also inherently safer, are actually less expensive, and get as good mpg as higher end scooters.
But no matter which two wheeled motorized vehicle you decide on, one of the most important decisions you can make is to be sure to wear basic protective gear (a properly fitting DOT helmet and motorcycle jacket) EVERY TIME you get on your bike, even if you're "just going a few blocks." And be sure to take an ABATE motorcycle safety course in your state before ever hitting the streets.
Agree? Disagree? Think I'm full of it?
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