I would NOT recommend taking a 150cc scooter on the expressway, even though it is expressway legal. The wind kicks up and you would be struggling to keep that puppy in your own lane. I had a 250cc scooter and could barely handle it on the expressway. Plus, you don’t have any extra speed at the top end, which means that you don’t have any extra “oomph” to get out of the way if you need to speed up to save your butt. Scary.

In Michigan, you must have a motorcycle endorsement, registration, insurance, and plates for any scooter over 50cc, since they are considered motorcycles.

Because they’re considered motorcycles, you have to follow helmet laws and get proper gear to protect your hide anyway.

Scooters are fun, but they are dangerous, too, and if you’re going with something over 50cc, there are added expenses to consider, as well.

Lisa

Many folks consider buying a new hybrid or other small car, and that is where I would caution us not to get caught up in the mpg frenzy. If you don’t drive that much, the cost of a new car will far outweigh the savings in fuel. (Not so with a scooter.) We should stay focused on total cost of transportation which includes: licensing; insurance; payments; fuel; repair; and, maintenance.

Hanging onto the older car and getting an inexpensive scooter can make a lot of sense financially. I think we will see this more and more in the major metropolitan areas.

In some asian countries, there is a sea of scooters on every street, and they’re parked like dominoes lined up on the sidewalks by the hundreds. I am always amazed at what I have seen people carry on a scooter, including a large sheet of plate glass!

The trick is to identify the point of diminishing returns and diminishing practicality, and stay well away from both of them. It’s a math and personal balancing act that should consider the following:

1. If you use a lot of fuel each week, you might be too far from work to comfortably get there on a scooter.

2. If you don’t use a lot of fuel each week, then your savings in fuel might not justify buying a scooter in the first place.

3. The amount of things you must carry each day will also dictate to some extent the viability of a scooter.

4. Some folks need more than two wheels for comfort, safety and security.

5. Will you have scooter friendly roads to traverse? Moderate speeds, no potholes, and sane drivers?

6. Scooters have weight limitations. Pushing those will affect safe handling and braking. Larger people (like me) will likely be more comfortable in a car or on a larger motorcycle.

7. Scooters are fun!

The high mpg of a scooter is tempting, but I can see the wisdom of owning a scooter being something much more than just an exercise in financial decision making.

Clair