I see Scooters.

[Nitelord]

Scooter retailers are popping up all over the place. One of the local RV centers is now selling them. They have one called a Retro 50 - 108 MPG, auto trans and electric start. $995.00 They note that in PA there is not a requirement for a motorcycle lic. It appears to be cc related as to when you need one and don't. Several others say lic. required.

[Dodsfall]

In Illinois, 50CC or smaller doesn't require a license. 51-149CC require a "Class L" licence for a motor-driven cycle. 150cc and up require a "Class M" license for a motorcycle.

[grappler]

Same here, riding around Pacific Beach today I saw probably 3 or 4 scooter stores.

Plenty of younger (college aged) people like them as they are cheap, fuel efficient, fun and don't require an M-class license. The ladies really like them too as they think they are "cute":rolleyes: atleast thats what I have been told:D

[HarveyCreek]

The ladies really like them too as they think they are "cute"

I've noticed these cute scooters have acted as a spring board for getting gals into bikes, several that use the same parking garage I do got scooters last year. They found out how much fun they were, but wanted to go more places, I've now noticed they are riding Triumph Bonnevilles. Though they are keeping with the cute theme. On their scooters they had checkerboard pattern, with matching helmets and satchels. Now their apparel and bikes make them look just like British motorcycle posters from the 50's and 60's.

[Nitelord]

I guess if I wasn't into motorcycles, I'd consider one for back and forth to work. 6 mile round trip and what 85 miles per gallon. That's two weeks of transportation to and from work for the price of a couple of large coffees.:)

[grappler]

I've noticed these cute scooters have acted as a spring board for getting gals into bikes, several that use the same parking garage I do got scooters last year. They found out how much fun they were, but wanted to go more places, I've now noticed they are riding Triumph Bonnevilles. Though they are keeping with the cute theme. On their scooters they had checkerboard pattern, with matching helmets and satchels. Now their apparel and bikes make them look just like British motorcycle posters from the 50's and 60's.

Yep Yep! And I'm not complaining:D

[Steve Young]

Scooter retailers are popping up all over the place. One of the local RV centers is now selling them. They have one called a Retro 50 - 108 MPG, auto trans and electric start. $995.00 They note that in PA there is not a requirement for a motorcycle lic. It appears to be cc related as to when you need one and don't. Several others say lic. required.

Where I live, you can buy them in hardware and lawnmower stores too. Just don't expect any after-sales service.

[BH121869]

Many of these are made in China or elsewhere. They are flooding the markets and garages as they do not run long. The warenty is over as you get it home. Stick with brand names. You will get what you pay for every time.

[drupason]

yea there are tons popping up here too

[Bug Eatin Steve]

in PA i know you can't take your motorcycle test on most "50cc" scooters cause the title usually says 49 cc

[Mittens]

I ride a 100cc Honda Lead. They're very popular here in Sydney as they're cheap, easy to handle and good for weaving through the traffic jams.

[Arko]

Many of these are made in China or elsewhere. They are flooding the markets and garages as they do not run long. The warenty is over as you get it home. Stick with brand names. You will get what you pay for every time.

Well..like anything else, it depends who made it. A couple Chinese company's actually make a decent product. We bought my wife a used Diamo (now owned by a company I can't remember the name of) a used scoot almost two years ago. Several thousand miles on it when we got it. She's got almost almost 10K on it now, with the only service needed bing a new front fork seal, which was ridiculously cheap. Parts for these things are crazy cheap, and getting easier to get now too.

At the time there was no was we could afford the "name brands".

[TheRealFatShady]

Lots of them here in MA as well. Lots of the cheap Chinese ones. Can be found for $600-$700 delivered from online stores; most stores sell them here for $900-$1200.

[drummershoes]

yeah , a few co workers of mine ride scooters ... but the price was not appealing for me.
I'd rather be on an actual motorcycle for the price of a brand new scooter.

[ebeing]

the chinese ones are decent if you look around you will notice differences. some factories use the same engine as a honda, without the honda stamp of course. I have a jonway 250cc that uses a honda piston and ring without any modification. they are clones, with inferior electronics, tires, spark plugs, gearbox oil, throttle assembly,air filters,fuel lines and gaskets,and most chinese plastic is cheap as well.

:)

[ericman2001]

I know in North Dakota, any motorized two-wheeled vehicle that displaces less than 50cc (hence all the 49cc scoots) and that is restricted to 35mph? maybe it's 30mph? is technically classified as a motorized bicycle. To ride one, you only need to take a written test. I don't know what South Dakota law is though... I don't really care because I don't plan on riding a 49cc scoot and I already have a "class 2" license :).

Around here I've seen 49cc scoots popping up in some locally run department stores and advertisements in the papers for them. I'm worried that when gas crests $3/gal again that they'll start selling like hot cakes and no one will know how to ride them :(.

[Badlands-4-2]

The 49cc scooter is a great entry into motorcycling. It builds some skills and is an inexpensive mode of transportation. My first ride was a Honda 49cc moped. Great fun.

[joncallihan]

the chinese ones are decent if you look around you will notice differences. some factories use the same engine as a honda, without the honda stamp of course. I have a jonway 250cc that uses a honda piston and ring without any modification. they are clones, with inferior electronics, tires, spark plugs, gearbox oil, throttle assembly,air filters,fuel lines and gaskets,and most chinese plastic is cheap as well.

:)
Add inferior metalurgy to all of the above. Cheap is as Cheap does. Beware the CCS (cheap chinese scooter) -- you get what you pay for.:(:(:(:(:(:(

Jon

[npatel123]

I am from India and here I ride a 125cc Mahindra Duro DZ with powerful 125 cc engine. It is a good scooter and mileage around is around 55 km/L. It has a smooth drive because of the advance telescopic suspension which it have.

[mithuth]

In PA, less than 50cc is no license required. I almost bought a Honda Rukus. Those things are so ugly, I love em. Ya'know, I still may get one someday for the fun factor.

[joncallihan]

since I need a trike, here is a Rukus that appeals to me

http://www.scooterdepot.us/3-wheels-motorcycle-150cc-trike-gas-moped-scooters-p-643.html

Jon

[mithuth]

^^ SICK! I want one. That's cool as heck!

[bajakirch]

Here in WI, you only need a valid driver's license to operate a scooter under 50 cc. Anything larger requires a MC license. You also cannot transport a passenger on the smaller scooters, thought that's wide ignored. Most cops around here don't even know that's illegal.

My brother bought himself a used Chinese scooter last year and uses it to commute 10 miles to work. He likes it, and now is planning to upgrade to a MC later this year.

[ClassicVW]

When I was without a motorcycle for a while about 2-3 years ago, I bought a 150cc Chinese Vespa copy for my 3-mile commute to work. It was fun and reliable, and cost around $1300. Then work moved about another 13 miles away all highway, and I sold it and got another M/C. I'd be too worried about quality with one that cost less than $1,000 in today's market where they're in demand.

[chimper]

if you wait a few weeks scooters will probably all drop in price. beginning of summer, it's hard to get a good deal on one.

[Steve Young]

Add inferior metalurgy to all of the above. Cheap is as Cheap does. Beware the CCS (cheap chinese scooter) -- you get what you pay for.:(:(:(:(:(:(

Jon

Inferior metallurgy is not confined to Chinese scooters. I had a Piaggio X9 that gave up the ghost after 20,000 km (12,000 mi). I thought it had blown a head gasket, but the alloy cylinder head developed 2 holes right in the metal. Absolute crap. Never buy a Piaggio Group product again.:mad:

[Roman Legion]

I see people operating scooters around here on the highway and in town and have yet to see one wearing any protective gear to include a helmet and none of them has a license plate..