looking for something showing cost per mile to own/operate scooters (50-125cc)

self ^ | 11-21-11 | wobbly bob

[Vision]

I’ve been thinking of getting one for short trips. MD lets you ride scooters without a helmet and that seems like fun.

[ataDude]

Don’t forget to include hospital and doctors’ costs, as well as loss of income, into your cost model WHEN someone on their cell phone takes you out.

[Average Al]

No Kidding. We have a lot of little scooters that only go 25 mph or less so the riders don’t have to get a motorcyle license or plate. They drive car drivers nuts. Makes one
want to run the suckers off the road in to a ditch!!

[Citizen Tom Paine]

I have ridden a motorcycle for more than 35 years without a serious accident. Scooters are not safe to ride on the roads. Consider a motorcycle with a motor size greater than 350cc - although 500 cc is a better size.

if you ride something smaller, keep your medical itsurance paid up.

[Jonty30]

Get one that is brightly coloured so people can see you.

[Jonty30]

Scooters are fine on city streets.

I ride on city streets all the time with no problem.

Just avoid the fast roads.

[King Moonracer]

You really want to ride Scooter, Huh?

.

Well, he looks like the type.

[WOBBLY BOB]

you have me confused with Jerry Sandusky.

[buffaloguy]

1. Seems to be true and is reflected in insurance costs. After 900cc the cost goes up fast.
2. The majority of deaths in motorcycle accidents are experienced by those who do not have a motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license. In other words, they received no instruction.
3. Perhaps caused a major accident would be a bit better but my experience with a bike is that you are controlling your environment in 360 degrees. Stay out of situations that can turn into lethal accidents.

I will add that the devices that make your headlights vary in illumination seem to be really effective. I have only seen one bike with that piece of equipment and it was really annoying to oncoming drivers as well as those who are waiting in your path to pull out. Which is what you are looking for.

Oddly enough, there are almost no deaths on bikes on which there are two riders. So drive as if you have someone on board. Just like flying an aircraft with passengers: You fly for their comfort.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Oddly enough, there are almost no deaths on bikes on which there are two riders.

the old lady can choke you (or worse)from that angle.

[Hot Tabasco]

The mileage drops if you have to drive in snow......but snow tires do help.

[WOBBLY BOB]

[buffaloguy]

The equipment I was talking about is called a modulator. When I first saw one at a distance, I had a “WTF is that?” reaction and kept my eye on it until it passed me.

Basically, I saw the bike a mile away in the dusk. Perfect.

[buffaloguy]

You would most likely be happy with a 125cc. Don’t strain the engine by topping out all the time.

[bvw]

My educated guesstimate is a real-life total cost around $1 per mile. Much more than the same for a reliable used car.

Why? Theft, vandalism and accident damage likelihood.

[WOBBLY BOB]

are they DOT legal in all states?

[cicero2k]

Much more than the same for a reliable used car.

Ain't that the truth.

I had to purchase a third car because I frequently travel to the same location for work and car rental is out of the question.

I ended up with a 2000 Honda Civic.

Cost to operate: insurance, depreciation, gas, maintenance = 30 cents per mile and I only drive it 3,000 miles per year.

[calex59]

She was trying to ride a bike that was to big for a beginner.
A beginner, no matter what courses they have taken, needs to be on a 250CC or, at most, a 500CC. It is hard to find a 250CC these days but Honda makes one.

[bvw]

I had to purchase a third car because I frequently travel to the same location for work and car rental is out of the question.

That's a car you keep at a work location you fly to? If so, how do you store it when home?

[bvw]

Okay I found a few realistic accounts of costs, and given fifteen minutes of research here's a really good summary post:

Darren

5/8/08 6:35am

I had my LX150 for little under a year (before it was totalled out…). I put over 5000 miles on it in 10.5 months. I had it tipped a couple times, but since I had crashbars, no paint scratches that I could detect. The week before I wrecked it, I did 700 miles going from Chicago to Cinci for WKRP, with nary a hiccup.

Not counting the gas savings (I was getting 55mpg city and 60+mpg on long rides- aggressive speedo though – and I like to go fast), I don’t think I spent near as much as you did (nor did I have the problems you did).

1st service $174 (at 675 mi).
2nd service $135 (at 1967 mi).

3rd service and variator belt replacement $364 (at 3992 mi) New rear tire at 3200 mi $44 tire (ordered) and $45 labor putting it on the rim – I took the wheel off in my friend’s garage.

With helmet, gloves, riding gear, probably close to another $1000. But that includes lap apron and handlebar muffs, and I rode all winter in Chicago, which had to save me more gas (and was more fun than driving, most days – and I could congratulate myself on being hardcore the rest of the time).

I bought a p200 now, but plan on getting another LX150 (or Vespa S – same thing) once I can afford one. Mine was a tank, even with 5k miles on it. It totalled out at $3500 at a year old and that many miles on it.

http://justinsomnia.org/2008/05/vespa-lx150-total-cost-of-ownership/

That's $3500 for 3500 miles. $1 a mile. Note he doesn't say directly how much he orginally paid, nor what he sold it for, but given the other numbers he said 3500/3500 seems to be the net out.