Gas scooter questions

[raddevon]

I'm considering purchasing a Honda scooter (the Metropolitan or the Ruckus) to shift some of the burden of my commute to work from my gas-guzzling V6 to a more fuel-efficient vehicle. I have a couple of concerns that I need to address before I can decide if this is a practical alternative.

1. Is there a significant difference in mileage between the Metropolitan and the Ruckus? I much prefer the style of the Ruckus, but I wouldn't want to pay extra for the style only to lose significant fuel economy. I noticed the Ruckus weighs a little more, but they seem pretty similar otherwise based on the specifications.

2. How do insurance companies feel about these vehicles? Am I going to be paying as much for this as I do for car insurance? Of course, I will call my own insurance company tomorrow, but I wanted to see if anyone has personal experience they can share in the meantime.

3. What kind of life can I expect to get from a scooter? One source has suggested 25,000 miles before major repairs. This would get me far enough to pay for the thing and gain a little savings, but the savings would be modest at best.

4. What kind of maintenance is required for these vehicles? How often is it required?

5. Are these vehicles safe to operate in the rain? I understand inclement weather will make operating any vehicle less safe, but will I damage the vehicle if it is exposed to the weather?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[Ryland]

Both of those scooters have a belt drive and that is going to be one of the highest matanice parts after tires, oil changes and adding gas to the gas tank, tires should last 5,000-15,000 miles depending on the quality and cost $20-70 each, the drive belt costs $19 from Honda, brakes are $18 per wheel, most things are cheap, even rebuilding the entire engine is cheap, around $300 will buy you a new cylinder, piston, rings, crankshaft, but really, the engine should last at least 30,000 miles and at that point if you spent $50 you could get it board out, go with the first over size ring set, piston and come really close to having a new engine with slightly more power, my point is, it is a low priced vehicle to own.
If you are thinking about buying something new and like Honda quality, check out the Sachs Madass, it appears to use a Honda engine only with what I think is a better automatic tranny, and if you want to you can swap in a 4 speed manual to get more speed and better mileage.

[ebacherville]

Check your local laws etc.. most scooters over 50cc are considered motorcycles, and under 50cc don't need motorcycle license to drive.. some states have laws about how fast they go etc..

However scooters or small CC motorcycles are great MPG getters, my 250cc motorcycles get 60-75 mpg... many of the small 100cc scooters will pull down over 100mpg.

[raddevon]

Thanks, Ryland, for the in-depth maintenance information. My problem is I have never worked on engines and know very little about them. I always have any maintenance on my car professionally done which will make everything more expensive. I do have an idea now of what I'm in for. It seems pretty minor.

Originally Posted by ebacherville

Check your local laws etc.. most scooters over 50cc are considered motorcycles, and under 50cc don't need motorcycle license to drive.. some states have laws about how fast they go etc..

However scooters or small CC motorcycles are great MPG getters, my 250cc motorcycles get 60-75 mpg... many of the small 100cc scooters will pull down over 100mpg.

I'm hoping to ask about law at the dealership. I have tired the Tennessee Department of safety which says motor scooters are not street legal. I have a feeling they are talking about toy motor scooters, but they never actually define them. They also say motorized bicycles under 50cc (the scooters I'm looking at are 49cc) do not require a special license and are street legal. Once again, they never define what a "motorized bicycle" is.

[Ryland]

it's vagueness like that that inspired me to read my states law around motorcycles, mopeds, motor bicycles, it can save you alot of money and keep you out of trouble.

[COMP]

find any site's ???