ALT-2 Scooters as an Alternative to Cars
Living in Atlanta has been an experience. Having moved to the area nearly five years ago I've learned a great deal about what it's like to contend with automotive traffic and what the public transportation system is all about. When I initially moved here I was driving a Jeep Cherokee, which is a medium plus sized SUV. It had great storage space, lots of power and horrible gas mileage. The first thing you learn about Atlanta, and Dallas, San Francisco and many other large, congested metropolitan areas, is that you stay away from the highways and interstates during rush hours. If you don't listen to the locals, you'll end up living a quarter of your life amongst the truly angst-ridden populace of the gruesome metal monsters.
Atlanta, like New York, has a rail and bus system that is independently owned, and it is quite possible to get many of the places that you would want to go via this well-used system of transportation. The concession, however, is time. I've found that I can often ride a bicycle, which is absolutely the most cost effective short term transportation ever created, in far less time than it takes to wait for a Marta train or bus. Having mentioned the bicycle as a means, there are several down sides to that form of transport as well. You certainly feel the cold, rain and the wrath of those self-important drivers who really believe that you are supposed to be on the sidewalk, which is against the law.
So this brings us to scooters and mopeds. For our discussion I'm going to talk about scooters, which are a heavier duty type of vehicle fit for introduction into the traffic-laden streets.
Probably the best known and most purchased type of scooter is the Vespa brand. The Italian-made vehicles are extremely popular in their home country and have inspired countless Americans to hit the streets and proclaim, "Ciao." Piaggio, in fact, first introduced the Vespa in 1946, and they've been making them ever since. Honda began making them in the 1980's, and now they make larger scooters that are basically watered-down versions of their long-distance cruiser motorcycles. China now makes nearly 50% of the world's motor scooters, both electric and gas engine. Scooters typically can get 50-80 mpg or better, and the electric ones, of course, use no gas whatsoever. They also have less power, though it is all about your priorities.
The right scooter for you depends on your circumstances and preferences. If your commute is short, your pockets are short on extra change and you don't need much zip, then your best bet is to go with one of the many Chinese imports that are available nearly everywhere scooters are sold. The 49cc models will go from 30-40 mph, and they get 70-80 mpg typically. They are also the cheapest models available, ranging from $500-$1,000 generally speaking. They will carry short warranties, and I wouldn't count on them lasting a long time but they will get the job done and will save you a ton on gas.
For those of you who have a longer distance to go, are interested in more stylish aesthetics and want more pep, you've got to get into the 125-150cc range. The Chinese-manufactured versions of these are still cheap, ranging from $1,000-$2,500 on the higher end. The gas mileage goes down, but the power goes up with a slight increase in reliability, potentially. The engines can either be 2 or 4-stroke, the 4-stroke being a more solid ride. The 49cc models are all usually 2-stroke, and they can be load and have wide power bands, an obvious difference in power at different speeds and in lower and higher gears. The Chinese models are still all very similar, have less efficient engines and produce more pollution than their Italian and similar counterparts. The top speed is around 50-60 mph, but some can go a bit faster.
The Vespas are considered the elite in this class of vehicle, having a broad range of styles to choose from, modern, vintage and retro-modern. They have also introduced a more powerful, touring series of vehicles that compete with the Honda touring models, though the largest engine displacement is 200/250cc as opposed to 600cc+ models that Honda offers; Piaggio, the parent company offers a 480cc maxi-scooter for a little less than $6,300 US. The Vespas represent the epitome of style, and the Piaggio models available have more of a modern look. The prices range in the Vespa line from $3,000 at 49cc to $6,000 at 200cc. The Piaggio line begins more modestly at just over $1,000 for the 49cc model ranging up to $6,500 for the deluxe touring model, the X9. These are the most sought after motor scooters, and it's for a good reason. They look great, perform wonderfully and they are well-made.
The Honda line of the Metropolitan has become somewhat popular in recent years, and the introduction of the Ruckus model, a slightly heavier duty bike, rounds out a solid middle platform between the 49cc Metropolitan and their touring series, the Reflex and Silver Wing models. They also have an 80cc 4-stroke model, the Elite 80.
Honda has a reputation for reliability, and their scooters are arguably better looking than the plethora of cheaply made Chinese bikes. They aren't known for their power, and they are a far cry from the Vespas. They are, however, similarly priced, ranging from $1,900 up to $8,500 for the 582cc liquid-cooled ABS model of the Silver Wing.
There is one other manufacturer worth mentioning, Bajaj. For a time Bajaj made scooters for Vespa/Piaggio in the USA. The Indian auto and motorcycle manufacturer came into being in 1946, so they've been around and they have 40 years of scooter manufacturing experience. The point best made- if Vespa trusted them to make their bikes, then that says something pretty good about the company. The Bajaj Chetak 150cc gas scooter has the highest tested mpg of any 150cc scooter at 110 mpg,independently tested, which is a huge plus. Also, their scooters have a 2 year warranty as opposed to Vespa's 1 year limited warranty. The Chetak model comes with a full spare that is either attached to the back or stored under the wheel well on the opposite side of the bike from the engine. 2006 was the last production year for this scooter for US distribution. The Argo 150 is their new release, which is manufactured in part by other companies. It is an automatic as opposed to the manual transmission of the Chetak. MPG ratings are not currently listed for the Argo 150 on the bajajusa.com site. The Chetak is priced at around $3,000, and the Argo 150 is slightly cheaper at $2,500. If you want to compare it to the Vespas, the most similar bike is the PX 150, which is priced at $4,200-$4,800(limited edition).
Research your scooters thoroughly before buying, and it's always best to sit and, if possible, to test drive your potential bike before shelling out the dough. An important note is that you do not need a motorcycle license for 50cc moped/scooters in most states, but states vary for bikes over 80-150cc.
