Comments on: Scooter or Motorcycle?

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 02:16:08 +0000

Liberal wacko… that’s the first time that one was applied to me.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 02:03:14 +0000

did you vote for Obama ?’because only liberal wackos think like you.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:45:51 +0000

Anonymous: Considering your choices I suppose I would opt for the Kawasaki purely with maintenance in mind. Lot's more parts and mechanics around who are willing to work on them. I've no direct experience with the Chinese scooters save for a person down the street who has one and found a motorcycle mechanic to work on it and will order parts on the web. That may not be the rule though...

Forty-five miles is a long commute for a small engine scooter or motorcycle. I know you say you are content with going slow but you may find it wears you out after awhile. Not sure I would want to commute 45 miles on my 250 very often. I would definitely think hard on that.

Maybe go to ModernVespa.com and ask questions there. A lot of scooter commuters posting.

Good luck and let me know what you end up doing!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:56:39 +0000

Dear Steve,

I know this post is a good 6 years old now, but I found it really fascinating. I'm looking at buying either a scooter or motorcycle to get me to work every day, and I would be curious to have your perspective on my situation.

I will be using the scooter/motorcycle to commute 45 miles to university most days (and then 45 miles back). We do own a car, so I can take the car if there's a ton of snow. But between parking and gas costs, a scooter/motorcycle is a far better option, when safe.

To me, speed is not really an issue. I'm happy going slowly and taking my time. The question is whether I should buy a new Chinese scooter (Roketa, perhaps) for 1000 of pay slightly more (1500) to get a used Kawasaki Eliminator 125 (or similar). In either case, my top speed will be about 60mph (just enough to not bother traffic on the state highways I'll be commuting on). Of course, if I do get the cheap chinese scooter, I'll get it from somebody who can also supply parts and such. The prices are similar, the top speeds are similar, the mpg is similar. So my decision comes down to one of safety and maintenance cost. In my situation, would you suggest the used motorcycle or the new scooter?

I'm really keen to hear your reasoning here, as I'm really ambivalent myself.

By: Schnarpsel

Schnarpsel — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:42:47 +0000

Steve, Thank you for responding to my question. I will pass it on to my friend..

My personal take on this is that I find the scooter an all-around friendlier, happier ride. I get why people ride motorcycles but seeing a Vespa come my way always makes me smile. It isn't about speed, muscle, power and whatever else one would commonly associate with big bikes. Yet the freedom and exuberance I feel riding my Vespa is every bit the same...

As always, very much enjoy reading the Scooter in the Sticks.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:53:40 +0000

Schnarpsel: I've had the opportunity to ride a lot of motorcycles and scooters since I wrote that post. While I still embrace the go slow frame of mind I realize now it's possible to do the same thing on a motorcycle. My continued choice of a Vespa has more to do with the utility and versatility it offers me and the kind of riding I do. In another situation it might not be so good. If I had to commute 30 miles to work on the expressway it would not be such a good choice.

I'm more understanding of people's choices and motivations. Except for riding without a helmet or a deafening exhaust. Still don't understand that. Or maybe I do.

Thanks for your kind words about the blog. Hope you continue to find something worthwhile here.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:45:13 +0000

charlesw: I think you and I are in agreement on all the important things. When I wrote the post — five years ago now — I was in my early explorations with the Vespa and how it fit into my riding life. I closed by saying that at the time a motorcycle wouldn’t offer me anything. At that point in time I didn’t have enough exposure to other riders to see how their choices fit with their riding. It’s an interesting activity to talk with people about their choices. Over the years I’ve had many opportunities. Your choice of a cruiser is every bit as sound as mine for a Vespa. We all may be going down the same road but the details are different for each of us.

Thanks for posting such a thoughtful piece on this topic.

By: Schnarpsel

Schnarpsel — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:25:05 +0000

Steve, I forwarded this blog to a friend of mine who is riding one of those big bikes you were referring to. He wrote me back and found it an interesting read (so did I) but he wondered if you still felt the same way today, given that you wrote this 5 years ago. Do you?

On a different note, I am a relatively new subscriber to your blog but tremendously enjoy your musings & writing style, take on riding a scooter and last but not least the wonderful pictures. Looking forward to reading one every day and since you started years go, I have a lot of archived posts to read before running out...

By: Schnarpsel

Schnarpsel — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:22:03 +0000

This comment has been removed by the author.

By: charlesw

charlesw — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:00:45 +0000

Steve, Perspective is a wonderful thing and is clearly enhanced by people like you being prepared to open up and be fair and balanced.
Like you, I am not going to debate the merits of traditional reasons – I am not much of a traditional person. But I will share my perspective, that is now somewhat blended with yours.
My first and fondest memories as a child related to powered two-wheelers, are of my mother taking me to elementary school on her Vespa. I assume it was a 150, but back in those days, it may have been a 90 or 75 – don’t know, didn’t really care. It was simply freedom. Later I owned my very own little 50cc Yamaha, and later baby-sat an uncle’s messy 2-stroke Suzuki 380cc.

That was then.
About 6 years ago I went through many, if not most of the emotions and thought you refer to. I even have a name for one of the items you refer to regarding speech dress & actions – “Jenko effect” – something I taught my children, that when you start wearing Jenko jeans, you eventually become part of the crowd that wear them.
I eventually bought my little baby, for many of the philosophical reasons you raise; I did not want to be part of a biker parade simply for its own sake; speed was a non-issue – in fact, I could not tell you what the top speed number on the speedo is; however, we differ on the thinking part. For me, riding is the same as scuba diving. You really can’t do anything else at the same time. It is my inaccessible time – no e-mail, phone, just relax – like watching a musical, you are happily absorbed, not distracted nor obligated.
The other difference lies in our ultimate decision – mine was for a Honda cruiser. The interesting thing is that I believe we made these divergent decisions for very similar reasons, especially to NOT “blend and conform”.
Happy living…
Chuck