(Pizza delivery in the UK has been saving money for years! image source)
Found a very short article on a blog (gettingcheap) dedicated to helping you save money during our depression. In summary the story says, “Get a scooter!” Nothing ground breaking, just another point of view from outside the scooter blog world.
Here’s how the writer, Doug, got the idea:
If one lives in an area prone to frequent rain, a 150CC scooter or motorcycle can still save you loads by using it to supplement your car. After getting suckered into it by a friend, I rarely use my main vehicle now, and lowered the insurance to liability. The mileage is simply unbeatable, and it’s a fun hobby. Did I mention parking isn’t hard?
3. March 2009 at 5:02 am
I don’t think this site is doing the scooter or motorcycle community, or the saving money community a whole lot of favors.
It is true that you can get good, reliable scooter or motorcycle in general for less money than a good reliable car. This applies to both used and new.
But the numbers that the article uses are very misleading. A good, reliable used motorcycle for $1000? Maybe if you are lucky. Generally $2000 would be a better target, and even then you should plan on doing a couple of $100′s of work on it to fix items that the previous owner didn’t to bring it up to reliable (and safe) eg: replacement tires are not uncommon, brakes, oil change etc.
The same applies to a used scooter of course.
And a new scooter for $1000? Which one? Nothing worth owning that I know about. I’m not talking about swanky – I’m just talking something basic that isn’t going to fall apart.
Also – and this is critical – what about the other costs?
A helmet?
Protective gear?
Rider training?
They are all quite affordable these days, but you’ve still got to budget a couple $100 for them too. Failing to mention them in an article advocating 2 wheeled transportation is just irresponsible.
In short, I feel that this article is mostly trying to drive ad revenue to the article writer’s site. A true money saving expert would give an accurate representation of the costs – you don’t save money by budgeting incorrectly!
So either they aren’t true money saving experts OR they aren’t actually a rider and genuinely don’t know about the true cost of riding.
I’m a VERY big riding advocate, but I always make sure that newbies go in completely aware of the costs involved and if anything prepared to spend extra on gear and training. This way when they get there, they aren’t surprised by the real cost, and therefore disappointed with the experience overall. Riding isn’t for everyone, and some folks will be discouraged by some of the realities. Accurate budgeting however will be sure to avoid one of the potential discouragements.
3. March 2009 at 12:11 pm
Ok the article was a bit skewed but the point is clear.
I’m not sure what the previous poster sells(Vespa?)but as a shop owner I know I can sell a well researched, reliable, 50cc moped legal, scoot for aprox 1500 dollars and do offer DOT helmets for as little as $40 along with armored jackets starting at $75.00.
All this at an acceptable profit for me to stay in business until the economy allows me to carry more expensive stuff. That’s right, Stuff….
A customer looking to purchase a second vehicle for whatever reason is more than likely to find that a new scooter sold at a price inline with today’s economic environment would serve to be much less expensive and more reliable to operate than a used motorcycle or car. Of course one has to consider the priceless benefit of the mental enlightenment as a bonus when you’re riding something new, worry free of mechanical failure and the surrealism of being out and about on 2 wheels.
If the previous poster were to do his/her homework as a responsible shop owner should. They would find out the same. It’s not easy and requires a lot of investigating but plenty good to great scooters are out there in the $1500. retail price range.
Danny
3. March 2009 at 2:09 pm
I wrote the article this blog linked to. Allow me to respond to:
“And a new scooter for $1000? Which one? Nothing worth owning that I know about. I’m not talking about swanky – I’m just talking something basic that isn’t going to fall apart.
Also – and this is critical – what about the other costs?
A helmet?
Protective gear?
Rider training?
They are all quite affordable these days, but you’ve still got to budget a couple $100 for them too. Failing to mention them in an article advocating 2 wheeled transportation is just irresponsible.”
The purpose of my money-saving site isn’t to be a compendium of information on two-wheeled transport, but rather to at least spark the idea in some people’s minds. If I went into detail about every single aspect of scooter or motorcycle ownership, I could have 20 pages of information easily. The purpose of the article was to throw the idea out there in a money-saving context.
Also, I’m not sure where you’re getting your cost figures from. I’ve lived in several states and to get a reliable, functional bike for around 1000 dollars is easier than tying shoes. After living in both Europe and the lower 48, I can tell you finding a used moped or scooter for less than a thousand is even easier. Of course there are going to be peripheral costs, as with anything, but this is common sense. This article advocates 2-wheel ownership for a period of longer than 5 days, so the cost of a helmet tune-up (if needed) and safety course are negligable!
3. March 2009 at 7:49 pm
Wow! I just wanted to do a little post to say “non-scooter” sites are supporting the notion of dropping the car / truck / suv as a commuter vehicle and moving into something like a scooter. I had no idea it would spark up such exciting responses.
Anon#1 – No, the article didn’t do a good job of laying out all the expectations, though it sounds like you could write a well thought out ebook on the subject (and I’m not being sarcastic here). I think there is a lot of value in a short publication that spells out everything the scooter-curious should be aware of. Perhaps I need to check my back issues of Dr. Buzz to see if he’s already done that. Thanks for the input!
Anon#2 (Danny)
Thanks for the alternate perspective! Now readers can see the wide range of products available. The biggest message from me to the potential future scooter owner is “BUY A SCOOTER FROM A REPUTABLE AND SUPPORTIVE DEALER!” Sorry for yelling, but make sure you’re buying from someone who is going to handle warranty issues quickly and painlessly. Thanks for the input Danny!
Doug! Thanks for stopping by to give us more info and thanks for sparking people’s curiosity!
28. August 2009 at 8:13 am
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