TheScooterScoop

Grand Forks Herald | 06/06/2006 | GAS PRICES: Pump practicality: “San Antonio Express-News

SAN ANTONIO – Scooters are in, gas guzzlers are out.

Scooters range from 50cc models that cost $2,000 or less and go only to 50 mph to 400cc or bigger models that can pass just about everything else on the freeway. They come in a variety of styles and colors.

But they all have one thing in common: drivers who for one reason or another choose scooters over cars or even other motorcycles when it comes time to have some fun on the road.

And with gas prices soaring these days, scooter operators have the last laugh: Their machines average up to 85 miles per gallon, and a fill-up costs about $5. Compared with the average big SUV, which costs at least $50 to fill up, that’s quite a selling point, the scooter operators say.

‘I’ve had my Vespa since last year, and I ride it everywhere, even to work,’ said Albert Uresti, 34.

He said his scooter, a high-performance 200cc model from legendary Italian scooter maker Piaggio, gets at least 50 mpg. ‘It would do even better than that if I went slower, but I like to drive fast,’ he said.”