The Economics of Owning a Motor Scooter Vs. a Car
How Much Does it Cost to Own a Motor Scooter (Moped)
Back in the fall, I sold one of our two cars. My wife and I were both riding the bus to and from work, and rarely both needed a vehicle on the same day. So we sold off a car. It’s saved me over $300/month. As fate played out, my wife lost her job in January. Recently, she has started working again, and has a 60+ mile daily commute. Needless to say, she needs a car Monday through Friday. Meanwhile, I’m still busing.
I’m happy to take the bus to and from work on a daily basis. The problem lies in that without a vehicle during the week, I have no way to get myself around to doctors appointments or anywhere else that the bus or my self-powered bike won’t take me. As a result, I need some way to get around town. I don’t want to spend the cash required to get a new vehicle when I will rarely use it, so one legit option that I’m considering is a motor scooter.
Motor Scooters are Still Cool, Right?
Wait. Were they ever cool? Ah, who cares. I’m married, and stopped caring about cool a few years ago. I’ve started to price these bad boys out, and it looks like you can get a relatively new used motor scooter for around $1,000 on Craigslist, fairly easily. Even if you were to get a cheapo car that you paid about $200 a month for, for 5 years, you’re looking at a payoff of about 5 months for a motor scooter, in comparison.
What Costs are Involved with a Moped?
I’m sure insurance laws vary by state, but here in Michigan, you don’t need insurance to operate one of these things. Of course, if you get in an accident, there probably won’t be much left of you to pay for any damage or lawsuits. Additionally, a scooter license is cheap. Just $5 per year (versus $60 for a car).
How About Scooter Gas Mileage?
Depends on the scooter’s engine size. But a 50cc engine will get you about 100 miles per gallon – about 5 times the average vehicle.
Total Cost Savings of a Moped Versus a Car?
Let’s say you could buy a used car for $12,000 and get a zero % 3 year loan or get a $1,000 scooter instead and pay cash. These are patchwork assumptions at best, but it should give you a rough estimate on monthly cost savings:
Insurance:
- Car: $30/mo.
- Scooter: $0
Gas:
- Car: $50/mo.
- Scooter: $10/mo.
Price:
- Car: $333/mo. for three years
- Scooter: $1,000 up front = 3 months of car payments, or one-twelve the price of the car.
After 3 months of ownership, you’d be paying $413 to own the car, and $10/month to own the scooter. Add in maintenance costs, car washes, and more, and you can see that I’m being very generous on the cost of owning the car.
Any Downsides to Owning a Scooter?
Other than the safety risks, I can’t really think of any. If you don’t like the scooter and decide it’s not for you, you can probably sell it for about what you bought it for. Are there any downsides beyond the obvious prideful shame of being seen on a scooter?
Moped Discussion:
- Have you owned a scooter? What are you experiences?
- What is the recommended maintenance on a scooter?
- Any scooter buying advice?
Related Posts:
I’ve had the same thoughts, but two things still bug me:
1) No way to carry much stuff — I can’t imagine going to do a week’s food shopping with a scooter.
2) You’re exposed to the elements, and it rains quite a bit in Seattle
So I’m still hoofing it around, rain jacked and grocery bags under my arms. But if someone has suggestions, I’d be glad to hear them.
I’m from Michigan, so I can say the weather would be a big deal with a scooter. Not just being cold and precipitation, but ice on the roads would be killer with a scooter, I would imagine.
One thing you might consider is a car rental when you absolutely need it. I did this for my first 6 months in Houston, when I didn’t have a car.
It costs about $30-40/day, so if you can keep it to 1 or 2 days per month, then you are really saving some money. This requires being able to plan your trips very well, and schedule a lot of things on the day that you need the car.
Some of the agencies will come and pick you up at your house, and take you to the agency.
Living in Texas, weather is typically pretty nice. Some things to be aware of about buying on the internet, you may not get support/warranty or anyway to register or title yr vehicle. I work for a licensed scooter dealership in San Antonio and I actually had a gentleman who came in earlier today. He had purchased a scooter from someone in Georgia and didn’t receive an MCO (Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin) with out wich he could not title the vehicle. Untitled vehicles cant be registered and cant get license plates or inspection stickers. Also purchasing from the internet leaves you with out a warranty, service or support. It’s hard to find a mechanic to work on these and difficult to get parts. ALWAYS purchase from a licensed dealer. If you go to a scooter shop with a scooter purchased from the internet they may actually charge you more to fix it. You might get a good deal from the craigslist, but in the long run you’ll get burned. I sell scooters that range in price from $799 to $2850 (50, 150 and 260cc). If you’re interested in a scooter please call (210)561-9993 or visit our website http://www.thecampusscooter.com. Thanks
I bought a 50cc scooter last spring and I love it. It is true that you probably can’t do a week’s shopping with it. You really can’t do a Costco run with it. But you can put a carrier on the back and you can fill a backpack, and that will get you through a couple of days. Or at least through dinner, I guess it depends on the size of your household.
Here in BC (Canada) we do pay insurance, but it’s about $30/month, and you do not have to license the scooter for the months you don’t ride it if you don’t want to.
I do not ride in the snow and ice, that would be stupid. So take that into account. It’s more than just being cold. The scooter is not meant for icy roads or snow.
Maintenance is pretty straightforward. You need to make sure you have oil in it (This is a 2-stroke engine. I don’t know about Vespas and other 4-stroke engines.) Every time you get ready to ride you should have a look to see that all the bolts are where they belong and things are connected. Takes 2 minutes.
And if you put it away in the winter you need to get a trickle charger. I got mine for under CDN $50. When you start up again in the spring, you should either do maintenance yourself or take it to a shop. Maintenance is a complete oil change, check brake fluid, clean/replace air filter, check all lines and cables, tire pressure, etc. Replace what seems sensible, and repair or clean the rest. Develop a good relationship with the service people!
I put 2000km (1272mi) on the scooter last year, and parts cost me about $12. Half an hour labo(u)r brought the bill to just under $50.
Get a high-octane gas with no ethanol. I can fill the tank with Chevron/Techron and get change for a five. I haven’t seen anything like 100mi/gal, but then I’d have to do all the metric conversions and stuff. I am pretty sure it’s more like 75mi/gal once I do the conversions, but that’s still better than our van. By lots.
Buy — and wear — a good helmet, whether your state laws require one or not. Wear eye protection, and since you’re in Michigan where it’s cold some of the time, get a flip up face cover for your helmet. Wear at least a work-type denim jacket, and go for leather (not cowhide, but leather) if you can afford it. For g-d sake, always wear shoes.
Hope that helps; enjoy your scooter!
To Boyan in Seattle:
We find that storage is often a concern for new scooter owners. And actually, storage is one of the advantages a scooter has over most motorcycles. To start, on modern scooters, there is usually a fair amount of storage under the seat. On average, enough to fit a soccer ball. That would typically accommodate 1-2 bags of groceries. Then, there are a ton of options for exterior storage – - everything from a milk crate (old school, if not a bit tacky) to wire mesh open baskets, to weatherproof lockable top cases, to saddle bags. These options offer anywhere from an additional 25-50 liters of storage, or 1-3 more soccer balls. That’s 1-6 more bags of groceries. Lastly, let’s not forget the bag hook on most scooters, located either on the inside of the legshield or just below the front of the seat. That’s good for one more bag of groceries. In total, that’s 2-9 bags of groceries that a scooter could carry. Depending on your lifestyle, that may or may not be a lot of groceries. But let’s face it, your going to have such a good time riding your scoot that two small trips to the supermarket each week will be far more enjoyable and convenient than the one big trip you probably make now.
Now as far as the rain…mmm, a bit more tricky. While there are options for rain gear including suits and skirts (yes, skirts – - they are actually very cool), it really comes down to attitude. As one friend and fellow rider likes to put it, “It’s just water.” I can tell you that in areas of the country (and world) where scootering is more of a necessity than a convenience, you find people riding in all sorts of weather. In the U.S. it’s often considered somewhat of a badge of honor to rider year-round.
Lastly, since your in Seattle, I will mention that there are even drink holders available for your scoot. So, you won’t have to sacrifice that cup of java for which your town is so famous.
Thanks for your comments — it’s definitely fuel for thought, as I find reliance on bus schedules a bit confining and walking everywhere a bit slow.
As for cup holders — nice design thought! However, I have to admit I’m likely the only person in Seattle that does not drink coffee. And, wouldn’t a full-face helmet get in the way?
You don’t want to drive it in the rain, and also can’t have anything to drink like water and coffee while on one. Also it probably isn’t the most comfortable. It definitely would be cheaper for commuting if you can, but you still would have to have a car anyways and have insurance, so not sure if you really are saving in the long run.
I would be curious to know if someone has calculated if financial gain from scooter outweigh the safety risk?
I also am very interested to buy a scooter. But what is stopping me right now is the safety risk. The probability of broken bones in an accident while riding a scooter is higher compared to a car.
I keep recalling an accident 3 years ago. I was waiting for the stoplight to go green (in my car), and this drunk hit my car from behind at 40mph. My car was a wreck but I was ok. The financial consequence from that accident was that my insurance premium increased.
Had I been in a scooter in the same situation (hit while waiting for stoplight at 40mph), I would probably have permanent injury.
BTW, I commute to work by bicycle for 2 years now. It saved me from having to purchase a 2nd car, but the distance which I can go is very limited. I used to ride on the road together with cars. But now I mainly ride on the sidewalk after twice almost got hit buy a car.
I’m still considering buying a motorcycle or scooter, but I am concerned about the safety risk (see my first post.)
Hi
If the distances you have to travel are quite small have you considered an electrically assisted bike? I cycled 21 miles to work for a while and was seriously considering getting one. Rules in the UK limit their speed to 15mph (not sure what the law is in the US). For storage/shopping you can have a cycle trailer.
You get cheap travel and you save on gym membership
Neil
It costs me less than $4 to fill up and it lasts me 1-2 weeks!!!It’s $25/month to insure in BC, Canada, costs less than $3,000 and I get tons of fun conversations wherever I go!
You’re neglecting the safety aspect of driving an impact resistant car versus a very much squishable moped/scooter. I’m currently traveling overseas right now and have noticed that while in crowded Asian cities it makes a lot of sense to drive a scooter, in a fast driving society as the U.S., it’s often a death wish. Just my two cents!
@ Raymond – I am? “Any Downsides to Owning a Scooter? Other than the safety risks”. There are obviously safety risks involved anytime you are on something that isn’t surrounded by a steel frame. That shouldn’t be overlooked.
I guess the gist of the post was in regards to the economics of moped riding…I suppose the economics almost always make sense (mopeds are more gas efficient etc)…but it’s the safety factor for me
My car recently got totaled and I have been waiting to get the check. In the mean time I had no way of getting around so I bought a scooter. It is a 150cc engine and can get up to 80mph. Because in the state of NC it is technically a motorcycle I needed to register and insure it. Still it is fun and cheap!
Pros:
On average I spend $2 a week in gas.
It goes the speed limit so I can ride on main roads.
Insurance was $108 for a whole year!
It is fun to ride, especially on sunny days.
It has a “dashboard”, a trunk and a hub so it fits more stuff than I thought.
People think I look cool (it’s a Vespa).
Cons:
It is not fun in the rain, (but I have a poncho).
You can’t carry too many things.
People hate them in my town and try to run me over.
You need to buy a helmet, among other things.
To sum up, I thoroughly enjoy riding on my little scooter. It is economical and environmentally friendly. I would suggest anyone thinking about it to go ahead and do it. I hope this helps.
I had a scooter in college. It was great! But unfortunately I live in Los Angeles, and I would never drive one around here. There are too many distracted drivers.
You are probably right, but I just like the car more than a scooter
I own a SunL 150cc Cozumel (identical to numerous Wildfire, Rocketa,iScoot and other bikes all made by Shanghai Shenke) and it has been and is a great bike! The built-in FM/MP3 player sucks as it has no antenna, but the MP3 player system is nice. Some key points:
- Get a bike that will handle you and your weight! Don’t just settle for any 49cc scooter…you’ll wish you had a bigger engine so just spend the extra now! At a minimum, a 150cc! (If you are going for a 250cc, get the CF MOTO or Q-LINK clones of the old reliable Honda Helix- these have GREAT onboard storage, and nice factory tailbox, nice stereo system, a single cylinder 250cc air-cooled engine (PROVEN Honda technology) and they handle the highway like a champ! And they always look cool! WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT!)
- Gas mileage: Averages me between 70 to 75 mpg; it perfers Premium gas, but not a big deal. Oil changes I can do myself, and I’m running a 100% synthetic that runs great!
- Storage: Not too bad under the seat, I can keep a leather jacket under there or some groceries that don’t get affected by the engine heat, or any water from the road that goes up thru the numerous gaps and holes. The factory rear trunk isn’t too bad- just make sure that it is latched! I’m seriously considering swapping it for a Rubbermaid ActionPacker; drill holes thru the bottom so you can bolt it to the tail rack, reinforce the base with a couple of metal pieces or a thin board; it will allow you to carry more groceries.
Another option I’ve used on my old Honda Rebel 250 was a milk crate that I secured to the rear seat; I could carry my Navy seabag in it as well as groceries, secured the double-bagged stuff with bungie cords.
- Safety: WEAR A HELMET! Get a good one that fits! I have 2, a full-face for winter and a KBC shorty for hot weather. Also, get a reflective vest at your local construction supply place- Don’t get the one at Walmart! GET THE HI-VIZ YELLOW with the silver reflective stropes, ad well as a solid fabric that has pockets inside and out. Trust me, it’s worth the search! This vest is perfect for night or bad-weather riding, and you can put things in the pockets that will stay in the pockets!
- Ride like you have a brain!: Don’t do stupid crap. You will lose.
- Plan your route and know alternatives!: Sometimes I can take the highway (if the wind isn’t too bad, and distance too long) other times I’ll take the “long way” with more time to enjoy the ride and get there without any hassles enroute.
I have a 2005 Honda Metropoliton 1 and I love it.
I have a 2005 Honda Metropoliton 1 scooter and I love it. I have a chevy caprice, for long trips and safety, but since gas has been so high, I bought this scooter. I drive the scooter most of the time; For grosery shopping, running errands etc. Quite a few people drive scooters here in Owensboro Ky. We have 54,000 people. My scooter gets 80 to 100 MPG, it is very dependable, and I can put a gallon of milk under the seat, including a few tv dinners. I also have a Honda luggage compartment on the back, which will hold at least 20 tv dinners. In addition, I have a basket on the bolted on the sheath right in front of where my knees (plenty of room for my knees) go and it will hold a few tv dinners, little candy boxes etc. With all these groseries, you can’t tell too much that there is that much weight on the scooter, because it is so well balanced. Why would you be ashamed, scooters are smart & COOL. I am 35 yrs old and People of all ages smile at me when I drive it. They think it’s cute. Mine is a bright green and white and it looks like a big toy. I am single and woman love it. The only bad thing is people don’t watch what they are doing. They don’t care about the scooter driver or pedestrians, and they will practically run you over. You have to watch to see if they are watching you. I take the side streets and pull over and let them pass. They are constantly on Cell phones. I always wear a helmet. Mine goes 36 MPH. Pretty fast. Got it on ebay for 850.00 with only 800 miles on it. It is like new. A guy here in town told me he has 10,000 miles on his and he is still driving it!!! You must get a name brand, like Honda or you will have more problems and expense!!! Isn’t it too cold to drive in Michigan except in summer. I think it’s too cold to drive in Ky except in the summer. Good luck and have Fun!!!
Good piece.
you may want to check http://www.buyrealgas.com to find a no ethanol station near you.
Motor Scooters are Still Cool
Owning a scooter is cool, but it can’t help you when you have a lot of things to bring especially when you just had your grocery. and when it’s raining season, you can’t use it at all.
In my own opinion, I guess you should have a car and a scooter.
What is a sensible distance to drive to work? Would 35 miles be to far? Would it be exhausting or difficult? Thanks
i have a Kymco Agility 50cc as my soul means of transportation. i live in the city and during rush hour im envied by everyone watching my fly by as they are stuck in traffic. yes, scooters can be unsafe with the wrong rider, but someone whos cautious and has half a brain on their shoulders can learn to read the traffic and know when some a-hole on his cell phone is not paying attention and about to run you over. on the same route under normal traffic conditions i can get from point a to b faster than any car. this is only true for city driving, rural areas a 50cc just wouldnt cut the mustard …
being in florida, i deal with many rainy days a year, so i always pack my rain suit. the best kind is the pants with the bib and suspenders, as a puddle will form in your lap as you ride. covers for you shoes are great, that and a decent helmet and rain is not an issue
as far as storage and carrying groceries or what have you… you would be surprised how these things can carry if you just put you mind to it…. the trunk on my scoot is massive for a 50cc… and which is not so common but a great idea, the kymco agility 50 has a passenger seat that flips up to form a back rest, which doubles the carrying capacity on the rear rack. i have several options for the rear rack, sometimes i use a milk crate for loose items and groceries, i have a backpack style carry-on luggage bag with wheels and extendable handle that acutally looks like its made for the bike as it is aerodynamic and matches the contour of the bike. but most of the time, i just have a cargo net that stays strapped to the rack all times, which is great for the unexpected situations… im also i touring cyclist so i have a set of panniers ( or saddle bags) for the layman, the i strap to each other and the fit perfectly between my legs and carry a ton of stuff… i outfitted a couple of foot pegs to the outside of the foot board to gain a few more inches of space, and is alot more comfortable on those long rides….
ive gone camping before on my scooter, and carried my the nessecities quite comfortably, (tent, sleeping bag, lightweight camp stove, pot and pan, propane, all my food minus beverages which i picked up on the way, three days of cloths, rain gear, toiletries, folding chair, shovel(i was primative camping) binoculars, extra pair of shoes, first aid kit, basic tools for scooter, im sure im leaving a few things out, but i think you get the picture… i kept heavy items down low and barely noticed the extra weight.
i had a picture of my scoot fully loaded, cant seem to locate it now but if i find it ill post it later.
also im a carpenter, and i manage to carry a tool belt and decent size tool box of all my basic hand and power tools everyday for work…
as far as distance riding, ive gone up to 200 miles in one day… although frequent breaks to stretch my legs and back were a necessity. after so long your a$$ will go numb.
but in the 200 miles, only filled up once before i left and once half way… i brought a small emergency can of gas incase a station couldnt be located
anyways, i love my scoot, i could go on for days…. but ill just leave it at that… i wont get into how i managed to move 90% of my belongings to my new house on my scoot, or how many people ive seen on a scooter during the time i spent in the philippines (5)
or how i moved a downed oak tree from my back yard to the curb with my scoot and some rope, or its capability to ride a motocross track, haha… dont ask… anyways, i think ive made my point
I’m thinking about buying a 2008 Shanghai Shenke 49 cc scooter from a family in my town. It has 14 miles on it… practically never used and they are selling it for $900. I just graduated college, looking to live in a community where I can bike, walk or scoot practically everywhere I go. $900 sounds like a pretty great deal for a practically new form of motorized transportation, but I’m a bit apprehensive to invest in such a cheap scooter. I can’t find a whole lot on the internet about Shanghai Shenke scooters… any thoughts?
IT’S GANNA GET COLD. I lived in michigan, and i know how the winters are; even in the southern part of the state. I’m sure someone else has said this by now, but i just wanna make sure it’s said – you WILL freeze your toosh off. Doesnt matter how many layers you wear, or how many times you get to stop at a stop light and take a break from the wind, during the winters you are ganna get soooooo cold.
I live in las vegas now, and other than needing a water bottle for the hot summers, riding around in 30-20 degree weather during the winter is horrid. There are days when i finally get to work and i can hardly feel my fingers.
. . . but hey, other than that, i love my moped. It’s easy to weave through busy traffic ( if nessicary ) and no one really bothers you so long as you stay way far right as much as possible. That and i only paid about $650 for mine, and I’ve had it for almost 2 years now. The starter goes out during the winter sometimes, so you get good at kickstarting it. And the gas guage usually breaks pretty early on in most models, so just make sure you’re watching your milage so you can fill it up about every 100 miles.
Good luck with it!
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