Buying a scooter as a cost cutter good or not good idea?

**Morpheus1** · 09-06-2008, 04:48 PM

These days scooter sales are up. People are buying these to save money on petrol costs when driving their car. It makes me wonder how long it would take to break even. Say a scooter costs $2000, and petrol is $2.10 a litre. How far would they have to ride their new scooter to start saving money? Has anyone done the maths? There was something on telly last week, maybe on Campbell, comparing petrol costs of a 6 cylinder car with an economical 4 cylinder, I did not see all of it but I think they reporter decided to keep his gas guzzler. Something tells me you'd have to ride a scooter a long way to break even.

**johcar** · 09-06-2008, 04:55 PM

Remember it's not just the purchase price of the scooter - rego, WOF, insurance, helmet, protective gear, rain gear, maintenance, as well as fuel....

Having said that, a 250cc 4-stroke scooter is a hoot to ride and easy to park!!!

**SurferJoe46** · 09-06-2008, 05:43 PM

Don't forget the hospitalization plan too.

**Roscoe** · 09-06-2008, 05:59 PM

I think it is a great idea. Scooters these days don't even need a sniff of an oily rag. They are easy to ride and if you don't mind the cold and the wet, very cheap (in comparison with cars) to run and you don't need to worry about the traffic - you just scoot past it! Easier and quicker. (Watch the bikes down the motorway in the peak hours.)

You may have to drive a fair way to break even, but I think that you will find that it will turn out much easier, quicker and in the summer months, even enjoyable.

But as Joe says, take it easy. Most motorists don't give a stuff about you - you have to be aware more so than in a car. When you realise that everyone is out to get you, you won't need Joe's hospitalisation plan.

**pine-o-cleen** · 09-06-2008, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Roscoe

I think it is a great idea. Scooters these days don't even need a sniff of an oily rag. They are easy to ride and if you don't mind the cold and the wet,..

That's a very big if.

**plod** · 09-06-2008, 06:40 PM

most scooter's that just requires a car license, don't require WOF.
You can get some of these brand new for under a grand, but if you plan to travel in anything but a 50km zone forget it. You will find most bike shops a selling gear packages from $450 up, these include helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and sometimes boots. although not fantastic gear, very adequate for commuting. If it was me on a scooter I would just go for helmet, jacket and gloves. Dragon make some good jeans and cargo pants that are kevlar padded in the right places and look casual enough to hop off a bike and go public.

**password** · 09-06-2008, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by plod

You will find most bike shops a selling gear packages from $450 up, these include helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and sometimes boots. although not fantastic gear, very adequate for commuting.

Where can i get that deal?

**plod** · 09-06-2008, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by password

Where can i get that deal?

I did say from

but check out your local bike shop and ask about learner packages

**password** · 09-06-2008, 07:15 PM

Sweet thanks dude, it was going to cost over $600 for my gear XD

**Metla** · 09-06-2008, 07:17 PM

You will soon harden up to being exposed to the weather, and you can easily get suitable attire for very little, after all, You will probally be matched for speed by people on bycycles wearing nut-huggers and bugger all else.

If it were me I'd buy a 20 year old 400cc bike.....or a 10 year old 750cc.....