The spring is just around the corner while your neighbor tries to start his scooter. You get in your car going to work thinking about buying one. But a scooter or a motorcycle?
A Scooter Brief Info:
- Small wheels with footrest platform
- Usually have a storage
- Engine capacity from 50cc to 300cc
- 90% with CVT automatic transmission
- Great fuel economy
- Lightweight
- It’s easy to drive and ideal for beginner bikers
- Cheaper insurance
- Instant feeling of freedom
- Usually lower starting price
- You don’t need a motorcycle driver’s license for 50cc ones.
A Motorcycle Brief Info:
- Larger wheels
- Classic body design
- Prior theoretical and practical knowledge is required
- Legal requirements
- More expensive equipment
- Greater mobility, possibility to travel longer distances
- Safer driving at higher speeds
- Manual shifting gears
- Better safety on the highway
- Required motorcycle driver’s license
What type of person are you? Do you want adrenaline, or do you have tachycardias if someone drives you faster than allowed? Do you need an extra vehicle for city commuting, or you want a hobby plus?
By the end of this post, you will know if and which 2 wheeler is for you.
Scooters vs. Motorcycles | Safety First
Before you even get on a motorcycle or scooter, you need to have a proper theoretical and practical background. Those with a 50 cc scooter need a valid driver’s license to drive a car, but of course, they should have a basic knowledge of what is required to ride their scooter safely.
Whether you are on a scooter or motorcycle, the first rule is to wear a helmet with the appropriate certification. Long pants and sleeves are a must. It is recommended to wear gloves. Always wear proper equipment.
I strongly recommend watching this video on how to steer a scooter:
There is a rule for braking with a scooter: use the brakes synchronously with both the front and rear brakes in a 40 front / 60 rear ratio.
Watch this video on How to brake properly:
What Is Your Destination? In The City, on the Highway, or the Mountains?
The scooter is ideal for city driving. City rush can do nothing for you. Driving is intuitive, and control is in your hands. With an automatic transmission, small wheels with precise steering, and fuel consumption as much as the cost of a coffee. From one end of the city to the other. The fun you have while driving is a bonus.
But once you get on the highway, things change. Even if you have a scooter with a larger engine capacity. You want to get back your car. Some enthusiasts enjoy riding a scooter over long distances, even with 50cc. Probably sometimes, you have come across a flock of Vespisti on the highway who want such an experience. All this is an exception. Remember, the scooter is not for the roadway.
Here are the benefits of a motorcycle. It is designed so that your body can be in a more comfortable position for a long time. You drive faster, and the whole experience is complete. The equipment needed is one level ahead when driving a motorcycle on the highway.
Bike in city jam? Of course, a motorcycle is convenient in the city. But keep in mind that, unlike the scooter where you have a footrest, the motorbike has a classic chassis and will be a little uncomfortable on a classic enduro motorcycle with a suit on you.
If the scooter and the motorbike still have a compromise and you can ride them both in the city, and on the highway, of course, you can not ride with them in the mountains. Here come the dirt bikes, and they are a completely different category in every sense: management, maintenance, and legal consequences.
Engine Capacity: 50cc, 125cc, 300cc, 600cc, 1000cc…
Scooters usually have a capacity of 50cc to 300cc. There are also maxi-scooters with high performance and large engine capacity, up to 850 and even 1000 cc. Motorcycles start from 250 and up, but of course, there are even sports-speed bikes with 125 cc.
Motorcycles start from 250 and up, but of course, there are even sports-speed bikes with 125 cc.
If you are a beginner with no license, it all starts with the legendary 50cc. Full throttle and go. Minimum maintenance and cheap insurance. 50cc is an entry-level two-wheeler.
That’s the sound, the smell of gasoline, the feeling of freedom. Suppose your first experience with a motorized two-wheeler is with a 50 cc scooter. In that case, you will feel the need for higher speed for a short time after the initial excitement. If you are over 90 kg, do not even try to drive someone as a passenger. The cars around you will cross at high speed. Your maximum speed is 50 km per hour. You’ll end up frustrated.
As a 50cc owner, maybe you get an offer from your co-worker to buy your scooter for a reasonable price. It’s time for a minimum of 125cc package.
You will immediately feel the power of the extra hp provided by the larger engine capacity. It is no longer a problem to accelerate on traffic lights next to many cars. Now you can drive an extra passenger. The maximum speed with 125 cc ranges from 80 km / h to 100 km / h, depending on the brand and quality of the scooter/bike.
With a driver’s license and experience with 125cc, you can already think about the maxi variant of a scooter or motorcycle.
Engine capacity / Top Speed
- 50cc top speed – restricted at 30mph (48kph)
- 125cc- 60 mph (97 kmh)
- 200 cc- 75 mph (120 kmh)
- 300 cc- 85mph (136 kmh)
- 600 cc – 110 mph (177 kmh)
Usage Fuel Economy
Simply put, scooters with 50cc and 125cc have a consumption twice lower than the consumption of an average motorcycle with a displacement of 250cc from 600cc. As the engine capacity increases, so does the consumption.
There are also Fuel / Consumption factors:
- Weather: Wind, Cold, Hot
- Riding style
- Types of road
- Windshield
- Second passenger
Legal Requirements
There is a list of US states where you can check out the following laws:
- 50cc and under Law
- 50cc and over Law
- Registration / Licensing
- Helmet Law
Riding As a Lifestyle: How do I look?
Riding a motorcycle/scooter is, among other things, is a style. Simply when you enter an ultimate motorcycle shop, you are heading in Harley Davidson or Vespa’s section, etc.
Listen to your heart, not your friend who suggests you look at these or those. This is the most crucial part of choosing the right two-wheeler to enjoy the wonderful experience and freedom for years to come.
The motorbikes have a dose of aggressiveness and are reminiscent of high speed and danger. Of course, scooters also have a potential threat if we drive them careless.
Scooters have that look that somehow gives some psychological confidence that they are not intended for high speeds and extreme maneuvers. But despite the beautiful designs and colors, it is good to keep in mind that it is still a two-wheeler that develops excellent speed even though it is 60 to 80 km / h.
You do not want to be in contact with asphalt at that speed.
Storage Capacity
Every scooter has its own storage, which is just suitable for your phone, wallet, helmet, gloves, ambulance box, cloth, lamp, a small set of tools… You often get a USB socket in the front drawer. Vespa`s also offers you additional racks that are mounted front and rear, so you get the opportunity for a vintage wagon stack in the form of a basket or suitcase.
On a motorcycle, you have the option to mount a bag or carry all necessities in a backpack.
Weekdays vs. Weekends: How to Choose The One That Works Best For Me
Very important. Are you planning to go to work with your two-wheeler? Are your circumstances such that you have to go by public transport or by car?
Scooters are a highly convenient urban vehicle. You get an electronic start, Gearless transmission. Throttle, and that’s it. The steering is precise; Sitting is in an upright sitting position. With a glance at the dashboard, you often have all the information in digital form and well illuminated.
On the opposite, you need to know all the theoretical and practical knowledge of how motorcycles work before you get into traffic.
If you plan to get another transportation vehicle to work, your choice should definitely be a scooter.
If you are looking for a hobby where you want to enjoy the weekends in natural beauties or the cities near you, go for motorcycle.
Whatever you choose, expect a great experience and fun!
Drive carefully!