For about fifteen years I have owned both a Toyota Tacoma truck, and either one or two 49cc scoters at the same time. My current truck is now 13 years old, and only has 80,000 miles on it. It is basically like new. I have bought 4 scooters, three new, and one used. I have spent a total of $3,800.00 on scooters. My current truck cost $34,000.00 I used to have to replace my truck about every 5 or six years. I don't think I will need to replace it for at least another thirteen years. That is saving the cost of four or five new trucks. That doesn't include fuel savings, maintenance, and cost of tires. So, my savings are substantial. Besides my little scooters are just fun to ride.
Whoa! This is exactly what I think makes a scooter a winner. We are so car-centric, but extended their life through alternative options sounds like a win all the way around! Thank you for sharing your experience.
@@ScooterNewbie Thanks for the reply. I thought you might like the perspective of a long term scooter, moped, and motorcycle rider. I got my first Motorcycle in 1978, my first scooter in 1979, and first true moped in 1982. I just happen to love the practicality of small scooters for town, and city commuting, which is the vast majority of my driving needs. However the Toyota truck is just as fun, and serves all the needs of a truck, a passenger car, a tow vehicle, and a camping vehicle.
We are working through the pain of camping without the truck but with the family now. You are so right about the fun & practicality of the scooter AND the truck!
@@ScooterNewbie I found all this out 40 years ago. I was on a very tight budget at the time and with my Kawasaki as an alternate vehicle I was able to keep my car mileage down. It was about 8,000 miles a year I wasn't putting on my cars and extended their life beyond what would have been possible if they were the only vehicle. I was driving $600 cars that were living on borrowed time and kept them for twenty or thirty thousand miles and six or seven years. Basically every mile you don't put on the car is a big saving.
Living in the northeast with only 8-9 solid riding months per year, and being retired and no longer having a daily commute, there is no way I can financially rationalize owning my scooter. That said, there is no reason for me to even try to look at things that way. When I do the math, owning and operating my scooter will cost me about $1,000.00 per year over any given 5 year period. Although I cannot "justify" my scooter (a Buddy 125) on a financial basis, the enjoyment I get from owning and riding it is .................well............ priceless! On another note - I really enjoy your RUclips videos. Please keep up the great work!
There's the pragmatic cost/benefit ratios that fit neatly into an Excel spreadsheet, and then there are the non-quantifiables. When was the last time you looked forward to driving your SUV? Have you ever driven your SUV around the block a couple more times just because you enjoy driving it so much? When was the last time you got a thumbs-up while driving your SUV? When was the last time you looked back at your SUV to admire it after parking it? Somethings just don't fit into an Excell spreadsheet, but are just as important as things that do. "A motorcyclist (or scooterist) knows why a dog wants to stick its head out of the car window." Thanks for another great video.
With high gas prices now driving my scooter vs driving my car has went 55 a week for fuel in my car and 50 in the wife’s car I only spend 3 bucks a week on gas for the scooter so it’s saved me 205 dollars a month for me and the wife’s fuel budget, it’s was well worth it to me so far
I had a 2018 Tacoma and averaged 17 mpg. The fact your husband averaged 23 mpg in the same type of truck is amazing. I paid $39k for mine had it for 3 years and sold it for $39k. Traded it in for a small car for my winter commute. My car gets 32 mpg. My payment dropped $300, and my insurance dropped $100. Plus the car has half the miles as the truck. My commute is 60 miles round trip. So I am also saving money on gas every month. During the warm months I commute on my Harley which averages 50 mpg. But the Harley does not have cheap parts like a scooter. The scooter I have is to small for the commute (50cc) so ultimately I am looking for a 300cc for my commute.
Truck prices are crazy to get what you bought it for 3 years later! It’s funny you mention the mpg… he made a point to say that was his commute mpg. When we pulled our small camper or I took his truck, that mpg would dive. 😂 Fingers crossed you find a good deal on a 300 this spring!
I haven’t driven my truck to work in a long time consistently. 50 miles round trip, I actually have more miles on the bike than the truck. Plus the therapy of the wind, bike alllll day. Good video!
My use case is definitely going to be "costs me more money", because I am coming from a world where I work from home, and have used an ebike to run errands and never had a four wheel vehicle to begin with. So the cost of getting a scooter and such is going to definitely be more than the bike, although more functional and fun. I'm probably going to land on two scooters actually. I am looking at a CSC ES5 (all electric) for all the neighborhood short jaunts I currently do on my ebike, paired with a Honda ADV 160 for when I need more storage or want to go further. Anyway, I've enjoyed your content and insight. :)
AK owner here. Alabama. Got it listed on Fuelly for others to see. I get about 56 mpg. Change it to rain mode to get a couple more mpg. Found you when my daily AK550 search located the speedo check video. I got the 2022 E5 version. Now to address your money saving scenario. With any 2 wheeler, I spend as much or more than wifey with the car. Why? Because I'm having so much fun I'm driving it a heck of a lot more. I find reasons to go out playing tag games, finding new roads, finding new friends, etc. Tires are cheaper, but you have to change 'em more often. Scooters are addictive. More fun than cruisers except if you need a macho fix. BTDT. Great channel.
Ha! I love that perspective, and it’s true! We’re letting it heat up a little more & then let’s get a joy ride in! I’ll tell Rich about the rain mode for a bit more in the mpg range. He obsesses over it from time to time. 😂
Have just bought an electric scooter. A Silence S01 from Spain. One can almost say that the fuel costs are zero - well a dollar per 100km or something. So this really does shift the equation in calculating cost savings. I'm expecting maintenance to be super low too. OK, the range at 100km (60 odd miles) is not going to let you taking it touring, but if you are just commuting locally or using it for social and leisure activities, which I do, then it's perfect. Now I really want to get rid of my car and share my wife's, and I'll be quids in.
Thanks for your videos, I am enjoying them. I made a similar calculus many years ago, and still commute on my scoot, a ‘64 Vespa, and now an ebike, too. I came across your videos as I began exploring options for a second, more modern scooter that will do better in marginal or poor weather-so as to extend my riding season. I am sure I have saved thousands every year by not driving our car and being a single car family for many years. There is one thing I’d like to bring up. It’s a bit off topic, but you have mentioned safety gear in a few of your videos that I’ve watched, including this one. Have you considered an airbag jacket? When I started riding in 2006, they were rare and not within reach. But many manufacturers now make them and they are now I inline with the cost of a good helmet (and one hospital visit copay). If you and your husband are riding all the time, you should check out the ones made by Helite, they offer the best overall coverage. I have worn the leather jacket, the mesh and the turtle vest. I landed on the mesh and it is really comfortable. I wear it even in the more temperate winters of the Pacific Northwest, with a good base layer. Food for thought, and thanks again for your videos.
Hey Renee! Yesterday I joined the Vespa family and bought a beautiful red 2022 Vespa Sprint 150 CC. We live in Northern Virginia (land of traffic and expensive cars), have a Toyota Highlander and old 2010 Jeep Sahara 4 door softtop (which I swore would be my last car!). The pandemic put a dent in our driving, but with my son getting his driver's license very soon, he'll be claiming my old Jeep, so I'm planning on my Vespa becoming my go to. I'll be interested to see if we save anything. If nothing else, at least urban driving will be a lot more fun! I love your videos. Thanks again for putting your firsthand knowlege out there for the rest of us new scooterheads.
I have a skoda superb 2 l 145 hp Diesel car. Due to corona i did not drive very often to work. So I used it for only short distances around 5-10 km drives. I started getting a warning light that my catalytic converter was getting clogged so I had to drive pointlessly 50-100 km on the highway above 2000 rpm so it could regenerate. So I decided to buy a scooter , I bought aHonda sh125i (125cc) scooter with35 l top box it was 7 months old & had 1250 km on taco . I got it with guarantee remaining from the 24 months from the Honda dealer in Frankfurt Germany 🇩🇪 ( -the 7 months old scooter )for 3600€ On 11 nov 2022 it will be 1 year since i got it & I have done 3000 km roughly. So now I use car only when needed & did not get the warning sign again . I enjoy riding it & I am sure it saved me a lot of money & headache 🤕. Just to change the catalytic converter would cost me roughly 5000€ & would have not solved the cause of the problem short distance. My car average is 20km/l , 1 l diesel cost €2.10 & petrol cost SUPER E5 €1.90 /l & my scooter average is 51k/l For me it has been a great solution as I have fun riding scooter 🛵 , insurance I pay €80 / year & maintenance is next month should be around 150-170€ this would be the 2nd service normally done at 6000 km or 24 months which ever comes 1st. Car & scooter is a good combination for my family of 3 person + 2 🐈⬛
I rode scooters/motorcycles for the last 20years and it saved me $$$. Currently I'm on a EV motorcycle and that saves me even more $$$ over an ICE scooter.
We live in Spain. Fuel here is over $8 gallon. Most of our friends , us included have one vehicle and a scooter. Our scooter gets used much more than the car. We recently purchased a Piaggio electric scooter with a removable battery. It is super convenient as it takes about 2 seconds to remove from the scooter and take it inside to be charged. Most of the streets in our village are blocked off to cars and parking is at a premium. Scooters are permitted everywhere and always parking is available.
Great video! So many new scooter buyers often fail to do the math and research what is necessary. The same can be said for car buyers in general as well. Your video highlights many of the issues many first time buyers don't think about. Having said that, while I myself am on a budget, when I really want something, say a Vespa GTS 300, even after all the math, hand wringing and consulting the local financial witch doctor, I'm gonna' do what I'm gonna' do and figure out a way to pay for it without breaking the bank and saving some money along the way. Because. Its a Vespa. Loved this video. Mahalo!
I wonder how the equation has changed with $5 gas? With my 100 mpg 50cc Buddy, I save money even though I drive a 45 mpg Chevy Spark. I have even started doing my weekly grocery shopping on it. Between the large saddle bags I use for touring on my motorcycle, the trunk, the rack case, the under seat storage, and the bag hook I can carry a while week’s worth of groceries for the three of us.
I'm planning on my next bike (hopefully this year) being the AK 550, so thanks for the stats. For me it comes down to the saving I make on my commute. Unfortunately the bridge toll I pay is the same of a bike or car, but I save an incredible amount on parking. I work in downtown Philadelphia, where parking is expensive. A daily lot fee is about $16-$27 a day. I have a year long permit at a Motorcycle and Scooter Corral at $250 a year, or $1.46 a day. That alone can make it worth talking 2-wheel compared to 4.
Wow! That's a huge difference in parking! I didn't have many options in downtown Houston for special motorcycle parking, so thank you for sharing a real value! Oh & are you going to keep your 300?! I'm surprised to hear you'd like to go up to the 550, but it is pretty sweet. I just got back from delivering some gas to an AK550 rider that pushed that gauge too close to E for some channel research... lol 🤣
@@ScooterNewbie I love my Downtown, but they no longer sell that model in he US so getting parts and doing service will be harder moving forward. It will already has close to 30K miles on it. I love the bike but I don't think I want to retire on it. Plus, I'd like something a bit faster for longer trips and journeys.
In TX it is often two lanes next to each other going through the toll. If you sit on the paint, meaning the line between the two lanes, it will not trigger the camera. Give it a shot.
I have a 62 mile commute. My Vespa 300 is well suited for this ride. Unfortunately I live in Oregon so it rains 8 months out of the year. When I lived 5 miles from work I rode in any weather and hardly used my car but hypothermia is a real problem at 70MPH in the rain for over an hour.
Who do you use for insurance? I have Markel in Dallas and pay $78 per year liability. I have a Silverado and only drive 6-7k miles yearly. All my bikes together add up to 25k yearly and it’s rare I’m not smiling. Remember to keep your head on a swivel and always have fun!
I recently heard someone say 'head on a swivel', and that's the perfect way to describe riding! 😁 We're Geico customers at the moment. The liability is so little, but we have 2 scoots with full coverage, and some other policies with them, too. I love that you can keep some of those miles off of your Silverado - trucks are so expensive to replace!
I love number crunchers and you are more obsessed than I am... I love it! I totally agree. A scooter will save you tons of money, but not as much as an ebike! I love my ebike and there's nothing more economical than the electric bicycle. No registration, insurance, fuel and a lower upfront cost... A cargo ebike like the addmotor M81 is unbelievably practical and super efficient. The only drawback; you'll get where you need to go a little slower.
@@ScooterNewbie I'm in Las Vegas, Nevada. I've very informed when it comes to electricity, batteries and anything e-bikes related. Love your channel. Great job.
We got rid of my girlfriend's old Subaru Legacy when we moved across country. It wasn't worth the trouble or expense of towing it across the continent. And we only have one parking space here. We still had my car for doing things around town and taking our daughter places. But I found that some times we needed a second vehicle to get me to doctor's appointments and the like. So, we couldn't afford another car, new or used. Prices are really inflated. I have always like two wheelers, despite never really using them much. So I decided to get a scooter instead of a motorcycle. I wanted it for basic transportation, not sport. And since scooter have a bit of storage and they are twist and go, that's what I got. I bought a 2023 Vespa Primavera 150. The price wasn't too bad (got a little break), the power isn't intimidating, and it looks very nice, rides nice, etc. I'm still breaking it in, but I've gotten 86.5 and 97.0 mpg! I already had gear from when I had a Yamaha SR400 back when we lived out west (sold it instead of trying to move with it). I was a new rider with the Yamaha and didn't really get to ride much before I sold it. But I am loving the freedom of the Vespa and the amazing gas mileage. Our Subaru Impreza (not a gas hog) averages about 35-40 mpg on the highway, about 28-32mpg in town. But even with a compact car, you can save a ton of fuel with a scooter. It isn't just the big trucks and SUVs (hate them, most people would be better off with a station wagon). You can save a lot of fuel by switching from ANY four wheel vehicle to just about ANY two wheel vehicle!
Hi. Just came across your channel today. Enjoying your analysis of the costs.... My wife tells me I'm a numbers geek & am 'Calculation Man' but saving a few ££s is part of the enjoyment I get from riding a scooter. I did motorcycles for years but prefer the chilled ride of a scoot. The bikers 'social scene' has never interested me... I prefer to ride for my personal enjoyment, mainly for commuting, & it's a more sensible way to travel compared to all the single occupied cars I see clogging up the roads. Recently sold my PCX125 & hoping to pop on a Forza 350 later this summer.
Calculation nerds unite! I have been eyeing that Forza available in Europe for a hot minute. That's an exciting jump, so please pop in & let me know how you like it compared to your PCX.
Some people swear by non ethanol gasoline as the ethanol can harm carburetors but it's hard to find and not cheap when you do find it. Thanks for the video. All those beautiful bikes and beautiful wife.. your hubby is one Lucky guy!
@@ScooterNewbie There is a simple way to remove the ethanol from your gas. It involves mixing the gas with water. The ethanol binds to the water and settles at the bottom where it can be drained off of the gas. Lots of videos on it. I have not used enough to determine if it actually makes my bike run better for my own experience but the ethanol is supposed to cause the timing of the explosion change and that's unwanted because your bike wasn't designed for that timing. I'm sure there are videos that explain this better than I am doing. The ethanol also erodes the seals in a carburetor. I live in the greater New Orleans area and there is only one station around that sells non ethanol gas. There is a website called Pure Gas that has listings of gas stations that do sell non ethanol gas if you care to try it. Perhaps that site can help you find it.
Is the Buddy a carb bike? If it is fuel injected, you don't have to worry about it all. But for carb bikes, the only thing you really have to worry about when running E10 is storage. The ethanol can create problems in the tank with rust and can gum up the carbs if the bike is not run for a long time. But as long as you are riding regularly all year round, don't worry about using gasohol in a carb bike. If you are really worried, get a bike with fuel injection. There are plenty of them made in Japan, Germany, Italy that use fuel injection. It seems to me that mostly the ones made in PRC and Taiwan are still using carbs.
I find good motorcycle helmets at thrift stores routinely. I have several I've bought for next to nothing. My 150 scooter gets around 65 mpg, my 800 Suzuki gets around 50, my 1100 Yamaha around 40 mpg. I think the Toyota gets 25-30 mpg. We also own an RV with a 350 Chevy engine. We rarely use it. It gets maybe 9-10 mpg.
Very useful video that can apply to any two wheel vs four wheel vehicle. However, I drive a Honda Civic and (used to) get 40 mpg on my 50 mile each way Houston commute. My motorcycles got about 45 mpg on the same route. None of my motorcycle tires has lasted more than 10k miles and cost roughly the same per tire as my car which last up to 5x as long. I haven't really seen a savings in my case compared to my motorcycle. I did enjoy my occasional two wheeled morning commute across Houston (E to W). I hated my evening commute in / on any vehicle (W to E). But, in the summer, forget about riding an hour plus each way on a bike. Not gonna do it.
It all really depends if you can work on a scooter yourself or get ripped off by overpriced mechanics. Tires last 6 thousand miles on my Honda helix and local mechanic charges 300 for 2 tires and 60 to replace each one. That's 420 dollars to replace tires every 6 thousand miles. Meanwhile car tires can last 70 thousand miles and cost about same to replace. Than there is belt, frequent oil change and brakes etc. I think of my scooter as something that relieves stress and go for frequent rides late nights.
In 1962 i had a Labretta 200 , i kept it ten years , when i sold her it had 132thousand miles , the new owner changed a piston and cylinder , brakes and the rear shock , he kept it six years untill an accident without injury but finished the scoot as repairs would of been to costly and at that time lambrettas parts were difficult to get ,as scooters sort of dissapeared in canada
@@ScooterNewbie you must know at the time they were all two cycle engines , easy to repair and upkeep , what was different they were faster than the 4 cycles of today , noisier and you had to change gears with the handle shitfer and clutch , lets just say not easy like todays scooters
The insurance and gas is where you end up saving $2000 a year, from my experience. You can save more by doing your own maintenance. Park the car as much as possible and the ride the scooter.
For efficiency and cost of "fuel" have you considered an electric scooter? The NIU Mqi GT EVO is comparable to a 125cc gas scooter, but the cost of electricity is far less than the cost of gas.
I bought a kymco 50 cc a week ago and I drive 5 miles to work I drove it all week and it only 2 cups of gas it would have costed me 60 dollars for the car for all week in fuel so the only gas we buy 8s for the wife’s car I bought 5 gallons of gas in a can and I use it for the scooter when it needs gas
OMG she is blowing a lot of money on this thing. My scooter is a cheap Chinese Senling 150 that cost $1099, $247 shipping, $181 for plates and title. I already had a motorcycle endorsement on my license and a helmet. I bought a trunk for it for $50. Time will tell how well the cheap Chinese scooter holds up, but I am already in the habit of maintaining motorcycles so I'll be diligent on that. My wife uses the car most of the time, I'm retired, she still works. I'm hoping I can live without one. I still have two larger motorcycles though, an 800 and an 1100. I'll probably sell the 1100.
It isn't "blowing a lot of money". She rides what she wants. If it were purely about saving money, then we'd all be walking, riding bicycles, and taking public transit. Good luck with the chinese scooters. I haven't heard very many good things about reliability and durability. And I doubt you could resell them for much of anything. Build quality just isn't there, neither is quality control. But hopefully you will luck out.
I want this and I have been seeing some people driving around on these. But, Arizona has crazy drivers and crazy weather from deadly heat to flash floods to mad max dust storms. It will be my primary transportation and my work is 12 minutes away. I need to find a way to protect my clothes.
The hubs has gear that goes on over his work clothes, so that could be a good place to start. Not sure where you're at in AZ, but there seems to be an active scooter community that way! AmeriVespa is in Flagstaff in June, too!
Scooters are much better for commuting that you might think. The leg shield and the covered mechanicals are precisely for what you are talking about. Plus, that safety gear she was talking about helps with some of that. Rain gear, riding jacket, pants, boots, gloves, and of course the helmet. The hear is a pain in the butt, no doubt. But for twelve minutes? I'd just ditch the car and take the bus if you truly want to save money. But if you want to have fun and save money, go with the scooter.
I mainly now just drive my motorcycle due to more fun and the fuel cost! The saving will in my opinion almost always pay to have a scooter/motorcycle if it used.
Sorry to say so, but if a person buys several 'gas-saving'' scooters in short order and never uses any of them for as long as they are meant to last, where is the "savings", especially to "the Planet" , an issue everyone is talking about these days, when we consider materials and resources needed to manufacture them? I have a 1987 Suzuki Samurai that still runs, doesn't get the greatest mileage, but to buy a $60k SUV because it gets better mileage makes no sense. No wonder America consumes over 22% of the World's energy: We keep manufacturing (consuming) new stuff for the purpose of "saving the Planet" and to 'get better mileage':- )
I'm planning on replacing my 2003 ford explorer (which is to the point where the repairs aren't really worth it) with a Genuine Buddy 50. It'll be nice going from about 10 mpg to somewhere around 9x that. We still will have my Fiances car which I'll drive when it's rainy.
That will be a HUGE difference, so congrats on the $ savings there! Invest in gear to get you through whatever weather you have to deal with, and you'll be golden!
Hey, I am from Houston! I am about to get a buddy kick. In one of your other videos you mentioned getting your license and riding a scooter while going through training. Can you tell me the location and information on the place you went to? Thanks in advance. I love your videos 😍
@@ScooterNewbie ok great that's who scootersmith recommended. I have purchased the kick from them or would have considered yours. Hey congrats on the new Vespa! Thank you for responding 😍
If you really want to make it worth it financially, go my route. Geta friend with a scooter that doesn't run and have him gift it to you if you can fix it 😂
I got about $200 (not sure, might have been less) for an entire year through Progressive, and that is "full coverage". We do have a house and car with them though. Shop around.
WTF are these people driving they are burning out a top of the line scooter in 3 years and a new truck in 5? My God, my other bikes are a '92 Suzuki VS800 and an '87 Yamaha xv1100. Our car is a 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 18k miles on it.
Depends on the make and model. Vespa says to use 95 RON (91 AKI) in their 155cc engines. I think she was making a comparison of worst case with the scooter vs. best case scenario with the four wheel vehicles. You know, most expensive fuel in the more efficient vehicle vs. cheapest fuel in the less efficient vehicle. I could have misread her intent though.
For about fifteen years I have owned both a Toyota Tacoma truck, and either one or two 49cc scoters at the same time. My current truck is now 13 years old, and only has 80,000 miles on it. It is basically like new. I have bought 4 scooters, three new, and one used. I have spent a total of $3,800.00 on scooters. My current truck cost $34,000.00 I used to have to replace my truck about every 5 or six years. I don't think I will need to replace it for at least another thirteen years. That is saving the cost of four or five new trucks. That doesn't include fuel savings, maintenance, and cost of tires. So, my savings are substantial. Besides my little scooters are just fun to ride.
Whoa! This is exactly what I think makes a scooter a winner. We are so car-centric, but extended their life through alternative options sounds like a win all the way around! Thank you for sharing your experience.
@@ScooterNewbie Thanks for the reply. I thought you might like the perspective of a long term scooter, moped, and motorcycle rider. I got my first Motorcycle in 1978, my first scooter in 1979, and first true moped in 1982. I just happen to love the practicality of small scooters for town, and city commuting, which is the vast majority of my driving needs. However the Toyota truck is just as fun, and serves all the needs of a truck, a passenger car, a tow vehicle, and a camping vehicle.
We are working through the pain of camping without the truck but with the family now. You are so right about the fun & practicality of the scooter AND the truck!
@@ScooterNewbie I found all this out 40 years ago. I was on a very tight budget at the time and with my Kawasaki as an alternate vehicle I was able to keep my car mileage down. It was about 8,000 miles a year I wasn't putting on my cars and extended their life beyond what would have been possible if they were the only vehicle. I was driving $600 cars that were living on borrowed time and kept them for twenty or thirty thousand miles and six or seven years. Basically every mile you don't put on the car is a big saving.
I've been thinking of the outcomes for this scenario. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm more determined to invest in a scooter.
Living in the northeast with only 8-9 solid riding months per year, and being retired and no longer having a daily commute, there is no way I can financially rationalize owning my scooter. That said, there is no reason for me to even try to look at things that way. When I do the math, owning and operating my scooter will cost me about $1,000.00 per year over any given 5 year period. Although I cannot "justify" my scooter (a Buddy 125) on a financial basis, the enjoyment I get from owning and riding it is .................well............ priceless! On another note - I really enjoy your RUclips videos. Please keep up the great work!
Thanks for the kind compliment! You hit the nail on the head. Come to save some money. Stay because they're awesome! 😊
There's the pragmatic cost/benefit ratios that fit neatly into an Excel spreadsheet, and then there are the non-quantifiables. When was the last time you looked forward to driving your SUV? Have you ever driven your SUV around the block a couple more times just because you enjoy driving it so much? When was the last time you got a thumbs-up while driving your SUV? When was the last time you looked back at your SUV to admire it after parking it? Somethings just don't fit into an Excell spreadsheet, but are just as important as things that do.
"A motorcyclist (or scooterist) knows why a dog wants to stick its head out of the car window."
Thanks for another great video.
.. Aight I'm convinced. Time to buy a scooter.
Ha! Welcome! All you have to do is share which one you go with. 🙂
With high gas prices now driving my scooter vs driving my car has went 55 a week for fuel in my car and 50 in the wife’s car I only spend 3 bucks a week on gas for the scooter so it’s saved me 205 dollars a month for me and the wife’s fuel budget, it’s was well worth it to me so far
Nothing can beat the JOY of riding my Vespa GTS300hpe.
So true.... PRICELESS!
This is a really interesting analysis! Thanks so much for crunching the numbers!
I had a 2018 Tacoma and averaged 17 mpg. The fact your husband averaged 23 mpg in the same type of truck is amazing. I paid $39k for mine had it for 3 years and sold it for $39k. Traded it in for a small car for my winter commute. My car gets 32 mpg. My payment dropped $300, and my insurance dropped $100. Plus the car has half the miles as the truck. My commute is 60 miles round trip. So I am also saving money on gas every month. During the warm months I commute on my Harley which averages 50 mpg. But the Harley does not have cheap parts like a scooter. The scooter I have is to small for the commute (50cc) so ultimately I am looking for a 300cc for my commute.
Truck prices are crazy to get what you bought it for 3 years later! It’s funny you mention the mpg… he made a point to say that was his commute mpg. When we pulled our small camper or I took his truck, that mpg would dive. 😂 Fingers crossed you find a good deal on a 300 this spring!
I haven’t driven my truck to work in a long time consistently. 50 miles round trip, I actually have more miles on the bike than the truck. Plus the therapy of the wind, bike alllll day. Good video!
Whoa! You’re all kinds of rockstar status with more miles on your bike than the truck!!
@@ScooterNewbie it’s crazy to see the dollar signs tick away as it fills up. Ain’t nobody got time fo dat haha
My use case is definitely going to be "costs me more money", because I am coming from a world where I work from home, and have used an ebike to run errands and never had a four wheel vehicle to begin with. So the cost of getting a scooter and such is going to definitely be more than the bike, although more functional and fun. I'm probably going to land on two scooters actually. I am looking at a CSC ES5 (all electric) for all the neighborhood short jaunts I currently do on my ebike, paired with a Honda ADV 160 for when I need more storage or want to go further. Anyway, I've enjoyed your content and insight. :)
AK owner here. Alabama. Got it listed on Fuelly for others to see. I get about 56 mpg. Change it to rain mode to get a couple more mpg. Found you when my daily AK550 search located the speedo check video. I got the 2022 E5 version.
Now to address your money saving scenario. With any 2 wheeler, I spend as much or more than wifey with the car. Why? Because I'm having so much fun I'm driving it a heck of a lot more. I find reasons to go out playing tag games, finding new roads, finding new friends, etc.
Tires are cheaper, but you have to change 'em more often. Scooters are addictive. More fun than cruisers except if you need a macho fix. BTDT.
Great channel.
Ha! I love that perspective, and it’s true! We’re letting it heat up a little more & then let’s get a joy ride in!
I’ll tell Rich about the rain mode for a bit more in the mpg range. He obsesses over it from time to time. 😂
Have just bought an electric scooter. A Silence S01 from Spain. One can almost say that the fuel costs are zero - well a dollar per 100km or something. So this really does shift the equation in calculating cost savings. I'm expecting maintenance to be super low too. OK, the range at 100km (60 odd miles) is not going to let you taking it touring, but if you are just commuting locally or using it for social and leisure activities, which I do, then it's perfect. Now I really want to get rid of my car and share my wife's, and I'll be quids in.
Wow! That’s a fantastic savings. Would love to hear how it goes if you go down to 1 car. We’re on our 9th month.
Thanks for your videos, I am enjoying them. I made a similar calculus many years ago, and still commute on my scoot, a ‘64 Vespa, and now an ebike, too. I came across your videos as I began exploring options for a second, more modern scooter that will do better in marginal or poor weather-so as to extend my riding season. I am sure I have saved thousands every year by not driving our car and being a single car family for many years.
There is one thing I’d like to bring up. It’s a bit off topic, but you have mentioned safety gear in a few of your videos that I’ve watched, including this one.
Have you considered an airbag jacket? When I started riding in 2006, they were rare and not within reach. But many manufacturers now make them and they are now I inline with the cost of a good helmet (and one hospital visit copay). If you and your husband are riding all the time, you should check out the ones made by Helite, they offer the best overall coverage. I have worn the leather jacket, the mesh and the turtle vest. I landed on the mesh and it is really comfortable. I wear it even in the more temperate winters of the Pacific Northwest, with a good base layer. Food for thought, and thanks again for your videos.
Hey Renee! Yesterday I joined the Vespa family and bought a beautiful red 2022 Vespa Sprint 150 CC. We live in Northern Virginia (land of traffic and expensive cars), have a Toyota Highlander and old 2010 Jeep Sahara 4 door softtop (which I swore would be my last car!). The pandemic put a dent in our driving, but with my son getting his driver's license very soon, he'll be claiming my old Jeep, so I'm planning on my Vespa becoming my go to. I'll be interested to see if we save anything. If nothing else, at least urban driving will be a lot more fun! I love your videos. Thanks again for putting your firsthand knowlege out there for the rest of us new scooterheads.
I have a skoda superb 2 l 145 hp Diesel car. Due to corona i did not drive very often to work. So I used it for only short distances around 5-10 km drives. I started getting a warning light that my catalytic converter was getting clogged so I had to drive pointlessly 50-100 km on the highway above 2000 rpm so it could regenerate.
So I decided to buy a scooter , I bought aHonda sh125i (125cc) scooter with35 l top box it was 7 months old & had 1250 km on taco . I got it with guarantee remaining from the 24 months from the Honda dealer in Frankfurt Germany 🇩🇪 ( -the 7 months old scooter )for 3600€
On 11 nov 2022 it will be 1 year since i got it & I have done 3000 km roughly. So now I use car only when needed & did not get the warning sign again . I enjoy riding it & I am sure it saved me a lot of money & headache 🤕. Just to change the catalytic converter would cost me roughly 5000€ & would have not solved the cause of the problem short distance.
My car average is 20km/l , 1 l diesel cost €2.10 & petrol cost SUPER E5 €1.90 /l & my scooter average is 51k/l
For me it has been a great solution as I have fun riding scooter 🛵 , insurance I pay €80 / year & maintenance is next month should be around 150-170€ this would be the 2nd service normally done at 6000 km or 24 months which ever comes 1st.
Car & scooter is a good combination for my family of 3 person + 2 🐈⬛
I rode scooters/motorcycles for the last 20years and it saved me $$$. Currently I'm on a EV motorcycle and that saves me even more $$$ over an ICE scooter.
We live in Spain. Fuel here is over $8 gallon. Most of our friends , us included have one vehicle and a scooter. Our scooter gets used much more than the car. We recently purchased a Piaggio electric scooter with a removable battery. It is super convenient as it takes about 2 seconds to remove from the scooter and take it inside to be charged. Most of the streets in our village are blocked off to cars and parking is at a premium. Scooters are permitted everywhere and always parking is available.
Great video! So many new scooter buyers often fail to do the math and research what is necessary. The same can be said for car buyers in general as well. Your video highlights many of the issues many first time buyers don't think about. Having said that, while I myself am on a budget, when I really want something, say a Vespa GTS 300, even after all the math, hand wringing and consulting the local financial witch doctor, I'm gonna' do what I'm gonna' do and figure out a way to pay for it without breaking the bank and saving some money along the way. Because. Its a Vespa. Loved this video. Mahalo!
You hit the nail on the head! Can't wait for you to get on one, too!
Can’t wait for the AK550 review! Another great video as always!!!!
I wonder how the equation has changed with $5 gas? With my 100 mpg 50cc Buddy, I save money even though I drive a 45 mpg Chevy Spark. I have even started doing my weekly grocery shopping on it. Between the large saddle bags I use for touring on my motorcycle, the trunk, the rack case, the under seat storage, and the bag hook I can carry a while week’s worth of groceries for the three of us.
I'm planning on my next bike (hopefully this year) being the AK 550, so thanks for the stats. For me it comes down to the saving I make on my commute. Unfortunately the bridge toll I pay is the same of a bike or car, but I save an incredible amount on parking. I work in downtown Philadelphia, where parking is expensive. A daily lot fee is about $16-$27 a day. I have a year long permit at a Motorcycle and Scooter Corral at $250 a year, or $1.46 a day. That alone can make it worth talking 2-wheel compared to 4.
Wow! That's a huge difference in parking! I didn't have many options in downtown Houston for special motorcycle parking, so thank you for sharing a real value!
Oh & are you going to keep your 300?! I'm surprised to hear you'd like to go up to the 550, but it is pretty sweet. I just got back from delivering some gas to an AK550 rider that pushed that gauge too close to E for some channel research... lol 🤣
@@ScooterNewbie I love my Downtown, but they no longer sell that model in he US so getting parts and doing service will be harder moving forward. It will already has close to 30K miles on it. I love the bike but I don't think I want to retire on it. Plus, I'd like something a bit faster for longer trips and journeys.
I am impressed with the 30k miles! I love to hear from folks that get the miles out of them!
@@ScooterNewbie Thanks. I’ve had a lot of amazing experiences on the bike. I may not be able to sell it with all the miles, but that’s fine too.
In TX it is often two lanes next to each other going through the toll. If you sit on the paint, meaning the line between the two lanes, it will not trigger the camera. Give it a shot.
I have a 62 mile commute. My Vespa 300 is well suited for this ride. Unfortunately I live in Oregon so it rains 8 months out of the year. When I lived 5 miles from work I rode in any weather and hardly used my car but hypothermia is a real problem at 70MPH in the rain for over an hour.
That’s the struggle! Live close & pay more to live or far & pay more to drive. We wrestle with this in our house for sure.
Who do you use for insurance? I have Markel in Dallas and pay $78 per year liability.
I have a Silverado and only drive 6-7k miles yearly. All my bikes together add up to 25k yearly and it’s rare I’m not smiling. Remember to keep your head on a swivel and always have fun!
I recently heard someone say 'head on a swivel', and that's the perfect way to describe riding! 😁 We're Geico customers at the moment. The liability is so little, but we have 2 scoots with full coverage, and some other policies with them, too.
I love that you can keep some of those miles off of your Silverado - trucks are so expensive to replace!
Thank you for the shout out! Loving your videos. I too am a spreadsheet nerd… embrace all that is awesome about analysis 🧐
Love you and your videos. Very helpful in understanding the cost and savings
Miss you're not a newbie anymore lol. Great videos. Much respect.
I love number crunchers and you are more obsessed than I am... I love it!
I totally agree. A scooter will save you tons of money, but not as much as an ebike!
I love my ebike and there's nothing more economical than the electric bicycle.
No registration, insurance, fuel and a lower upfront cost...
A cargo ebike like the addmotor M81 is unbelievably practical and super efficient.
The only drawback; you'll get where you need to go a little slower.
Number crunchers unite! Do you mind sharing what area you're in? I am so curious about e-bikes, but I don't see too many around except goofing off.
@@ScooterNewbie I'm in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I've very informed when it comes to electricity, batteries and anything e-bikes related.
Love your channel. Great job.
We got rid of my girlfriend's old Subaru Legacy when we moved across country. It wasn't worth the trouble or expense of towing it across the continent. And we only have one parking space here. We still had my car for doing things around town and taking our daughter places. But I found that some times we needed a second vehicle to get me to doctor's appointments and the like. So, we couldn't afford another car, new or used. Prices are really inflated. I have always like two wheelers, despite never really using them much. So I decided to get a scooter instead of a motorcycle. I wanted it for basic transportation, not sport. And since scooter have a bit of storage and they are twist and go, that's what I got. I bought a 2023 Vespa Primavera 150. The price wasn't too bad (got a little break), the power isn't intimidating, and it looks very nice, rides nice, etc. I'm still breaking it in, but I've gotten 86.5 and 97.0 mpg! I already had gear from when I had a Yamaha SR400 back when we lived out west (sold it instead of trying to move with it). I was a new rider with the Yamaha and didn't really get to ride much before I sold it. But I am loving the freedom of the Vespa and the amazing gas mileage. Our Subaru Impreza (not a gas hog) averages about 35-40 mpg on the highway, about 28-32mpg in town. But even with a compact car, you can save a ton of fuel with a scooter. It isn't just the big trucks and SUVs (hate them, most people would be better off with a station wagon). You can save a lot of fuel by switching from ANY four wheel vehicle to just about ANY two wheel vehicle!
Hi. Just came across your channel today. Enjoying your analysis of the costs.... My wife tells me I'm a numbers geek & am 'Calculation Man' but saving a few ££s is part of the enjoyment I get from riding a scooter.
I did motorcycles for years but prefer the chilled ride of a scoot. The bikers 'social scene' has never interested me... I prefer to ride for my personal enjoyment, mainly for commuting, & it's a more sensible way to travel compared to all the single occupied cars I see clogging up the roads.
Recently sold my PCX125 & hoping to pop on a Forza 350 later this summer.
Calculation nerds unite! I have been eyeing that Forza available in Europe for a hot minute. That's an exciting jump, so please pop in & let me know how you like it compared to your PCX.
Some people swear by non ethanol gasoline as the ethanol can harm carburetors but it's hard to find and not cheap when you do find it. Thanks for the video. All those beautiful bikes and beautiful wife.. your hubby is one Lucky guy!
You're too kind! I couldn't find non ethanol myself to save my life! I recall seeing it in a random spot, but it's so rare.
@@ScooterNewbie There is a simple way to remove the ethanol from your gas. It involves mixing the gas with water. The ethanol binds to the water and settles at the bottom where it can be drained off of the gas. Lots of videos on it. I have not used enough to determine if it actually makes my bike run better for my own experience but the ethanol is supposed to cause the timing of the explosion change and that's unwanted because your bike wasn't designed for that timing. I'm sure there are videos that explain this better than I am doing. The ethanol also erodes the seals in a carburetor. I live in the greater New Orleans area and there is only one station around that sells non ethanol gas. There is a website called Pure Gas that has listings of gas stations that do sell non ethanol gas if you care to try it. Perhaps that site can help you find it.
Is the Buddy a carb bike? If it is fuel injected, you don't have to worry about it all. But for carb bikes, the only thing you really have to worry about when running E10 is storage. The ethanol can create problems in the tank with rust and can gum up the carbs if the bike is not run for a long time. But as long as you are riding regularly all year round, don't worry about using gasohol in a carb bike. If you are really worried, get a bike with fuel injection. There are plenty of them made in Japan, Germany, Italy that use fuel injection. It seems to me that mostly the ones made in PRC and Taiwan are still using carbs.
I find good motorcycle helmets at thrift stores routinely. I have several I've bought for next to nothing. My 150 scooter gets around 65 mpg, my 800 Suzuki gets around 50, my 1100 Yamaha around 40 mpg. I think the Toyota gets 25-30 mpg. We also own an RV with a 350 Chevy engine. We rarely use it. It gets maybe 9-10 mpg.
Very useful video that can apply to any two wheel vs four wheel vehicle. However, I drive a Honda Civic and (used to) get 40 mpg on my 50 mile each way Houston commute. My motorcycles got about 45 mpg on the same route. None of my motorcycle tires has lasted more than 10k miles and cost roughly the same per tire as my car which last up to 5x as long. I haven't really seen a savings in my case compared to my motorcycle. I did enjoy my occasional two wheeled morning commute across Houston (E to W). I hated my evening commute in / on any vehicle (W to E). But, in the summer, forget about riding an hour plus each way on a bike. Not gonna do it.
It all really depends if you can work on a scooter yourself or get ripped off by overpriced mechanics. Tires last 6 thousand miles on my Honda helix and local mechanic charges 300 for 2 tires and 60 to replace each one. That's 420 dollars to replace tires every 6 thousand miles.
Meanwhile car tires can last 70 thousand miles and cost about same to replace. Than there is belt, frequent oil change and brakes etc.
I think of my scooter as something that relieves stress and go for frequent rides late nights.
In 1962 i had a Labretta 200 , i kept it ten years , when i sold her it had 132thousand miles , the new owner changed a piston and cylinder , brakes and the rear shock , he kept it six years untill an accident without injury but finished the scoot as repairs would of been to costly and at that time lambrettas parts were difficult to get ,as scooters sort of dissapeared in canada
Whoa! I'm in awe over 132K miles! That is impressive!
@@ScooterNewbie you must know at the time they were all two cycle engines , easy to repair and upkeep , what was different they were faster than the 4 cycles of today , noisier and you had to change gears with the handle shitfer and clutch , lets just say not easy like todays scooters
You both are really saving some moolah. Excellent video, looking forward to the AK550 review. Ride safe!
You are a genuine blast...
I can promise you, if you're able to do brakes or fluid changes on your scooter, you can do them on the car too.
The insurance and gas is where you end up saving $2000 a year, from my experience. You can save more by doing your own maintenance. Park the car as much as possible and the ride the scooter.
I figured out the economics decades ago......... its amazing.
As an interested person myself. Who drives a car mostly for food delivery. How do scooters handle in the rain?
I love the analysis!
Thanks for the value video ☺️
For efficiency and cost of "fuel" have you considered an electric scooter? The NIU Mqi GT EVO is comparable to a 125cc gas scooter, but the cost of electricity is far less than the cost of gas.
in Europe with our gas prices the savings are even higher, that's why Europe is full of scooters ;)
I bought a kymco 50 cc a week ago and I drive 5 miles to work I drove it all week and it only 2 cups of gas it would have costed me 60 dollars for the car for all week in fuel so the only gas we buy 8s for the wife’s car I bought 5 gallons of gas in a can and I use it for the scooter when it needs gas
OMG she is blowing a lot of money on this thing. My scooter is a cheap Chinese Senling 150 that cost $1099, $247 shipping, $181 for plates and title. I already had a motorcycle endorsement on my license and a helmet. I bought a trunk for it for $50.
Time will tell how well the cheap Chinese scooter holds up, but I am already in the habit of maintaining motorcycles so I'll be diligent on that. My wife uses the car most of the time, I'm retired, she still works. I'm hoping I can live without one. I still have two larger motorcycles though, an 800 and an 1100. I'll probably sell the 1100.
It isn't "blowing a lot of money". She rides what she wants. If it were purely about saving money, then we'd all be walking, riding bicycles, and taking public transit. Good luck with the chinese scooters. I haven't heard very many good things about reliability and durability. And I doubt you could resell them for much of anything. Build quality just isn't there, neither is quality control. But hopefully you will luck out.
I want this and I have been seeing some people driving around on these. But, Arizona has crazy drivers and crazy weather from deadly heat to flash floods to mad max dust storms. It will be my primary transportation and my work is 12 minutes away. I need to find a way to protect my clothes.
The hubs has gear that goes on over his work clothes, so that could be a good place to start. Not sure where you're at in AZ, but there seems to be an active scooter community that way! AmeriVespa is in Flagstaff in June, too!
Scooters are much better for commuting that you might think. The leg shield and the covered mechanicals are precisely for what you are talking about. Plus, that safety gear she was talking about helps with some of that. Rain gear, riding jacket, pants, boots, gloves, and of course the helmet. The hear is a pain in the butt, no doubt. But for twelve minutes? I'd just ditch the car and take the bus if you truly want to save money. But if you want to have fun and save money, go with the scooter.
I mainly now just drive my motorcycle due to more fun and the fuel cost! The saving will in my opinion almost always pay to have a scooter/motorcycle if it used.
I got a Honda supercub and get 130 mpg and it tops out at 65mph and has 17" rims for a much smoother ride.
Sorry to say so, but if a person buys several 'gas-saving'' scooters in short order and never uses any of them for as long as they are meant to last, where is the "savings", especially to "the Planet" , an issue everyone is talking about these days, when we consider materials and resources needed to manufacture them?
I have a 1987 Suzuki Samurai that still runs, doesn't get the greatest mileage, but to buy a $60k SUV because it gets better mileage makes no sense.
No wonder America consumes over 22% of the World's energy: We keep manufacturing (consuming) new stuff for the purpose of "saving the Planet" and to 'get better mileage':- )
I'm planning on replacing my 2003 ford explorer (which is to the point where the repairs aren't really worth it) with a Genuine Buddy 50. It'll be nice going from about 10 mpg to somewhere around 9x that. We still will have my Fiances car which I'll drive when it's rainy.
That will be a HUGE difference, so congrats on the $ savings there! Invest in gear to get you through whatever weather you have to deal with, and you'll be golden!
You buy a Tacoma for life, not five years, unless you're one of those that gets bored and "must" have a new truck.....smh.
Hey, I am from Houston! I am about to get a buddy kick. In one of your other videos you mentioned getting your license and riding a scooter while going through training. Can you tell me the location and information on the place you went to? Thanks in advance. I love your videos 😍
Awesome Cycles up in Spring was where I went. And random, but I have my Buddy Kick for sale on FB Marketplace. I can't keep 2. :(
@@ScooterNewbie ok great that's who scootersmith recommended. I have purchased the kick from them or would have considered yours. Hey congrats on the new Vespa! Thank you for responding 😍
LOL, Renee isn't allowed to get a new scooter unless Rich also gets one too. 😂😂😂
Great video, much better than Revzilla's because you have data to support the decisions
Appreciate you 🙏
I’m gettin between 110-120mpg on my Honda PCX150
What happened to your white Vespa in a previous video. Did you change it?? Jonathan 🇬🇧
Girl, 3$ filled the tank, better than 25$ every 3-4 days 🤣🤣🤣
Also from houston and got a quick question for ya: if I intend to avoid highways/stay within the loop, what CC would you recommend? A
If you really want to make it worth it financially, go my route. Geta friend with a scooter that doesn't run and have him gift it to you if you can fix it 😂
My scooters have saved me thousands in therapy, legal fees and gas.
Yeah, some people have a therapist, I have my scooter!
I love how your brain works!
🤣 Now if only my brain would turn off....! Are you a current rider?
How do u get $12 a month insurance? Everywhere I'm looking (don't have a scooter yet) is atleast $65.
We have a multiple policies with multiple “motorcycles” on the policy with Geico. No one has beat that price for us over years.
I got about $200 (not sure, might have been less) for an entire year through Progressive, and that is "full coverage". We do have a house and car with them though. Shop around.
Don’t forget about parking and lost time sitting in traffic😎
You are sooooo right!!
I park my scoot anywhere:)
WTF are these people driving they are burning out a top of the line scooter in 3 years and a new truck in 5? My God, my other bikes are a '92 Suzuki VS800 and an '87 Yamaha xv1100. Our car is a 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 18k miles on it.
06:10 "let's pretend Toyota last 5 years"
yeah we have to pretend because that Toyota will last Decades
alle beste vriendin schooter newbie van wesley de jong
het beste voor jou wesley de jong!
I have a genuine buddy kick 125 and the owners manual specifically says not to use premium fuel
Depends on the make and model. Vespa says to use 95 RON (91 AKI) in their 155cc engines. I think she was making a comparison of worst case with the scooter vs. best case scenario with the four wheel vehicles. You know, most expensive fuel in the more efficient vehicle vs. cheapest fuel in the less efficient vehicle. I could have misread her intent though.