Cheap motorcycles fuel the need for speed -- on a budget on clarkhoward.com

Motorcycles have gotten extra cheap these days. We went through a time when people only wanted high-end motorcycles, but now there's a new marketplace for those who feel the need for speed -- on a budget.

Some freeway-legal 150 cc scooters and motorcycles made in communist China start at $1,000. So it is possible to get 55-70 mpg on the cheap and ride in the carpool lane in heavily congested urban areas.

One special caveat: Motorcycles are not without risk. Weekend joy-riders can be a danger to themselves and others. Clark advises taking a motorcycle safety course before riding -- even if it seems un-macho. Visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at MSF-USA.org to find a course near you.

Clark loves the idea of you saving money, but he wants you to be safe and careful out there. Car drivers are nearly incapable of seeing riders in traffic, as he's discovered while riding his scooter.

What others are saying

Love those scooters!
I rode a Honda elite 150 when I was in college back in the mid-90's. I could go 2 weeks on a gallon of gas. Sure wish I still had it!
By Jay @ 08/14/08 03:37:02 PMreport abuse
Motorcycles
In any motorcycle cost analyses you should include the cost of an accident. A co-worker was in an accident on a motorcycle and the cost was not small, either dollars or pain.
Even a small fender bender in a car is a major accident on a motorcycle, or bike for that matter.
By Kenneth Crook @ 07/20/08 12:35:56 AMreport abuse
RIde Till your dead?
Shut up! I have been riding bikes 40 years this month and I have heard "you" call us donor bikes and every thing else. We call them one per-centers. As Clark said go take a course and act like you have a brain in your head and your fine!But you are correct I do have to worry about getting hit and killed at all times by YOU!!! as you sit in your safe little car sucking on your jumbo Diet coke eating the Triple stacked big mac and texting on your cell phone, hoping B.Husaine obuma will keep you safe from that tractor trailer fixing to rear end you.
Please do us all a favor and don't change your mind we don't need all of you that hate bikes and bikers riding to save money.We do it for the love of it!!!3 generations at a time.
By Ray Johnson @ 07/15/08 09:30:16 AMreport abuse
Motorcycle license
You must have a motorcycle license to drive anything over 49cc. Believe it or not, there are a couple of things that are not obvious, especially at higher speeds (counter-steering is one).

I second the Ninja 500. I bought a new one for a great price in March, and I've put 3000 commuting and around-town miles on it. Makes the commute more fun, too.
By James @ 07/15/08 09:11:30 AMreport abuse
safer motor cycling
one this all bikers can do to substantially increase their visibility is to install a verticle bar on the front of the bike and install two headlights 3+ feet apart. you'll be amazed how much this increases the odd's you will be seen by the other guy and thus afording you a much better chance of injury free biking. I've seen this done for over 30 years and it just plain works.
By Phillip Johnson @ 07/15/08 04:02:22 AMreport abuse
Helmet
ALWAYS wear a full face helmet. White is the best because it is easier to see than other colors. Have fun.
By Mel @ 07/14/08 11:15:28 PMreport abuse
Wildfire Motorcycle/car
Does anyone know anything about the Wildfire car? It has 3 wheels and a body like a small car.
By John @ 07/14/08 10:40:36 PMreport abuse
Cheap Motorcycles?
Nothing is cheaper on a motorcycle. Tires cost twice as much and last half as long. Motorcycle windshields cost more than car windshields. Shop labor costs more. Motorcycle oil and oil filters Costs more. Motorcycle gear and accessories are expensive.

Ride a motorcycle for the right reasons. Unlike a moped, a motorcycle won't save you any money.
By Jeremy @ 07/14/08 05:21:06 PMreport abuse
cheap scooters
Be very careful about buying Chinese scooters - they may be half the price, but there are no spare parts and hard to find someone to work on them. Stick to Japanese, Italian, or Taiwanese - its worth the extra money.
By Steve @ 07/14/08 05:00:55 PMreport abuse
Enjoy until... U DIE
Enjoy your ride on your 2 wheels of death. Sure, save mileage until a simple rear-ending, pothole, or bumper kiss that would have been cosmetic on your car... KILLS YOU DEAD.
By deathmobile @ 07/14/08 03:51:44 PMreport abuse
Scooters in Car-Pool Lane?
I don't know about other cities, but the car pool lanes in many cities are used by the speed demons who illegally use the lanes to pass other cars and zip along. You don't want to be riding a scooter in the car pool lanes (even though it may be perfectly legal to do so).
By John @ 07/14/08 03:48:54 PMreport abuse
Scooter Happy
I bought a used Yamaha Vino 49cc scooter and love it. Lots of fun to ride, use it all over for shopping and going to play tennis while my Toyota Highlander sits. Nice to fill up for $5 and get 100mph.
By Richard @ 07/14/08 01:50:38 PMreport abuse
Maybe Our SUV's Will Become Weekends-Only
The small scooters get great mpg's but even most motorcycles get 50mpg or better. With the great MSF course, like Clark mentioned, and some practice and alertness, riders can enjoy many years of safe commuting - and save a bundle! It's not all about Harley-Davidson! Go two-wheel vehicles!
See how much you'd save using the Fuel Savings Estimator at www.BetterGasMPG.org
By Kathy @ 07/14/08 01:31:17 PMreport abuse
chinese cycles
I can appreciate people wanting to save some money on a motorcycle purchase, but be sure to check it out before you ride it. A friend bought a cheap chinese motorcycle and the front wheel fell off shortly after starting out. Although the Chinese have been showing improvements in the quality of their workmanship, up until recently the only thing they've excelled at making - are Chinese people.
By Ken McClelland @ 07/10/08 09:08:03 AMreport abuse
Gas or Electric you can save money
Most cars get poor fuel economy on city streets a lot of (stop-n-go). Alot of energy is consumed getting a heavy vehicle up to speed for one person and this is where a small motor scooter has the advantage.

most motorcycles or scooters of 125cc or smaller get good MPG about 75 to 125 MPG.
larger motorcycles 500cc to 750cc get around 45 to 55 MPG and larger get less that's not much more than a prius but they sure are FUN!
motorcycle MPG link

http://totalmotorcycle.com/MotorcycleFuelEconomyGuide/index.htm

Electric motocycles are now available and claim to get about 500 MPG calculated using batteries but the range is mostly for daily city use

electric motorcyle link
http://www.enertiabike.com/index.php?setFirstVisitAgain=1
By Dennis @ 07/09/08 11:57:59 PMreport abuse
Pep Boys Motorcycles and Scooters
Pep Boys, in the Atlanta area, sell motorcycles and scooters built in China. The scooters / motorcycles are being sold at a low price and give great gas mileage. Customers have had a problem registering them in Georgia. Pep Boys is working on the problem and will have a solution soon.
By Nehemiah @ 07/09/08 11:22:19 PMreport abuse
Cheap Scooters
Be careful buying from china. I try not to support communists when I can. Most of that stuff is junk! Drill for oil here in the US! Who said oil is evil? Didn't God put it there for us to use?!
By Gary @ 07/09/08 09:52:17 PMreport abuse
Scooters
Where is a link to the 1000 scooter clark is talking
By Bill @ 07/09/08 05:47:00 PMreport abuse
Clark Empathized Communist China!!
And he is 100% right! As he is usually anyway, but people seem to forget the leaders of that Gorilla are not freely elected, and their people are not free either.
By AnotherATSS @ 07/09/08 05:44:02 PMreport abuse
MSF
Good advice on the motorcycle safety course. I took it when I was 17(I'm 22 now) and not only was it very educational, but it was very fun as well.
By chacho @ 07/09/08 03:29:23 PMreport abuse
motorcycles
I purchased a Ninja 500 and the cost was offset by the savings in gas, at about 50 miles per gallon if I take it easy, it was a great bike. Recently upgraded to a 1400. Down to about 35 miles per gallon, but still twice as good as my car.
By Justin @ 07/09/08 10:42:54 AMreport abuse
Happy Scootering
I've purchased 2 50cc scooters in May & June and has been riding them alternatively on my 18 miles commute.
I'm being extra careful: constantly checking the road situation. I'm always dressed in bright yellow jacket with reflective stripes, take secondary roads or 2 lanes in one direction or one lane with a bike path (suprisingly useful!).
I'm slow (35-40 MPH) but it's no problem - every time I see cars behind me, I look for a exit-only subdivision lane branching off
and let them pass, them I'm on my way again.
It can be done! The economy of fuel is amazing. My Yamaha C3 gets me 117 MPG and my Aprilia Scarabeo 50 gets me 122 MPG.
In the meantime my van is taking a rest in the garage with less wear and tear. I only ride it now on rainy days.

Loudpipes don't even wave to me, but the smaller bikes are friendly and supportive.
By Ivan @ 07/09/08 10:27:00 AMreport abuse
Chinese Motorcyles
Does anyone have some links to quality Chinese scooters or motorcycles that Clark is referring to?
By Bob @ 07/09/08 10:21:00 AMreport abuse
Bravo!!!
Thanks for finally giving motorcycles and scooters the credit for efficiency they deserve!!!

And I appreciate the fact that you’ve recommended (for everyone who hasn’t) to take a motorcycle safety course—and begin by visiting the given MSF website above for course info. Fantastic advice!!!

Motorcycles and scooters use a lot less fuel, have a much smaller impact on our road infrastructure and our environment, are much easier to park, and are fun to drive. They’re great for commuting, running many errands, or that no-so-big trip to the grocery. They could also greatly reduce traffic gridlock…if used in real numbers.

Tires for these vehicles now have surprisingly good levels of traction for riding in rainy or wet conditions.

Also….for a rider who’s properly attired, the risk of “not being seen” is greatly reduced, as partly explained in:

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...er_visibility/
By Alan @ 07/09/08 10:06:07 AMreport abuse
150 cc Scooters
The states should allow people who own scooters up to 150cc and ride them at speeds under 35mph to have them classified as mopeds with the same liscence and tag requirements.
We need a good quality 50cc moped with a four cycle engine and a four or five speed transmission that can be pedaled for that extra boost. Why isn't there someone out there filling this need?
By ken @ 07/08/08 09:08:28 PMreport abuse
cheap motorcycles
Hey Clark: Pls be careful riding your-scooter in that awful hot-lantat traffic. We don't want to lose you to some careless, cell phone distracted driver.
By jack @ 07/08/08 06:48:08 PMreport abuse

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Jul 08, 2008 -- Cheap motorcycles fuel the need for speed -- on a budget

What others are saying