POLL - Who else has been a casualty of the high fuel prices?

[longhorn_92]

I added this to my collection, $81 for a year of insurance and about 60 MPG. Although I got decent mileage from my truck (19-21 MPG) the $150 fillups were getting to be too much. It is rather odd going from a 7500 pound vehicle to a 300 pound one. I plan to hang on to the truck for rainy days and child toting.

I am getting close to doing the same thing! I'm still in the research phase.

[kd5zex]

I am getting close to doing the same thing! I'm still in the research phase.

We'll have to go riding sometime.

[thankGod]

Honestly I am tall enough that I would never fit on a little scooter so I never checked.

Scooters come in all sizes, from little 49 cc models to 800 cc models. I'm 6'-1 and about 200 lbs, and that is not aproblem for some of these scoots. Personally, I'm looking in the 250 cc category.

Here's a couple of popular ones.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/AN650AK8
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produ ... rview.aspx
http://www.strmotorsports.com/showroom/ ... nroad.html

[mr.72]

well if I'm going to spend $3-5K on a 250cc scooter I might as well get a real bike... I can get a used 650cc bike that will get ~60mpg and not be straining to ride on the highway.

advantage of a 150cc scooter is 1) gas mileage and 2) price.

[thankGod]

well if I'm going to spend $3-5K on a 250cc scooter I might as well get a real bike...

I understand what you're saying. Both my wife and I have had real bikes. "Scooting" is just a different mindset.

[kd5zex]

well if I'm going to spend $3-5K on a 250cc scooter I might as well get a real bike... I can get a used 650cc bike that will get ~60mpg and not be straining to ride on the highway.

advantage of a 150cc scooter is 1) gas mileage and 2) price.

Buying a scooter was my original intention, after looking at what was available I came to the same conclusion. The inexpensive Chinese scooters I looked at were junk, even brand new. Honda and other "name brand" scooters are running about 2 times their value.

[apostate]

.

[lunchbox]

It sounds like a great time to buy a truck! I currently drive a compact car but I'm becoming convinced something like an F-150 is better suited to local conditions. The suspension should better tolerate the poor condition of Houston-area roads (often exacerbated by perpetual construction) even without 4WD. Further, considering the typical Houston driver's skill level (or lack thereof) and the aggressive driving I see during rush hour, I suspect it can only help to put more metal between me and those moving road hazards and driving a larger vehicle may even deter some road bullies.

Just know that resale values on the truck are pretty poor right now and I don't suspect they will recover. There is now a permanent shift to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. If you have any desire to sell it know that the market is shrinking every day.

That suggests I may be able to get a really sweet deal on a gently used 2005 or 2006 F-150.

if you trade in something fuel efficient they might just hand you the keys and say have a nice day

[KBCraig]

Remember when a "regular" full sized motorcycle was 350cc, race bikes were 500cc, and a 750 was outrageously bigger than anyone really needed?

[mr.72]

Remember when a "regular" full sized motorcycle was 350cc, race bikes were 500cc, and a 750 was outrageously bigger than anyone really needed?

Well, remember when a "regular" sized adult man was 160 lb and the Federally-mandated speed limit was 55mph?

250cc in a lightweight bike is enough to just barely go 65mph. I am not sure how safe that is in traffic. Does anyone even make a 350cc road bike anymore?

[lunchbox]

Remember when a "regular" full sized motorcycle was 350cc, race bikes were 500cc, and a 750 was outrageously bigger than anyone really needed?

Well, remember when a "regular" sized adult man was 160 lb and the Federally-mandated speed limit was 55mph?

250cc in a lightweight bike is enough to just barely go 65mph. I am not sure how safe that is in traffic. Does anyone even make a 350cc road bike anymore?

they make 500cc scooters
and bikes havent seen much smaller than that but 125 and 250

[kd5zex]

250cc in a lightweight bike is enough to just barely go 65mph. I am not sure how safe that is in traffic. Does anyone even make a 350cc road bike anymore?

The bike pictured in my previous post is a 250cc, it is capable of 100+ mph and a 0-60 time of about 5 seconds (I am 6'2" and weigh 175 lbs). That is faster than I need or want to go and plenty safe for use in traffic or highway riding. It is on the light side (~300 pounds) and you do get blown around a bit, but its nothing that a rider with marginal experience shouldn't be able to handle.

[mr.72]

didn't know they made a Ninja 250... sounds like something to look into.

[kd5zex]

didn't know they made a Ninja 250... sounds like something to look into.

They are great, this is my second one. I believe they have been available in the US since 1988. The 2008 model sports a new body design and and slightly improved engine performance. There is even a riders group with a bunch of information and a forum.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page

[tarkus]

Remember when a "regular" full sized motorcycle was 350cc, race bikes were 500cc, and a 750 was outrageously bigger than anyone really needed?

No. When was that? Twenty years ago Harley Davidsons had 80ci (1311cc) engines. Fifty years ago they had 61ci (1000cc) and 74ci (1212cc) engines.