Motorcycles are cooler than scooters. There's really no debate about that. Still, there's more to life than looking cool, and while you won't look as awesome rolling up to work on a scooter as you would on a motorcycle, scooters have a few advantages of their own that make them convenient and worth feeling a little self-conscious now and then.
Price
Image via Flickr by Nacho
One of the first things you'll notice that sets scooters and motorcycles apart is their price range. You can get a low-end, low-priced scooter for a few hundred dollars, but most low-end motorcycles will cost a few thousand dollars if you're buying new. However, it's also worth pointing out that the price of a high-end scooter overlaps with the price of a decent motorcycle. High-end scooters come with things such as modern, efficient engines with extra horsepower and continuously variable transmissions, so they're certainly worth considering.
Required Experience
Both scooters and motorcycles can be tricky to ride, although if you know how to ride a bicycle you're already halfway there. Both vehicles need practice and safety gear but, even so, a scooter is definitely easier to maneuver and control. Every state requires you to get a motorcycle license in addition to a driver's license, but while some apply the license to scooters, other states let you drive a scooter without a license if the engine is smaller than 50cc. In fact, you can ride one starting at age 12 instead of 16.
Distance
While it's true that some states let you ride a scooter without a license, it's also true that many states don't allow scooters on the highway. While you can drive many scooters at highway speeds, others can barely sustain 40 mph, so it's easy to see why governments wouldn't want to see them causing traffic jams. On the highway, motorcycles can keep up with cars in the same class and their top speeds are similar. As for endurance, scooters have the advantage of being smaller and lighter than motorcycles, so they get amazing fuel efficiency numbers that sometimes go above 100 mpg. Motorcycles are bigger and less efficient, but in exchange, they offer bigger gas tanks with more powerful engines that can cruise safely down the highway. Plus, while motorcycles are less efficient than scooters, they still get much better mileage than cars.
Storage
Image via Flickr by Logan C
Scooters and motorcycles both tend to be short on space when it comes to storage, although it depends on which model you're looking at. For the most part, scooters tend to have a space underneath the seat where you can store things you might need at your destination. Motorcycles usually don't have any space under the seat, but you can get saddlebags that offer a lot more room. Depending on the model, you can also get extra storage and maybe even a sidecar for whatever you need to move. Scooters might not look cool, but they're a practical pick for people looking for a quick and efficient way of getting around town. Motorcycles have their good points, but in a city, the efficiency and maneuverability of a scooter can't be beaten.
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