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Also, you might find this odd, but I don't have a motorcycle license, so my choices might be limited until I pass the test. A "motor-driven cycle" can be driven with a regular driver's license, but a motorcycle requires a special license
It really depends on the bike, the tire and how hard it's driven. The stock rear tire for my bike runs nearly $500 if the dealer supplies and installs it-and only last 6k. But that's FAR from typical (and why I run a car tire on the back now). I'd think 10-12k miles would be a fair average, and maybe $100 per tire for common, "standard" (many 250-650cc) bikes. Plenty of big ADV, cruiser and I assume sport bikes will cost more. OTOH, I used to ride a DR650 and run Shinko 244s. Front tire was about $30 and rear about $50 (4-5 years ago). Hopefully someone with more experience with smaller displacement street bikes will chime in. My experience with smaller bikes is with "dual sports" and knobby tires don't have the life of street bike tires.
As far as the license-I wouldn't even consider (or recommend) a scooter without some sort of training. The basics of operation are no different than a bike (other than that you don't have to shift, at least AFAIK). But they are IMO more "twitchy" to operate, due to the smaller tires. Though I am FAR from knowledgeable about them. There are also lots of "scooters" with enough power to be "highway capable". But if you're going to invest in training...why not get the motorcycle endorsement? My local Craigslist has LOTS of used, low mileage bikes for a good price. Far fewer choices with scoots.
Also, you might find this odd, but I don't have a motorcycle license, so my choices might be limited until I pass the test. A "motor-driven cycle" can be driven with a regular driver's license, but a motorcycle requires a special license
Licensing depends on where you live. There are generally multiple categories for two and three wheeled vehicles. In Alaska M3 is for trikes only, M2 is for scooters only and M1 is for anything on two or three wheels. And being on a scooter doesn't mean you lost your license. If you're driving on any street, you need some kind of license.
It really depends on the bike, the tire and how hard it's driven. The stock rear tire for my bike runs nearly $500 if the dealer supplies and installs it-and only last 6k. But that's FAR from typical (and why I run a car tire on the back now). I'd think 10-12k miles would be a fair average, and maybe $100 per tire for common, "standard" (many 250-650cc) bikes. Plenty of big ADV, cruiser and I assume sport bikes will cost more. OTOH, I used to ride a DR650 and run Shinko 244s. Front tire was about $30 and rear about $50 (4-5 years ago). Hopefully someone with more experience with smaller displacement street bikes will chime in. My experience with smaller bikes is with "dual sports" and knobby tires don't have the life of street bike tires.
As far as the license-I wouldn't even consider (or recommend) a scooter without some sort of training. The basics of operation are no different than a bike (other than that you don't have to shift, at least AFAIK). But they are IMO more "twitchy" to operate, due to the smaller tires. Though I am FAR from knowledgeable about them. There are also lots of "scooters" with enough power to be "highway capable". But if you're going to invest in training...why not get the motorcycle endorsement? My local Craigslist has LOTS of used, low mileage bikes for a good price. Far fewer choices with scoots.
I need to invest in training before the motorcycle endorsement, don't I?
Why on earth would you want a scooter as your main form of transportation?
I can understand if you are a student that lives on campus.
Or is your town has two red lights.
Or you just came to America
Cross out that last one. When we first came to the U.S.
Number one priority was car and job...
Riding around on a scooter is asking for a death wish. All it takes is one person to not pay attention to the road.. Just one time. Their oops is your life.
Car
If I'm willing to go with a higher mileage Toyota or Ford brand, I could probably find a decent car with decent mileage for around $5000 or under. I saw a delicious looking Scion earlier last month that got around 30 miles per gallon; that's good.
Bike
I could get a good scooter for under half the price of a good used car, under 2K, and since I usually only need my mode of transportation for work and other errands in town, the 30 mph capacity on a 50cc bike would be suitable.
Avoid the too good to be true ads like that reoccurring mint condition 04 Nissan Murano ad for $1K.
There's a lot of ads like that lately, usually with someone's Gmail address in bold at the bottom. It makes it really annoying to have to filter them out.
I used a scooter (250cc) for two years to commute with during the warmer months. The upshot is, you will save gas, and maybe some money, but not as much as you think. Scooters need more maintenance (mine needed an oil change every 1000 miles, setting valve lash every 5000 miles, both tires after 10,000 miles, drive belt, etc). Expensive if you don't do it yourself, and a PITA if you do. I liked the freedom, smelling summer on the wind, etc. but froze my a$$ off too many mornings with a 6:00 A.M. leave time. Add in the fact eventually some blue-hair will turn left in front of you and you may die and I decided it wasn't worth it.
(And the 50cc bikes are just too slow and dangerous for regular use. Wouldn't even consider it.)
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