Commuting on a scooter 20 miles in the south bay

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Old 05-20-2008, 06:21 PM
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I wish I could make it on a scooter from San Jose to Los Gatos.
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Old 05-20-2008, 07:43 PM
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I have been commuting on a bike now for about a month solid and it has been great. I have a '92 CB750 so I am only getting around 40mpg, but still that on top of the carpool thing and being able to fit places where cars don't has completely changed my commute. I am driving my R32 this week and I gassed up yesterday. After a month of around $12/week filling up for $68 really blew me away. I cannot say how many times I said to myself "if I was on the bike I could just..." this morning alone as well.

In my situation, the bike will take a little over a year to pay for itself, and that doesn't include not putting miles on my car. I think this motorcycle cost a few hundred less than most of those scooters. Expenses are the bike, and safety gear. Insurance for the year is less than two tanks of gas in my R32.
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Old 05-20-2008, 10:21 PM
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that thing gets 100miles??? lol omfg
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Old 05-21-2008, 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by chimchimm5
You don't know the whole story.

Those "measely 20 miles" takes me 45 minutes to run because of traffic. A scooter will get good mpg AND make traffic almost negligible.
Depends on if you can use it on the freeway or not though. If you aren't in a carpool lane, then I don't see your commute taking much less time.

45 minutes isn't really that bad, most people I talk to commute between 30-60 minutes one direction. But if you do end up with a scooter/bike, definitely buy used to save on up front costs. You'll definitly see savings a lot faster that way.
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Old 05-21-2008, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Superglue WRX
Depends on if you can use it on the freeway or not though. If you aren't in a carpool lane, then I don't see your commute taking much less time.

45 minutes isn't really that bad, most people I talk to commute between 30-60 minutes one direction. But if you do end up with a scooter/bike, definitely buy used to save on up front costs. You'll definitly see savings a lot faster that way.
I was thinking about the "go around stopped cars" ability 2 wheeled vehicles have.
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Old 05-21-2008, 10:39 AM
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I went down and got my motorcycle permit yesterday.

Started looking at 50cc scooters, then I rode my Dad's Yamaha C3 up a hill. haha.. 15mph, I was about ready to start kicking Flintstone style. haha

Now looking at maybe a 150cc scooter, but for that kind of money you can get a real bike too. My wife wants to ride to and a scooter is more her style. So I'll probably get the scoot to start with then upgrade to a real bike and she can have the scoot to herself.
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Old 05-21-2008, 11:07 AM
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SJ to Mt. View, why not take Caltrain? Your employer should offer some sort of subsidized or pre-tax benefit that will offset your out of pocket cost even more.

If your work is not close the station get one of these if you can't ride a skateboard or take a bike.

http://www.xootr.com/xootr/kick-scoo...FSQtagodiEn8Cw
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Old 05-21-2008, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by 03_Impreza_Al
I wish I could make it on a scooter from San Jose to Los Gatos.
You can, but it would have to be a Silverwing or something similar that is HWY legal. At that point why you wouldn't just buy a real bike is beyond me.
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Old 05-21-2008, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Superglue WRX
Depends on if you can use it on the freeway or not though. If you aren't in a carpool lane, then I don't see your commute taking much less time.

45 minutes isn't really that bad, most people I talk to commute between 30-60 minutes one direction. But if you do end up with a scooter/bike, definitely buy used to save on up front costs. You'll definitly see savings a lot faster that way.
motorcycles can laneshare legally in california whether its the freeway or local. one lane road or multi-lane roads. of course this has to be done in a safe manner, and there are added risks to lane splitting.
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Old 05-21-2008, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by 03_Impreza_Al
I wish I could make it on a scooter from San Jose to Los Gatos.
u could get a ninja 250.


i heard those still get ~50-60 mpg
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Old 05-21-2008, 12:43 PM
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i live in san francisco and i'm seriously considering a ruckus
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Old 05-21-2008, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by AzN121184
motorcycles can laneshare legally in california whether its the freeway or local. one lane road or multi-lane roads. of course this has to be done in a safe manner, and there are added risks to lane splitting.
Right, but we were talking scooters. Only the more expensive scooters can be used on the freeway.
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Old 05-21-2008, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by pignoseWRX
i live in san francisco and i'm seriously considering a ruckus
Unless you weigh less than 150 I wouldn't consider a ruckus for SF. Too many steep hills and the Ruckus doesn't have a whole lot of juice.

-Brian
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Old 05-21-2008, 01:34 PM
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Old 05-21-2008, 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by eastbaysubaru
Unless you weigh less than 150 I wouldn't consider a ruckus for SF. Too many steep hills and the Ruckus doesn't have a whole lot of juice.

-Brian
i weigh a buck fitty
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