considering an electric scooter (street legal)

Our car will be paid off next March, and we are planning to to pick up a scooter/motorcycle for my husband to take to & from work before saving up to upgrade to a hybrid car in 2010. He's had his motorcycle license for years, and is ready to "ride" again. He needs something that can get up to 55-60mph so some of the smaller, less expensive models won't work. And because we will also need to start saving for a new car within the next few years, we can afford no more than $4k for the "bike" plus another $1k for helmets, a folding cover, and other "accessories."

Because this is a 6-month per year (at MOST) vehicle for us, and because of the cost of gas... AND because I have finally impressed upon him the need to keep our carbon footprint as small as we can financially afford to, he has agreed to keep gas mileage and/or the possibility of an electric vehicle as a top priority.

I have been looking at all sorts of scooters, (while he researches motorcycles) and it looks as if there is exactly one fully electric scooter out there as well as several 90+mpg ones that could work for what he needs. Does anyone know about any of these?

125cc Yamaha Vino - 90+mpg gasoline engine (this is my favorite for looks)
Vespa S - 90+mpg gasoline engine
260cc Viper - 100+mpg gasoline engine
250cc Roketa Road Queen - 100+mpg gasoline engine
XM3500LI - Electric engine; 60mph top speed & 75 miles per charge

love,
mom

 

I would hate to derail, but have you looked at electric bikes? Depending on how far of a drive it is, a bike could be a great option. I personally don't own an electric bike (at the moment I am saving up for an Xtracycle - another idea that you might be able to convert), but they're basically a bike with a nice electric engine tossed in.

You can use it to get up hills easier/without pedaling, and I imagine with a little tweaking it could really speed up a light bicycle.

EDIT: Carousing those bikes, the last option (electric one - XM3500Li) sounds like a great idea. A ~75 mile charge is good for getting to and fro work, and it'd save you gas money. That site looks a little less than reputable, though.

 

I have looked a bit at electric bikes, but unfortunately I don't think they'd work for us. DH has to drive roughly 18 miles (one way) to work, and most of that is on highways & interstates with speed limits of 45-60.

I'm more than a bit worried about the electric scooter too... not that it isn't an AWESOME idea, but I've never heard of the company before & having bought & been burnt by a Kia the 1st year they came out we're a bit shy of unknown manufacturers now.

Thanks for answering though
love,
mom

 

just my 2 cents.. i would not recommend a scooter for highway driving.. the wheels are very small and they DO NOT handle like a motorcycle.
they are fine for rural roads and low speed city driving but they are death traps for highway travel..
i would look at a mid sized motorcycle if you must have a two wheeler with good mileage..