Is it a good idea to buy a moped or scooter?

Question

Hi,

I'm seriously thinking about buying a moped/scooter. The reason is because I can't park at work because there is a stupid waiting list to get one. My friend has been working for 6 years and she's still waiting. Now, the people who drive a motorcycle and scooter they can park right infront of the building.

I will also be doing some school like in the afternoon and some late at night. Would a scooter be safe to park at school at night? I go to a community college, and it would be really convenient to have a scooter. It saves me gas, easy parking at work, and convinient to use to go to school.

So my main concern is theft. Would it be safe to park it at school at night?

Answer 1

Get yourself a good, high quality cable lock and be sure to lock your scooter to the biggest, strongest steel pole you can find, in the brightest lit area near the entrance of your school/office.

Anti theft alarms are available for almost any sized vehicle. Find out what the theft history is for both your office and your school, and take adequate precautions against losing your vehicle. Be sure to buy insurance that includes a theft clause.

Answer 2

It is a good idea  just get a good lock. There are several on the market now. There is also a alarm with a motion detector that can be put on a bike.

Answer 3

lock it up somehow so people cant steel it

Answer 4

buy a good one, not one of those kragen ones, get a honda or something, but yeah sure, you know what they say, they are a lot of fun until your freinds see you riding one... Get some kind of STRONG locking cable that can go through both wheels and around a pole or tree or something. Most of these have a locking steering too. If you make it hard to steal, most theives wont bother with it.

Answer 5

ya just make sure you are able to be seen but its a good idea cause your going to save alot of money on gas

Answer 6

get a Vespa

Answer 7

parking a motorcycle on the sidewalk is a ticket-able offense, with your plate # and all, so better to stay under 50cc which doesn't require the license, insurance and registration.  

however, the small ones really have trouble with keeping up with traffic and are often supposed to keep right, like bicycles.  the 4 cycle ones go about 25-30mph, and the 2 cycles go 5+mph faster, but use 1/3 more fuel.  what type of traffic do you face?

Answer 8

Sure, it would be a great idea.....for both work & school.  Just make sure you have the proper license & take a MSF course if you have never ridden before.

Answer 9

I recommend a scooter, particularly a new one with 100cc or above (more power), which will have a lock on the steering column and an ignition lock (chip) which is individual to each scooter.

It depends on where you park it if you'll be safe. Not sure which school you are going to, SCentral?, but sometimes they look the other way when you park next to the bike racks.

are you looking at a a vintage scooter? they also have a steering column lock, and you can always take off the spark plug cap under the cowl, which they can't see, so it won't start if someone tries to kick it over. Have you gone to look at scooters yet?

The new Tomo Moped might have a column lock as well.  

Answer 10

Mopeds are like having a fat girlfriend, their fun to have until your friend sees you with one.