Why don't scooters get better gas mileage?

Question

Why don't scooters get better gas mileage? I just saw a video showing scooters getting 55mpg. There are cars that get almost that much. Shouldn't a tiny scooter be able to get more like 500 miles to the gallon since it weighs so much less and so on? Why don't they?

Answer 1

Because most of them have two stroke stroke engines.  

They are simple to manufacture in small sizes because they have no valves and usually no lubrication system but because of those two features they are gas guzzlers.  A four stroke engine like found on a modern car that produced the same horsepower would be bigger and much more expesive.  Compare lawnmowers for proof.

Answer 2

Good question. Offhand, i would think that 1) scooters are less aerodynamic than small cars. and 2) scooters are used almost entirely in city traffic, stop and go. Automobiles are measured to reflect driving on the open highway.

Still, 55 mpg isn't anything to sneeze at. On the other hand, didn't the old Messerschmit car get better mileage than that? It was essentially a two-seater (fore and aft) scooter encased in a bubble.