Scooter bullet points

This will be the third summer now that my wife and I have had our scooters. However, this summer, I am beginning to see a lot more of them out on the road, especially in Franklin. I think gas prices are definitely encouraging this new fad. Riding the Natchez Trace and back roads of Williamson County are a blast.

I have a lot of people ask me about our scooters so I wanted to provide some bullet points to help people answer their questions and encourage more people to get one.

• We have a 2005 & 2006 Yamaha Vino 125
• Top speed is between 50-55 mph (varies by weight of driver)
• Holds 1.2 gallons of fuel and gets about 70-90 mpg. I usually only fill up once a week.
  
• Insurance is like $10 a month.
• 125cc engine: Weighs 250 lbs.
  
• It is NOT interstate legal.
• In TN you have to have a Motorcycle endorsement.
• I feel safer in traffic on this than I would a bicycle. I can always keep up with traffic in town. Sometimes out on highways, I may fall behind traffic a little.
• It is a 4-stroke engine so there is no mixing gas and oil.
• Price ranges on scooters for a 125cc are from a $1000 (Chinese models) to $6000 (Vespa/European models).
• Automatic - Actually it doesn't even have multiple gears. It's just gas and go.
• No emissions testing required.
  

Why not a motorcycle? I would love to have one and I enjoy them a lot too. The difference is that insurance is more expensive. Also, I can get around a lot faster and easier in heavy traffic with the scooter.

Scooter Season is Open

Ah...the weather, isn't it great? It's a great way to welcome in Scooter Season. With few exceptions, I should be able to hop on my little Yamaha Vino 125 and scoot back and forth to work and back. During my evening commute this summer, it may get a little hot, but at 80 miles a gallon with gas prices soaring, I can handle it.

I just wanted to remind all of you who do not have the pleasure of scootering to check your blind spots when changing lanes because I might be passing you.

Photo Credit: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com

Personal Electric Vehicle

I totally want one of these! It would be better on gas than my scooter plus I could ride it in the Winter and the rain. The U.S. Department of Transportation would classify this as a motorcycle. It is completely electric and can get up to 75 mph. I just need $36,000.00, plus shipping & handling.

Read more from Inhabitat.

Scooter Sidecar

How about this for one of our scooters?

Yes, I have a scooter, go ahead and laugh

I have had my scooter for 2 years now and my wife has had hers for about a year and a half. I am starting to kick myself now for not opening up a scooter store in Franklin, because they are going to be the next BIG thing to drive. Gas has gotten out of hand.

I know I may look funny at 6"2 and 230 lbs. People may laugh at me all the way to the gas pump, but trust me, I am laughing at them all the way to the bank. Insurance is dirt cheap and I get over 80 miles a gallon. My wife does better since she is smaller.

The blue one is a 2006 Vino 125 by Yamaha, and the red one is a 2005. They are as good as a Vespa, and cheaper too! I saw a piece on WKRN last night about a new scooter store in Nashville. I can't wait to see these all over town. I have already started seeing more of them now. These things are a blast. they get to 55mph, but they are lighter and better suited for city life. There is no need to buy a huge bike that's loud, goes fast, and comes with a huge insurance premium. Get one.