PortlandRL

Okay...here's the deal. I currently live five miles from work and the short commute is absolutely murdering my gas mileage on the Santa Fe plus short trips where the engine doesn't warm fully or run for a while don't help either. Since I get discounts on Honda products, I was pricing out a Fit as a commuter car but then realized I didn't want to spend that much so I went smaller. The dealership I work for also has a motorsports division and they sell Honda motorcycles, ATVs and scooters so I started looking at those.

Some people may cry and others may go so far as to say I'm :ghey: for even thinking about this but the Honda PCX scooter is starting to sound genuinely appealing to me as something I can use for just local, short trips. That way I can keep my car in the garage at home when I'm at work and save it for when I really need to carry extra passengers or cargo because realistically, I'm alone in the car 98% of the time. And for when the weather really stinks and I don't feel like riding, I can use the car and leave the scooter at home.

With my employee discount, I can probably get it for under three grand. The fuel tank is 1.6 gallons so I can fill it up for under $5 (gas is around $3.60 here now) and go 170 or so miles is what really seals the deal for me but at this point, I need to get the DMV's take on this since their definition of a 'scooter' is pretty vague. Since the PCX has a top speed of 60 mph, they may consider it a light motorcycle.

But anyway....opinions?

Moose Muscles

A bunch of nuclear engineeers rock that scooter at my plant. The Harley guys give them shit but other than that nobody bothers them. I'm sure you will be loving the gas mileage.

Think about it this way, if you have the PCX and a gas hog, the money you save on gas for one will fund the other.

I say go for it if it suites your lifestyle.

Legend2TL

I say if it suites you and your purpose, go for it. Who cares what others think?

One thing I'll add the PCX has larger 14" wheels than smaller scooters with 10-11" wheels which helps alot on bumpy roads. Ask anyone who's ever hit a pothole in the city on a small wheel scooters, it can be quite unnerving. Larger wheels are smoother and have better gyroscopic advantages for stability.

phee

iTrader: (5)

I say go used. More savings. 3k is enough gas for 2 years

YZ450

Hey... Are you new to motorcycles? Just curios because people tend to see scooters as toys and the fact its that you could get you injured the same way as if you ride a big fat bike.

Don't get me wrong I'm not against motorcycles, actually I've been riding for the last 22 years. Basically, my point is that if you're going to do it and you're new to the sport PLEASE take a safety course before getting it, as the majority of accidents happens withing a 5 miles radios from home.

Aman

Yes, you are lame.

I think it's a cool idea, but I would always be worried about safety. Depends on your commute, though.

Have you considered an e-bike? Those 9/10ths scooters that are battery-powered? Up here, they don't have to be licensed, and I see a ton of them downtown. Cheap too, around $800 to $1000.

Or if your commute is so short that your car doesn't even warm up, maybe a good ol' bike will do the trick? And get you in shape, too.

charliemike

I'm not sure what kind of roads you're riding on but as long as you're safe and honestly assume everyone else on the road is a complete jackass you'll be fine.

I used to ride mine in DC all the time.

I think that most states view anything over 49cc as needing to be registered. I don't know what the engine size is to have to get a separate motorcycle license though.

Will Y.

A used scooter, assuming no public transportation.

Hapa DC5

Carpooling or pedaling not an option?

PortlandRL

Yes I am new to motorcycles and plan on taking a course.

As I work 12 hour shifts on my feet, riding a bike 5 miles home, virtually all of it uphill, is not an appealing prospect. I don't trust electric bikes either, mostly due to the aforementioned hills.

Hapa DC5

Carpool?

PortlandRL

Nobody I work with lives anywhere near me and it seems silly to have someone drive five miles out of their way.

csmeance

I'd say screw what other folks think and just go for it! It's cheap affordable transportation that will serve it's purpose!

Just you might want to think about what happens if it rains! That might be a bit of a slippery situation

ThermonMermon

how is the CBR250R as a safe starter bike?

dallison

bicycle? It would take you no longer than 20-30 minutes.

Majofo

mrmako

I see them all the time here

Do it. And take the money savings and put it away in a savings account. Before you know it, you'll have enough for another ride.

Street Spirit

For a 5 mile commute, I'd just drive your car. Spending money for a drive that'll take you 2 minutes regardless of what you drive just doesn't make sense to me.

Hapa DC5

hmmm I'd just keep the Santa Fe. Is it anywhere near being paid off?

Ken1997TL

The hills on his commute are a bitch with poor lighting at night.

Andrew, get the PCX, it sounds like the ideal compromise for the situation.

PortlandRL

Portland's not like most cities in the fact that we don't have a sprawling freeway system. That five miles takes me 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.

Ken1997TL

For a small city, Portland is a royal pain to get around in. Sometimes it can take over an hour to get from one side to the other. Sometimes two.

Majofo

Yet another reason.. Dogs > *

PortlandRL

Yep....although at 1 AM I made it from 6 and 47 in Banks to the Zoo exit in 15 minutes.