Tips on buying and driving a motorcycle or scooter

Anxious to reduce your fuel costs and looking to a motorcycle or scooter? If you can accept the significant safety risks, but are not sure where to start, here are some tips to aid your purchase and use.

Do I need a license? Motorcyclists usually require a special license. Check with your local DMV to determine operator age or engine size restrictions.  In some states, a scooter that displaces less than 50cc requires only a vehicle license to operate, not a motorcycle license. New York State for example, requires a special license when the top speed of the scooter or motorcycle goes above 30 mph. Below that, you don’t need a special license, but there are limitations on where it can be operated. Vehicles that go below 30 mph need to stay in the right lane or shoulder. Other states require completion of a motorcycle training course. Check with your local DMV as the laws vary based on the state in which you live.

How to learn to ride? A training class for motorcycles or scooters is highly recommended, especially for first-time riders. Beyond learning balance, the use of throttle, brakes, and cornering are all very different from driving an automobile. Professional instructors can teach proper, safe riding techniques, explaining such things as how to ride in a lane and how to remain visible to other vehicles.

What about insurance? You need insurance to drive a motorcycle or scooter, and it’s less expensive than insuring a car. You can start by checking with your current vehicle insurer to see if they offer insurance. You must register the vehicle with the DMV, as well.

Is a helmet required? Helmet laws vary in each state. Currently, only 20 states require one for everyone, but other states require them by age. Your local DMV will be able to help. Consumer Reports recommends full-face helmet use for everyone. Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. In 2006, 41 percent of motorcycle deaths were from those not wearing a helmet. When purchasing a helmet, look for ones that are compliant with the Department of Transportation standards (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218).

What gear is important? In addition to buying the bike/scooter, you need to determine what gear is necessary. Besides a helmet, a face shield will help protect you against the elements (which can include dust, wind, rain, pebbles, and bugs). Glasses or goggles are not as effective as a full-face shield. Motorcycle-specific jackets, pants, boots, and gloves are also necessary to protect you in the event of a crash and from the heat, cold, debris, or mechanical elements on the bike. Bright colors can help make you more visible. Investing in proper motorcycle gear can provide significant protection, particularly from road rash, over regular street clothes.

Consider parking. Before you purchase that motor bike for your commute, consider where you will park. In most cities, you can park on the street like cars, but there is the risk of the vehicle being knocked over or vandalized. You may also get a ticket if you try to park in between designated spaces. In the city of Chicago, for example, motorcycles and scooters must be parked perpendicular to the street. Check with your local town/city for the guidelines. If you decide you want to be safe and park at a garage or lot, make sure that the garage allows them and check the fees—they may be the same as passenger cars.

If you have any other tips to share on motorcycles and scooters, please post in the comments below or visit our forum to discuss two-wheelers with other consumers.

—Liza Barth

Also read: "Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save".

To learn more about motorcycle riding from the American Motorcyclist Association.

Comments

[Ed]

Why do you warn people that there is a risk of someone vandalizing their motorcycle while parked? Is this just as possible if not more so with a car? Its great that you point out these thing but you hardly touch on any of the positives such as how EASY it is to park a scooter/bike ANYWHERE. Just another example of CR's bias against all things on two wheels. How about not every having to worry about door dings or tight parking spaces again?

[illnoise]

I think it's great you're talking about these things. I monitor Google news for scooter stories, and in the last month there have been hundreds of vapid boilerplate news stories about how great scooters are, and 95% of them entirely gloss over the risks and safety information and greatly exaggerate the ecological and economic benefits. Most shops are sold out of scooters right now because they're so popular, it's time to stop yammering about how great scooters are. We all know they are, it's nice to see them finally getting some attention, but *that* news cycle is over, now it's time to start educating all these new riders.

[illnoise]

@Ed:

"Park Anywhere" is actually one of the biggest pieces of misinformation being spread, anyone living in an urban area knows that finding a safe and legal parking spot for a scooter is actually harder than finding one for a car. In locations where "Park Anywhere" was the norm, the huge glut of scooters is actually resulting in more enforcement of long-ignored parking laws, or new laws being written to keep scooters off bike racks and sidewalks (where they honestly don't belong after all.)

[Cale]

Hi Liza,

I think you're going to need a lot more articles like this. The advice to take the MSF class is completely inadequate. Everyone should have to take the MSF class and after that everyone should have to spend a minimum of 3,000 miles training to be a skilled motorcycle rider. If you haven't taken the MSF class you may not appreciate just how much ISN'T covered. If you have taken the class and are riding today, I hope you spend 45 minutes every week practicing emergency braking, the S.E.E. technique (Search, Evaluate, Execute), and cornering. I mention this because few riders do this practice and accidents among first-year new riders are very common.

Underestimating the importance of skill development is a common mistake made by new riders. What they teach in MSF class has to be practiced to be learned and the streets, especially crowded urban streets, offer a high risk environment for practice.

I look forward to you placing greater emphasis on these points in the future.

Cale

[Andrew]

Good advise, this is what I did, took the MSF class, researched the bikes. Got a nice Yamaha XT225-2005 used on e-bay, getting ~75/MPG, parking for free in a block rental car lot... So far so good!

[james]

Look forward to thorough scooter reviews in the future.

[guy]

are there any motorcycle web sites to purchase motorcycles? Costco has an auto web service. is there any reputable seller's website so purchse new or used motorcycles? especially in Hawaii?

[Martin Racing Performance]

I think its great that Consumer Reports is finally looking at scooters, but for the industry to truly grow we need the magazine to start doing reviews. In other countries like in Italy or Spain consumer magazines take an actual interest in the products themselves. Providing side by side comparisons is what your readers really need in future issues.

This seems to me like your testing the waters and havent decided if you're actually going for a swim. Do something useful and take a leap forward. Take a test drive of a new Vespa, a new Vectrix, maybe a Honda? These side by side comparisons are what Americans need to be educated about. If you really want to be a Consumer advocate visit a flea market and buy a cheap Asian import without DOT, EPA, or liability insurance and then warn consumers of the real dangers out there. I've been doing it for years and if Consumer Reports got involved we would hopefully see some real changes in the industry.

Regards,

Joel Martin
President
MRP Inc.
www.mrp-speed.com

[David]

I've had my 150cc scooter for six weeks now, and I've put $12.00 worth of gas in it. Commuting only four miles helps, but that's part of my point.

I bought a Piaggio Fly 150, and if you're looking for comfort and an overall feeling of safety and the ability to go anywhere, a scooter probably is not for you.

I love mine, but again...four-mile commute...and I live in a pretty small city.

Going over a manhole cover is jolting. Wind above about 10 mph will cause you to meander in your lane. Acceleration is not enough to get out of trouble using the throttle.

A scooter is what it is: Luxury-free, fuel efficient transportation.

I strongly suggest that if you are considering a scooter purchase that you ignore the safety-unconcious riders who are swarming the streets these days. Taking a bee in the face because of no visor is a potentially deadly--and definitely painful--distraction.

And scooters are not bicycles. My 150 tops out at 60mph. That's plenty enough speed to kill you, and even if you don't hit anything, sliding across asphalt at 60mph will shred the skin off of your body. Road rash: Bad.

Yea, I look like a geek 'cuz I don't ride in flip-flops and shorts, but I prefer my chances of living through trouble to see more geek-like days.

Viva 70 miles per gallon!

[Joydeep]

Liza, I appreciate the attention finally given to motorcycles and scooters. Hopefully Consumer Reports will eventually begin to review those as well. Most of the basics were covered here, but another paragraph I would have added would be "Is it right for you", and put in some points to consider, such as: highway driving (buying a highway-capable motorcycle/scooter will cost significantly more, and is unlikely to save much on fuel over a compact car), how busy you are (due to importance of safety gear and luggage planning, a motorcycle/scooter is not as convenient for spur of the moment jaunts), weather restrictions (dangerous / uncomfortable in rain, worse or impossible in sleet or snow, risk of riders foregoing safety gear in hot weather), etc.

Regarding Ed's comment: A car may have more things to break for someone with a tire iron, but any 12-year-old with enough curiosity to hop up on the bike can accidentally tip it over, causing thousands of dollars of damage with no harmful intent whatsoever. Remember, damage is relative (to the vehicle price). Also, for all the security measures you can use, it's still fairly easy for one or two people with a pickup truck to steal almost any bike under 250cc, giving them all the time in the world to break the security in the comfort of their private garage. Not trying to be negative about everyone, but there are simply some places I won't take my bike because I'm concerned about parking it.

Replying to "guy": Most new motorcycles are sold through brick and mortar dealerships, and it's a good idea to go through them, because since bikes are not as common as 4-wheel vehicles, it's harder to get parts and service locally except at dealerships. If you know the make or even model that you want and are interested in buying used, there are several options, including craigslist.org, cycletrader.com, or you can go to a "user forum" for your bike of interest, and look at for sale messages (or post a wanted message).

[E.P Sato]

David, I disagree about scooter's being luxury free. Classic Vespas (the P series/Stellas in particular) have literally thousands of accesories that can be added on to give the scooter a feeling of luxury.

For example, there's Scooter Stereo kits (I make the Buzz Scooter Stereo kit, a 300 watt stereo system for classic Vespas), chrome accessories(everything from your horn cover to your frame can be chromed up), engine upgrades for increased speed, top cases (to carry your stuff), spinner hubcaps, rubber floor mats, heated hand grips, halogen headlight upgrades, etc. IMHO, luxury is in the eye of the beholder. My chromed up, stereo having PX150 turns more heads than any vehicle I've ever seen riding on the DC streets, save for the President's limo.

There will always be risks associated with two wheeled vehicles, which is why riders are always encouraged to take MSF courses, wear helmets and proper safety equipment. But let's be real here. Part of the reason motorcycles are dangerous is because people in cars frequently don't pay attention while driving. That helps to explain why most motorcycle-car accidents occur during left turns. So now that gas is $4+ a gallon and scooters are pretty much here to stay, it's time we taught new drivers to pay attention to the other vehicles they share the road with.

[Padraig]

Would appreciate Consumers doing tests on scooters. Isn't time to rate and rank as we move into a new world of outrageous fuel prices?

[Robert Warden]

I share the sentiments of the above writers. I think Consumer Reports should cover motorcycles/motorscooters like they do other popular consumer products. Those of us in the Sunbelt have seen a tremendous increase in two-wheeled motor transport accompanying the meteoric rise in fuel prices. I've even seen the unthinkable: Harley-Davidson riders with full face helmets in a state - Texas - without mandatory hemet laws! There's a new type of rider out there, thanks to the economy, and the motorcycle industry is scrambling to accommodate him (and her).

[lroscioli]

I am really disappointed with CR. If it's an article about 2-wheels than they really make sure they point out the negatives. Leave out opinions and such comments as, "consider where you'll park". Don't you have to consider where you park in a car, or a truck with a long bed that wont even fit in a regular sized parking space? Furthermore, it's my opinion the U.S. should adopt European guidelines, such as letting 2-wheels get in front of every traffic light (I can hear people whining already) and letting them park anywhere. It's a way of encouraging and rewarding those who drive 2-wheels. If more people did, the ancillary benefits would be unmesurable for both 2-wheel and 4-wheeled commuters)

[lr]

Many folks would like CR to test scooters. It's really a simple task. Figure out what kind of commute/driving you will be doing, if you expect a passenger, and buy an Italian scooter, or a Japanese as a good second option. Stay away from everything else. They simply dont have the performance or quality, yet. I own a 1993 Piaggio BV200, and have put over 30,000 miles on it. I must say its just about the most perfect all around machine for the money. Short or long trips, 1 or 2 passengers, highway travel and inner city, and a good balance of weight and fuel economy. Sure, opinions will vary, but it's the Honda Accord/Civic of scooters.

[Anthony Mancino (Florida)]

Anyone like myself that rides should think about safety. I cant wait until the next time I get on my Harley. I went to a training class and was happy I did. I only wish I owned my bike before i went. They train you on 250 and my bike is a 1450cc. You must be extremely DEFENSIVE out there and believe that the car will make that turn into you. I always ride with a full face helmet, especially when I found out more harley riders die than crotch rocket riders.Thats because they dont wear helmets as much as other riders. So ride but ride safely.

[John]

Nobody ever seems to question why motorcycle insurance is so much less expensive than auto insurance, and Consumer Reports doesn't explain it any better than the motorcycle advocacy groups such as the American Motorcyclist Association. So read on and beware!

The lion's share of your insurance bill is for liability coverage. Since a motorcycle is so much smaller and lighter than a car, it will generally do less damage if the rider is responsible for a crash.

But it is far more likely for a motorcycle rider to become severely injured or permanently disabled, even in a minor crash. Auto insurance most often includes features that compensate a driver for injuries suffered in a crash, and have state-mandated provisions, including "no-fault", uninsured and underinsured coverages. Your average motorcycle rider doesn't even realize that his motorcycle insurance differs vastly from auto insurance when it comes to protecting the rider versus the car driver. Simply put, there is no protection, and that's why motorcycle insurance is so inexpensive! Half the people who ride would stop riding if they really knew about their lack of insurance coverage.

So what covers a motorcycle rider when he is injured? Generally, the only insurance that applies is the individual's own health insurance, as long as that insurance does not contain a motorcycle exclusion. Other than that, you can get an attorney to represent you in a lawsuit if there is another vehicle involved. But no attorney will take the case unless the other vehicle is insured for enough money to make it worth the attorney's time. And, if the injured rider manages to get a sizable settlement, his health insurance is legally entitled to be paid back for all the medical bills they paid, which can easily amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, taken out of the settlement along with the 33% attorney's fee. So, for example, if your loss amounts to $3 million, you might end up getting a tenth of that amount if you are fortunate enough to have been injured by a well-insured individual. If the individual is not well-insured, you may be disabled for life but you will not get any money.

All the talk among motorcycle riders about how much they will collect if somebody hits them is just talk. The insurance is simply not there, and very few riders know the reality of it.

[Venisew]

I currently live in Philadelphia and received my scooter as a gift a year and a half ago. It had been great on gas, efficiency and insurance. the down fall was living in a city where people physically moved your bike from a parking spot and getting it stolen. Yes, I will buy another scooter but will invest in a alarm system due to the ignorance of people.

[Cliff Babcock]

Riding a motorcycle is not for most people. Riding takes significantly more skills and coordination than driving a car. I have been riding for over 40 years and have never been seriously injured. Most of that record is because I never underestimate the stupidity of most drivers. Of course, more motorcycle riding would help with our population problem. In fact, it might be good to require that all drivers must drive a motorcycle several thousand miles before receiving a car drivers license.

[Michael Smith]

Where can I find a motorcycle rating list like the ones consumer Reports has for Autos. I,m considering a Suzuki DR-Z400 SM:or a Buell XB9SX.
I would like to know how these machines compare as far as the reliability ect that I can get with Comsumer Reports on the rating Of cars,appliances ect