Why choose a scooter over a motorcycle?

03 Apr.,2024

 

My friend Paul and I stopped during a motorcycle/scooter camping trip in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Scooter or Motorcycle

A recent comment about why I’m riding my Vespa ET4 when I have a Vespa GTS got me thinking about that choice. And not just the choice between the two scooters, but the differences between a scooter and motorcycle in general. Those questions have been floating around my head and I think I’ve come to a few simple conclusions.

Riding into memories.

The Scooter Explorer

I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to me sooner. I explore on a scooter. I ride a motorcycle. Many motorcycle riders might insist they’re explorers, but my experience shows something different.

Had all my serious riding started with a motorcycle I would have called myself an explorer purely because I ride into new and unknown places. But that’s not what I’m talking about when I’m describing scooter riding as exploring. It’s not about where I go as much as it is how I’m going.

And let me say now, all of this will vary greatly from rider to rider. But this is what I know.

A stop along a road made easy with my Vespa GTS.

Nimble and Agile

I stop more on a scooter. A scooter is far easier to manipulate and park than a motorcycle. It’s profile along the road is upright and narrow in comparison allowing me to sometimes even park on the road with little concern of being wiped out by traffic. And because my scooters are so nimble and agile, when I see something of interest I can easily make a U-turn and go back to look at or photograph something of interest. I can do that with a motorcycle but I confess many times I did not turn around because the effort seemed too great.

My Vespa GTS wandering along a back road.

Slow Travel

I travel slower on a scooter. I’ve thought about this a long time and I’m still uncertain why that’s true for me. My motorcycles have a throttle and are certainly capable of going slower but there’s some sort of relationship between mass and power that just seems to find the motorcycles going faster.

One of the reasons my Royal Enfield Himalayan is so appealing is its lack of power finds me going slower. While it’s not like the scooter in terms of maneuverability it do see more because of the slower speeds I travel.

Vespa GTS scooter on winding road near Hyner View.

The “Smoothness” Difference

Riding a scooter is easier, more fluid, quieter, and reminds me less often that I’m piloting a machine. I’ve shared this before but on a scooter I feel like I’m flying. Like a bird. On a motorcycle I feel like I’m flying but in an airplane.

I’m sure other riders will contend that they feel like a bird on their motorcycles. I would only ask if they’ve spend any serious time riding a scooter. Until you do I contend you won’t be able to understand the difference.

Message to my wife: If you want to surprise me on my birthday — buy me a Royal Enfield Classic 350 in Chrome Red.

Machine Obsessions

The differences between a scooter and motorcycle extends beyond the machines I currently own. The “feel” each has has an intoxicating effect. The more often I switch from one to the other the more I begin thinking about other scooters and motorcycles and what they might be like to ride.

This mental process could easily lead to bigger garages and outbuildings to house the growing stable of scooters and motorcycles. I’ve been entertaining the idea of adding another motorcycle to my small fleet. Even though I recently eliminated the Triumph Street Twin from my list of desire other machines remain. I’m still fascinated by the Triumph T100. And I’ve been pondering a 2001 Kawasaki W650 that was recently offered to me. And I’ve been fantasizing about the Royal Enfield Classic 350. All three machines surely offering a different feel and experience.

And all of this stuff just adds to the growing amount of brain data that illustrates the differences between a scooter and motorcycle.

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What do you need to know about an electric scooter vs motorcycle?

  1. Engine
  2. Torque and power
  3. Maintenance
  4. Cost
  5. Portability

There is no doubt that there are plenty of alternative transportation choices available in the market for commuters. There are bikes, gas motorcycles, and electric scooters, to name a few. Electric scooters and gas motorcycles are popular modes of transport. Today, they are some of the most efficient commuting solutions. But between these an electric scooter vs motorcycle, which one is right for you?

Electric scooter vs. motorcycle has been a long-debated topic. Aside from being beneficial for the environment, many people were debating the benefits of electric scooters over gas motorcycles. Fast forward to modern days, electric scooter brands, such as Segway Ninebot, have developed innovative features to what electric scooters are capable of. As a result, more and more people are ordering these vehicles.

Nonetheless, choosing between an electric scooter and a motorcycle depends on various factors. Continue reading to learn about these.

Engine

The main difference between electric scooters and motorcycles is that electric scooters run on lithium-ion batteries, while motorcycles run on an internal combustion engine. This is why electric scooters have a much simpler mechanism.

Torque and Power

If you pay close attention to performance, electric scooters have a distinct advantage over gas motorcycles.

Electric scooters are two-wheeled vehicles that are plugged into electricity to function. Then, the electricity is stored in the battery, which can drive multiple electric motors. For that reason, electric scooters can reach their peak power and deliver maximum torque instantly from 0 revolutions per minute (RPM). In addition, electric scooters can maintain consistent torque and power through the whole RPM range.

In comparison, gas motorcycles take longer to reach peak power and torque. Both these require the internal combustion engine to spin at a certain high RPM.

Maintenance

Both electric scooters and motorcycles need to be maintained from time to time. However, with electric scooters maintenance becomes much easier.

As said earlier, electric scooters are equipped with lithium-ion batteries that are very easy to maintain. Simply charge the electric scooter using the provided battery regularly. Then, store the battery in a cool dry place when not in use.

Electric scooters also have fewer parts. These do not need any more maintenance effort than checking suspension screws and changing brake pads as needed. Moreover, electric scooters have no oil that needs to be changed, no valves that need to be adjusted, no air filters that need to be replaced, and no clutch that needs to be replaced.

On the other hand, a motorcycle has an internal combustion engine and numerous small components to make the motorcycle function. This includes filters, timing belts, sparks plugs, and more.

Cost

Electric scooters are cheaper to own in the long run than motorcycles. The most costly parts of an electric scooter in the electric motor and battery. Of course, the low cost due to the low maintenance of electric scooters will always be relevant.

With gas motorcycles, you have to maintain many components. Motorcycle part replacement and maintenance can be costly.

And given that electric scooters use electricity to power their motors, you will never need to stop for gas. Motorcycles need gas to function. With the continuously rising gas prices, electric scooters are certainly more affordable to own. This is why electric scooters are gaining popularity in the Philippines.

Electric scooters are also almost free to charge. These only consume a few kilowatts to be fully charged. Trust us when we say, you won’t even notice the change in the electricity bill. If you need only a short ride to work, you can purchase an electric scooter with a short-range battery, which is even more affordable.

Portability

Electric scooters are very practical to buy because they are lightweight and foldable. Take the Segway Ninebot KickScooter ES2 as an example. This electric scooter in the Philippines weighs only 12.5 kg and it can be folded with only one step.

With an electric scooter, you do not need to find a parking spot every day. Simply fold it in second and store it under your office desk. It is very compact. With motorcycles, you will always have to find a parking spot because they are non-foldable.

Electric scooters can also solve the first and last-mile problem, wherein commuters need to walk to the nearest public transportation going to their destination and need to walk to another public transportation to get to their homes. Simply ride your electric scooter to the nearest bus, train, or jeepney station, and fold it to get to your destination. When going home, simply take out your electric scooter to avoid walking all the way home after stepping out of public transportation.

Key Takeaway

In this article, we’ve rounded up the differences between an electric scooter and a motorcycle. Electric scooters hold an advantage over motorcycles when it comes to engine mechanism, eco-friendliness, torque and power, maintenance, cost, and portability.

Want to have your electric scooter today? Visit the Simply Moving website for the best electric scooters in the Philippines from Segway Ninebot!

Author’s Note: This entry was optimized by the best SEO Services Agency in the Philippines – SEO Hacker

 

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Why choose a scooter over a motorcycle?

Electric Scooter VS Motorcycle: Which Is Right For You?