Scooters... your thoughts?

[Chimpie]

I was reading an article today about more people buying scooters because of the price of gas getting higher and higher. I'm trying to think outside the box here, or about the wide range of people/occupations/lifestyles. Do you think scooters will really catch on here in the US?

What if more public places (malls, movie theaters, restaurants) added motorcycle/scooter designated parking areas? Would that help?

Thoughts?

 

[Cap'nPanic]

No, but I think Geo Metros will get a boost in annual sales!

Can you imagine the teen queen whos expecting a new Ford F-350 King Ranch Super Duty truck for graduation, when she wakes up on graduation day there is a fire engine red 2 door Geo Metro with a big bow on top?? LOL.

-Cap'nPanic

 

[Chimpie]

Originally posted by Cap'nPanic@Aug 23 2005, 11:48 AM
No, but I think Geo Metros will get a boost in annual sales!

pssstt... they haven't made Geo Metros in years.

 

[Wingnut]

I don't think they'll ever get big. People are too dependant on/love thier cars. Scooters have been around for a long time too, They're too stereotyped and every year we hear the same thing about gas prices, I really don't think there's a large enough portion of the population willing to give up thier cars that would make a real difference.

 

[Chimpie]

What about in addition to their cars?

 

[Cap'nPanic]

Originally posted by Chimpie+Aug 23 2005, 11:01 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Chimpie @ Aug 23 2005, 11:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Cap'nPanic@Aug 23 2005, 11:48 AM
No, but I think Geo Metros will get a boost in annual sales!

pssstt... they haven't made Geo Metros in years. [/b][/quote]
I dunno but this looks like a Metro to me! (I think Chevy took over the Geo line of cars)

Any further questions??

-Cap'nPanic

 

[Wingnut]

There could be a slight increase of people using scooters and cars, but I doubt it. They've never really been popular, and they really aren't a comparble alternative to a car. I think the majority are going to wait until the hybrids/fully electric cars become more readily available. Or a more effective alternative is created.

 

[MMiz]

I'm looking to move a mile away from where I work. I just can't afford to pay $2.79 a gallon when my car gets 15 mpg.

Maybe I need a segway...

Yes.. Yes.. that's exactly what I need!

 

[Chimpie]

Put some LEDs on the front and you'd be all set.

 

[Cap'nPanic]

Originally posted by Chimpie@Aug 23 2005, 05:05 PM
Put some LEDs on the front and you'd be all set.

Chimpie, you are not going to believe this but one of the major metropolitan EMS service alreayd issues these out to the medics to use as a QRV in large crowds, complete with lights, I dunno about the siren though.

-Cap'nPanic

 

[TTLWHKR]

Originally posted by MMiz@Aug 23 2005, 04:51 PM
I'm looking to move a mile away from where I work. I just can't afford to pay $2.79 a gallon when my car gets 15 mpg.

Maybe I need a segway...

Yes.. Yes.. that's exactly what I need!

What exactly keeps these from falling over forward?

 

[Phridae]

Thats a good question, Alex I've always wondered that myself.

 

[Margaritaville]

I don't know where all of you are from - but here scooters are everywhere. They are a pain in the tail and are not subject to helmet or licensing laws. In resort areas they are a cheap form of transportation. Especially for foreign students.

I expect they will only get more popular due to the fuel prices. B)

 

[MMiz]

Originally posted by TTLWHKR+Aug 23 2005, 11:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (TTLWHKR @ Aug 23 2005, 11:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-MMiz@Aug 23 2005, 04:51 PM
I'm looking to move a mile away from where I work. I just can't afford to pay $2.79 a gallon when my car gets 15 mpg.

Maybe I need a segway...

Yes.. Yes.. that's exactly what I need!

What exactly keeps these from falling over forward? [/b][/quote]
The guy who invented the segway hyped the product for years. It was going to be revolutionary and change our lives forever. He spent 10 years developing the gadget.

They were never the big hit people though they'd be. I saw one professor use one at college but that's it. You can buy it off Amazon.com for $4000, $1000 less than a year ago.

 

[emtbass]

$4000, that is more than my first vehicle... well and my second put together. But now I have a 2005 dodge ram... I love it but the gas is gonna kill me.. im moving closer to school soon though.

 

[daemonicusxx]

Originally posted by MMiz+Aug 23 2005, 11:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MMiz @ Aug 23 2005, 11:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by TTLWHKR@Aug 23 2005, 11:20 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-MMiz

@Aug 23 2005, 04:51 PM
I'm looking to move a mile away from where I work.  I just can't afford to pay $2.79 a gallon when my car gets 15 mpg.

Maybe I need a segway...

Yes.. Yes.. that's exactly what I need!

What exactly keeps these from falling over forward?

The guy who invented the segway hyped the product for years. It was going to be revolutionary and change our lives forever. He spent 10 years developing the gadget.

They were never the big hit people though they'd be. I saw one professor use one at college but that's it. You can buy it off Amazon.com for $4000, $1000 less than a year ago. [/b][/quote]
I just heard tonight that the guy that invented the Segway is the same person that invented the IV Pump! dont know how valid that is, but was kinda interesting

 

[Chimpie]

Originally posted by Cap'nPanic@Aug 23 2005, 10:01 PM
I dunno about the siren though.

-Cap'nPanic

:lol:

 

[Jon]

Originally posted by TTLWHKR+Aug 23 2005, 11:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (TTLWHKR @ Aug 23 2005, 11:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-MMiz@Aug 23 2005, 04:51 PM
I'm looking to move a mile away from where I work. I just can't afford to pay $2.79 a gallon when my car gets 15 mpg.

Maybe I need a segway...

Yes.. Yes.. that's exactly what I need!

What exactly keeps these from falling over forward? [/b][/quote]
I got to ride one at EMS Today 2005!!!!

they operate with multiple gyroscopes to stabalize it.... hardest part of riding is getting over the "I'm going to fall" feeling, and making sure you "lean" foward and back with you body straight, not bending at the waist or knees.

Also, there are many EMS org's using the segway in addition to or in place of a bike team... can carry the same stuff, and has a smaller profile (can stop and turn on a dime). Also, some places are using Segways in warehouses as "order picker" vehicles.

Segway also makes a VERY sturdy looking "off road" model with big, knobby tires and a higher ground clearance.

Jon

 

[Jon]

What is that difference between a scooter and a vespa???? Nothing.... Vespa's are cool, scooters aren't.

As for scooters in general.... they make sense... but any "scooter" parking would end up being "motorcycle" parking... and still makes sense....

How about "mini-bikes" the 2-cycle things sold by Pep boys that aren't street legal, and are very low to the ground??? They were very popular last year in philly.... started with the drug dealer's messengers and became "cool".... Your head is 3 or 4 feet off the ground on these things... bumper height.... lots of fatalities on these.....


Jon