Addendum - the article I linked doesn’t show pictures of the fancy tilting front suspension, shown in the wiki article, which claims they come in 250, 400 and 500 cc versions in the US:
Belrix, I don’t know what your financial situation is like, but the Suzuki Burgman may be right up your alley. It’s pretty spendy, but the engine size goes up to a 650. that’s enough for any size rider.
Except Bosstone has confirmed in the recent motorcycle threads that they’re almost impossible to find these days, as are many other scooters. Go figure.
Very cool. Also 7 to 9 grand!
Not sure that’d be approved by the budget babe.
Ugh, those things are hideous!
I’m willing to bet the supply will be up in the fall, though, once the '09 models come in.
Personally I think the Suzuki Burgman, Honda Reflex, and Yamaha Majesty look kick-ass and not dorky at all. Dorky is this.
Is the terrain reasonably flat? If so, and if there’s a shower at work, then how about a bicycle?
As for the scooter, the accident rates for motorbikes etc are not good. You’re much safer on a bicycle.
I love that classic Vespa! I could totally rock that scooter and look damn adorable on it.
I know, I can’t believe anybody would rather have one of those things that looks like something you get in your Happy Meal For Boys than the classic Vespa. I’d be cruising up and down and all around the town going “Ciao!”
I should think scooters 125cc and below are safer than motorcycles. Above that size, I think scooters could fairly be lumped in with motorcycles, but underneath there’s just not enough power to get you into trouble. I’m having trouble finding scooter accident statistics for the US, though.
A lot has to do with the traffic conditions, and in your case belrix local altitude and size. Height and weight.
I don’t drive in Denver traffic to often, but my experience, like any big city, you need to keep up with it or you put yourself in danger.
I’m 6’3” and 215lbs. There is nothing worse than being chased by cars traffic light to traffic light because the bike does not have the acceleration you need.
Honestly, I think that if you are 6’3” and 350lbs is probably to much for anything that is rated as a ‘scooter’ You also have to consider the suspension as well as engine power.
It’s interesting though. Let me share an anecdote.
I was at the local gas station the other day when a couple of older guys pulled in on a couple of BMW R1200GS’s (it’s a bike I’m interested in). They where obviously new bikes.
I’m not a big rider. But have spent many years around bikes. The one fellow had to grab his pant leg so he could get his leg over the seat. He was mid 60’s and seemed to have WAY to much bike for himself.
That’s probably not a well fit bike for him. You don’t want to go the other way.
I’d ask all the readers to keep in mind that the tire size and wheel base in scooter vs. motorcycle is also a factor. You’re also typically much more visible on a motorcycle. I’m not convinced at all that scooters are universally safer.
I agree it’s likely scooter accidents are far more common. Anecdotal info from our local newspaper quoted scooter riders as saying they were often deliberately forced off the road by impatient drivers. That fits with my own experience.
Also, the wheel base meant my motorcycle could recover much better from contact with potholes and road debris than my scooter ever did. Wet road markings were safer on the motorcycle, too.
Cars are your biggest threat though, they either don’t see you, or don’t care. A motorbike may get you out of trouble, but their increased speed means any accidents will likely be worse.
Here’s a review of the Vespa’s practicality in New York City.
Specs:
See the article for specs on the larger model.
Another suggestion for the bicycle. Here in the Netherlands, such a distance would be thought of as the ideal bicycle commute. Biking to work is a very natural way to work out, and you’d be surprised how much time it saves at such small distances. Especially as you don’t have to go to a gym anymore.
Bycycling and swimming are the two sports that, because of the low impact and the excellent aerobics training, are recommended for overweight people. if you bycycle at a leisurely pace, (and the tempreature isn’t extreme) you don’t even need to shower at work.
Bycicles don’t need to be expensive, especially if you buy a not so fancy, perhaps second hand one to try if bicycling works for you. You could even trying to rent a bicycle for the first tries.
You might want to look into “bicycles with engine”; normally, you use the pedals like with a normal bike. But if you are in too much of a hurry, the hills are too steep, or the wind blows against you, you start a little auxillary engine. Such bikes have an absolutely zero dork factor; they look like bikes with a heavy bag on the back carrier.
Well I speak from practical experience, scooter-wise. I’m a big advocate of “simpler is better”
- I have a 49.5cc scooter with a large wheelbase, and it takes me up to 45-47 mph at the flick of a wrist. I can easily out accelerate most cars.
- You don’t need a large engine for good acceleration, because most scooters are light.
- Scooters statistically have fewer accidents than motorcycles.
- My scooter has a 400lb max carrying capacity. With a friend on the back, and stuff in the carrier(it’s a two seater) I’ve come close to 400lbs… No appreciable difference in performance: knock a few mph off top speed and slightly decreased acceleration.
- I’ve carried up to 6 bags of groceries on the thing comfortably. I’m able to place bags on the floor between my legs. Try that on a motorcycle.
- I’ve gotten nothing but respect from cars in my very urban environment. I can’t say the same for me on my bicycle in similar situations. That’s because the scooter can out accelerate and keep up with the cars.
- A larger engine and heavier vehicle will cost you more in gas. My scooter gets 70-80 mpg.
- My scooter cost me $2500.
- I don’t need a special license for it because it’s under 50cc.
Don’t forget to get a quality model. I’d suggest the Kymco People or the Aprilia Scarabeo if you want a large wheelbase.
http://www.apriliausa.com/modelli/scarabeo/modello.asp?id=121 (all they have available in the U.S. now is a 100cc and up model - 100 cc would be more than adequate for your needs)
These scooters do not look dorky. Motorcycles look dorky.
13 MILES is a bicycle commute?
No bloody way, unless it was dead flat all the way… and the weather wasn’t inclement. 13 miles on a bicycle and you’d be covered in road splash and looking like a drowned rat by the time you got there.
Add in that the OP isn’t in the peak of physical condition and assuming he could even make it all the way (and if he’s not in the habit of riding bikes, I really don’t think that’s a reasonable expectation) he’d arrive sweat-drenched and in need of a shower. That really impresses the co-workers.
I’m glad it works for you, but speaking as someone who isn’t an athlete, it’s an idea that fills me with horror.
ETA: Not to say that getting a bicycle is a bad idea; it’d be an excellent idea for getting around town locally. But it’s not an entry-level commute.
Which the Netherlands is, for the most part. But 13 miles is well under an hour’s travel on a bike.
Definitely. That’s about how far I just now rode coming home from work.
Not all Dutchies like to ride 13 miles on a bike, I know I don’t. 
I also drive an Aprillia 50cc scooter (without the limiter I must admit).
It will do about 50Mph and will out-accelerate most cars, but I think 350 pounds would be a bit much for it.
I think you will need at least a good 80cc.