johnnymk

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/16738069/detail.html

EL PASO, Texas -- Tracy Baeza never thought she would be buying a moped.

"It's economical. I have a Mustang which eats the gas, so we were thinking that having a little moped would help out with gas and everything."

Baeza bought her Ford Mustang just two years ago, but now she finds herself wanting a scooter to save on gas.

"Cruising around during the weekend and hopefully trying to go to work, using it for work, and for school purposes," said Baeza.

She's not alone. The employees at Mr. Motorcycle in East El Paso said they have seen a 300 percent increase in Honda scooter sales, 600 percent for the popular Vespa.

"In '06 when gas prices kind of spiked we had a run on scooters. And we actually ran out, and so this year we stocked up heavily," said Tracy McIntyre with Mr. Motorcycle.

The big selling point for the scooters is the miles per gallon.

"I think it's the triple threat, it's fun. It's fun and exciting. It's inexpensive. And they get to up to 110 miles per gallon of gasoline," said McIntyre.

As far as miles per gallon is concerned, that's 10 times better than a Ford F-150, four and a half times better than a Honda Accord, and nearly two and a half times better than a Toyota Prius hybrid.

Even though scooters are gas savers, the people here at Mr. Motorcycle want to remind everybody that they are still a form of a motorcycle, and they can be dangerous.

"We recommend that you wear a helmet, that you don't drink and drive, and that you always obey the speed limit," said McIntyre.

The rules for a getting a motorcycle license in Texas includes for a scooter or moped that is 50 CCs and under, you do not need anything other than your regular drivers license. Anything over 50 CCs, you need a motorcycle operators license.

ArkiStan

I'd love to ride around on a vespa. the only thing holding me back is the fear factor of killing myself. Maybe if I lived in the suburbs/countryside, but zipping along on a scooter on the FDR here in NYC? I'll just take the subway.


Seems a bit redundant a little.

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uncledaddy

Like big women...fun to ride, but you don't want your friends seeing you on em'.






Ok, just a joke.

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guiseppewv

Everybody in HI had one. If you are in a warmer climate city they make tons of sense. If you are in a cold climate city, you would probably freeze your arse off most of the year.