If you had say...$7,000...... you rather get a top of the line 500cc scooter or a bare bones motorcycle?

consider that the $7,000 includes helmet, taxes & other accessories. I'm debating between the Aprilia Scarabeo, Suzuki Burgman (for scooters) & maybe the Suzuki sv 650, V-strom or Honda equivalent. (Motorcycles)

The scooters are ideal in that they average over 40mpg even the 650cc Burgman, they offer more storage space, larger gas tanks, and more features for the price, but for the same amount you can get a good motorcycle. I've heard lot's of positive remarks and reviews over these scooters, and a lot of scooter satisfaction among motorcycle enthusiasts in the last several months, I'm leaning in that direction, but not quite sure what go with.

I'm also not sure if motorcycles are more expensive to insure than scooters, they're both high theft.

Particularly anyone that's seriously looked into these scooters and knows what they're capable of and has done this research...What would you do?

Also, this purchase is more for practicality. I'm not looking to show off, I just want the most for my money.

I'll need it for local & highway use, but not for pushing the limit or taking turns at a 45 degree angle.

I'm going this route because I prefer a new vehicle to used and my new car choices are out of my immediate price range.

It depends how much freeway miles you will be traveling.. if you are only going 5 miles into the city I would go with the scooter. But for longer travels I would want the motorcycle as they tend to be more comfortable during longer rides. The scooters are usually easier to manuever in the slower city traffic.

I would see if the dealer will let you take one of each for a test ride and ride the local roads and see which you like better as far grading on ease of operation, options, manuverability, stopping power, and comfort to name a few important areas.

I would go with the motorcycle. Mileage would be comparable. The same for ins. This would be my personal choice, having rode both types.

I personally would go with the scoot, but then, I'm a bit of a scooter fanatic. I think scoots in general are more comfortable to ride and are certainly more practical.

No, seven K right now to me means quite a lot of ground level opportunity. Something like that to me right now would be on the order of a fetish or " let 'em eat cake."

yea some of those scooters can do 65+mph so they are highway legal which is cool but I think I would still go with the motorcycle just I like them better nothing against the scooters but I like a loud growling exhaust

If you are mainly going to drive around town, I'd go with the scooter due to the better mileage/more storage, etc. If you are going to do a lot of highway driving, get the motorcycle...it's going to have better pickup and power, plus depending on where you live, you may not be able to take a scooter onto the interstate highways. Check your local traffic laws on this. As far as insurance goes, I think it will be about the same for either. Many insurance companies consider scooters (especially high-CC engine ones) roughly equal to a motorcycle.

Another thing to possibly consider is resale value...motorcycles will bring more than scooters generally.

Hope this info helped a little.

Motorcycle all the way. legal to drive anyway. even if its Bare Bones when you get a few bucks you can upgrade it. better resale value.

Do not go on teh highway with a scooter! I ride into LA traffic a few times a week. There quite a few regulars that I see all the time. I'll say this a scooter is good for a buzz around town, but it is not designed for any type of free way riding. A motorcycle you more intigrated with teh bike. You wrap yoru legs around it you can adjust your posture. A scooter you basically sitting in a chair with no belt going 75 mph.

Also with regards to insurance if your thinking about being practical keep it a 600cc or below. Insurance companies go by cc. I ride a 900, and though I love it the payments are a twice as much as a comparable 600.

Honda 400 scooter with ABS. The Aprilia is cute but my ex girlfriend had one for a year, it broke down three times and took two months each time to get the parts. so she really only had it for 6months. The ABS "anti lock brakes" cost about a grand but the first time you don't go down in a skid or are able to maneuver around a stopped object under heavy braking they pay for themselves

Get a slightly pre-owned motorcycle. You can get alot of bike for $7k. Some people buy a bike, park it in a garage, hardly ever ride it, and later have to sell it at a largely depreciated cost with only a few thousand miles or so on it. Check out http://www.cycletrader.com for anything from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, or Kawasaki. You can get newer model cruisers up to 1100 to 1300cc's around that price range. If you have never ridden a motorcycle before, I would recommend something smaller though. Or you could get a 650-750cc sport or standard bike.

Scooters never handle or ride as well as a regular bike because of limited suspension travel and small wheels. You can hit a small pothole in a scooter and it can knock you right off the bike, whereas a larger bike may ride over it.

Go for the SV650 (or Honda 599). It's an excellent bike for the $$. You'll have alot more fun with it than the scooter.

I have done the research, and I know both bikes and scooters (years of experience!). If you really are after practicality, the scooter would be best choice. It is better to get a top-of-the-line Scarabeo, than a middle-of-the-road motorcycle. The scooter will last longer and most of all be safer...
Personally, I chose the motorcycle, but I am not practical, I am after the thrill.....

WEll, Im uncertain where you live - but that should play a large roll. Do you want a scooter capable of getting up to 100mph, but cant get out of its own way, or do you want a bike that can MOVE?
Anotehr consideration is overall safety - a scooter has very small (12") wheels, while bikes have much larger wheels. These are better for going over railroad tracks, potholes, bridge spans/gaps, etc.
However, a motorcycle can also be dangerous if you have little selfcontrol over the throttle or little experience riding in traffic. An important thing for both scooters and bikes in traffic is LANE POSITION. Make sure people see you coming!

Take a look at the new Hyosung 650cc twin. Full on sport bike, is getting really good reviews for being a new company, and is only $7K! Sounds like your new ride! Aprilia is nice, but slightly overpriced...youre paying forname recognition at that point.

Scooters are for nerds....losers....any real man considering buying a scooter just gives me the willys...ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!