Difference between scooter and motor cycle?

A scooter is a style of two-wheeled motor vehicle with certain design characteristics such as a step-through frame, small wheels, automatic transmission and small engine. The definition is evolving as motorcycle designs change over time. Historically, a scooter was noted for a small engine, small wheels, a step-through design, a forward fairing with floor boards, and possibly under-seat storage. Modern scooters cover a broad spectrum of designs: step-through or step-over frames, small or large wheels, front fairings or floor boards, under-seat storage or not, and manual or automatic transmissions. Most scooters today feature automatic transmissions.

At one end of the current market, the Vespa LX series reflects the scooters' historical antecedents: small wheels, floor boards, front fairing, inner fairing storage. At the other end, the Honda Big Ruckus featured no bodywork, floorboards or step-through frame, but was still classified as a scooter. The Piaggio MP3, with two front wheels (three wheels total) reflects the fluid nature of the scooter classification. Modern scooters have a wide range of engine displacements, from under 50 cc to over 799 cc, and some have engine locations in stark contrast to classic scooter design (e.g. Yamaha T-Max 500, Suzuki Burgman 650, Gilera GP800).

Generally the term "scooter" is not defined in law, as laws are based on characteristics such as engine size and power, and maximum speed. The United States Department of Transportation defines a scooter as having a platform for the operator's feet or has integrated footrests, and has a step-through architecture

wheel size and engine size

Scooters tend to be CVT drive and motorcycles have gears to be shifted. Looks most scooters do not look like a motorcycle. But some of the new ones are every bit road worthy as Goldwings. Scooters are made to sit sort of like in a chair and are usually stepthru instead of throughing your leg over like a motorcycle

scooters are cooler than motorcycles

About $27K plus the answers they gave you

Scooters have the motor under the seat near rear wheel. MOPEDS are 50cc an under, scooters can run as high as 600cc or more. SCOOTERS aren't classified as motorcycles!!! Theres lots scooters than out perform any motorcycle on acceleration on take off.

I think the most obvious difference is the engine position and consequently frame design. There are so many variants that this is just a generality but the engines of scooters are placed as close to the rear wheel as possible, frequently at the side of the wheel, a motorcycle engine is positioned to the centre of the frame.

after reading the posted answers, i don't think anyone knows for sure what the differences are

A scooter is is THAT.

A motorcycle is a real bike.

Not really that hard to work out.

a scooter is considered anything under 50cc and motor cycle is anything above 50 cc,that may change though,because they are starting to make scooters now with a little larger engines on them,but for now that's the way they look at it,good luck.