What is Digg?330 Comments
- LongShlong, on 07/23/2008, -7/+11011. They're like riding a fat chick: Fun until your friends find out.
- KatoHamatsu, on 07/23/2008, -2/+95It used to be the prius driver giving the finger to the Hummer. Now its the scooter giving the finger to the Prius driver!
- digggggggggg, on 07/23/2008, -2/+63For the same price as an apple, you can buy an orange instead.
- brendawalsh, on 07/23/2008, -0/+39That three wheeled Piaggio thing looks like a military assault vehicle.
- Filipp0, on 07/23/2008, -1/+39Reminds me of House when he says that making air bags is not safe. If you want safety on the roads, you should remove all seat belts and have a sharp blade 2 inches from the driver's neck. Then everyone would drive at 5 mph.
On topic though, the bigger bikes are safer if driven at the same speed as the scooters because they are more stable, have better suspension, bigger wheels (and thus are less prone to lose control). - inactive, on 07/23/2008, -3/+361 Thing You Should Know About Digg:
1. You'll see at least fifteen "10 Things You Should Know About ______" Diggs per day. - MagicIcarus, on 07/23/2008, -2/+29***** on staying "unusually dry". I rode a scooter to work for a year and let me just tell you that rain and cold suck on a scooter.
Also you can mod scooters. That way you can stick with a 49cc scooter and get it up to around 65mph. It's illegal, and it sounds like a weed eater on crack, but you don't need a license if it's 49cc - znicket, on 07/23/2008, -3/+27I'm thinking about getting two. One for the missus and we can use them on weekends. They are simply tremendous fun.
The article was a bit strange though when it stated:
A motorcycle can be purchased for nearly the same cost, offer nearly the same gas mileage and other benefits, yet it offers much greater safety and visibility over most scooters.
Yeah... the greater safety bit doesn't really make sense to me. It seems to me that a person who carefully drives a Scooter at 40mph or less will have better chance of surviving in traffic. - busybrain, on 07/23/2008, -0/+20I love my scoot!
Great article, but if you are thinking about getting one, do your research.
There are alot of people selling brand new scooters for $1,000 out there and people getting burned by buying them. They will fall apart or break down and typically the people selling them can't get the parts needed for repair or don't service them. So they end up in the landfills....or as lawn art.
Buy a reputable brand from a shop that does all the servicing and parts ordering, and you'll do just fine.
BTW -
I spent $10 in gas in the last 45 days. - burstaneurysm, on 07/23/2008, -1/+21The Honda Ruckus is pretty badass.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2373426231_f35 ... - slsashrk, on 07/23/2008, -1/+19Thank you Caroline (I shuddered when I typed that) for mentioning MSF courses and proper gear... I get so tired of these idiots getting out of their SUVs and jumping on scooters in shorts and flip-flops without any acknowledgment of the effect of asphalt on skin.
To all you new scooter owners, buy a damn helmet... you don't look cool when your eating through a tube and drooling on yourself. - DeFex, on 07/23/2008, -2/+20Anyone who thinks their manliness has anything to do with their mode of transportation has a serious mental defect, or they are just well programmed by the media.
- inactive, on 07/23/2008, -3/+21I actually drive a small scooter as my primary vehicle, and getting around where I live can be very nerve-racking. The top speed is 45 mph but people always drive at least 10 more here. Big trucks passing can be scary. I usually have to smoke a bowl just to get up the nerve to leave the house. The worst part of riding the scooter is, even when I can keep up with the flow of traffic, like in town, people in cars and trucks think that because their vehicle is larger, they have the right-of-way. I am constantly being cut off, swerved at, almost hit, etc. Red lights think you don't exist, I've sat at some for a loong time. Also, a lot of people give you *****. The love to yell at you "nice scooter, fag!" as you drive by and other equally original insults. Maybe in a city environment a scooter would be cooler, but once you get even somewhat rural, be prepared to catch some hell.
- fleischner, on 07/23/2008, -1/+17"Nobody wants to rub his face on asphalt at 50 MPG."
MPG of... blood? - serif69, on 07/23/2008, -9/+25Actually, it's me giving the finger to all of the above.
- nesagwa, on 07/23/2008, -0/+16Most likely because your road presence would be bigger and higher profile than a standard sized Vespa style scooter.
Safer = less likely to get cut off or hit by people not paying attention. - AmyVernon, on 07/23/2008, -0/+15they're great for city driving; i have a friend who lives in Rome and she has a sedan for when she needs to drive out of the city, but she uses her vespa to get to work and wouldn't trade it for the world..
- chestercheetah, on 07/23/2008, -2/+16I think I'll get a Vespa just for city driving, I can't imagine being passed by a big truck at anything over 30mph!
- mercimadam, on 07/23/2008, -0/+13I enjoy the vintage 80's scooters. Such severe lines, they look like Grace Jones.
- sonaboy, on 07/23/2008, -0/+13I ride a 49cc Honda Ruckus to work every day. I've had it for 6 weeks. I use 1 gallon of gas every 3 days. The scooter will pay for itself in 6 months. It takes me only 10 extra minutes to get to work on my 16 mile commute than it does in my 24 mpg truck. The Ruckus tops out at 45 mph stock. There are 2 low cost replacement parts you can install to get it to 50 mph.
Stop waiting for Washington to "do something" about high gas prices. Take personal action. Scooters aren't for everybody, but they work for many people.
Don't spend your money on chinese or taiwanese scoots - buy American, Italian or Japanese scoots. They're built to last.
If you rely on your car to "get you laid" you don't deserve to participate in the gene pool in the first place.
honk all you want - i got plenty of middle fingers. - parsap, on 07/23/2008, -3/+15Driving a scooter is so dangerous that you get stoned before driving. That sounds like some sound logic.
- inactive, on 07/23/2008, -2/+14Yes, but you can't blame us, I mean, seriously, "Top 9" lists suck, and who the hell has time for a "Top 11" list?
- sodade, on 07/23/2008, -5/+17Harleys are for little dick attention seekers who get off on injuring other's hearing.
- griz, on 07/23/2008, -0/+12Let us know how it rides.
- dangermouse4, on 07/23/2008, -0/+12Looks like an insect with a bad attitude.
- slsashrk, on 07/23/2008, -0/+10Let me guess... Hardley Ableson rider? :rolls eyes:
- bdbr, on 07/23/2008, -1/+11True about better handling, plus motorcycles have more power to get the hell out of the way when you need to.
- icndvl, on 07/23/2008, -2/+12Scooters are awesome if you live in a warm climate. In Canada, its not the emasculation as much as your balls physically freezing off by themselves. Your just as comfortable in a hummer as a prius (minus the e-pen); your not almost as comfortable on a scooter then a prius. The people laughing at you is just icing on the cake.
Still 2nd class scooting beats 1st class walking. - Cuchanu, on 07/23/2008, -2/+12In Seattle we do fat chicks and ride scooters and don't care who sees us.
- LongShlong, on 07/23/2008, -0/+10And how about two balls, a shaft?
- Physicsmazz, on 07/23/2008, -4/+13I wish I could digg that 20 times :)
- misspiggymess, on 07/23/2008, -1/+10The new scooters just don't look as nice as the old ones.
- erichw1504, on 07/23/2008, -12/+20Buried for Divine Caroline.
- WELLDOITLIVE, on 07/23/2008, -2/+9My scooter was stolen last Thursday :( But it was recovered Sunday undamaged :)
I live in Madison, WI which is a college town so there are a ton of scooters downtown, most kids drive like ***** cutting inbetween cars at red lights or riding on the sidewalk to save 10 seconds, I hate them.
On a side note, my scooter has saved me so much money over the past 6 years in gas and parking fees. I live about a 10-15 minute ride from campus which would take over an hour on a bus. There is one road with a 40 mph speed limit that I have to travel on which I would not do on a stock scooter that usually tops out at 30 mph. Mine (Tomos Revival) topped out a 27 mph stock, yuck. After putting a 70cc kit, exhaust, intake and jetting the carb accordingly it now goes 45, and I am actually passing cars on the road instead of them whizzing by. Technically, the scooter is now a motorcycle because it's over 49cc. It's still registered as a moped though for super cheap registration, insurance, and parking purposes. - eggsovereasy, on 07/23/2008, -4/+11Motorcycles are just as bad and the speed is only a concern if you live in a rural area. In a city you'll never get over 40 anyway.
- fantasticjon, on 07/23/2008, -0/+7Okay, maybe its a redneck thing, but why do things like Nascar, John Deer and Harley Davidson feel the need to make all manner of junk with their logos on it. I mean, I guess because people will buy it. What I am really asking I guess is why does someone want their toaster oven to match their motorcycle? Why do you want your coffee cups to match your lawn mower?
- inactive, on 07/23/2008, -2/+9@parsap I don't get stoned, before I go out, I just smoke one bowl. Would a hard-core alcoholic be drunk after just one beer? One bowl just takes the edge off, but doesn't seem to impair my scooting.
@LocalDocal The reason its harder to drive in a rural area than an urban one is simple. Speed. Anytime I'm near downtown, being on a scooter is awesome, the fastest traffic gets is 30 mph, and the scooter has much faster takeoff speed than a car, it only becomes a problem once you leave the city, because the further out you get, the faster the speed rises and the bigger the trucks get. And I'm not bypassing any of those problems by doing drugs, I'm just lowering the level of anxiety involved with dealing with those issues.
@WiretapStudios I'm not scared, I was just saying that it can be scary, you know, almost dying every time I go to work. Don't mean to sound dramatic, but I almost get killed at least 5 times a week. And the red light trick doesn't work an all lights, not the main one I need it to work at. - empeethree, on 07/23/2008, -1/+7If you had been on a motorcycle, you would have been watching for cars approaching in your rear view mirror. Amazing how you pay more attention to your surroundings on a motorcycle.
- creole, on 07/23/2008, -0/+6Point is that a scooter gets better gas mileage than a BMW, more than likely by half again.
- mk3k, on 07/23/2008, -1/+7Bit of a brand whore.
You bought the most expensive brand of both types of vehicles. - yourmightyruler, on 07/23/2008, -3/+9Better yet, a human powered cycle gives the finger to anything with a motor.
- darthswarthy, on 07/23/2008, -2/+8More so than on an Italian motorscooter? It's so bizarre how the word fag has crept into acceptable usage. makes you sound like a backward idiot, or maybe a sixth grader.
- jmas9, on 07/23/2008, -0/+6The water seems kind of shallow over at this end... Doesnt it?
- inactive, on 07/23/2008, -2/+8Vespa and harley owner here. Yeah, I give the finger to whoever I want. Cages are for parents.
- alceria, on 07/23/2008, -0/+6I bought a Vespa GT200 two years ago and I absolutely love it. Some misleading points in the article:
>They're cheap.
Cheaper than a car, yes. Most people seem to think they should cost a couple hundred bucks. A vespa will set you back several grand. Beware of cheap chinese brands or overseas imports purchased on eBay. They are almost always junk.
>They're cheap to insure and maintain.
They ARE way cheaper to insure than a car, but I'm paying more like $300 in MI (a no-fault state). I wish it was $90. It was about $200 when I lived in Florida.
> You will get the bonus of weather protection.
Ha. Not really. In vespa-styled scooters you do get some protection from road dirt due to the design, but if it rains you are obviously getting wet. The Vespas do have a seat cover that comes out. I used it during rainy season in Florida. It would rain while I was at work, but when I came out after the storm, I'd just pull off the seat cover and would have dry seat for the ride home. You can get a surprising number of riding days in if you have the proper gear, even in the midwest.
More things you should know:
-Everyone will ask you the gas mileage. (70+ miles for my GT, smaller models do better)
-Yes you will most likely need a motorcycle endorsement for anything over 50cc (check with your state).
-YES, it will go on the freeway (second most asked question). I can get mine up to 85mph.
-You can carry a surprising amount of gear if you have a top case. I have gone grocery shopping on mine. (There is under seat storage, a hook for bags, and the option of buying a little trunk, or a front rack.)
-The vespas are freaking gorgeous machines, guys and girls alike will complement you, and you'll get a lot of attention.
-As a girl scooterist, will occasionally be called a fag while out on the road, by complete morons who cannot tell that you are a female. (You'd think the fact that the scooter is plum and I have D-cup sized boobs would be clue enough, but apparently not when you are flying by passing them up and snickering.)
-At stoplights, you will beat everyone upon the light turning green, which will be a serious blow to bmw drivers and guys on motorcycles.
-Other guys might call you a fag or make jokes, but girls LOVE guys on scooters. I am a girl, trust me on this. I met my current boyfriend at the vespa dealership he was managing.
-They are super fun and your commute not only becomes much more bearable, but enjoyable. You cannot be pissed off while riding a scooter, it's simply too much fun. - eggsovereasy, on 07/23/2008, -3/+9BMW's can go 100,000 with out a major repair? That's news to me.
That being said, I have a VW so needless to say I know the guys in the service department. - tas08, on 07/23/2008, -1/+6oooo, I forgot all about tripping the traffic signals. That's rough.
- inactive, on 07/23/2008, -0/+5Scooters are great fun I use one for quick trips to the local shops, while some see them as wimpy its actually proven to be a great conversation starter with the ladies. Nuthin better than seeing some leather clad biker boy stare you down as you chat up the local talent.
- rishid, on 07/23/2008, -0/+5Are scooters allowed to go on highways in the US? Or are they even fast enough? That would be dangerous imo.
- WiretapStudios, on 07/23/2008, -0/+5He won't have the balls to try it in the end.
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