Worth buying a scooter in Boston?

[SnoobyX]

Hi there!

First post here. I've been lurking here for the past couple months and need some advice. I'm moving to Boston next month with my wife (specifically Brighton). We currently share a car but my wife will be using it everyday for work. I don't want to buy a second car since I'll most likely just need it for within Boston. For the past couple months I've been heavily researching what would be the best fit for me with regards to a scooter. I was originally looking to get a buddy 125/170i or Hooligan. That way I didn't have to worry about keeping up with traffic and free parking wherever I wanted.

After looking up Boston laws it turns out anything over 50cc is regarded as a motorcycle and needs plates/insurance and you cannot park on the sidewalk. This was a deal breaker for me. So now I'm looking at the roughhouse. I read it's one of the fastest 50cc scooters that is also two stroke. I was hoping to get it derestricted while still keeping a moped sticker. (Please tell me if this is a bad idea!) The roughhouse is on the list of approved mopeds according to Boston. Mopeds don't need plates/insurance and can park on the sidewalk. My job will be in the Longwood area where parking is a nightmare.

Now I ran into another problem. I definitely want insurance. Base insurance with liability only is 95 bucks a year which is great. After reading a couple posts on this forum regarding scooter thefts in Boston I definitely want comprehensive insurance. I'll have to park my scooter behind my house. I don't have a garage. I've been getting insurance quotes online from progressive and geico. Full coverage runs in the 500-550 range which is insane to me. I could buy a decent used scooter for two years of insurance and if it does happen to get stolen, there is a $500 deductible! It is unfortunate scooter insurance is so expensive where I live.

How could I justify a $45 monthly insurance payment when my employer offers a reduced monthly T pass for $37.50 and the scooter would be in storage in the winter months. I could just get the limited insurance for 95 a year but I'd be super paranoid about my scooter getting stolen. I really want a scooter but I'm trying to make it work on paper. Full coverage on older scooters are much cheaper. The best alternative I found was to buy a used scooter for around $1,000 and have full coverage for around $200 a year but there is still a deductible for $300 if it gets stolen. What would I even get back on a old scooter?

What do you guys think? Buy a new roughhouse for 2k+? Buy a old scooter for around 1k? Or just don't bother buying one and use my discounted T-pass for $37.50 and deal with public transportation everyday. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this!

[Clydeo]

$500 a year? Check with Progressive. I pay 1/5 that much for comprehensive plus road side assistance on two bikes! Of course I don't live in MA anymore, but even so, $500 is an awful lot to pay for a 50cc bike!
As far as riding a 50c scooter in Boston, well that's where I learned how to ride, on a 50 cc Vespa Grande moped, and as long as you pick your route carefully, you shouldn't have any trouble. Just be aware that Boston traffic is pretty tough to deal with no matter what you are driving; the other drivers won't cut you any slack at all. Also, riding in the Winter isn't much fun. I got away with parking on the sidewalk all of the time, but that depends on the neighborhood. Boston is pretty rough on a bike. I bought a second hand bike cheap, and would recommend the same for you. No point in tearing up an expensive new one. Get good hi-visibility protective gear ( Motorcyclegear.com usually has good prices) and wear it all of the time!
I loved the freedom of riding in Boston, where Scooters are far quicker than driving a car, if you know your route well. If you are a beginner biker, take a MSF course. It might well save your life!

[SnoobyX]

Thanks for the advice! Yeah the $500 quote was from progressive and geico. I have no idea why it is that high.

[Clydeo]

BTW, the MBTA pass is a great deal, but it's nice to be able to live your life not being dependent on the green line. I had to walk back down to my home in Quincy several times after missing the last redline train to the south shore!

[SnoobyX]

BTW, the MBTA pass is a great deal, but it's nice to be able to live your life not being dependent on the green line.

For sure! The green line is super slow. I'll hold off on buying a scooter immediately after the move even though I really want to. Hopefully in that time I'll find a good deal on craigslist where the insurance will be cheaper.

[k1dude]

Thanks for the advice! Yeah the $500 quote was from progressive and geico. I have no idea why it is that high.

It's probably because scooter thefts are a regular occurrence in Boston.

If you have a scooter in Boston, you'd better hire armed guards to protect it.

[Clydeo]

Lol! I used to keep mine inside my apartment or locked in a nearby garage. I had a thick chain that I used to lock it up while at work.

[Dage'sVew]

Buy the used scooter and put limited coverage on it. Put the $105 a month you save in an account. If in a year your scoot hasn't been stolen and you are really likin' the life, sell it and with the help of the money you've saved, buy what you really want. But, if in that year the scoot gets stolen or the dynamics just don't work out or you find scooting isn't your passion after all, then you really haven't lost an awful lot. And, if some jamoke steals your cheapo beater just think what will happen if they get a chance at something nice!!! You could also use that year to work out ways to keep the new scooter safe-r. JMOYMV

[SnoobyX]

Thanks for the advice! Yeah a used scooter sounds like the safest bet. The $105 difference is actually over a span of a year, not a month. I might go with full coverage. I heard some stories that people have actually been getting more money back on their scooters when it gets stolen. I wonder where the insurance companies base the values from. Especially if it's a discontinued model.