Anyone else use their scooter for commuting?

sdscooterista · Post by **sdscooterista** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:31 pm

After years of wanting a scooter, I finally got my license and bought one. I have just gotten a job offer that will allow me to be able to commute to work (7 miles, all roads 35 MPH or less and one 1/4 mile stretch of 45). I live in San Diego so weather is not an issue. Can't wait to save money on gas.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 12:06 am

Iâ€™ve had my Buddy 150 for 11 years, weather permitting Iâ€™ve always used it to commute to work. For a while it was a 50 mile round trip, now itâ€™s an 16 mile round trip.

Mr.FixIt · Post by **Mr.FixIt** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:33 am

I only have a 9 mile trip into the office on all back roads. Scooting to work is perfect.

sc00ter · Post by **sc00ter** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:37 am

14 miles each way on regular surface streets/45mph max-NO interstates or highways. And weekends with the wife on the back running around, weather permitting for her. Older now so I no longer ride in heavy rain when its cold. Also hate snow! Congrats on the new scooter!

eliu01 · Post by **eliu01** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:28 am

Purchased my Buddy 125 in March 2015 for a daily 14+ mile round trip. Just turned 14k miles. No riding in the rain if I can help it.

2003stellaDave · Post by **2003stellaDave** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 11:17 pm

Scooters are made for commuting. Have fun on your new scooter.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 3:49 am

My Buddy was my ONLY vehicle for a while. sometimes just a couple miles to work, but also a 70 mile round trip a couple times per week.

We moved to a place with faster roads so I don't use it as much, but after 20k miles it just needs a good round of maintenance next Spring and we're ready for another 20k.

(currently use my motorcycle and vespa 300 for commutes)

tommy808 · Post by **tommy808** » Sun Nov 17, 2019 8:07 am

I commute to work every day, 16 mile round trip, 35mph road. I can get up to 42mph since my Buddy 50 is unrestricted. I average around 76 MPG. I have to get gas every 6th day or so. I don't often use it other than commuting, as I live in a very walkable area, but sometimes cruise it out to beaches, when I feel like fishing or just hanging out with the waves. 1,980 miles since I got it in March.

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Sun Nov 17, 2019 2:07 pm

I commuted on my scoot for a little over 2 years, weather permitting. It was under 30 miles round trip, along mostly frontage roads, next to I-10. My route to my current job is not suitable for a scooter, so I am a weekend rider, these days.

350kmi · Post by **350kmi** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 8:42 pm

I have been scooter commuting since 1999 when I had a 1990 Suzuki FA50 and a 14 mile round trip ride. Since then I have moved and changed jobs a few times but I have kept up the scooting with commutes between 2 and 40 miles round trip.

For 4 years I lived 2 miles from work and rode year round unless there was snow or ice on the roads. At that time I had a 2-stroke Kymco ZX50 which made to trip to work and back twice when it was -6F which I was pretty impressed by. Once it was below 10F the auto-choke would shut off before the engine was warm enough but if I kept the engine revved a bit at stops for another minute or 2 it was fine.

For the last 10 years I have been living about 20 miles one way from work. When I went to the longer commute I really appreciated the extra power the Buddy 125 had over my 50cc scoots. I bought a Buddy 125 and had put 19,000 miles on it when the Buddy 170i came out in 2012. I still have the 125 but bought a new 170i and the end of the '12 season. It currently has a bit over 35,000 miles on it. I'm not as core as I used to be, now if the morning temperature is below 35F I will likely take my car. This makes my scooter season usually early March through early November.

Mr.FixIt · Post by **Mr.FixIt** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:12 pm

... now if the morning temperature is below 35F I will likely take my car. This make my scooter season it usually early March through early November.

The temperature is a big factor these days. I hate getting older.

New2Scoots · Post by **New2Scoots** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 3:04 pm

I'd love to commute on the Buddy but where I park is known for thieves, vandals & panhandlers. My cars were broken into twice. Lots of friend's cars were broken into & one was smashed by something bigger like a garbage truck. No surveillance cameras anywhere. I did ride the motorcycle several times but it's twice the weight. 4 guys & a van vs 2 guys & a van. But no matter now, I retired 2 years ago. 32 miles. 45 minutes by highway, an hour by back road.

Point37 · Post by **Point37** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:42 pm

wish i could....45 miles 1 way on 99% highways passing through a state capital while everyone drives 80mph...didn't even enjoy it when i had a motorcycle

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:06 pm

Yes, 6 miles each way to work. I don't ride in rain or in temps where oil circulates better than my 50W100 blood. The route averages between 35 and 50mph, but is infested with multiple schools into which mass herds of little darlings must be remanded on a daily basis.