That’s right, Consumer Reports has tested two groups of scooters (50cc and 125-150cc) and a pair of 250cc motorcycles. Last summer, there was tremendous reader interest in two-wheel commuting alternatives, inspiring our auto team to develop a test program for evaluating affordable and entry-level choices.

The tested scooters include the Honda Ruckus, Motorino Allegro from China, and Vespa LX 50 from Italy. The larger engine class included the Kymco People 150 from Taiwan, Yamaha Vino 125, and Vespa LX 150. For motorcycles, we tested two popular, entry-level choices, the Honda Rebel and Kawasaki Ninja.

Scooters and motorcycles require different skills to operate than cars and provide nowhere near the safety of even the smallest car. (See our video scooter buyer’s guide.) Best proceed with caution and carefully consider if the compromises and costs are worth the potential fuel savings, parking convenience, and admittedly, the fun.

Scooters and motorcycles

Last year, sales of motor scooters and small motorcycles skyrocketed as consumers went looking for economical transportation. Readers, too, have been clamoring for information, so we decided to conduct our first evaluation of two-wheelers since 1981.

We tested six scooters and two similarly priced, entry-level motorcycles and found that their fuel economy is impressive, ranging from 60 to 100 mpg at a steady cruise. The prices are also attractive, ranging from less than $1,000 to $4,400. And the best are fun to ride.

But the most fuel-efficient scooters can be ridden only up to about 35 to 40 mph, and no scooter with less than a 250cc engine is suitable for freeways. Only two scooters had better gas mileage than a Toyota Prius in city driving. Carrying capacity is very limited. And weather and road conditions greatly impact the riding experience.

There’s a high probability of serious injury with motorcycles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006 motorcyclists were about 37 times more likely to die in a crash per driven mile than someone riding in a passenger car.

The basics

Novices will find scooters easier to ride than motorcycles. They’re simpler to get on and off, the riding position is similar to sitting in a chair, and their transmissions don’t have to be shifted manually.

We tested two groups of scooters. One group included three entry-level models (available to subscribers) with small 50cc engines: the Honda Ruckus, the Motorino Allegro from China, and the Vespa LX 50 from Italy. Prices ranged from $995 to $3,299. With limited power, those models are easy to handle and are among the least expensive. And in some states, they don’t require licensing.

The other group (available to subscribers) included three models with 125cc to 150cc engines: the Kymco People 150 from Taiwan, the Yamaha Vino 125, and the Vespa LX 150. They have more reserve power and higher top speeds, which benefit them in traffic. Prices ranged from $2,799 to $4,399.

Our two motorcycles (available to subscribers), the Honda Rebel and Kawasaki Ninja, have more powerful 250cc engines, making them suitable for highway riding. But their manual transmissions and higher performance require more skill to handle well. They also sacrifice practicality by having no storage. Prices were $3,399 and $3,999, respectively.

Bottom line

Scooters and motorcycles require different skills to operate than cars and provide nowhere near the safety of even the smallest car. But they can be a fun and fuel-efficient way to get around town when weather permits. Parking is easy, and gas mileage is far better than that of most cars. To minimize risk, professional instruction is a must for new riders, as is protective gear. Registration and licensing laws vary by state, so check before buying. Also, make sure parts and service are easily available.

SOURCE: CONSUMER REPORTS

Colin Tilson smiles mischievously when I ask him how fast it goes.

“I built one once with an 80cc engine that would wheelie at 60mph, with a top speed of 70,” he said. “You could smoke up the road on that one.”

Production models of the aero engineer-turned-inventor’s latest project - given the thumbs-up by Oscar-winning Dustin Hoffman and 1960s model Twiggy - nip around town at a more sedate 30mph on their 10in wheels.

Not too shabby for a road-legal folding scooter you can fit in your car boot, carry in a holdall and travel 130 miles or more on a gallon of petrol.

Mr Tilson’s two-wheeled runabouts - aka Street Cheaters - are set to hit the road next summer after 12 years of development.

An off-road version is already on the market in America, where his customers include police, beach patrols and other emergency services, who use the tiny bikes to scoot through traffic.

Heacham-based Mr Tilson, who has invested more than £1m in setting up production in Taiwan, is confident the machines will prove a hit with everyone from city commuters to caravanners looking for a portable runabout.

The folding carbon fibre and steel machines, which weigh around 22kg, are powered by tiny 50cc engines.

“It’s a short-journey vehicle, or SJV as we call them,” he said. “It’s not meant to go from Heacham to King’s Lynn, it’s a small vehicle that gets you around.

“It’s ideal for campers, caravanners and motor-homers, it’s great for people who want to make a short journey in the city. You can keep it in the office.”

Former Gaywood Park pupil Mr Tilson, now 53, became a freelance engineer in the aero industry after starting out as an electrician.

The scooters came about 12 years ago, when his son Dean - then aged 10 - asked for a similar machine which was then on the market.

Instead of bowing to pestering for some peace and quiet, Mr Tilson decided he could build something better from off-cuts of aircraft materials.

City types could soon save the machine’s £899 price tag by avoiding the £8-a-day congestion charge, which many expect to spread to other cities from Central London.

But despite its name, you don’t get to stick two fingers up to the taxman as well as Boris Johnson. “You still have to pay road tax of £15 a year,” said Mr Tilson. “And there’s a one-off £38 fee to register them with the DVLA.”

Riders also need to wear a crash helmet.

And avoid pulling wheelies.

SOURCE: Chris Bishop@EDP24

The Vespa LX 50

A new spin on an original classic. The LX 50 features an automatic twist-and-go transmission, steel body and an electric starter. A low center of gravity and larger front wheel provides control and agility, and an ergonomically designed seat allows for a comfortable ride. Brake with confidence with the LX’s advanced mixed-type braking system. With five different colors and several options for accessories, there is bound to be an LX for you.

A halogen headlamp provides strong illumination at night. Control the lights and view other traditional functions on the elegantly-designed dashboard.

• 50cc low emission engine
• Automatic twist-and-go transmission
• Mixed-type braking system
• Extensive range of accessories available

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