what to do...
I don't know what to do. Ya'll are more than likely feeling the same pressures as myself! My darling ole Mustang gets only 12.4 miles per gallon! Yes sir/ma'm....that is right...12.4 mpg! With gas prices going through the roof, and becoming scarce...I have to find an alternate means of transportation. I go through at least a tank a week. My wallet is stretching thin! So, since Tuesday, the day after Katrina hit... my dad and I have been researching mopeds/scooters. They get an average of 80 mpg!
We went today to three places that sold mopeds/scooters and the average price for a 49cc is between $1000-1500. Now those little spits on the road only get up to between 42 and 48 miles an hour (top speed)...which around here, isn't gonna cut it. I need to be able to go at least 55mph. So, allow me to introduce you to the 125cc moped/scooter. Those get the same 80 mpg...and can get up to maybe the upper 50's...even 60mph. They cost around $1400 and it goes up from there. So, if I got a moped/scooter, it would have to be a 125cc.
So, while my dad and I are searching at these three places, which 2 out of 3 of them are motorcycle stores...my eyes start to drift, and I am lured away from the mopeds/scooters to a more...appealing means of transportation. A Honda REBEL...a motorcycle that fits me perfectly! Black, low to the ground, light and sleek...oh how my eyes twinkled and gleemed at the thought of having a motorcycle instead of a dinky ole moped/scooter! A glance at the price tag indicates that I would have to spend at least double for that baby. Around $2700 (used). Damn. Oh well...
Then we get to the last place (Jim's) and I've been to this place a million times before...I mean, I love Biketoberfest and Bikeweek, so I'm always out during these events. So, anyways...we start looking at their very limited selection of mopeds/scooters and low and behold I notice they have a few of the Honda REBELs. We go and check out their selection, and they have a black, and also a red, used REBEL for like $2500 or $2600 for the red, and $2400 or $2500 for the black. The red has 1000 miles on it, and the black has 4000. They also have the new ones available of course. They run $3099 for a new REBEL. Now, these baby's fit me perfectly, look badass and run 68 miles per gallon!...not to mention they can book it on the roads.
While we were there, one of the guys introduced me to a Suzuki GZ 250, which is like the Honda REBEL, but a little tiny bit more wider. It is a sleek, light and black motorcycle...and I can't forget that it gets 82 miles per gallon!! However, they don't have this used cause it's a newer bike than the REBEL...and it's $3199 for a new one.
Damn, if only I was rich haha! I am so conflicted... I came home and spent 3 hours researching the REBEL and the Suzuki motorcycle online, and yes, they are as good as they sound! I got really excited at the thought of finally being not only allowed to (by the parentals), but able to get my own motorcycle! I looked up every site there was online about finding motorcycles in my area...even searching practically every big town in florida's classified ads online! haha...yeah Well, I couldn't find any spectacular deals or anything, but I found out that the REBEL's are alot easier to get than the Suzuki's since they have been around for many, many years. The mopeds/scooters get good good gas mileage, and are cheaper...but I would have to worry about getting run over because not only do they not make any sound (other than a buzzing) but they dont go fast enough. Now, both the Honda and the Suzuki bikes are badass. They get good gas mileage, look hott and go fast! So, you obviously can tell which choice I prefer...but I have a lot of thinking to do. To narrow it down: REBEL = hott, about 15 mpg less than the suzuki, but cheaper.... Suzuki = hott, great gas mileage, way expensive.... Moped/scooter = great gas mileage, not hott compared to a motorcycle, and not fast enough...but way cheaper than a motorcycle.
I had a chat with my dad late this afternoon and he said it was up to me cause it is my own money I'll be spending. I know he would absolutely love seeing me on my own bike, since he is the reason for my passion for bikes. BUT, he told me that he thinks I should save my money and tough it out with the $3.00 a gallon gas...and that even if it reaches $5.00...it will eventually come down. Well, that killed my enthusiasm. But I'm not convinced. He told me to "sleep on it", and just think it through and calculate how long it would be before I would actually be saving money. Of course he is right about that, but I desperately need to find a different way of getting to school (which is the main focus) and I'm going to calculate the mileage, and cost on my Mustang later tonight. I even mentioned earlier in the week on selling my car and getting a different one, but not only would that break my heart, but my parentals put a very firm foot down on that one.
So, my friends....I am caught between a rock and a hard place. Do I spend roughly $1500 on a moped/scooter which gets 80mpg? Do I spend roughly $2600 for a REBEL, which gets 68mpg? Do I spend roughly $3200 on a Suzuki GZ 250, which gets 82mpg? Or, do I tough it out and spend over $50 a week on gas when it is at $3.00....or spend over $80 a week if gas ever gets to $5.00? I will be going through all of these options these next few days...and ANY advice, suggestions or general inputs you have...PLEASE let me know. Thanks so much for reading all of this, ya'll are awesome!