While scooters are considered convenient and easy to maintain, bikes stand for power and machismo. But then, we are not really comparing apples and oranges. If you are planning to buy a two-wheeler, and are not sure if it should be a bike or a scooter, the following points will help you identify your requirements and zero-in on your ride.
Usage
Scooters are ideal for quick short rides. Their structure and machinery is best suited for shorter distances. Ease of maneuverability, quick acceleration and lightweight make them suitable for everyone.
Bikes on the other hand are generally meant for longer distances. With features like shock absorbers, high engine capacity, powerful headlamps and bigger fuel tank, bikes are more comfortable for highway commutes.
Aesthetics
Bikes have a great advantage over scooters when it comes to aesthetics. Their muscular frame and graphics make it appealing for youngsters.
However, scooters are not too far. Designers are emphasizing on aesthetics by offering various colors, fiber body, muscular contours, stylish headlamps and enhanced body graphics.
Convenience
Due to their gearless operation, scooters are highly convenient and can be used by almost everyone in the family. Bikes on the other hand are more complex due to the gear systems. Beginners might be inclined towards using gearless scooters for their hassle-free usage.
However, hardcore biking enthusiasts would not mind pressing the clutch and shifting gears because raw power and an adrenaline rush is what they crave.
Mileage
For cost conscious individuals, mileage plays a key role in determining whether to opt for a scooter or a bike. With soaring fuel prices, mileage offered by two wheelers is something that both the manufacturers and the consumers look at closely.
This mileage of a vehicle primarily depends on the engine displacement (CC Cubic Centimeters). The size of the tires, riding conditions, usage habits and maintenance also play a critical role. A bike generally offers a higher mileage as compared to a scooter having the same engine capacity.
Storage
Scooters come with ample storage space. With a front carrier, space near your feet and storage space beneath the seat (dickey), scooters hold a clear-cut advantage over bikes. Bikes also offer an option to add a side carrier but most bikers avoid this, as it hampers the bike's aesthetic appeal!
Maintenance
Maintaining a bike is more expensive and tedious owing to its complex mechanism. Scooters have a simple structure and do not demand much maintenance. Since a scooter is meant for riding short distances, pushing it for commuting longer distances on bad roads might increase its maintenance cost.
Safety
While there is not much to differentiate in terms of safety, a scooter can be considered safer as its top speed (as compared to a bike) is lesser and the rider's feet are placed safely behind the body as compared to a bike where the legs are exposed. In addition, women riders (or pillions) wearing Indian attires like a sari or a dupatta are safer on a scooter as the chances of their dresses being entangled in the wheel are minimum. Of course, whether you choose to ride a scooter or bike, it is essential that you always wear a helmet and drive safely.
So there you are. If it is convenience and ease of usage that you need, a scooter is for you, but if you seek thrill and adventure, go for a bike! No matter what your choice of ride is, don't forget to secure it with a
comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy.