Running on Fumes

My summer aboard the Vespa GTS 250 was great. Sure, the scooter was fun, but the best part was how my Chevy Cavalier sat unused in my driveway. 59.8 MPG to 24-ish. Doubling my fuel efficiency was nice, and my mental health was less stressed when filling up the tank was 10 bucks, and not the usual $60. However, a recent trip to Europe put my gas woes in perspective.

Even during the apocolyptic summer of $4.50 gas, Americans still aren't burdened by the oppressive near $10/gallon gas in Europe. A recent trip to cover the INTERMOT show in Cologne, Germany, brought that lesson home. It's deceptive, because across the pond they sell "petrol" by the liter, which is less than a gallon, and you pay in Euros, which is worth more than a dollar. After all the currency conversion math in my head, I'd walk out of the station spending about $50 to fill my R1200RT touring bike.

The winter, cheap gas is back - for now. But I doubt that a temporary relief of sub $2 gas will fuel many SUV or large truck purchases. Times are getting leaner and the flip has switched. Fuel efficiency is en vogue. Now if I can make it thru the winter, I think I'll request another summer scooter. Maybe something in the 80 MPG range...

Check out my review of the 2008 Vespa GTS 250 on Motorcycle USA.com. I also dig a little deeper into the scooter pros and cons in Scooting thru Vespanomics 101.