thomas schreef:So the typical scooter has an undeniable disadvantage when it comes to (pleasure) riding itself. But adds "utility".
This is of course very subjective and respectfully I disagree.
I do not enjoy driving or riding in a car. Within an hour everything hurts and I am stiff as a board. And besides, I find it boooring... I always fall asleep. A car is just convenient sometimes but not exciting nor adventurous. I derive no pleasure from it.
As the saying goes: "4 wheels move the body, but 2 wheels move the soul".
And motorcycles, or even high-CC scooters, however much more adventurous and challenging, would go too fast for me. It is too easy and seductive to just take the fast or easy road anywhere, like an Autobahn. From A to B, often as fast as possible (which for many is also one purpose of having a motorcycle).
That is not the challenge for me personally. I enjoy taking the back roads, drive slow in comparison and seeing things which normally one would never see with a faster vehicle. Even the challenges one faces with a small 50cc engine, like sometimes the lack of power and other limitations, are part of the adventure and situations to live with or overcome.
I have been to and through (sofar) all of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Poland and even Russia on a bloody small 50cc scooter. That's my adventure and pleasure right there.
Personally, I would not want anything else.