There are a whole bunch of folks out there who believe a "scooter" is a 50cc Vespa or equivalen. In truth, however, we have some delightful "maxi-scooters" in the marketplace with motors up to 638cc that will run well with traditional motorcycles.
My Aprilia Atlantic gets 58-62 MPG, is no slouch at the stoplight, will do 100 MPH, and is a superbly comfortable machine for this 70+ year old guy (whose most favorite MC was a Moto Guzzi 850-T3 (California Highway Patrol version).
As the American public become more aware of scooters and the price of gasoline, scooter sales are bound to increase. It would seem to me, therefore, that MO should start to talk about scooters as legimate two-wheelers, right up there with motorcycles. 150 HP crotch rockets are great, but there is another generation out here that could be interested in something more sedate, easier to climb onto, and more reasonably priced.
My bottom line to MO is to integrate some scooter stuff along the way on account of how this is where it is at these days. (apoligies for the lousy english).