I know something about the Chinese scooters. A large proportion of the millions of bikes in Viet Nam are Chinese. The Japanese and Korean bikes hold up much longer- there are early 60s Honda 5cc and 70cc machines still running around- but new ones cost twice as much there as the Chinese bikes, 3-4+ times as much here. The Chinese machines seem to be reliable until they are just worn out. Then there is nothing on them worth replacing. The models sold in Viet Nam are mostly 100cc because of the tax structure but they seem to be as strong as or stronger than the 150s here. Maybe it has to do with the pollution gear that the American models have to carry- just supposition here.
Perhaps it is a bit much to ask in Wisconsin in the winter but it can be done. Folks up there already have warm clothing. They just have to add something for a windproof shell. I rode two wheelers exclusively for my first 26 years with a DL, much of it in the north and in the winter. On truly inclement stormy days, you drive the car.
After 20 years off of bikes, I just ordered one of those $1k Chinese scoots. I have a longish commute and can see that in a few months I will be working just so that I can put gas into my car to go to work.
Actually, given my investment history and other big decisions I have made after long pondering and calculating I expect yall should be supremely grateful to me in a little while. I just forked out a grand for my solution to the gas price problem so now the price of petrol will surely slide back to $2 and stay there. When it does, remember that it is because of me.
Why not spend a little more money on something you can keep and repair when necessary, instead of throwing them away every year? Seems like a huge waste of resources.
For people with long commutes, this could be a dangerous solution. More miles = more opportunities for accidents, regardless of the type of vehicles.
Overall, I think it’s a decent idea in many situations.