I live in Berlin and have a Motorroller, essentially a 50cc Chinese Vespa clone with a 4-stroke motor and about 100 km on a tank. I love it. It is slow but fast enough, in the summer it is invaluable but mainly if one can filter through traffic at lights and park on the sidewalks. Without those advantages it is slower than cars or trains.
I wanted an electric one, but I was afraid of battery longevity, the good ones cost 3x the price, so I thought I'll buy this one and get an electric one next time. Now there are more electric choices, but range is still limited and they are probably more often targeted by thieves.
It remains to be seen whether mine, now 5 years old, will survive till the next summer and whether I'll buy an electric one next time.
Ultimately, the attention received by thieves and vandals is the major factor for 2 wheel vehicles.
For whatever reason, a 500cc will get messed with a lot less than a 50.
I have a powerful "electric bike." It does the 50cc job well, imo, despite speed and range being lower. I still use my car more, because I can park a car and not worry about it.
When taking my e-bike to a cafe, I strategize parking in advance, worry as I sip and also carry around my helmet & battery. Cars are easier.
Lately, I decided that a jacket and heavy shoes and gloves are necessary. Just because it's legally a bicycle... 50kmh is 50kmh and fingers are important to me.
So, while light motorcycles really are the perfect vehicle in many instances... the thieves guild's policy on vehicles under 100kg really hampers the category.
I wanted an electric one, but I was afraid of battery longevity, the good ones cost 3x the price, so I thought I'll buy this one and get an electric one next time. Now there are more electric choices, but range is still limited and they are probably more often targeted by thieves.
It remains to be seen whether mine, now 5 years old, will survive till the next summer and whether I'll buy an electric one next time.