For most car users the two main costs of running their vehicle are fuel and depreciation, and with fuel prices at levels we'd have thought unsustainable only a few years ago, it's the amount we're spending at the petrol pumps which is really hurting.

Scooter sales are up by 12 per cent compared with last year, largely due to the cost of fuel, but putting miles on a scooter saves it accumulating on your car, adding a hidden depreciation advantage. After all, a scooter costing £2,500 at the very worst will only lose £2,500 by the time you've finished with it, while many cars lose much more value annually, much of it because the miles are building up.

A scooter isn't always up to the longer commutes made by many people though, and the fuel economy of many can be a little disappointing at 70-80mpg. But if you're travelling around 15 miles or less and aren't using motorways or dual carriageways, the 108cc Honda Vision could save you a fortune in fuel. At £1,800 it's almost a credit card swipe away and less than many season tickets, then it will really start to save you money by using fuel at 120mpg or better, even 140mpg without too much effort. Being a Honda the build quality is excellent, reliability the best and the dealer network very good too. To ride it you need provisional entitlement to a motorcycle on your licence and top pass the very easy Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). Then add some L-plates, get the low cost insurance and you're away. 150 miles later the fuel tank will be empty, don't worry, filling it full again will cost you just £7.50.

For longer commutes and keeping pace with the traffic on higher speed roads you'll need at least 250cc, but it doesn't have to mean dull looks or weak handling. Kawasaki's Ninja 250, at £4,649, is capable of 90mph in the right conditions, though hills and headwinds can knock at least 10mph off that, but it returns 80mpg or more in normal riding. While the Combined Cycle economy figures of some cars are getting within shouting distance of that, in the real world through traffic, stopping and starting, getting up to speed on motorways and so on, they don't get anywhere near. The bonus is that the Kawasaki is stylish and it's fun to ride. The handling and braking are good, it's reliable and servicing costs are low.

The Honda NC700X is a revelation within the motorcycling world as the engineering behind it owes more to cars than motorcycles, The twin-cylinder power unit is in effect half a Honda Jazz engine, and it feels completely different to other motorcycles. Rev it to find its power and it's horrible, but act as if it's a turbo-diesel, all low revs and torque with early upchanges through the gearbox and it bowls along at a very respectable pace. This also means it's exceptionally thrifty with fuel, with Honda claiming 80mpg and 70mpg perfectly feasible in everyday riding. It also has a very handy storage compartment when you'd expect the fuel tank to be, big enough for a helmet, it handles sweetly and it looks good. If the seat is a little high, the similar NC700S has conventional road bike looks and is lower. It costs £5,850.

In the G650GS BMW somehow has created a single-cylinder engine which is smooth at low revs but happy to rev hard too. It's a great fun bike to ride and comfortable enough for touring. The power is the same as the NC700X's 47bhp but the BMW is much lighter and feels a lot sharper as a result, and it's almost as economical, capable of an easy 60mpg even cruising motorways at 80mph. You can even take it off road for some entertainment at weekends (or if you know a shortcut to work...), where it's surprisingly capable. Note though that ABS costs an additional £560, but you get plenty of other options including a capacious luggage set. Buying it can be made almost painless right now as BMW will sell you a G650GS for a £299 deposit and £99 a month over three years. It costs £5,150.