Looking to supplement that gas-guzzling SUV and pick up an economical motor scooter? You're going to return home with a model that will do nothing more than collect dust in your driveway unless you follow a few simple guidelines. Power Motor scooters might come in a wide selection of shapes and sizes, from small-engined "knock abouts" to large motorcycle replacements. Consider your needs and where you'll be using the scooter. If it's only for neighborhood riding, there are any number of small, cheap scooters that would fit the bill. Perhaps a 125 or 150 would be the largest to consider. Fit Many scooter shoppers choose a style, rather than purchasing a fit. This is the surest way to ensure a bad investment. Fit becomes increasingly important as operator time increases and is one of the main determinants of safety, so don't brush it aside! Ensure that your hands are in a good, comfortable position when riding, and that the controls, clutch, and brakes are all within easy reach. And don't forget to check the seat. While soft seats seem to be more comfortable at first, they usually result in soreness faster than firmer seats. Style Check out various models online before you head into a showroom where sales pressure will often result in you leaving with something you would not have purchased without pressure. There are plenty of new, sleek models, but you'll also find a wide variety of vintage models for sale. Price Similar to cars, motor scooters lose their value immediately upon leaving the lot. What makes this situation worse is that scooters generally don't receive the same level of annual mileage as cars or even motorcycles, so the immediate depreciation has a more significant impact. In a year, you could see a 30 percent or more decrease in resale value for a scooter that has barely been used. For this reason, be sure to look at more than just local dealerships. There are several good resellers online who will provide you with a good selection at good prices. And you can find these motors scooters without putting up with pushy salesmen! So remember, before you got to your local dealer and buy that flashy new model, be sure that you're clear on how you intend to use your new scooter, and then consider the power, style, fit, and price.
1. When choosing a motor scooter, my primary consideration is:
a) color and style b) frame fit c) engine size
The correct answer here is B. A proper-fitting motor scooter is the single most important factor in choosing a make and model. Why? Because the fit is in large part responsible for the safety of the motor scooter.
If the scooter doesn't fit your frame size, if it is too heavy for you to handle at stops and slow-speed turns, if the brakes and signals are difficult to reach, etc., you are riding on an unsafe scooter. Your safety is always the number one concern.
2. When choosing a scooter size, I primarily consider the top speed I expect to reach on my scooter.
a) true b) false
This question is a bit of a trick question, as the answer is both true and false. You should carefully consider the speeds you want to attain with your scooter, but you should consider speed as it pertains to your expected usage of the scooter. If you're using a scooter for commuting, you'll probably want to choose one with a larger engine, even if you expect to be sitting in traffic for part of the commute. Having that acceleration at your fingertips is usually safer than not having it.
3. When buying a motor scooter, what sources do you use for pricing?
a) local dealerships b) online scooter stores or sellers c) both of the above
The correct answer here is C. Whereas we have an objective source of reliable pricing information for pricing cars and motorcycles, we have much less information about motor scooters.
A great place to start is your local dealership. Obviously there will be a markup, and often, you'll see a significant markup, as there's usually much less local competition for motor scooters.
Once you get your dealer price, do some research online with scooter stores and by connecting directly with sellers of scooters. Your best deals will likely come from connecting directly with a seller, as you're cutting out the middle man, but both of these options can yield significant savings from.
Keep in mind, however, that there are benefits to purchasing from a local dealer that just can't be replicated online, so factor maintenance and service in when making your decision.
Both Jared Conley & Christina Conley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jared Conley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Build Muscle, Strength Training and Motorola Cell Phone. Jared bought his first Suzuki at age 16 with earnings from his stock clerk job at the local Giant Eagle. He is now a proponent of and runs sev. Jared Conley's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
Christina Conley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Build Muscle, Finances and Diamonds. Christina is a motor scooter enthusiast, both for their fun and fuel economy. To connect buyers with quality at rock-bottom prices, Christina. Christina Conley's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.