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So you want to buy a scooter?
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Author: Al Fragola
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Publishing date: 07.07.2004 15:10
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On just about every scooter discussion board you will find postings from folks who want to know what is the “best” scooter to buy. You know, one that is a 50 cc machine, will cruise at 60 mph, and costs less than $1000. If it were only that simple!
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If you are looking to buy a scooter, you will have to make some up-front decisions about a few criteria, and then consider the field. I have been scootin’ since the 1950’s, and still have, along with two modern “twist-n-go” machines, the Vespa 125cc I bought new in 1962. I have been fortunate enough to drive a variety of modern scoots, in urban and rural areas. Even have a couple of thousand miles logged in the mountains of Greece. What follows is based in my experience and judgment, aided by the experience of a friend who rents out a fleet of 50 scooters in Greece. Here goes:
Know what you will want to use the scooter for. Will it be a primary means of transportation or just for fun cruising/touring? Will you be operating it on urban streets or open roads? What are the speed limits on the roads? Commuting to and from work in a downtown area doesn’t require a lot of speed, so a 35 mph scoot could work fine. If most of your driving will be on roads with a 50 mph speed limit, you want a machine that can easily keep up with traffic, to include hills. Only a select few 50cc machines are suitable for this. A cruise/touring scoot needs to be comfortable. We have experienced machines that could not be tolerated for more than 20 minutes before terminal bottom pain set in, so you need to match the scoot to your bottom!
Will you want to carry a passenger? What is the maximum driver and passenger weight you anticipate? Some scoots have a passenger capable seat and a max payload of 200 pounds or less. If you load 300 pounds of driver and passenger onto a 200-pound machine, something is going to give, sooner or later. There are a couple of really neat 125 cc machines that cannot carry passengers (no passenger seat or low allowable load), while some 50 cc machines easily do, in seating, allowable load and power.
Cargo capability is another concern. The under seat trunk on some machines just about accommodate a helmet, so a cargo rack or top box becomes a necessary cargo carrier. Can you get a rack for the scoot you are considering? Can it securely hold cargo? Can you easily mount a top box on your machine, and have you determined the price for a good one?
If you are only going to use the scoot to go “goofin” around rather than “serious” transportation, that’s still another factor.
I am not a supporter of the idea of buying a “starter” machine to learn on and then buying a bigger machine. You can learn to drive a “twist-n-go” scooter on a 150cc as easily as a 50cc. Don’t let the requirement for a motorcycle license scare you off. In fact, I recommend the Motorcycle Safety Course for all two-wheel riders. If the larger machine makes sense for your intended use, go for it.
My honest advice here is that if you are not sure, make your error upward. A bit more scooter than you originally anticipated is no problem, other than a couple of hundred dollars. Less scooter than you really need won’t get the job done and can be considerably more expensive to rectify. Let’s say you buy a scoot for $1,600 before tax, or $1,712 after 7% sales tax. Resale value would be on price before tax, and after a year, a cherry scoot would probably be worth 80% of purchase price, or $1,280 at the very best. A $2,100 ($2,247 after tax) scoot would cost you another $967 after selling the old one versus $535 more if you got it on the first go around. You decide which is the wiser course.
Determine what you can really afford! Use the same criteria you would use with a car. Typically, you get what you pay for. If you are just looking for a toy, then there is no reason to pay no more than a toy’s price. If you are looking for a lasting vehicle, then expect to pay more. The seriousness of your intended use should strongly influence what you budget. Don’t forget to include sales tax, title and registration fees. Most states will charge sales tax for a mail order purchase when you go to register the scoot. Also, some dealers will charge setup and other fees. Carefully weigh the relationship between price and benefits. You might want to delay your purchase to save up more for the scoot you really want or need. Remember, when in doubt, make the “error” upward.
Dealer purchase or mail order (to include the internet)? There are benefits in purchasing from an established, reputable dealer. Established and reputable are the key words here. Would you but a new car from someone who has only two cars on the showroom floor and does all service work in the alley behind the showroom? A reasonably sized inventory and a well equipped, orderly parts and service department are indications of a serious operation.
When you buy from a reputable dealer, the scooter will have been uncrated, serviced, checked and run. You know it will start and run when you take possession of it, and you will be able to test-drive the very scoot you buy. You have someone to whom you can go when the scoot needs warrantee repairs or just scheduled services. A good dealer has ready access to parts and service bulletins. For this, you might have to pay a little more, but in the long run, it is usually a good investment. Even if the dealer is 2 or 3 hours away, that sure beats trying to get service and parts support by e-mail. With some major brands, your local dealer is required to provide warrantee service, no matter where you purchased the scoot. While he may not be a truly happy camper, it is worth determining this before you buy.
Another advantage of doing business with a reputable dealer is the possibility of finding a good used scooter at the dealership. While you may not get a warrantee, a good dealer typically will not knowing accept a lemon in trade. It’s just not good business. If it is a brand the dealer normally carries, you have all the advantages of parts support and knowledgeable service. Many scooter owners trade in well maintained scooters in great condition to buy a bigger, brighter model. You can often get more scooter than your budget could normally afford this way.
If, however, you are a reasonably competent mechanic, a mail order scoot may not be a bad idea, if it saves you considerable costs over the same machine from a dealer, or is the only way to get a scoot you can afford. Scooters delivered directly to you by a mail order operator are typically shipped in their original crate, exactly as they arrived in this country. They are rarely checked out, and usually require some initial assembly and service. Any damages suffered in shipment, missing parts or other difficulties will not be discovered until you uncrate the scoot. Before buying by mail order, you will want to determine how the handling of warrantee parts would be done. If you have to send the part in to get the replacement, time can become significant.
Reliability and durability. My friend in Greece sticks to scooters that have proven reliability and durability. He cannot afford to be running all over the island tending to scoots that have broken down. His scoots receive a bit of rough handling, as the renters often have no idea of what they are doing! He also sticks to machines for which parts are readily available. A non-running scooter cannot bring in rental income. Needless to say, he, like his competitors, sticks to major brands with a proven track record. If you plan to put significant miles on your scoot, think about this. A $2,000 dollar reliable scoot is a better buy than a $1,000 scoot that never runs.
Test drive it, if possible. If buying from a dealer, make sure you take a 15 to 20 minute test run. See how the scoot feels for both comfort and handling. A simple ride around the block will not tell you how your bottom will feel after 20 minutes, and that can be critical. Seat and handlebar height are important. Do the balls of your feet reach the ground? Do the handlebars clear your knees? Can you physically handle the weight of the scooter? Can you maneuver the scooter forward and back while seated with the engine at idle? Owner testimonials are no substitute for your own experience. Find a scoot that fits you, as once you buy it, you can’t be modified to fit it.
Does it tickle your fancy? Last, but not entirely least, does the scoot you are about to buy look and feel like you? Is it something you want people to identify with you? Scoots are fun, different and attract attention. Buy something that makes you feel good! Some people really groove on buying 50cc scooters, then upgrading them to perform more vigorously. If that tickles your fancy, then don’t be swayed by the folks who say you should simply buy a 150cc machine from the beginning, rather than investing $400 or $500 in performance mods. You are buying your scoot for you, not for someone else. If it gives you joy to “hop up” a machine, then go for it. There is a cult of 50cc two-stroke fans that is fun to be in touch with.
A word on other owners’ opinions. Most owners tend to speak well of their scooters. In fact, the vast majority of those who post testimonials on the web have mostly good things to say about what they bought, and encourage you to follow in their footsteps. They will say, “Why spend $500 more on Brand A, when my Brand X is just as good.” Unless they own both brands, take their comments with a grain of salt. Most brand bad-mouthing comes from folks who don’t own the scoot they are criticizing. If what you want meets your criteria and tickles your fancy, then get what you want. Now, if a large number of owners have posted serious complaints about a specific scoot, I say beware! Surf the various user groups and scooter chat boards to see what their experiences have been. If you have questions, be very specific and avoid questions that require a comparison between brands or models. Most folks really don’t have valid first hand experience with multiple brands. If you ask if Brand A is better than Brand B, you will most likely just start a debate that offers no real insights but lots of opinions. On the other hand, a question about a specific scoot’s ease of owner service, or what was involved in getting a specific mail order scoot out of the crate and onto the road, might get you some valid information.
Note that I have not mentioned any brands or countries of origin. There are good and not so good aspects to scooters from all manufacturers or origins. That’s a decision only you can make. No matter what you choose, there is always some risk in making a purchase. You are the one who must determine how much risk you can accept for the money available to spend.
Scootin’ is the most fun you can have with your pants on. Find one that you will enjoy and join the gang. It’s contagious.
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