Are Motorized Scooters Good for the Environment?
Hopefully you weren’t expecting a subtle reply here, because the answer is a resounding YES. A lot of people are drawn to motorized scooters because of their positive environmental impact. You may be one of them. If so, maybe you’re wondering exactly what it is that makes motor scooters a green transportation alternative. Here’s a rundown of the big reasons.
First and most obviously, motorized scooters use dramatically less fossil fuel.
The tank of an average-sized gas powered scooter holds 1-2 gallons, and new scooters easily get 50 miles per gallon, many of them a lot more (upwards of 100 mpg). So if you own a gas powered scooter, you’ll typically fill up two or three times a month, and get 75-200 miles per tank. That’s easily three to four times more fuel efficient than the average car. And three to four times less non-renewable fossil fuel consumed–that’s direct conservation.
Second, by burning less gasoline and traveling further with it, motor scooters release less exhaust into the atmosphere.
Therefore, harmful carbon dioxide emissions are greatly reduced. Since motorized scooters are frequently used in urban settings, their small environmental footprint helps address the polluted air that most larger cities are forced to combat. Want to fight smog? Drive a scooter.
Third, if you buy an electric motorized scooter, you can walk away from fossil fuels entirely.
When you’re looking at the motor scooter market, one of the first decisions you’ll want to make is whether to purchase a gas powered or electric model. Electric scooters are typically better for short-range travel, and their non-dependency on oil and gasoline is a huge step in the right direction, environmentally speaking. Electricity is a clean fuel source at the point of use, and battery efficiency is improving all the time. Of course, if you drive a gas or hybrid scooter, getting 100 miles to the gallon is nothing to disdain. And gas and electric models each have their merits, which is reflected by the fact that today’s popular scooter brands produce both.
The bottom line is that not only will motorized scooters save you considerable money–you can also feel good about driving one, since scooters contribute to a cleaner planet.
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Do Cheap Motor Scooters Pay Off?
It’s a natural question, and a pretty important one, since cutting edge motorized scooters today go for over $6000 dollars. However, the answer depends on a handful of factors and assumptions. Let’s take a look.
First, it depends on what you mean by “cheap.” In the world of motorized scooters, there’s cheap–as in a smart, thrifty buy–and then there’s DIRT CHEAP-as in a rock bottom, too-good-to-be-true purchase. At this point, you need to ask yourself what kind of dividends you want to enjoy from your scooter.
If you’re looking for a trick stand-up scooter to play with in your neighborhood, we’ll be totally honest: a knock-off brand from a small manufacturer may work out OK. You won’t have high expectations for gas mileage or durability, you won’t use it in demanding conditions, and you won’t be surprised if it breaks. However, if you expect your motor scooter to be a long term investment that saves you money and helps you commute or travel, the dirt cheap route is definitely not for you.
However, the good news is that popular motorized scooters from reputable manufacturers like Honda, Yamaha and Piaggio come in a wide price range. At the top of the spectrum are brand new hybrid models that can get 100 mpg or better, are capable of highway speeds, long range travel and off-road use. If you want a scooter that capable, you may be looking at a $6000 price tag. Does that make you gulp?
If so, there’s good news. While it’s true that motor scooters pay for themselves in the long run (traveling for as little as $.04 per mile has that effect), you can still get plenty of bang for your buck for $2000 or less. For example, if you want an efficient scooter for short-range local use, and 12-15 mph satisfies your need for speed, then you’ll be able to find a new model that will match your needs in the $1000-$2000 range.
The upshot of all this is that there’s smart cheap and then there’s dirt cheap–and dirt cheap is not for most people. We’d encourage you to shop around, evaluate your needs, and buy an economical motor scooter from a reputable dealer. Down the road, you’ll be happy you did. See also: How to Buy Your Motor Scooter.
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How to Buy Your Motor Scooter
If you’re ready to buy, you know the differences between electric and gas powered motorized scooters. You’ve asked some clarifying questions about range, speed, terrain, usage–in short, the factors involved in choosing your scooter. Now you’re wondering what best practice looks like when it comes to actually buying your scooter. Every year, there are thousands of happy new scooter owners-and you should be one of them. Here’s some final advice to guide you toward a great purchase.
Calculate your price range.
If you’re shopping for motor scooters, you’ve probably already done the math and realized that, aside from the fun factor, investing in a scooter can save you a heck of a lot of money! So in terms of dividends, it’s hard to fault a scooter purchase. For example, if your scooter gets 50 mpg (and some new models get upwards of 100 mpg), saving $100 a month is very feasible.
However, the speed at which you recoup your investment depends on whether you buy an electric scooter or gas powered model, and how frequently you use your scooter. It is likely that the bulk of your savings will be realized in six months to a year, as you capitalize on fuel costs. Given this, determine how much you want to put out up front.
If you’re shopping in the children’s market, motorized scooters will run anywhere from $200 to $400 dollars. In the adult market, the price range broadens dramatically, and you can pay from $900 to over $3000. If you’re cool with getting repaid gradually, you’ll feel good about springing the extra $100 for that chrome accented paint job.
Buy quality.
With the rising popularity of motorized scooters, there are dozens of new manufacturers trying to get into the market. This is good, on one hand, because it causes competition and makes scooters more affordable. The downside is that there are plenty of poorly made, off-brand scooters that aren’t built with quality parts. As with any major purchase, buying at rock bottom prices will usually come back to bite you in the form of break downs, expensive repairs, and safety issues.
So, how do you avoid getting ripped off? Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Unless sales involve reputable scooter brands, be cautious about buying. Look for motorized scooters that come with a good warranty-90 days is standard. Purchase from a vendor, online or otherwise, who seems reputable. Avail yourself of customer service to ask any questions you have.
By budgeting smart and buying quality, you’ll end up with a motor scooter you love. Who knows, like many owners, maybe you’ll even become a walking testimonial! We hope it happens to you.
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How to Choose Your Motor Scooter (Part 2)
At this point you know what motorized scooters have to offer and why they’re so popular. You’re eying the market, and you’ve already thought through the first 3 Steps to choosing the Perfect Motorized Scooter. Now you’re ready to move closer to the purchase. Here are 3 more questions to consider.
First, how much do you weigh? Not to get too personal, but all motor scooters have a carrying capacity-the maximum amount of weight the scooter can carry. If you weigh 180 pounds or less, this question won’t affect you-you’ll typically be able to ride the full gamut of scooters on the market and get optimum performance. If you weigh over 180, make sure you apprise yourself of the manufacturer’s carrying capacity. Rider weight is one of the factors that affect acceleration, range, and hill climbing ability.
Second, where do you want to ride your scooter? Dirt trails or downtown streets? Flat or hilly terrain? If your use will be primarily urban, on smooth pavement, an electric motor scooter may suit you well. If you want to have off-road ability, or frequently deal with terrain that puts higher demands on your motor, a gas powered model might be in the running. Relatively flat streets form the ideal riding surfaces for motorized scooters of all types, leading to top speeds and efficiency.
However, gas powered scooters are the workhorses of the scooter world. If you want a tougher, utility scooter, but still want to buy electric, look for a scooter with a high watt motor (300 watts or above)–and plan to shell out some cash. If you weigh more than 180 lbs., you’ll want to buy a scooter with an appropriately higher wattage rating.
Third, where do you want to take your scooter? As in, where do you want to carry it? Here’s where the portability factor comes in. Motorized scooters of all varieties are foldable these days, and can be stored in a corner or even under a desk. But there’s a lot of variety where weight is concerned, as scooters can weigh in at anywhere from 30 to 100 lbs. How much weight do you want to carry around? What will the scooter’s folded dimensions need to be in order to fit in your trunk or closet? In addition: Will you want to take your scooter on trips via bus, planes, or trains? Electric motor scooters are allowed in public transit, while gas powered scooters are typically not.
Are you starting to get an idea of what you’re after? Eliminate anything that doesn’t fit your needs, then evaluate what’s left. If you’re starting to get a good idea of what you want, you might be ready for some final pre-purchase advice: How to Buy Your Motor Scooter.
Filed Under Electric Scooters, Gas Powered Scooters, Motor Scooters, Motorized Scooters | Leave a Comment
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