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.
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