Want to supplement that gas-guzzling SUV and find an economical motor scooter? You're going to return home with a model that will do little more than collect dust in your garage unless you follow a few simple guidelines.
Power
Motor scooters can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from small, toy-like scooters to large motorcycle-like scooters. Consider your needs and how you'll be using the scooter. If it's only for recreational rides, there are any number of small, cheap scooters that would serve you just fine. Perhaps a 125 or 150 would be the largest to consider.
Fit
Many scooter shoppers choose a look, rather than purchasing a fit. This is the surest way to ensure a wasted investment. Fit becomes ever more important as usage increases and is one of the primary determinants of safety, so don't brush it aside!
Ensure that your hands are in a good, comfortable position when riding, and that the turn signals, clutch, and brakes are well within reach. Finally, check the seat. While soft seats initially seem to be more comfortable, they generally 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 otherwise. There are plenty of new, sleek models, but you'll also find a wide variety of vintage models out there.
Price
Like cars, motor scooters lose their value immediately upon leaving the lot. Exacerbating this situation is that scooters usually don't receive the same amount 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 decline in resale value for a scooter that has barely been ridden.
For this reason, be sure to look at more than just local showrooms. 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 showroom 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 cost.
