What to be aware of when looking at purchasing a scooter

[flw]

Come this fall when prices fall I may consider getting a used scooter.

I would like to be aware of what to look for and stay away from.

Features/issues like:

1. Tire or rim sizes that are too small for saftly riding at 55 or 65 mph.
2. MFG's that have had ongoing quality issues due to cheaply made bikes.
3. Are warranties transferable to a new owner or not.
4, Generally what size engine do I need to run at 55 mph for 15 minutes and not create damage to the engine.
5. Maintenance issuses
6. How may miles can one expect on a scooter expect on a scooter that has been riden often but not abused.
7. If a mfg claims a mpg of 90 what should I expect with normal riding?
8. Is insurance more or less expensive than small cc motorcycles?
9. Are there scooter from some contries that its best to avoid? i.e. China, 10. Bangladesh, Vietman, Korea, Tiwain, Hong Kong, India, and others where the people get paid nothing.

If these would best be addressed to another forum, please let me know.

Thank You

[totalmotorcycle]

I think you have picked the perfect forum for a scooter information post (ie. The Scooter Forum).

I haven't purchased a scooter myself (although I did ride one, ie, 1), but I would look at all the normal used motorcycle stuff plus I would think you would need to look at more:

- Milage: As scooters typically use smaller engines that spin at faster rates, milage will pay a more important role than looking at a motorcycle.
- Maintenance: I would think some scooter owners consider a scooter to be a "car" and just leave it till it needs something, so I'd look for how it was taken care of, serviced, etc more.

To answer some of your questions...

1. Bigger the rim/tire, the more comfortable the ride will be over bumps, holes and imperfections.
4. Newer 150cc or bigger.
7. I would guess -/+ 20% as it depends more on weight of the rider, hills and riding style.
9. Stick with the big names, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki etc. These companies know what they are doing and sell scooters all over the world. You can go with a "2nd brand name" like KYMCO but I would stay away from completely no name brands unless you can't afford anything else.

Sorry for the lack of advice there.

Mike

[storysunfolding]

I can't add much to what mike said other than Kymco has a great reputation in my area.

[sapaul]

I back the Kymco brand as I have one myself, my 2 favorites are the super 8 125 and the Grand Vista 250

[flw]

As far as non-Japanese scooters what about Vespa? What issue do they seem to have? Do the Brit's have any leading contenders?

And Kymco I've not heard of before. Where are they made and what issue do they seem to have?

I ask about issue because every maker of something has at least one or more issues.

[totalmotorcycle]

As far as non-Japanese scooters what about Vespa? What issue do they seem to have? Do the Brit's have any leading contenders?

And Kymco I've not heard of before. Where are they made and what issue do they seem to have?

I ask about issue because every maker of something has at least one or more issues.

Vespa? Never heard of them. Are they Russian?

LOL LOL

Ok, seriously, Vespa makes some really nice, classy, top notch scooters, a little pricey, but that's Italian style of ya. I can easily recommend the brand. Vespa has been making some really nice models in the past 6 years, so get a newer one if you can. Vespa is to scooters as Harley-Davidson is to motorcycles (a life style brand).

Here is a list of the 2011 models...
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... -Vespa.htm

Since we are on beautiful scooters, take a look at Piaggio as well:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... iaggio.htm
and take a look at the BV Tourer 300:



Hope that helps,

Mike

[totalmotorcycle]

LOL, funny enough I just make the large size of that BV Tourer 300 photo my new desktop...(replacing the Honda Crossrunner).

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... rer300.htm