Looking to ditch that gas hog of a car and pick up an economical motor scooter? You're going to return home with a model that will do nothing more than collect dust in your carport unless you follow a few simple guidelines.
Power
Motor scooters can come in a wide selection 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 just for corner jaunts, there are any number of small, cheap scooters that would fit the bill. Perhaps a 125 or 150 would be the largest to consider.
Fit
Many scooter shoppers choose a style, rather than purchasing a fit. This is the surest way to ensure a wasted investment. Fit becomes increasingly important as mileage increases and is one of the primary determinants of safety, so don't ignore it!
Ensure that your hands are in a good, comfortable position when riding, and that the controls, brakes, and clutch are well within reach. Finally, check the seat. While soft seats seem to be more comfortable at first, they usually 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 without pressure. There are plenty of new, sleek models, but you'll also find a wide variety of vintage models for sale.
Price
Similar to cars, motor scooters depreciate in value immediately upon leaving the lot. Exacerbating this situation is that scooters usually don't receive the same amount of yearly mileage as cars or even motorcycles, so the immediate depreciation is a harder hit. In a year, you could see a 25 percent or more decrease in resale value for a scooter that has barely been touched.
For this reason, be sure to look at more than just local dealers. 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.
