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, and usage. 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 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 kids scooter 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.
3 More Steps to Choosing the Perfect Motor Scooter
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
