Scooter Shopping Mistakes That Could Cost You

Want to supplement that gas-guzzling SUV and purchase an economical scooter? You’re going to return home with a scooter that will do little more than collect dust in your carport unless you follow a few quick guidelines.

Power

Motor scooters can come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from small, toy-like scooters to large motorcycle-like scooters. Consider your needs and where you’ll be using the scooter. If it’s just for corner jaunts, there are any number of small, cheap scooters that would be all that you need. 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 that your scooter receives little to no use. Fit becomes increasingly important as usage increases and is one of the main determinants of safety, so don’t ignore it!

Ensure that your hands are in a good, comfortable position when riding, and that the turn signals, brakes, and clutch are all within easy reach. And don’t forget to check the seat. While soft seats seem to be more comfortable at first, 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 without pressure. There are plenty of new, sleek models, but you’ll also find a wide variety of vintage models for sale.

Price

Like cars, motor scooters lose their value immediately upon leaving the lot. What makes this situation worse is that scooters generally don’t receive the same level 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 ridden.

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 dealer and pick up 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.