Consider These Factors When Shopping for a Motor Scooter

Want to supplement that gas-guzzling SUV and pick up an economical scooter? You're going to return home with a scooter that will do little more than act as a clothes hanger in your driveway unless you follow some quick guidelines.

Power

Motor scooters can come in a wide variety of body shapes and sizes, from small-engined "knock abouts" to large motorcycle replacements. Consider your needs and where you'll be using the scooter. If it's only for neighborhood riding, 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 buyers choose a look, rather than purchasing a fit. This is the surest way to ensure a wasted investment. Fit becomes ever more important as mileage increases and is one of the primary determinants of safety, so don't brush it aside!

Make sure that your hands are in a good, comfortable position when riding, and that the controls, clutch, and brakes are all within easy reach. And don't forget to check the seat. While soft seats initially seem to be more comfortable, they usually result in soreness faster than firmer seats.

Style

Check out some models online before you head into a dealership where buying pressure will often result in you walking out with something you would not have purchased without pressure. There are plenty of slick, new models, but you'll also find a wide variety of vintage models out there.

Price

Like cars, motor scooters depreciate in value immediately upon leaving the lot. Exacerbating this situation is that scooters generally 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 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.