Buying a scooter?!?

Question

I'm starting college this summer, and with gas prices the way they are, I'm considering buying a scooter. I was just wondering what was a decent price for one that's not hideous, but will last a long time and is really functional. I'm somewhat clueless on the price range, so I don't want to be ripped off or anything. Is it better to buy one online or just find a shop somewhere?

Answer 1

Around $500-$1000 you could get a new good scooter.

Answer 2

If you buy one online, when it needs service, you'll need to box it up and ship it back where you bought it from, costing many times the original cost of the thing. Buy from a local shop, one that has been there for more than 3 years, one that has a license to sell motor vehicles in your state.

  There's a large number of fly-by-night operators opening shops in strip-malls, selling a buttload of cheaply made, dangerous, possibly illegal, Chinese ripoffs of existing Japanese scooters, then folding up and moving off when the scooters they sold start coming back for repairs or service.

  CC (never plural) stands for "Cubic Centimeters". Roughly speaking, it's the size of the engine. How big an engine you need is going to be determined by how fast you need to be able to go. Assuming you're not a large person - Around town, never over 45, a 150cc scooter will do the job. 45-55, look for a 250cc. If your riding is going to involve freeway, don't go below 650cc.

   And above all else, BEFORE you buy one, take the MSF Basic Course. The money spent on it will be the best money you ever spent. Just search for "Motorcycle Safety Foundation" and your city name. Or, call your local Honda, Kawasaki, or Suzuki motorcycle dealer and ask them, they can hook you up with one. Don't call a Harley dealer, they'll steer you into the "Rider's Edge" program which will teach you to ride while trying to sell you a Harley or Buell.

Answer 3

"New To Scooters" thread.

http://scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.c...

Might find a good used value on your regional craigslist > for sale > motorcycles/scooters.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.ht...

Impaired, distracted, and reckless driver potential is greater than ever . . always wear proper safety gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4puojV5bh...

Rider training resource.

http://www.msf-usa.org/