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December 3, 2008
Dumb Mistakes Buyers Make When Shopping for a Scooter
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 a bad investment. Fit becomes increasingly important as operator time increases and is one of the main determinants of safety, so don’t brush it aside!
Ensure that your hands are in a good, comfortable position when riding, and that the controls, clutch, and brakes are well within 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 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 lose their value immediately upon leaving the lot. Exacerbating this situation is that scooters generally don’t receive the same level of yearly 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 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 dealer 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 price.
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