With an economic downturn and gas prices on the rise, scooters are once again back into fashion. Scooters are (relatively speaking) cheap, they're fun, and they are amazingly efficient forms of transportation. They are useful for commuting, as a hobby, and some people even race them! When you're thining of purchasing a scooter there are several things you want to keep in mind.
There are three keys to finding the right scooter for your needs, so keep these in mind: quality, price and size.
Quality
A good scooter should provide excellent build quality without adding weight to the scooter or additional dollars to the price. Because they are often parked on sidewalks and left outside, scooters need to be durable. The best material for building scooters is aircraft-grade aluminum which ensures strength and durability as well weight-savings. Most of the popular brands (Honda, Yamaha, Vespa, etc.) all use aircraft-grade aluminum in their builds.
Price
The price you pay for your scooter will depend on many factors like engine size, options, condition, location, etc. Just make sure to shop around first to get a feel for what is a good price and what isn't.
Size
Although most scooter manufacturers have a good handle on the one-size fits all scooter, there are differences in design that will fit different types of people better. In addition, there are also scooters specifically made for younger and smaller people. If possible, visit a local scooter shop and sit on a few different models to get an idea of what feels comfortable for you. Keep in mind that bigger scooters require you to think further ahead about your maneuvers, while smaller scooters will not have all the options or power of the bigger models.
You should also consider whether you would prefer an electric or gas scooter. Electric scooters offer efficiency and are generally cheaper, but you will need to plug them in at some point to recharge. Gas scooters are more expensive, but also more powerful and speedy, and you can refuel them almost everywhere.
Overall, scooters are an efficient and fun mode of transportation, just be sure to keep the above in mind and you are sure to find a great ride!