Motor Scooter Enthusiast
Insider Info
Each day, motor scooters zip past the Tower of London, down the streets
of Paris and across the city of Rome. Yet in North America, scooters have
remained the forgotten stepchild of bigger cars and SUVs -- until recently.
Now, that has all changed. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council,
motorized scooter sales are up 38 percent since 2002. That's good news for
scooter dealers in urban centres ready to roll out new models to rev up our
appetites for some fun, sun and excitement.
Pete Shattuck manages three scooter stores in Colorado. He says those
numbers reflect what he sees in the Denver area.
"Of course, some say scooters are a fad, but fads don't drive an industry,"
he says.
"What has driven it is people realizing, like the rest of the world, that
we can't keep driving our SUVs and big Cadillacs, and burning through 15 miles
to the gallon."
Unlike gas-guzzling cars, scooters sip gas like fine wine and carry you
60 to 80 miles on one tank. With that in mind, vintage and modern scooters
are getting second looks.
But it's for more than just economic reasons. Since 1999, the use of scooters
in television advertising and movies has created a "chic" factor that is
turning heads and creating a big demand for two-wheeled runabouts.
Shattuck says even Vespa, who pulled out of the United States in the early
'80s when the company couldn't conform to new environmental standards, has
returned. He says Vespa is capitalizing on the interest in nostalgia and helping
recreate the status symbol of owning a Vespa.
The company began opening "boutiques" that hype tons of apparel. According
to Shattuck, these stores even sell bath salts and $75 T-shirts with the word
"Vespa" written on them.
Brenda Comeau-Watson has been riding since the early '80s. She says she
owns and rides four Vespas. Her attachment started with a simple shopping
bag.
"In 1980, a German friend gave me a 'Fiorucci' bag that had a beautiful
graphic of a Vespa on it," she says. "I just loved the looks of it."
Comeau-Watson says that two years later, when she had a little more money,
she bought her first Vespa scooter and has never looked back.
However, she says men do look back, especially when a female rides past.
Scooters are a sure-fire way to flirt with the opposite sex.
"Maybe it's the offbeat style or the practicality, but it seems guys dig
chicks on scoots!" Comeau-Watson says.
Getting Started
Scooters are hot, but it's important to do a little research before you
buy.
First, consider where you live and what the transportation laws say. Helmet
laws are also important to review.
In New York, you'll need a motorcycle license before you can operate a
scooter. And just like any other motorcycle, scooters must be registered,
inspected annually and insured.
Christopher Sullivan, who lives in New York City, says police don't always
appreciate scooter enthusiasts parking their scoots on the sidewalks.
In Colorado, it's a different story. Laws are much more relaxed, separating
scooters into two classes. Scooters just below 50cc with an automatic transmission
are considered a moped-class scooter. As such, people in Colorado need only
a driver's license to operate one.
Insurance for scooters is fairly low, especially compared to cars. Shattuck
says that for $100 a year, most people in Colorado can obtain full-coverage
moped insurance.
Other questions you'll want to ask before you open your wallet are:
- What style and size will suit you best? If you don't want manual
transmission (gear shifting), then an automatic "twist-'n'-go" might be a
better fit.
- What is your budget? Comeau-Watson says vintage scooters, if completely
restored, can be quite expensive, but Shattuck says you should plan to spend
at least $1,500 to get moped transportation that is reliable.
- What is the availability of parts and service in your area? Like
all mechanical devices, things will eventually need repair. Finding a reliable
service department is essential unless you plan to do the work yourself.
- How fast do you need to go? Thirty mph is top speed for some models,
while other mopeds will go 40 mph. If you need to do the speed limit on your
freeway, you'll need to buy a motorcycle-class scooter.
- What is the weather like in your area? Enthusiast Kevin Schueller
of Pennsylvania says that if you live in a frigid climate and have no alternative
transportation, you're probably going to be uncomfortable during certain times
of the year. Also, slick roads are a hazard, so consider how many days your
scooter might be stored due to rain, sleet or snow.
Links
Scoot! Quarterly
An online magazine for scooter enthusiasts
Vespa Club of America
Dedicated to collecting, restoring and preserving European motor
scooters
Scooter Club Index
Find one near you
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