| With so many different types of motor scooters | | | | capacity under the seat so they are ideal for trips to |
| available today buyers must do their homework | | | | the grocery store or for other light shopping sprees. |
| before making a purchase. Vespa, Honda, Piaggio, big | | | | The elderly or handicapped typically use what is |
| engine, small engine, gas, electric, mobility, foldable, | | | | referred to as mobility scooters. These are usually |
| seats, handgrips, where do I start? | | | | electric models and have 3 or 4 wheels for extra |
| Before the 1920s it was an easy decision, a | | | | stability. These models give the elderly or disabled the |
| foot-powered push scooter or none at all. But once | | | | ability to get about in their homes or around the |
| Gino Tsai from Shanghai, Taiwan developed the | | | | neighborhood more easily. Without mobility scooters |
| Razor scooter it changed everything. His motor | | | | many of the disability-impaired would be confined to |
| scooters became popular so quickly there were | | | | their beds. |
| people waiting in line for six months before they could | | | | Another very popular type is the foldable scooter. |
| get one. | | | | These are very small and are made for short trips |
| In the 1950s companies like Vespa in the UK started | | | | around town. They are particularly popular among the |
| selling the first of their gas motor scooters. It was a big | | | | younger crowds. The beauty of these models is that |
| hit at the 1950 Motorcycle Show and quickly became | | | | they are extremely compact and can be folded for |
| a big hit in the UK as well. Vespa sold over 125,000 in | | | | storage in small places. If you work just a few miles |
| the UK between the years of 1950 to 1958. Piaggio | | | | from your home you can travel to work on your |
| from Vespa and Lambretta from Innocenti started | | | | folding scooter and then fold it up and put it underneath |
| selling their models in Italy and France too, quickly | | | | your desk at work. Very handy. |
| becoming the vehicles that everyone had to own. By | | | | There are also utility scooters which can be used for |
| the early 1950s the sale of motor scooters topped 1 | | | | many different purposes. They can be used as golf |
| million a year in France alone. Because of its popularity | | | | carts or for hauling things. Many big businesses use |
| other countries such as France and Germany decided | | | | these types for getting around their factories. Schools |
| to get in on the boom by manufacturing their own | | | | use them for driving through the parking lot, checking |
| models. | | | | for cars that shouldn't be there. Major league sports |
| Today, after more than 50 years since the first gas | | | | stadiums use them to drive people from one place to |
| scooters appeared, there are many different makes | | | | another. These are wonderful vehicles that can be |
| and models. We have electric, gas powered, foldable, | | | | used for a variety of reasons. |
| mobility and utility motor scooters dotting the globe. | | | | Once you've decided which type is right for your |
| There are specialized scooters for just about every | | | | needs the next step is to figure out what options, if |
| task. They have become a worldwide phenomenon | | | | any, you would like included on your vehicle. Of course |
| because they are cheap to own, economical to | | | | you can choose from many different colors and |
| operate, are very handy and functional, and most of all | | | | designs, but there are other options available to you. |
| they are a lot of fun. But with all of the makes and | | | | You can choose from the many varieties of covers, |
| models which one is right for you? | | | | locks (for security), cases or side bags for storage, |
| Let's start with the different types. Gas motor | | | | helmets, seats, handgrips, windshields or windscreens, |
| scooters are the fastest around. They will take you | | | | backrests for touring, chrome kits, rear luggage racks |
| longer distances and reach higher speeds than any of | | | | and many more options. The list of accessories can |
| the other varieties. There are smaller and lighter | | | | go on for quite some time. |
| models that will be perfect for running errands around | | | | As a rule of thumb first choose the type of scooter |
| town while the larger and heavier touring models will | | | | you want, whether it be electric, gas, foldable or utility. |
| take you on longer trips. Plus, the larger the gas tank | | | | This is the easy part because the type you purchase |
| the farther you can travel before needing to stop at a | | | | will depend upon your needs. Once that decision has |
| service station. | | | | been made look at several popular models in your |
| Electric varieties are a little more economical to run, but | | | | area and decide which one looks and feels right to |
| will usually travel only about 10 or 15 miles before | | | | you. Most have accessories that are manufactured |
| needing a recharge. Their battery capacity has | | | | for a specific model so accessories cannot be |
| improved dramatically over the years, but they cannot | | | | decided upon until you know which motor scooter you |
| be taken for long trips due to the fact that their | | | | are going to buy. Once you've decided which |
| batteries will need recharging periodically. However, for | | | | accessories you want for the model you chose it's a |
| short trips around the city they are wonderful little | | | | simple matter of driving your scooter out of the |
| vehicles. Plus, most scooters have a large storage | | | | dealership. And it's nothing but fun from there on out. |