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September 11, 2007
Choosing the right scooter
When considering whether a scooter is a good investment, dealer Richard Meltz says, you should first answer a few basic questions, such as: Where do you want to ride? What do you plan to carry? And how much money are you willing to spend?
Meltz, who runs Centaur Cycles and Scooters in Santa Fe and New Urban Transport in Albuquerque, said he frequently deals with customers who have little or no experience with motorcycles or scooters.
“We try to get the right bike for the right person,” he said.
He recommends people first decide how fast they want to go because the size of a scooter engine determines its performance and top speed. Most of the scooters on the market today have automatic transmissions, which means they don’t have clutches or gear shifters.
His best-selling models are in the 125cc to 150cc range, although the smallest size of scooter, 50cc, is also popular. The smaller engines top out at 40 miles per hour, with the next size up reaching about 60 mph and allowing the rider more acceleration power.
Still, those scooters are best suited for roads with low speed limits.
“There is only one safe speed to ride on two wheels, and that’s the speed traffic is going. If you are faster or slower, you are putting yourself at risk,” Meltz said.
If riders want to use the scooters for highway driving, as well as local errands, he recommends models that are at least 250cc. Kymco, a Taiwan manufacturer, also makes a “Maxi Scooter” that is 500cc, or has the power of a medium-sized motorcycle.
Posted by Frank at September 11, 2007 12:59 PM
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