You’ve seen them cruising down the street, heard about their amazing fuel economy, and considered jumping on the scooter trend. But, now what? It seems everywhere you look there is another style or brand of scooter for you to consider, and the questions keep piling up.

How many cc’s do you want? Do you want vintage or modern? What brands are best and which should you stay away from? Here are some pointers for choosing the scooter that’s right for you.

Scooter Engine Size

Whether you’re shopping online or visiting your local scooter dealer, the first thing you’re going to need to decide on is the engine size of your new scooter. Engine size is measured in CC’s, or cubic centimeters.

The basic rule of thumb here is the bigger the engine, the faster it goes. Keep in mind that carrying a passenger means extra weight and slower speeds, and the size of the rider can make a drastic difference in speed, as well.

So if you’re a bigger person, chances are you’ll be happier on a bigger scooter. This is also a good time to decide whether you want to obtain a motorcycle endorsement, since many states require an endorsement for anything over 49.9cc. Make sure to check state requirements before you buy.

49.9cc (commonly referred to as 50cc) average around 30mph on flat roads and 25mph on hills. These are typically good choices for beginners who want to buzz around the neighborhood on the weekends.

If you’re in the market for a daily rider, you’ll want something with a little more power. 125cc – 150cc engines are fairly efficient and will result in a lot less honking from angry drivers on the hill behind you. These are safe for main-road driving, but not a good choice for freeways. For freeway riding, you’ll want 200cc and above.

Vintage vs Modern Scooters: Vespa or Buddy?

Do you want the classic look of a carefully restored vintage Vespa? Or do you prefer the sleek lines of a modern Buddy? The fact is, there are definite pros and cons to each side, and, once again, the easiest way to narrow down your choice is to consider your personal scooter needs. Here are some basic guidelines:

• Are you adept at fixing things up and maintaining them on a regular basis? Do you pride yourself on the fruits of your labor? Do you mind pre-mixing the oil at the pump, or do you prefer topping off the reservoir once in a while? Most vintage scooters will require at least some degree of upkeep on a regular basis. If you’re not afraid to change your own oil, swap out a spark plug, or re-route a clutch cable, a vintage scooter might be for you.
• Do you prefer low-maintenance and dependability? If you prefer to cruise in to the service shop every month or so for a quick service, and otherwise expect your vehicle to run smoothly, then take a peek at the various modern scooters available. Typically low-maintenance (if you’ve done your research and invested in a good brand), new scooters can be a great balance between looks and convenience.

Brand Names and What to Watch For

If you do a quick Google search for scooters to buy, you’ll inevitably find several sites offering shiny new scooters in just about every color and style for what seems to be an unreasonably low price. As with anything, the adage that you get what you pay for also holds true for scooters. Yes, you can buy a brand-spanking-new scooter for less than $1500 online. But my money says that scooter will likely end up dead before you finish out a single riding season. Here’s why:

Cheap scooters are made from cheap parts. Many of the knock-off Chinese scooters seen online today are made with cheap, ill-fitting parts that are assembled at different factories before being put together into a final product. The quality control standards vary by factory, are highly unregulated, and are anything but consistent. It’s also very difficult to find replacement parts or a shop that will service them. These cheap knock-offs are a crap-shoot, at best, and not a good way to invest your money.

You can avoid this trap by following a few simple rules:

• Do your research, and read reviews. If you see a scooter you like, do an online search for reviews. It’s a bad sign if you can’t find any reviews for that brand of scooter, or if the reviews look suspiciously like advertisements to purchase the scooter or replacement parts for it.
• If you can avoid it, don’t buy the scooter online. If you don’t have a local scooter shop, then browse sites such as Craig’s List for scooters for sale. It’s always better to see the scooter first-hand and take it for a test ride before making a purchase.
• Buy well-recognized and trusted brands. Some of the more commonly-known and trusted scooters are Vespa, Stella and Buddy, Honda, and Kymco.
• Look for a warranty, and read it carefully. If the scooter you’re looking at doesn’t carry some sort of warranty, or the warranty looks more like something you would expect from a car stereo warranty than a vehicle warranty – beware. Read the fine print and know what you’re getting yourself into, before you buy.

The Bottom Line : How to Choose a Scooter

Buying the right scooter requires you to evaluate your own needs, do some research, and shop around before you buy. This is not an impulse buy item, so take your time and find the one that’s right for you.

Talk to local scooterists, join a scooter club and do your homework. Before you know it, you’ll be buzzing around town on the scooter of your dreams! Happy scootering!