What is a Scooter?
The most commonly accepted definition of a scooter is a two-wheeled vehicle with wheels between 8 and 14 inches in diameter (smaller than a motorcycle), a step-thru frame and engines that are low and close to the rear wheel.
A scooter will often incorporate leg shields and full bodywork, giving the rider some protection from the elements and engine heat. Scooters have been produced in many engine sizes, though typically they fall between 50cc and 250cc.
What is a moped?
The most commonly accepted definition of a moped is a two or three wheeled vehicle with a small (usually 50cc) engine located between the riders legs. Often they are equipped with pedals and bicycle-like wheels and tires.
The State of Michigan considers most 50cc scooters to be mopeds. This means that if you have a valid driver’s license you can drive a 50cc scooter without having to obtain a motorcycle license, pass a skills test, buy motorcycle insurance or a get a motorcycle license plate. If you are over 19 years old, you are not required to wear a helmet on a moped (although it’s a really, really, really good idea).
Are you saying the state of Michigan considers my 125cc scooter to be a motorcycle?
Yes.
And my 50cc scooter is a moped?
You’ve got it.
Are Scooters easy to use?
Yes. If you can operate a bicycle competently, you should be able to operate a motor scooter. Most new scooters have fully automatic transmissions. That’s right, no shifting gears! All you do is jump on, start the engine, twist the throttle and GO! That being said, there are still scooters available with manual transmissions, particularly the Genuine Stella. Many purists find geared scooters a more interesting and engaging ride. The great news is that the choice is yours. Be sure to try a variety of models to figure out which one fits you the best!
What’s a good beginners‘ scooter?
Almost all scooters are suited for "beginners", because it's usually very easy to learn how to ride one. Typically, modern scooters are the easiest to learn to ride, just because they have electric starters and automatic transmissions. Most people about get the hang of it in 5-10 minutes.
What engine size do I need?
This depends entirely on what you'll be doing with the scooter. If you plan to do much highway commuting or touring, bigger is better. The legal minimum on Michigan highways is 125ccs. We’d recommend at least a liquid-cooled 250cc or 500cc engine. If you’re not planning on jumping on the highway, a 50cc or 150cc is plenty for around town.
How fast do scooters go? What about gas mileage? How much do they cost?
50cc: In Michigan 50cc scooters are limited to 30 miles per hour. For this engine size, you can expect to get 80 to 90 miles per gallon. Out the door, expect to pay between $1800 and $3500. These bikes can be licensed as a moped in Michigan, so you would not need a motorcycle license or motor vehicle insurance to operate them on the road.
150cc: You can expect a 125cc or 150cc scooter to run about 55 to 60 miles per hour. They should get between 70 and 75 miles per gallon. Expect to pay between $2400 and $4500 out the door.
250cc: Most 250cc scooters will run between 70 and 75 miles per hour. They are typically liquid-cooled and get about 65 to 70 miles per gallon. Expect to pay between $4400 and $6800 out the door.
400cc and up: You’re getting into touring territory here. Expect about 90 to 100 miles per hour and 50 miles per gallon. Prices start around $6800 out the door and go up from there!
What Are Michigan Scooter Laws?
If you have a valid operator or chauffeur license, you are allowed to operate a moped on public roadways. If you do not have a valid operator or chauffeur license and are at least age 15, you may apply for a moped license at a Secretary of State branch office. You are not eligible for a moped license if your operator or chauffeur license is suspended, revoked, or denied—unless the suspension is for a medical reason. Yes that does mean that if you have lost your license for a DUI or other offense, you are not permitted to operate a moped.
If you are a moped operator, you must follow the same traffic rules as other motor vehicle operators. According to the State of Michigan a moped is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a motor which has no more than 50cc piston displacement producing two brake horsepower or less. The moped must have a power drive system that does not require shifting gears and cannot have a top speed exceeding 30 mph on level surfaces
More info on Michigan Motorcycle and Scooter Laws and Training:
http://www.michigan.gov/sos
Use the “Search” function on this website using the terms “moped” and “motorcycle“!
What will insurance cost?
Typically between $250 and $450 a year. But it depends on your driving history, where you live and whatever other policies your insurance carrier will have with you. Most carriers discount for multiple policies, as when several family members carry policies from them or when you carry both auto and scooter insurance together. It should be noted that in nearly all cases, you will either register and insure your scooter as a moped or as a motorcycle and not as a "scooter". It is especially difficult to predict insurance costs and it is usually best to shop around for the best coverage at the lowest cost.
What will I need to ride/buy my (over 50cc) scooter?
You do need valid motorcycle insurance. Your insurer probably won’t be able to give you a binder until you’ve figured out what scooter you want. Once you’ve picked out a bike, your insurer can usually fax us a binder within an hour.
Do I have to take a motorcycle safety course to get my cycle endorsement?
(You will need a license to operate a scooter bigger than 50ccs on Michigan roads)
No. But we recommend it. If you chose not to take a motorcycle safety course, you can go to the Michigan Secretary of State website http://www.michigan.gov/sos and download the motorcycle operator manual. Read it. Then go to the secretary of state’s office and take the written test. Do it! It’s easy. They’ll let you retake it if you don’t pass the first time. Once you’ve passed the test, they’ll give you a learner’s permit. This will let you practice under the supervision of another licensed motorcyclist. (This would be a good time to get in contact with other scooterist in your area!) After you get the permit, and you’ve done some practicing, you must pass the riding skills portion of the test. This is usually given Saturday mornings in the parking lot of local community colleges and high schools. Some of them even have the course painted out, so you can go there after hours and practice! You’ll get a list of testing locations and times from the Secretary of State when you pass the written test. The test is easy on a scooter. Most of it is 5mph or less. Most scooters are designed to be easy to handle at low speeds. Relax. You can do it. Then you’ve just got to present your completion certificate at the Secretary of State office and you’ll get a “CY” on your license. How cool is that? Then you’re ready to start tearing up the road!
If you are under the age of 18 years in Michigan, you must successfully complete the motorcycle safety course to get the endorsement. If you are 18 years or older and have failed the motorcycle rider skills test twice, you must successfully complete a motorcycle safety training course to obtain your endorsement.
What will I need to ride/buy my (over 50cc) scooter?
You do need valid motorcycle insurance. Your insurer probably won’t be able to give you a binder until you’ve figured out what scooter you want. Once you’ve picked out a bike, your insurer can usually fax us a binder within an hour.
What will insurance cost?
Typically between $250 and $450 a year. But it depends on your driving history, where you live and whatever other policies your insurance carrier will have with you. Most carriers discount for multiple policies, as when several family members carry policies from them or when you carry both auto and scooter insurance together. It should be noted that in nearly all cases, you will either register and insure your scooter as a moped or as a motorcycle and not as a "scooter". It is especially difficult to predict insurance costs and it is usually best to shop around for the best coverage at the lowest cost.
How long do the tires last?
Depends on the tire. A soft sport tire can wear out in 2500 miles or even less! Typically though, expect about 4,000 miles for the rear and over double that for the front.
Don’t those small wheels get caught in potholes?
No. Small wheels provide very responsive and nimble driving in traffic and provide easy maneuvering for parking. Contrary to common myth, the smaller wheels on scooters do not make them noticeably less safe. Smaller wheels result in greater handling responsiveness, which can keep the scooterist out of trouble more readily. Scooters simply maneuver more easily than motorcycles. Also, those same smaller wheels allow for a lower center of gravity, which is a definite advantage. Also, you'll find smaller wheels noticeably cheaper to replace. All in all, there are advantages to small wheels!
Can my Scooter keep up with traffic?
The bigger scooters (over 125cc) have no problem keeping up, at any speed below 55 mph. You'll lose a little acceleration if you carry a passenger or if you a climbing a hill. The smaller scooters may have some trouble keeping up with fast traffic. You really shouldn’t have any problems riding 50cc and 80cc scooters in traffic.
How Fast Will A 50cc Scooter Go?
A standard 50cc scooter with restrictors will have a top speed of 30mph
For racing purposes a derestricted 2-stroke 50cc scooter will achieve speeds over 40mph
Can I make my Scooter go faster?
All scooters can be made to go faster. First, it's critical to know if your scooter has a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine. By their very nature, 2-stroke engines are much easier to modify for greater power and speed than are 4-stroke engines, though the basic concepts to increasing speed on any scooter are the same. Essentially, you need to improve fuel, air and exhaust flow. Further, many 50cc scooters (speed-restricted mopeds) can be de-restricted fairly easily also, allowing very noticeable increases in speed. It should also be noted here that typically performance kits void manufacturer warranties. They often also make reliable engines less trustworthy, usually in proportion to the extremeness of the modification. And lastly, if the increase is very large (as on 50cc models, for example), there will be serious issues as to whether the brake and suspension systems will still keep the rider safe at these new higher speeds.
What brands of scooter do you service?
Vespa, Piaggio, Kymco, Genuine, Tomos, TGB and Malaguti.
What is your shop rate?
As of Jan 1, 2008 the shop rate is $70 per hour for all repairs and installation of accessories. The minimum charge is ½ hour.
What does it cost to replace a tire?
A front tire is hour of labor + The cost of tire and shop materials
A rear tire takes longer, because typically the exhaust has to be removed. Figure 1 ½ hour of labor + The cost of tire and shop materials
Do you sell parts and accessories?
Absolutely. We have parts and accessories for all the scooters we carry.
Do you sale used scooters?
Yes. Periodically we have a limited stock of used scooters. In season, we get a about five calls a day for used scooters. We usually get about one in a month.
Do you take trade ins?
Yup, as long as it‘s in decent shape, and a brand of bike we can get parts for.
Can I Buy a Scooter On The Internet and Bring It To You For Assembly?
No.
What’s with those cheap scooters I see on the internet?
There’s no getting around the old story of “you get what you pay for.” Or, “let the buyer beware” for that matter. Typically the bikes are made in mainland China (not Taiwan) and are of inferior materials, design, workmanship and ability. Please, please, please do some research on what you’re buying. Many of these bikes fail within 30 days if they ever work at all. Find a group of people on the internet that has bought the same product you’re thinking of buying and are happy with it. Find a place that will service it before you go and buy it. Ask questions about the brand and model on www.scooterbbs.com. Find out if the scooter comes assembled or not. By far, the best thing to do is to find a brick and mortar shop that will stand behind what they sell, and that you know will be there next season to help you out.
I have a Chinese scooter. Can you fix it? I think it only needs…
We’ve learned the hard way not mess with these scooters. Most of the shops that carry them don’t seem stay in business for very long.
If you do have a Chinese scooter and need service you can try Studz hardware in Dearborn Heights for service, 4457 S Telegraph Rd, (313) 563-1058. Or Scooters and More 3123 S. Wayne Rd. in Wayne Michigan (734) 722-5908.
I bought an old scooter at a garage sale (or from a friend, an auction, etc) and it hasn’t run for the past 10 years. How much will it cost to get it going?
Probably more than you originally estimated. We’re happy to take a look at it for you and give you an initial estimate of what we think the problems are. We charge one hour labor for this service. Please note that restoring a vintage/older scooter is ALWAYS more expensive than you thought it was going to be, and probably more expensive than buying one that was in good shape to begin with. It is very rare that a bike that has been sitting “just needs the sparkplug replaced” or whatever the seller is telling you.
Where Can I Learn More About Scooters?
www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Scooter_tips-screen.pdf
www.scooterbbs.com
www.modernvespa.com
www.modernbuddy.com
www.Vespausa.com
www.Kymcousa.com
www.Genuinescooters.com
www.Tomosusa.com
I want still more information! Where can I find other scooterist to about scoots obsessively?
Scoot Michigan!
http://www.scootmi.com/
For what’s happening on scoots in the Mitten State!
Ann Arbor Area Scooter Club (A3SC)
http://www.a3sc.org/
A multi-make club that meets every Wednesday (in season) in downtown Ann Arbor.
Rovers Scooter Club
http://www.rovers-usa.com
A very active vintage club in and around Detroit. Chapters in Windsor and Cleveland.
Jedi Knights Scooter Club
www.jksc.org/forum
A vintage-only scooter club in Ann Arbor with branches around the country.
Grand Rapids Scooter Club
http://www.grscooterclub.com/
West Siiiiiiiide!
Moped Army
www.mopedarmy.com
Three braches in Michigan. Yes, it does have to have pedals.
Michigan Moped Mafia
http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=7&sid=81ea6ebf58c5b4ce4873455cfea38754
I still have a question. Can I give you a call/email?
Absolutely! We talk scoots all day, everyday.
Our phone number is 734-484-9993, our email is scootaroundtown@gmail.com.
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