Okay so you’ve decided that you’re ready to have your hair in the wind and bugs in your teeth and get on a scooter. Congratulations, you’re about to join the club of people who are saving on gas, enjoying easy parking and having fun. Now that you’ve made the mental decision to start scooting comes the hard part, buying your first scooter. Too many times I see people just buying whatever their friend has or whatever is cheapest. While both of those may be factors in picking out a scooter there is much more to consider.
The first thing one must decide is whether you are going to buy a 50cc scooter or something larger. The 50cc scooters don’t require you to have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, while the larger scooter do require that you pass the motorcycle written and driving test with the DMV. Even if you are going to stay below 50cc you are still required to have a valid driver’s license. So if you lost your driving privileges due to traffic tickets or a DUI technically a scooter is not the answer for you. Check with your local DMV for your state's regulations.
With any size scooter you choose, it’s usually a good idea to take a riders course. There are probably many businesses in your area that will offer these courses. If you can’t find one on your own call a few motorcycle shops in town and they will steer you in the right direction. Often times the classroom part of the class is taught at a local motorcycle shop. The courses are designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and have several benefits. First, by passing the class you will have completed all the requirements to obtain your motorcycle endorsement. All you’ll have to do is walk into the DMV with your paperwork from the class and you are good to go. Second, many insurance companies offer insurance discounts after you have passed the MSF class. Last, the class will teach you good riding habits, which will hopefully keep you scooting safely. Even if you are only riding a 50cc scooter taking a MSF is still a good idea.
Since the topic of insurance was mentioned I think it’s worth a moment of your time to give you some guidance. If you purchase a scooter larger then 50cc you will be required to have insurance. Whether or not you get full coverage will be up to you and if you finance the scooter the finance company may have specific insurance requirements. While you are not required to have insurance on a 50cc scooter, I think it’s a good idea to have full coverage. The reason for this is that 50cc are very small and easy to steal. Even if you have a good lock the damage done by an attempted theft can often cause significant damage. Last, insurance for a 50cc scooter is usually cheaper then you might expect.
Next time we’ll cover the actual sales process and give you something to consider when making your purchase decision.
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