Scooters – Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the red numbers to view each answer.
Defining Terms:
1.1 What is a scooter?
1.2 How do scooters differ from mopeds?
1.3 How do scooters differ from motorcycles?
1.4 What are "classic" scooters?
1.5 What are "modern" scooters?
1.6 What are "retro" scooters?
1.7 What are "chopper", "cut-down",
"mod" and "rat" scooters?
1.8 What are "two-strokes" and "four-strokes"
and how do they differ?
1.9 What are "maxi", "touring",
"sport" and "performance" scooters?
Why Scooters Exist:
2.1 What are the general advantages of scooters?
2.2 What are the general disadvantages of scooters?
2.3 Don't the small wheels on scooters make them unsafe?
2.4 What are the advantages of scooters over motorcycles?
2.5 What are the upcoming trends for scooters?
Scooter Speeds.:
3.1 How fast can scooters go?
3.2 Can I make my scooter go faster?
3.3 How do you make 2-stroke scooters go faster?
3.4 How can I de-restrict my 50cc scooter?
3.5 How do you make 4-stroke scooters go faster?
3.6 Is there organised scooter racing?
Popular Scooter Makes:
4.1 What are Vespa or Piaggio scooters?
4.2 What are Lambretta scooters?
4.3 What are Cushman scooters?
4.4 What are Honda scooters?
4.5 What are Yamaha scooters?
4.6 What are other popular makes of scooters?
4.7 What are "clone" scooters?
Buying A Scooter:
5.1 What is a good "beginners" scooter
to buy?
5.2 Which make or model of scooter is best to buy?
5.3 What engine size do I need?
5.4 Should I buy a new or used scooter?
5.5 Where can I find used scooters for sale?
5.6 How can I determine the value of an old scooter
I have?
5.7 Does it makes sense to buy "grey market"
scooters?
5.8 Why does the same scooter have different names?]
Scooter Culture:
6.1 What is "scooter culture"?
6.2 What are "scooter clubs"?
6.3 Why do some clubs only accept one make of scooter?
6.4 What is a "scooter rally"?
6.5 Will my scooter be accepted at a scooter rally?
6.6 What is a "scooter run"?
6.7 Who are "mods" and "skins"
and how do they relate to scooters?
6.8 Why is there a rivalry between owners of classic
and modern scooters?
Scooter Forums:
7.1 What is the history of "alt.scooter"?
7.2 Are there other scooter newsgroups?
7.3 Are there listservs devoted to scooters?
7.4 About Alt.Scooter - producers of the FAQ content.
Defining Terms:
The term "scooter" refers to a "motorscooter" which
tend to be two-wheeled vehicles, although some three-wheeled scooters
exist. Scooters have been around almost as long as motorcycles and the
distinction between the two has often been blurred (see 1.3).
The most commonly accepted definition of scooters requires two-wheeled
vehicles (or two-wheeled vehicles modified to have a rear axle) that have
wheels between 8 and 14 inches in diameter (smaller than motorcycles),
step-thru frames and typically engines that are low and close to the rear
wheel. However, it should be noted that this definition is not universally
accepted, as some argue that scooters need only have 2 out of 3 of these
attributes. Scooters also often incorporate full bodywork, including legshields
and are designed generally to be easier to operate than standard motorcycles.
It should be noted that scooters may be of any engine size, though historically
they range from 50cc to 250cc. Likewise, there is no limitation to possible
top speed inherent in scooter design; many scooters regularly exceed 100mph.
There are also scooters with very small engines (under 40cc) commonly
called "go-peds" and look like motorised push scooters. [top]
1.2 How do scooters differ from mopeds?
It is a common mistake for people to confuse scooters and mopeds. In
fact, many vehicles are both. By legal definition, a "moped"
is any two-wheeled vehicle of any design which meets local regulations
that commonly relate to speed restriction. Commonly, mopeds may not exceed
30-35mph and still legally be considered mopeds. Confusion reigns, however,
because some localities may require pedals, while others do not, and speed
restrictions may vary from place to place. Further, a common moped design
has been large, motorcycle-type wheels on vehicles that can commonly look
very much like scooters, blurring the distinction. However, the term "moped"
in any locality will always refer first to any vehicle that meets local
regulations to such vehicles, and secondly to whatever designs people
there may commonly associate with mopeds. Many speed-restricted scooters
are legally marketed as mopeds, sometimes even with pedals. The overlap
simply goes to body design with speed restrictions. It should be noted
that most mopeds can be modified to exceed designed speed, in which case
they are no longer legally mopeds, but motorcycles. If they have a scooter
design, they will simply be faster scooters. [top]
1.3 How do scooters differ from motorcycles?
By definition, motorcycles are nearly any two-wheeled, motorised vehicle.
Therefore, scooters are by definition simply a specific motorcycle design.
This is why in most localities, there are no regulations for scooters
per se, and thus scooters fall either under moped regulations or by default,
they are legally treated as motorcycles. There are a few localities that
have specific regulations for scooters, but as these are extremely uncommon
and follow no real pattern, they are not covered here. The reason that
scooters are commonly not treated as equals in motorcycle circles is simply
because they generally are slower and not as performance-oriented as their
larger cousins. So technically, all scooters are motorcycles, though usually
only scooters that more closely resemble what are more commonly called
motorcycles will be referred to as such. [top]
1.4 What are "classic" scooters?
The term "classic" scooter has been coined to differentiate
the older, original scooter designs from those that developed later on
in the 80s and 90s. Piaggio has produced its Vespa scooters since 1946
and the design has been endlessly copied by other makers right up to the
present day. Likewise, other makers have copied Lambretta designs. There
have also been a few innovative designs related to neither, but the vast
majority of "classic" scooters are variations of a Vespa or
Lambretta. Those that prefer this type will commonly point to the classic
50s and 60s styling, almost exclusive use of metal bodywork, extensive
use of manual shifting mechanisms, kickstarters, and typically older scooters,
though these designs are still produced all over the world. Contrary to
popular belief, even early Japanese scooter design followed the "classic"
scheme, which is why 50s and 60s Japanese scooters by Fuji, Mitsubishi,
Honda and Yamaha are all commonly accepted in classic scootering circles.
Likewise, some "classic" scooters have automatic transmissions
(e.g. Fuji Rabbit) and electric starters (e.g. some Vespa and Lambretta
models). [top]
1.5 What are "modern" scooters?
Vespa and Lambretta scooters long dominated world markets and all those
attempting to compete typically copied their designs. This included early
scooters produced in Japan. Because those designs ultimately could not
compete with Vespa and Lambretta, scooters were no longer produced in
Japan in the 70s. When the 80s dawned, Honda and Yamaha decided it was
time again for them to produce scooters, albeit with a different design
concept. These new designs featured radical, futuristic styling; plastic
body panels to reduce costs; automatic shifting and many features not
commonly found on older Vespa and Lambretta scooters. These are now called
"modern" scooters to differentiate them from the older, "classic"
designs. It should be noted that Piaggio produces both the "classic"
Vespa scooter line and a wildly popular "modern" scooter line
as well. Because "classic" scooters are still produced by several
companies, the terms do not relate to date of manufacture. It is typical
of "modern" scooter design that the distinction between motorcycles
and scooters has been seriously blurred, though it still clearly remains.
[top]
1.6 What are "retro" scooters?
Because the classic Vespa and Lambretta designs have endured in popularity
for so very long and continue to sell well even today, there have been
recent attempts to market essentially modern scooters with classicly styled
frames. A recent well-known attempt would be Italjet with their Velocifero
that has been widely marketed all over the world. Because the Velocifero
uses a metal body in a classic design, some also consider it a classic
scooter, though others aren't so sure. When Honda went to market it's
Giorno, with a plastic body, it was seen as naked attempt to copy the
Vespa magic. Likewise, Yamaha has produced the Vino, which now also comes
in a "classic edition". Malaguti and other companies are now
doing the same thing, though the most brazen copy of the Vespa must be
the Suzuki Verde, which even imitates the old classic Vespa script nameplate.
It will be only over time that scooterists will decide which (if any)
of these designs become accepted as true "classic" scooters.
Given the constant advancement of scooter designs, some even feel that
eventually, the first modern scooters of the early 80s by Honda and Yamaha
will eventually be accepted as "classics". Only time will tell
for certain. [top]
1.7 What are "chopper", "cut-down", "mod" and "rat" scooters?
Because most Lambretta scooters feature a tubular
frame, it is very easy to make them look like miniature Harley chopper
motorcycles, and many scooterists have done this. These are called "chopper"
scooters. Since Vespa scooters are almost exclusively
of unibody design, the only way to make them look anything like choppers
is to literally cut the body panels down to make the scooter slimmer.
When they stop there, these are called "cut-downs". If they
then add extra long forks, they can also become choppers.
So-called "mod" scooters typically feature lots of chrome accessories,
and lots of mirrors and lights. While it's not essential, mod scooters
are usually ridden by "mods". Finally, "rats"
are simply very unattractive running scooters, either because they have
been crashed, had their paint stripped for restoration or simply never
been maintained. Many "rat" owners purposely parade these scooters
to generate amusement. It is typical of many scooter rallies
that "choppers", "cut-downs", "mod" and
"rat" scooters will get their own award categories. [top]
1.8 What are "two-strokes" and "four-strokes" and how do they differ?
There is a very important technical distinction between engine designs
in the scooter world. "Two-stroke" engines burn the gas and
lubricating oil together as part of the combustion process, which results
in greater lower end torque, fewer moving parts and greater fuel efficiency.
Unfortunately, this also means they pollute more, as unburned oil fumes
exit the exhaust system. This is why two-strokes are being banned in many
industrialised countries concerned with air quality. Virtually all classic
scooters are two-stroke. The oldest models require "pre-mixing",
which is simply pouring pre-measured oil into the gas tank when fueling.
Newer models have eliminated this by adding oil injection systems that
mix the oil and gas automatically. Vespas built after
about 1978 typically have oil injection, but all Lambrettas
are pre-mix only. There are some very good online illustrated
demonstrations of how two-stroke engines work.
"Four-stroke" engines are more closely related to car engines,
in that they keep the lubrication and fuel systems separate, which keeps
emissions down considerably since there is no oil burned in the combustion
process, unlike with "two-stroke" engines. Most modern
scooters utilise four-stroke engines, though many modern scooters also
use two-stroke engines, especially in 50cc models. One major disadvantage
of four-stroke engines is that they are prone to overheating when run
at maximum speed over several hours, leading to serious internal damage.
Two-stroke engines do not have this limitation. Either engine design may
be either water or air-cooled, though most two-strokes are air-cooled
and most four-strokes are water-cooled. [top]
1.9 What are "maxi", "touring", "sport"
and "performance" scooters?
In the late 80s, Honda came out with a revolutionary new scooter design
with their introduction of the 250cc Helix. This scooter was exceptionally
large, derisively called a "Barcalounger on wheels", but it
seems to have filled a certain niche market and now many models exist,
from nearly all major scooter manufacturers. These have come to be known
as "maxi", "GT" or "touring" scooters, because
they are designed for riding long distances in comfort. The trade off
is that they are bulky to handle at low speeds, like in town. As of July
1999, the largest scooter made is now the 400cc Suzuki Burgman.
The "sport" or "performance" scooter has been around
since the 60s, when Innocenti and Piaggio created several new Lambretta
and Vespa models (respectively) designed specifically to fit the needs
of riders who wanted very high performance. Vespa came out with models
like the GS and SS, while Lambretta countered with the TV, SX and GP.
This has accellerated in the late 80s and into the 90s with ever faster
designs that seem most practical on race tracks, but get ridden on streets
anyway. Probably the two most blatant examples as of July 1999 would be
the Gilera Runner 180 (21hp and 85mph stock) and the Italjet Dragster
(80mph after some modifications). [top]
Why Scooters Exist:
2.1 What are the advantages of scooters?
Scooters originated very early on in the development of motorcycles generally
to address problems that some felt were inherent to common motorcycle
design. Foremost was covering of the engine compartment. This was done
to avoid inadvertent contact with hot engine parts, which is a common
concern for motorcyclists. This concern went further with the covering
of the rest of the body, along with a front legshield, meant to protect
the rider from mud, water and road debris that might drift up from the
road below. The common step-thru design initially was so ladies could
wear dresses without compromising their modesty, but it has come to be
welcomed because it allows the rider to sit on the seat much like a chair,
instead of straddling the vehicle, as is common on motorcycles. This tends
to be a more comfortable riding position for the short distances that
most scooters were designed to cover.
Further, the smaller wheels give faster turning response and many scooter
designs mount these smaller wheels on one side only, making removal extremely
easy and making it feasible to carry a spare. The smaller tyres also allow
enough room so that underseat storage is possible for one or more helmets.
Scooters by their nature also have far more bodywork available for custom
paint schemes, and therefore lend themselves more to personal expression
in their customisation. Scooters also typically are easier to learn to
ride than many motorcycles and scooters often have a more acceptable social
image. [top]
2.2 What are the disadvantages of scooters?
To be fair, there are some disadvantages to scooters. This means you
are more exposed to the elements like wind and rain, and dangers such
as cars and trucks. Most scooters have smaller engines than most motorcycles,
and thus you may have problems keeping up with the speed of traffic. This
is why it's so critical to have a scooter engine larger than you really
need, to give you the power to pull away from trouble. The wheels are
also smaller, so there is more of a concern with going over potholes,
for example. Scooters also have more bodywork than motorcycles, so you'll
have to maintain that. Retail prices of scooters are generally higher
than the same size capacity of motorcycle, so that's a factor also. Because
scooters tend to be so lightweight, they are often easier to steal than
many motorcycles, so that's a concern too. [top]
2.3 Don't the small wheels on scooters make them unsafe?
The answer very simply is a loud NO! Contrary to common myth, the smaller
wheels on scooters do not make them noticeably less safe and an argument
can be made that this very trait makes them *safer* than their larger-wheeled
cousins. Smaller wheels result in greater handling responsiveness, which
can keep the scooterist out of trouble more readily. Scooters simply manuever
more easily than motorcycles generally. While it's true that smaller wheels
are more vulnerable to getting caught by large potholes, you should also
know that those same smaller wheels result in more lower end torque, which
will more readily pull you out of that same pothole. This is why a scooter
of the same engine size can often outperform a motorcycle from a dead
start.
Likewise, the smaller wheels on scooters help when cornering, as there
is not the need to slide the back wheel as on motorcycles and there is
less gyroscopic effect. These aspects give scooters an advantage over
motorcycles on racetracks and is why they were banned from motorcycle
racing [see Dregni & Dregni chapter on the Mustang]. Also, those same
smaller wheels allow for a lower center of gravity, which is a definite
advantage. Lastly, you'll find smaller wheels noticeably cheaper to replace.
All in all, there are advantages to small wheels! [top]
2.4 What are the advantages of scooters over motorcycles?
As already noted, scooters are actually just small motorcycles. However,
there is still a clear distinction between scooters and the rest of the
motorcycle family. Generally, scooters have been designed purposely for
those that are intimidated by motorcycles, on whatever level. Scooters
are easier to learn to ride and often easier to operate. They also don't
tend to carry the "rough" image that motorcycles often convey.
Scooters better protect the rider from hot engine parts by use of extensive
body panels, which also make it easier to customise the scooter to suit
ones personal taste. Those same body panels also typically protect the
rider better from road debris and keep passengers away from the rear wheel,
which rarely on scooters have spokes anyway. Newer scooters are even easier
to operate, as most are now electric start and have automatic transmissions,
which furthers the scooter tradition of making an affordable vehicle that
is extremely easy to operate. [top]
2.5 What are the upcoming trends for scooters?
There are clearly several strong trends in scooter development worldwide.
The most obvious is the race to create new "maxi-scooters" with
ever larger engines. Another trend is to create more 4-stroke scooters,
but with the older, classic scooter styling. The Bajaj Legend may easily
be the most advanced in this, since it is essentially a 4-stroke version
of the Vespa PX150, including a metal body, gearing and kickstart. Another
exciting development are electric scooters being produced by several companies,
including Piaggio, Honda and Peugeot. [top]
Scooter Speeds:
3.1 How fast can scooters go?
In spite of common myth, scooters are not slow by design, unless they
are also speed-restricted mopeds. The world speed record for scooters
is thought to be held by Marlene Parker of England who in 1965 ran her
200cc Lambretta at over 130mph on a racetrack at Monza, though it was
deemed an unofficial time. It is very common now for Vespa and Lambretta
scooters to exceed 100mph on racetracks. Many scooters without modification
will go over 70mph and speed varies widely depending on various aspects
like engine size, exhaust flow, gear ratios, etc. Many of the more popular
50cc scooters in Europe have commonly available racing kits that allow
them to go much faster. A good example is the Italjet Dragster, which
will reach 80mph after kitting. [top]
3.2 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
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. [top]
3.3 How do you make 2-stroke scooters go faster?
This is typically done by changing to a higher performance exhaust, larger
cylinder and piston, larger carb with different jetting, lighter flywheel,
water cooling, etc. The first place to start is nearly always the exhaust.
Unlike 4-strokes, the exhaust system on 2-strokes is critical to their
performance. Removing it will make the scooter sputter and run poorly,
if at all. Shape is extremely critical and this will also change the sound
(and loudness). The easiest thing is to replace the standard exhaust with
a performance one, easily available for nearly any model scooter at any
of the larger scooter shops around the world. The standard exhaust typically
is a compromise between power and performance at various speeds. Performance
exhausts will modify this, for example, by allowing a higher top speed,
by sacrificing power at lower speeds. [top]
3.4 How can I de-restrict my 50cc scooter?
The basic ideas are simple enough. Most begin by removing the restrictors
from the exhaust-system. Usually you must remove a small washer welded
inside the exhaust-system. If that isn't enough, you can try a high performance
exhaust-system. Some good brands are LeoVinci, Arrows, or Giannelli. If
you have done these things you must replace the original jet from the
carburator, for a bigger one. Another place that may have a restrictor
is the variomatic (automatic transmision). In the first part of the variomatic
is a big ring which must be removed. Last but not least, most Japanese
scooters like Honda and Yamaha use electronic restrictors. You must cut
the red wire on the earliest models (80s & early 90s) or replace the
entire CDI unit on newer models (mid 90s on).
The little weights inside the variomatic are responsible for a balance
of accelleration/top-speed. You must buy a set of those weights, so you
can try to find the balance between accelleration/top-speed. They are
made by companies like Bettella and available through various scooter
shops, though mostly in Asia and Europe. Some of the better known mail-order
shops selling all these items are Taffspeed Racing in the UK. [top]
3.5 How do you make 4-stroke scooters go faster?
Like a 2-stroke, volumetric efficiency is the critical aspect to increasing
power on a 4-stroke engine. However, the mechanism to achieve the same
goal differs. Anything that gets more air and fuel mixture into a motor
makes the bang bigger and increases power. So longer cam duration sucks
more mixture in, bigger carbs allow better flow, bigger/more valves increase
flow, and larger header pipes increase flow (notice the pattern here).
Turbos and superchargers do the same thing but they force more in. Nitrous
oxide carries much more oxygen than air so by squirting in NOS and more
fuel to go with it, again you get a bigger bang. The thing is they all
tend to make more power, but further up the rev range (except supercharging
and NOS injection), usually reducing power and torque down low, big bores
are the only thing that doesnt do this. [top]
3.6 Is there organised scooter racing?
Nearly from their origin, scooters have been raced much like motorcycles.
Regularly organised scooter racing of Vespa and Lambretta scooters occur
Worldwide. Honda, Yamaha and other modern scooters
are also regularly raced in Europe, Asia and - strangely - Hawaii. There
is regular motocross racing in Italy called "scooter-cross".
Scooter racing is a professional sport heavily sponsored in Europe and
Asia, and a semi-professional sport in the USA with moderate sponsorship.
All scooter racing utilises various vehicle classes much like motorcycle
circuits, and these include stock and heavily modified classes. Typically,
performance products are tested under race conditions and manufacturers
compete for their reputations. There are performance racing shops for
scooters in all the same places they are regularly raced and it's become
a thriving industry. [top]
Popular Scooter Makes:
4.1 What are Vespa or Piaggio scooters?
Over 15 million Vespas have been sold since they first appeared over
50 years ago and they continue to sell well today all over the world.
The name means "wasp" in Italian, and refers to the original
body shape. While the Vespa was by no means the first scooter, it is certainly
the best known all over the world. Vespa scooters have always been produced
by the Piaggio company of Genoa, Italy, though licensing agreements all
over the world have often allowed other names to appear on Vespa scooters
as well.
The Piaggio company has been around much longer than their famous scooters,
but the two became enmeshed after WWII because the former aircraft manufacturer
was forced by treaty agreements to find new things to manufacture. They
hit upon the Vespa scooter as a transportation alternative to bicycles
in war-ravaged Italy. The first Vespa was produced in 1946 and was an
instant success. Even more amazing is that this early body design is largely
still produced even in 1998 and shows no end in sight yet. Many model
variations have been produced with small, but noticeable differences and
engine sizes have ranged from 50-200cc.
Today, Piaggio produces and markets their popular Vespa scooter line all
over the world. It has been the best selling line in two-wheeled history.
There have been almost 100 different models made to date of the Vespa
alone. Because several former licensees still use essentially Vespa designs
even today, the Vespa look is also marketed under names like Bajaj in
India and PGO in Taiwan, though neither company has any official connection
with Piaggio. In the late 80s, Piaggio began producing scooters of modern
design under the "Piaggio" nameplate to compete with the Japanese
competition then sweeping through Europe, and these new scooters are today
the bulk of Piaggio's European production. However, the company continues
to produce older, classic scooters under the "Vespa" nameplate
all over the world, including in Italy, and these scooters seem to have
kept a steady market share. Piaggio has indicated it intends to produce
Vespa scooters well into the next century. Gilera is a wholly-owned subsdiary
of Piaggio that also produces scooters. [top]
4.2 What are Lambretta scooters?
Early on, competition developed to Piaggio and its Vespa scooter line.
One of the earliest and most effective competitors was Innocenti of Italy
with their Lambretta line. Because the Vespa scooter was so dominant among
the scooter riding public in Italy, Innocenti decided to focus their efforts
on those who wanted something more stylish and with more performance than
a Vespa. It is because of those aspects that love for Lambretta scooters
has endured, even as the companies that have made them have struggled.
The first Lambretta was produced in 1947, one year after the first Vespa.
For a long time, the rivalry between Vespa and Lambretta helped both companies
produce better and better models.
Unfortunately, Innocenti ran into numerous financial difficulties and
eventually stopped production of the Lambretta in 1970. However, the original
Lambretta plant was bought by Scooters India, Limited (SIL) and moved
to India where it still largely exists. While the plant equipment was
being moved and reassembled in India, the Serveta company of Eibar, Spain
picked up world demand with their licensed Lambretta scooters that have
slight variations from standard Innocenti designs. SIL started production
of the older Innocenti designs around 1979, but struggled as a wholly-owned
government owned operation. The last batch of Lambretta GP200 scooters
was produced in 1997 and rumors exist that the plant is now being relocated
to Turkey, with manufacture to resume there under new ownership. In any
case, the love of the Lambretta scooter never dies and there are several
websites for them, including Lambretta
History. [top]
4.3 What are Cushman scooters?
Cushman Motor Works was founded around 1901-1902 by Everett Cushman and
his cousin, Clinton, to produce farm engines. In order to sell more engines,
Cushman installed one of the motors on a scooter, which began the scooter
era for Cushman. They built two-wheel and three-wheel scooters from 1936
through 1965 for the public and the military. This lasted until the Japanese
motorcycle imports began. Cushman also sold scooters to Sears for mail-order
sales from 1951 through 1961. These scooters were sold under the "Allstate"
brand name and were all step-thru type scooters with some minor changes
from the normal production runs. Several types of scooters were manufactured
by Cushman beginning with the step-thru type, which was produced until
the end of the scooter era. Probably the most famous Cushman was the Eagle,
which started production around 1950-1951 and lasted until 1965. Many
different models were manufactured, including from three-wheel and four-wheel
vehicles. Cushman is still in production in Lincoln, Nebraska, but they
now produce industrial-type vehicles. An interesting note: In 1961 Cushman
Motors and Piaggio of Genoa, Italy, the manufacturer of Vespa scooters,
came to an agreement which allowed Cushman to import and sell the Vespa
through Cushman dealerships. The scooters came with a cast aluminum emblem
at the top of the legshield identifying them as Cushman- Vespa. It read,
"Cushman sold in the United States by Cushman Motors, Lincoln, Nebraska,
USA." However, many Cushman dealers refused to sell the Vespa, but
those who did had good success over the next three years. It is estimated
that around 3,500 Cushman-Vespas were sold. [top]
4.4 What are Honda scooters?
Contrary to what many think, Honda was producing classic scooters back
in the 50s and 60s in Japan. The problem was that Fuji and Mitsubishi
both were far better at it, so eventually Honda gave up in the mid-60s
and concentrated on their Cub moped instead. Ironically, the wild success
of the Cub drove Fuji and Mitsubishi out of the two-wheeled market forever.
In 1980, Honda decided to re-enter the scooter market in Japan and then
exported to the US, Europe and Asia their new modern
scooters which were very successful. These scooters have been licensed
to other companies and now Honda is in the same position as Piaggio, as
former licensees now produce essentially Honda scooter designs under other
nameplates unrelated to Honda. As Honda has sought to increase its market
share, it has also set up plants around the world to produce scooters,
including in Italy, ironically, where Honda scooters sell quite well.
For some reason, Honda doesn't promote scooters much online, which is
why it's hard to find official websites for them. There are several websites
for Honda scooters, with Honda
Scooterist one of the more comprehensive. [top]
4.5 What are Yamaha scooters?
Many do not realise that Yamaha marketed a classic
scooter back in 1960 in Japan. It was not a success, however, largely
because Fuji and Mitsubishi so largely dominated the Japanese market,
so sometime in the mid-60s Yamaha gave up. It was not until around 1980
that Yamaha decided to re-enter the scooter market with updated versions
of their earlier attempt and this time they were successful, both in Asia,
Europe and in the US. In fact, Yamaha modern scooter
designs have been copied by other companies in Asia and marketed under
other nameplates, and Yamaha has also entered into various licensing agreements
around the world. Further, Yamaha produces a popular scooter line in France
through their wholly-owned subsidiary MBK (formerly called Motobecane),
which sells quite well throughout Europe. Several websites have appeared
for them, including Yamaha
Riva Scooter, among others. [top]
4.6 What are some other popular makes of scooters?
Most every company in the world that either has made or currently makes
motorcycles has also produced scooters. Harley-Davidson even produced
a scooter for awhile, though they don't seem especially proud of that
fact today. Many scooter makers around the world build models either licensed
from a better-known company or based on their own designs. The biggest
players in the world scooter market are still Honda,
Yamaha
and Piaggio (which
produces Vespa). Other
major companies currently producing scooters are: Aprilia,
Atala,
Bajaj, Benelli,
Beta, BMW,
Cagiva, CPI,
Daelim, Derbi,
Eternal Royal, Gilera,
Hero,
Hyosung,
Italjet, JinCheng
(Panda in USA), Kinetic,
Kymco, LML,
Malaguti, MBK,
Nanfang,
Peugeot,
QingQi (formerly
Kasea in the USA), Rieju,
Sundiro, Suzuki,
SYM, TGB,
and TVS. Major
scooter makes from the past, beyond the obvious Vespa and Lambretta would
include Cushman and Salsbury of the USA; Mitsubishi
and Fuji
of Japan; NSU,
Heinkel,
Zundapp,
and Durkopp
of Germany. [top]
4.7 What are "clone" scooters?
As exists in many industries, there has developed a tendency among some
scooter makers, especially when first getting started, of copying popular
designs from better known companies. When these are so nearly identical
and obvious that people notice, we call them "clones" of the
scooters they copy. An obvious example would be Bajaj. Once an official
licensed producer of Vespa scooters in India, when the agreement ended
in the 60s, Bajaj just kept producing the same scooters anyway. Piaggio
sued to stop them, but lost, and so Bajaj to this day produces classic
scooters clearly based on older Vespa designs. PGO has also produced Vespa
clones, as have several other companies. Currently several Asian companies,
like Daelim in Korea, produce Honda and Yamaha scooter clones. Generally,
the home country protects the right of their local producers to build
these cloned scooters, leaving the object of this attention powerless,
except to point out typical deficiencies in quality compared with the
original. [top]
Buying A Scooter:
5.1 What is a good "beginners" scooter to buy?
Almost by definition, all scooters are meant for "beginners"
in that it's usually very easy to learn how to ride one. Typically, modern
scooters are considered the easiest to learn, just because they have electric
starters and automatic transmissions. They are essentially twist and go
vehicles that take most people about 5-10 minutes to learn. However, even
the manual shifting and kickstart of most classic scooters
are not difficult to master, given about 40-60 minutes of practice. Of
course, smooth shifting will take a day or two to master, but the basics
are not difficult. And kickstarting is only a problem if the scooter has
not been maintained properly; it should start by the second or third kick
at least, or something is wrong. [top]
5.2 Which model of scooter is best to buy?
Of course, this varies widely depending on who you ask. The better question
to ask first is what you want to use the scooter for and what expectations
do you have for it. If you want style above all else, a good classic
scooter is likely your best bet. However, if you simply want reliable
transportation, a modern scooter may be a better choice.
In most cases, larger capacity scooters are usually better than smaller
ones. Among those "in the know", the Vespa GS is considered
the best classic Vespa, while the PX series has been around for over 20
years now because of its great reliability. A great resource for buying
used Vespas is the Vespa
Buyer's Guide. The Piaggio Typhoon has also earned a solid reputation.
Among Lambrettas, the TV/SX/GP series machines are all considered the
best models. Among Honda scooterists, the CH250 (aka Honda Elite/Spacy/Freeway)
and the CN250 (aka Honda Helix/Fusion/Spazio) have earned strong followings.
The Yamaha XC180 and XC200 (aka Riva) has developed a solid reputation,
as has the Yamaha CW50 (aka BWs/Zuma II). [top]
5.3 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 driving, it will be highly desirable to buy the
largest engine you can find, at least 200cc. Around town, the engine may
be smaller for most needs. Stock 50cc models really are only best if you
will have minimal interaction with automobiles, as they typically have
difficulty maintaining speeds much above 35mph, unless they have been
modified to go faster. If you will carry passengers,
weigh quite a bit or plan to ride up steep hills often, you will also
want larger capacity, at least 70cc for around town. All scooter engines
typically have a shorter lifespan when they are constantly run full throttle,
so you should take this into account also. Lastly, it is always adviseable
to have excess engine capacity to accellerate out of trouble and to pass
safely. [top]
5.4 Should I buy a new or used scooter?
Buying new or used usually depends on your budget and what is available
in your area. A good used scooter that has been properly maintained in
most cases should be almost as good as a new one, though of course you'll
usually lose the advantage of any dealer warranties. It is especially
critical to carefully examine a used 50cc scooter, as all too often they
have been abused the most by straining the engine to the limit much of
their life. A good used scooter can have a nearly unlimited life if properly
maintained, which will include seals and gaskets, which often disintegrate
over time. This is why mileage alone is not a good indicator of condition.
There are also common misperceptions about how many miles a scooter engine
will require before rebuilding. This is also an issue of how it was maintained
and stored. Vespa engines have been known to have an ultimate life of
over 100,000 miles and commonly rebuilds are done after about 25,000-30,000
miles. In all cases, as with autos, highway miles are much easier on scooter
engines than stop-and-go city driving. Lastly, the downside of buying
the lastest scooter models out is that to a certain extent you provide
the data on whether this model will be reliable. This is why it might
be advisable sometimes to wait awhile or at least buy an established scooter
model, in which all the "bugs" have been worked out. [top]
5.5 Where can I find used scooters for sale?
Unfortunately, seeking old scooters can be a bit difficult if you don't
know much about them.Apart from our clasified section(!) one of the best
places to shop is Scooter Trader, published monthly in the magazine "Scootering"
This has a wide range of second hand scooters at decent prices. It also
helps to ask local new scooter dealers, who often know someone looking
to get rid of a scooter they no longer desire. There are several UK dealers
who only handle classic bikes - if that's what you want. [top]
5.6 How can I determine the value of an old scooter I have?
This often comes up when someone discovers an old scooter collecting
dust in the back of their garage. Often the person asking this question
is hoping it's worth a lot, because somewhere they heard "they get
a lot of money for these old scooters these days". Maybe and maybe
not. In actuality, most old scooters collecting dust aren't worth much
as they sit. The value is proportionate to the condition, desirability
and marketability of the scooter. Condition means things like if it runs
(easily the most important issue!), whether all body parts are intact,
if there is rust present, if the fuel has turned to varnish, etc. Desirability
means how much in demand a certain scooter model is. Contrary to many
novice opinions, various scooter models by the same manufacturer will
often fetch widely varying prices in the same condition, just because
knowledgeable people greatly desire some models and spurn others. For
example, among Vespa scooter enthusiasts, the GS, SS, Rally and P200 models
are most in demand. Likewise, those looking for Lambretta scooters typically
want a 200cc Series III model (TV, SX or GP) and are least interested
in smaller engines (150cc and below), LDs or smaller Li models. Those
seeking used Honda scooters typically are most interested in the Helix/Spazio
(CN250), Elite/Spacy 250 (CH250) or Elite/Spacy 150 (CH150) and are far
less interested in the smaller engines, like anything 125cc or less. Yamaha
scooter fans most often want a Riva/Cygnus 180 or 200 and typically are
least interested in the models below 150cc. Lastly, marketability is a
large factor in selling price. If you have a desireable scooter in good
condition, but don't find a reliable way to contact interested buyers
with ready cash, you will necessarily get less money when selling. The
best way to judge potential selling price is to ask a number of people
knowledegable about your scooter model. Short of that, you making at best
an educated guess. [top]
5.7 Does it make sense to buy "grey market" scooters?
The term "grey market" is widely misunderstood. It has nothing
to do with the expression "black market", which refers to illegal
sales of an item. The "grey market" is the LEGAL sale of an
item that is not officially sold in that locality, for whatever reason.
In the scooter world, this will include any scooter not sold new by dealers.
For example, as of early 1998, Honda has not imported the 250cc Foresight
into the UK, so dealers there sell it strictly "grey market".
This represents an unknown strategic decision by Honda, since it is sold
elsewhere in Europe. There are many reasons why scooter companies fail
to officially import their vehicles, but in most cases it will be because
of a lack of interest sufficient to justify whatever expense is involved.
Scooters get into the "grey market" by one of two paths. The
first is when an individual personally imports a scooter that was not
officially imported and then later sells it, including to a dealer. In
this situation, the individual is personally responsible for all safety
and emission regulations being followed (the scooter may have to be modified
for this), as well as custom duties. The second path is when a dealer
officially imports USED scooters that were never imported new, but this
latter method only works when the scooter would have been legal when new,
even though it was never officially imported. Therefore, if a new scooter
is not legal for import to a country, then only an individual will be
able to import it. [top]
5.8 Why does the same scooter have different names?
Scooters are marketed all over the world by companies often very far
removed in language and culture from the localities in which they are
trying to market their products. As a result, they often market under
a different company name, allow a local distributor to market under their
own local name or simply re-name individual models for that locality.
For example, Her Chee Motors (Taiwan) markets scooters under the Adly
name around the world. Yamaha (Japan) also markets using the name of their
wholly-owned subsidiary MBK (France). Piaggio (Italy) markets scooters
under the Vespa name, it's wholly-owned subsidiary Gilera (Italy) and
it's own name. Piaggio also recently allowed it's former licensee LML
(India) to use the Vespa name, though that licensing agreement ended in
1999. Innocenti (Italy) sold scooters under the Lambretta name, but then
also allowed use of that name by it's licensee Serveta (Spain). SIL (India)
bought the tooling from Innocenti and continues to produce Lambretta scooters.
QingQi (China) has allowed their scooters to be marketed as Kasea in the
USA, which is the name of their unrelated USA distributor (who now appears
to be marketing scooters under the Kasea name from Korea).
Additionally, manufacturers market the same model in varies countries
with different names because it just helps to sell more scooters. Some
names just don't sound as good in other languages. The best known scooter
with this situation is the Honda CN250. In the USA, it is called the "Helix",
in Japan it is the "Fusion", most of Europe calls it the "Spazio",
while in the UK it's simply the Honda CN250. Likewise, the popular Honda
scooters called "Elite" in the USA are called "Spacy"
everywhere else in the world, except for the CH250, which is called the
"Freeway" in Japan. Further, the Honda NS50 is sometimes called
the "Tact" and other times the "Vision", while the
SRX50 and SRX90 are called the "Joker" in Japan, but marketed
as the "Shadow" in Europe. Honda also marketed the "Aero"
in the USA, but has called it the "Lead" (pronounced "Leed")
everywhere else. Yamaha has done this also, as the SH50 "Razz"
in the USA is called the "Mint" elsewhere, just as the CW50
"Zuma II" in the USA is the "BWs" everywhere else.
The popular "Riva" line in the USA has been called the "Cygnus"
in Europe regarding anything over 125cc. The smaller "Riva"
line was the "Beluga" in Europe. And so it goes. [top]
Scooter Culture:
6.1 What is "scooter culture"?
While some people may think the term "scooter culture" is a
joke, those in the sub-culture take it very seriously. Many young scooterists
typically consider themselves either skins or mods
or simply "scooterboys". Many older scooterists were once in
one of these sub-groups and many still are. Any member of these sub-cultures
that is also into scooters typically will be considered part of the scooter
culture, which has its own terminology and values. One prominent value
is the glorification of classic scooters over all others.
Some of the more common terminology is explained elsewhere on this site
and the rest is either tied to the specific sub-culture or scooters themselves.
To be fair, most scooterists likely do not identify with any of these
sub-cultures, but there is a very visible element that does. [top]
6.2 What are "scooter clubs"?
These are simply groups organised by and for people interested in scooters.
Each club will reflect the interest of those in it and that can vary widely.
Some clubs cater to collectors, others to people seeking riding companions,
still others to those seeking advice and some simply provide a social
outlet to those interested in scooters. It's always a good idea to clarify
what the purpose behind any club actually is before trying to join. You
can view the list of UK clubs here.[top]
6.3 Why do some clubs only accept certain makes of scooters?
This is an often misunderstood aspect of some scooter clubs. Every club
when forming has to decide what makes of scooters they wish to include,
for whatever reason they choose to make that limitation. Sometimes this
is done because a major focus will be repair and restoration work, which
is often easier when limited to one make only. Most scooter clubs in the
world today are Vespa only, because over 11 million have been sold to
date and because historically they have engendered the strongest loyalty.
The next strongest following in the world likely are Lambrettas, which
have been known historically for style and performance. All other scooter
clubs combined in the world pale compared to the number and size of Vespa
or Lambretta clubs. This is a simple fact, though more and more all-makes
scooter clubs are appearing to accomodate the quickly expanding variety
of scooter makes in the world today.[top]
6.4 What is a "scooter rally"?
A scooter rally is an organised gathering of scooterists, usually over
two or more days, most often over a weekend. They vary widely depending
on who is sponsoring them and the interests of those attending. There
are currently scooter rallies held over much of Europe, USA and Asia nearly
every weekend, especially during summers. Larger European rallies can
have 1,000 + scooters. By definition, it's more important how many scooters
than people attend. Typically, they are sponsored by one or more scooter
organisations and feature a scooter run, prizes for
best scooters, scooter riding contests, various social activities and
sometimes camping.[top]
6.5 Will my scooter be accepted at a scooter rally?
This depends entirely on who is sponsoring the scooter rally and their
feelings about the subject. Typically, no one much cares how you transport
yourself to the rally itself, but there are usually feelings about which
scooters may be appropriate for the main scooter run of the rally, though
it's rare anyone will say much anyway. On the other hand, judging standards
for awards and prizes are usually tied to scooter makes and categories
that the sponsors feel fits best with their intent. A club that focuses
on Lambrettas may have awards exclusively for Lambrettas, for example.
It's rare for a classic scooter club to give awards
for modern scooters, though this will likely change
over time.[top]
6.6 What is a "scooter run"?
These are simply organised scooter rides, often sponsored by scooter
clubs. These may be held in conjunction with a scooter
rally or held as an event on its own. Scooter runs often focus on
things like scenic routes, interesting destinations, drinking (though
not too much!) at scheduled stops, etc. Some are annual or monthly events
and can be as elaborate as scooter rallies, though scooter runs by definition
are always single day events.[top]
6.7 Who are "mods" and "skins" and how do they relate to scooters?
These are terms for sub-cultures that have been part of scootering culture
for decades now. The "mods" originated in England during the
60s and were closely associated with scooters. The movie "Quadrophenia"
is a good primer on mod culture and when released in the early 80s sparked
an international scooter boom because of its attractive portrayal of scooter
culture. Many scooterists today trace their interest back to this popular
movie featuring the music of The Who, which in turn was a favoured mod
band in the 60s. Mods typically dress their scooters with lots of chrome
accessories, lights and mirrors, leading to what are commonly called "mod"
scooters. They also typically tend to favour soul, blues, motown and ska
music.[top]
The "skins" (short for "skinheads") later descended
from the mod subculture in England and also have always had close associations
with scooters. Skins have traditionally been strongly multi-racial, though
very small factions of neo-Nazi skins have given the movement a bad name
in recent years. Neo-nazi skins are commonly called "boneheads"
by the larger multi-racial movement who actively rejects them. While there
are many skin scooter clubs, there are no known "bonehead" scooter
clubs!, nor would they ever be tolerated.
6.8 Why is there a rivalry between owners of classic and modern scooters?
Quite simply, there are differing views of what makes a scooter "attractive".
As scooters are inherently esthetically-oriented vehicles, this is an
important distinction. Those who love classic scooters appreciate the
clear historical link of their scooter design to the earliest models that
became popular after WWII. Typically, they also loathe the widespread
use of plastic for body panels and just commonly dislike the very futuristic
designs of modern scooters. There is also a common perception that modern
scooters have contributed to the perceived decline of the classic scooter
market in Europe, which causes some anger. Modern scooter lovers typically
seek to avoid manual shifting, kickstarters and the need to do much mechanical
work themselves. They tend to view scooters as twist and go vehicles of
convenience, which is why they are less prone to customise their scooters,
though this is beginning to change. [top]
Scooter Forums:
7.1 What is the history of "alt.scooter"?
The newsgroup alt.scooter
was started in January '94 by Mary Scholl of the University of Pennsylvania,
"so that people could post stuff like info about upcoming rallies,
info about scooters for sale, info about stolen scooters, etc." It
provides a forum which enables scooterists to correspond with each other,
to exchange tips, information and stories, to come together and help each
other out with the trials and tribulations of scootering, in order to
further motorscootering as a mode of transportation, personal expression,
and a way of life. When Mary started the group, she assumed it would be
solely for classic scooter enthusiasts; she didn't think that owners of
more modern scooters would have any interest. It appears in its earliest
days that "alt.scooter" was used almost exclusively for cross-posting
messages from other NGs. Significant postings meant for "alt.scooter"
didn't appear largely until early in 1996. [Refer to 7.4
for further information on alt.scooter]. [top]
7.2 Are there other scooter newsgroups?
There are many other newsgroups (NG) besides alt.scooter
that discuss motorscooters. The most obvious is alt.scooter.classic,
which was begun sometime late in 1995 to discuss only classic
scooters, as opposed to the original NG that had opened up to modern
scooterists. There is also a German language scooter NG called de.rec.motorroller,
which is much like "alt.scooter" except in German (motorroller
= motorscooter).
In 1999 two new NGs were formed, alt.scooter.moped
and alt.moped,
apparently to expedite the creators efforts to purchase old mopeds. There
is also a go-ped NG called alt.sport.go-ped.
There are BBSs (precursors to Usenet) for classic scooters,
called the International
Scooterist BBS, one for Lambrettas maintained by the Lambretta
Club of Great Britain and one in Japanese only, called the Vespa
BBS. [top]
7.3 Are there listservs devoted to scooters?
Listservs are discussion lists maintained via email. The first listserv
created for scooters is currently called 2StrokeSmoke
and was begun as a more serious alternative to "alt.scooter"
for the discussion of classic scooters like Vespa and Lambretta. For people
specifically into Cushman scooters, there is Cushman
Net. Another listserv called the Modern Scooter List discusses all
modern scooters, though Honda and Yamaha discussion predominates there
and it has identical mirror sites on both eGroups
and Topica.
Lastly, there's the Twist
n Go Scoot which also discusses new automatic scooters. [top]
7.4 A bit about Alt.scooters FAQs page
99% of the content on this page is from Alt.scooter. It has always been mysterious to those outside the ranks of those who love and cherish motorscooters how a newsgroup (NG) can be devoted to them, let alone a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) website. However, the lure has been unrelenting since the earliest days of scooters and the expansion of knowledge and accessibility made possible by online interaction has only increased interest and the natural questions that typically arise. The goal here is to answer the most commonly asked questions as fully as possible in this limited space, using links to other websites to supply greater detail. This full version of FAQs has been in a constant state of revision since it was first begun in 1997 and then later publicly unveiled in 1998 and it is expressly hoped that user input will continue to improve it over time. Any comments about alt.scooter's FAQs should be addressed to Danny, who assumes sole responsibility for its content.
This list of FAQs is an abridged version of the original which can be found at alt.scooter. [top]