With the rising gas prices I am thinking of getting a scooter. However I do know very little about scooters.?

With the rising gas prices I am thinking of getting a scooter. However I do know very little about scooters. I have several questions about them. Could anyone please help? What are some good scooter books, websites, magazines, ECT? What brands of scooters are there, what is the best brand and why? In most states scooters under 50 don鈥檛 need extra license is this true? How much does insurance run? What is the highest mph for scooters? Are most scooters 1 or 2 passengers? Can/do scooters come with side carts and or storage space? What else about scooters should I know? Thank you.

Lots to cover here so the best I can do is answer a few and point to some sources. A good place to start would be Meetup.com; They host lots of local groups with know-how. http://scooter.meetup.com

Most of the brands are good, but for reliability and after-sales support you should look at Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kymco, TnG, Sym or Piaggio/Vespa. I ride a Yamaha Vino 125 and it's been indestructible after 55,000km and three drops.

Some states don't require a licence for 50cc scooters but even so you should take a safety course and get a motorcycle licence anyway- it could save your life. Also, if there are a lot of hills where you live and/or you weigh more than 150lb then most 50cc scooters are dangerously underpowered IMO. The safest starter bikes are in the 125-150cc range and they only cost a few hundred dollars more than a 50.

Insurance: That really varies, the best thing to do is go to an online quote site and play "what if" games.

Speed: Most 50cc scooters top out at 65-70km/h (35-45mph). My 125 will do 90-100km/h depending on conditions and the larger scooters can easily make 130-160k.

Passengers: Most scooters are passenger-ready but look for foot pegs and check the manual. If you plan to carry a passenger forget about 50cc, and don't even think of carrying a passenger until you've put on a few thousand km of experience.

Storage: Most scooters have a storage compartment under the seat, depending on model the capacity can range from 30 litres (1 helmet) to 55 litres (2 helmets). You can also buy cases that fit behind the seat but you have to be careful about loading; too much weight on the back can cause you to wipe out if you hit a bump.

Sidecars: There are shops that build sidecars for scooters but they're pricey, often costing more than the scooter.

What else: Run, don't walk, to a local motorcycle training school before you do anything else.

dont mind me i'm a scooter rider myself and i just learned a bunch of stuff from this guy! ^

The first thing you should recognize is that the requirements for riding a motor scooter are the same as a motorcycle. With that in mind, riding two wheels is a dangerous, but fun activity. I would suggest that you take a motorcycle safety course. In CA most are run by ex highway patrol riders and you will get a good foundation in the basics needed in both the classroom and in practice. Some courses now allow you to bring scooters.

Check Scoot magazine for current reviews on new and vintage scooters. They also have an annual buyers guide.
There are many reliable brands. I'm assuming you're considering new. My only suggestion is that you stay away from Chinese bikes because they may be inexpensive, but you get what you pay for and you may have a difficult time getting it serviced.

All new scooters are two up without sidecars. Some vintage are one seaters. In the US most sidecars for scooters are after market additions. Most scooters have some storage space and you can add top cases etc.

If you're thinking of 50cc then I would consider something bigger...125cc or 150cc. You'll tire of riding 25 mph pretty quick.

The highest MPH is only limited by the size of the scooter which range from 50CC to 500CC.

I recommend full face helmets. Why? You only have one face. I've been saved twice by a good helmet.

Use quality riding clothing with armor. Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck may have looked great in Roman Holiday, but they weren't riding in 2008.

Insurance does vary just like a car. Compare prices. You can have minimal liability or full coverage. Check with your car insurance to see if they offer coverage or multi vehicle discounts.

Motor scootering is fun and can save on the gas bills. Mine averages 65-70 mpg on the highway. 50 -55 mpg around town

Good luck

Here's two links that should get you started.
http://abacus-es.net/motorscooter/yoursc...
http://scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.c...
If you google your state's DMV motorcycle site, it should explain that any bike over 2hp will be considered a type 2 motorcycle; any rider and bike must be licensed and registered to operate in that state.
Usually you can get insurance quotes from Progressive & GEICO links while checking out your DMV's website.
http://www.scooterworks.com/Sidecar__Coz...
The scooter side car costs as much as a scooter.

http://letsgoscootin.com/ScootIN%20Links...
This should either give you enough material to either help you or confuse you, but read on.
Good riding.