Anybody know of any good books or websites about scooters for a person that knows hardly anything about them?

I want to buy a scooter like, asap. But I want to do my homework first. I want to learn the basics about the parts, maintenance, safety and what makes a great scooter. Also, I originally wanted a Vespa. Are there any other scooters that I should look at? Please help... summer is quickly approaching.

Hey, Vespas are great. I own one from 1979. It's called a P series. There nice because in a lot of people's opinion they were the best built scooters. They just stand the test of time and hard riding. However they are manual shift and will need a little TLC from time to time. Esp with a bike as old as I am (28). If you are looking for a new bike at a budget (cheaper then the vespa), everyone I know is getting a Buddy. They can be found at www.genuinescooters.com . They have been in the business for quite some time, have their home base in chicago, And for the scooter shop I work at I get my parts from them. If you REALLY want that old tyme look however, look for a Bajaj. www.bajaj.com.

With Engines there's 2 stroke and 4 stroke. a 4 stroke engine is like your car engine. a 2 stroke is like your average weed whacker. 4 strokes are getting about as fast as the 2's and the 2 strokes do need cleaning, tend to leak, and of course smell funny. Thanks to them burning oil.

A few sites you can look up scoots would be scoot.net for classifieds, www.2strokebuzz.com for forums and what not. and scooterhelp.com if you do get an older bike, that site tells you how to do most of all the repairs you will need. If you have any more questions, write to the south jersey scooter club yahoo group. I am the moderator there. Me or anyone in the group can answer amny more questions you may have. Hope you find the scoot your looking for.

one more thing, about engine size. a 50cc will serve you well if your in a residential area running small errands. Not great if you wan to to go over 30. I would suggest a 125/150 for inter town travel, and a 200 at least if you ever want to try highway travel. Pickup a copy of Scoot quarterly magazine. this season's issue has a buyers guide. Theie website is www.scootquarterly.com

I have done a little bit of research on this. I want one myself, but I have to wait because of some medical bills.

Generally the ones that go faster than 45 MPH you need a motorcycle license for (50cc or less) in most states. That does not work for me personally so I would need a bigger engine. Personally I like the Yamaha Vino 125. I heard the ones that come from China are crap, better to stick with the name brands.

I think your best bet would be to join a scooter group on yahoo groups. They have helped me quite a bit.

If as you say you know hardly anything about scooters, you are in a great place to learn on the Internet(wish we had this when I was a kid).

There are many brands Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki, all make great scooters, and there are still more.

There are many Chinese imports as well. While these bike are very affordable, they are not the most reliable bikes. My personal opinion is avoid the Chinese bike if you don't have any mechanical skills.

There is a great web site for info on scooters, The Scooter Scoop. At this site you will find a great wealth of information and all kinds of links to manufacturers and parts suppliers-basically all things scooter.
Good Luck

Hi I'm involved in a few UK scooter clubs and magazines. Can mail you some good stuff if interested. Go well !

China scooter information
http://www.scootdawg.com/page6

like, Whatever you get AVOID the Chinese scooters!!!!!!

I'm knew to scooters also, but I have spent hour upon hour researching them, and I have to echo another's advise. Stay away from chinese scooters. I don't think I have read anything good about them-especially Tank scooters. It seems that chinese scooters are knock-offs of good scooters and then the knock-offs have knock-offs. You get what you pay for. I have a 2004 Kymco B&W 250 (#3 seller in the US)-used $2700 USD, new $4000 USD. Honda and Suzuki are a little more. You can't get parts for the chinese scooters. Be careful.