Before the 1920s it was an easy decision, a foot-powered push scooter or none at all. But once Gino Tsai from Shanghai, Taiwan developed the Razor scooter it changed everything. His motor scooters became popular so quickly there were people waiting in line for six months before they could get one.

In the 1950s companies like Vespa in the UK started selling the first of their gas motor scooters. It was a big hit at the 1950 Motorcycle Show and quickly became a big hit in the UK as well. Vespa sold over 125,000 in the UK between the years of 1950 to 1958. Piaggio from Vespa and Lambretta from Innocenti started selling their models in Italy and France too, quickly becoming the vehicles that everyone had to own. By the early 1950s the sale of motor scooters topped 1 million a year in France alone. Because of its popularity other countries such as France and Germany decided to get in on the boom by manufacturing their own models.

Today, after more than 50 years since the first gas scooters appeared, there are many different makes and models. We have electric, gas powered, foldable, mobility and utility motor scooters dotting the globe. There are specialized scooters for just about every task. They have become a worldwide phenomenon because they are cheap to own, economical to operate, are very handy and functional, and most of all they are a lot of fun. But with all of the makes and models which one is right for you?

Let’s start with the different types. Gas motor scooters are the fastest around. They will take you longer distances and reach higher speeds than any of the other varieties. There are smaller and lighter models that will be perfect for running errands around town while the larger and heavier touring models will take you on longer trips. Plus, the larger the gas tank the farther you can travel before needing to stop at a service station.

Electric varieties are a little more economical to run, but will usually travel only about 10 or 15 miles before needing a recharge. Their battery capacity has improved dramatically over the years, but they cannot be taken for long trips due to the fact that their batteries will need recharging periodically. However, for short trips around the city they are wonderful little vehicles. Plus, most scooters have a large storage capacity under the seat so they are ideal for trips to the grocery store or for other light shopping sprees.

The elderly or handicapped typically use what is referred to as mobility scooters. These are usually electric models and have 3 or 4 wheels for extra stability. These models give the elderly or disabled the ability to get about in their homes or around the neighborhood more easily. Without mobility scooters many of the disability-impaired would be confined to their beds.

Another very popular type is the foldable scooter. These are very small and are made for short trips around town. They are particularly popular among the younger crowds. The beauty of these models is that they are extremely compact and can be folded for storage in small places. If you work just a few miles from your home you can travel to work on your folding scooter and then fold it up and put it underneath your desk at work. Very handy.

There are also utility scooters which can be used for many different purposes. They can be used as golf carts or for hauling things. Many big businesses use these types for getting around their factories. Schools use them for driving through the parking lot, checking for cars that shouldn’t be there. Major league sports stadiums use them to drive people from one place to another. These are wonderful vehicles that can be used for a variety of reasons.

Once you’ve decided which type is right for your needs the next step is to figure out what options, if any, you would like included on your vehicle. Of course you can choose from many different colors and designs, but there are other options available to you. You can choose from the many varieties of covers, locks (for security), cases or side bags for storage, helmets, seats, handgrips, windshields or windscreens, backrests for touring, chrome kits, rear luggage racks and many more options. The list of accessories can go on for quite some time.

As a rule of thumb first choose the type of scooter you want, whether it be electric, gas, foldable or utility. This is the easy part because the type you purchase will depend upon your needs. Once that decision has been made look at several popular models in your area and decide which one looks and feels right to you. Most have accessories that are manufactured for a specific model so accessories cannot be decided upon until you know which motor scooter you are going to buy. Once you’ve decided which accessories you want for the model you chose it’s a simple matter of driving your scooter out of the dealership. And it’s nothing but fun from there on out.

By: Larry A. Johnson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Gas powered motor scooters are lots of fun, which is why J Larry Alan is a motor scooter fanatic. He not only loves to ride motor scooters, but loves writing about them as well. For more information visit My Motor Scooters.

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Save money on gas now with a moped or scooter! There’s no other motorized vehicle that competes with mopeds and scooters, when it comes to the cost of ownership, including the low initial investment, the cost of insurance, the maintenance requirements and above all, the money you’d spend on fuel.

A 50cc Moped will travel a long way on a full tank of gas, so imagine how much gas money you will be saving even in one month!

Of course, with a moped scooter under 50cc, you won’t be able to travel at breakneck speed, and most of the models may have speed restrictions built into them but with a reasonable max. speed for safety reasons of course. Besides, on many highways, scooters and mopeds are not allowed so you won’t have to worry about competing with the speed demons.

For zooming around the streets of larger or small cities and towns, mopeds and scooters are great, and they are a very popular form of transportation, being easy to manoeuver and significantly less expensive when comparing the operation of a car in today’s high fuel price economy.

So with today’s high price of fuel, isn’t it a good idea to better consider a moped or scooter to get you as far as 220 miles on a full tank of gas! And with its small engine and speeds not exceeding 40 miles per hour, perhaps our current energy crisis – caused by natural, political or trading disaster – the versatile fuel economizer moped and scooter will once again quickly became a popular mode of transport.

Not only students but many folk on fixed or low incomes, will love scooters and mopeds, since the fuel consumption of these two-wheeled vehicles are only a fraction of the gas/fuel a car would use. And only a regular license is needed in many states or provinces – but you should check first to make sure what the legal restrictions are.

Vespa, Honda, Yamaha, Wildfire, Piaggio, Aprila, Lambretta, Kymco are just some of the manufacturers of mopeds and scooters to help you save on gas . Whether its a "top line" scooter costing up to $9000, or your basic 50cc scooter moped for under $1000, these fuel economizers can be a lot of fun and an economical mode or transport.

So what is a moped or scooter? A Moped is a class of low-powered two-wheeled upright (under 50cc displacement) motorized vehicle. The rider’s back perpendicular to the seat. A scooter is also a style of two-wheeled motor vehicle traditionally defined by characteristics such as a wheels less than a diameter of 16in., an engine located below the rider and to the rear, and a step-through frame, but with under and over 50cc engine displacement.

By: inet_topic

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Peter Robson is the author of a variety of subjects including PC security and Computers, Fishing in the Kawarthas, Paintball-21 Century Tag, Climbing in the Highlands of Scotland, travel and entertainment, and some can be found at paintball-21centurytag.com and soon at Mopeds and Scooters – Save on Gas – mopedsandscooters.net 

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With gasoline prices soaring, scooter and moped sales are booming. From mini 50cc scooters to maxi 400cc scooters they’ll convey you very economically from the corner grocery shop to the freeway and some of these little beauties will return for you, well over 100MPG!

Even some of the major motorcycle manufacturers might start thinking about producing a range of these little upstarts soon, since motorcycle sales this past year have been falling in terms of sales, whilst scooters are flying off the shelves like hot cakes, with record numbers being sold, as everyone seeks to save money on gas.

Here’s just two of the hottest little flyers that you can get your hands on today!

The Vespa S 150cc isn’t really built for freeway cruising, but certainly around your city limits, it will do everything that you ask it too, and more. With it’s tiny little wheels and wide tires it will deliver for you a degree of rider comfort. Looks wise it’s actually rather stylish, boasting retro 60’s style good looks that anyone with an image maintenance problem would still be proud enough to ride aride around on. The suspension, which utilizes double acting hydraulic shocks front and rear and adjusts for pre-load, is also plush enough that it won’t have you constantly being bounced out of the saddle. With a good turn of speed, awesome economy, one of these machines could easily pay for itself in just 3 months or so with the fuel savings that you will get from riding one. Available in a variety of colors there is sure to be one that will fit your needs just perfectly. Are you going to say no, to 75-85MPG with a top speed close to 70mph?

Or how about the Yamaha Vino? The Vino weighs about the same as your frail grandmother and has a fairly short saddle, underneath which you can store your personal belongings (enough room for your helmet) or light shopping, documents, papers etc. Awesome miles to the gallon that will blow your socks off in terms of economy and at a price that certainly will not break the bank. This one will even carry a passenger so if it’s just you that riding it, will convey you with extreme ease up and down the steepest of hills. There is also a small luggage rack on the rear. Perfect for errands around the city and for every university student on a budget, it combines good road handling with stability and comfort, it looks pretty stylish too. Available in a range of colors from this very popular manufacturer renowned for delivering engines of reliability.

Have you worked out recently how much your ordinary car is costing you on a month by month basis, just in gas alone? If you haven’t and like many individuals, you are simply burying your head in the sand, hoping the problem will go away, you need to do it pretty quickly. How many cars are there in your family? How many miles does each member of your family do in each vehicle per month? Write down now, how much this is costing you per month in gas. And then weigh up the advantages of buying the best mpg mopeds and gas powered scooters that you can lay your eyes on and we guarantee to you, that you will be so astonished at the huge money amount of money saved per month, that you too will be koining the throngs who right now are saving themselves a small fortune on gas prices.

Within just months or less, depending on your total combined milage in effect, within an amazingly short period of time you could be in effect, riding around on a moped or scooter for FREE. Now isn’t that something to shout about?

By: Mark Andrews

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

www.ultimatemotorbikes.com/best-mpg-mopeds-best-gas-powered-scooters.htm – providing access to some of the very best deals available online for new and used best mpg mopeds, and the very best gas powered scooter deals! For an out of this world buying experience at down to earth prices, UltimateMotorbikes is Your Number One Shop Online!

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