Some people prefer to drive a motorcycle or a scooter because, for them, it is one of the most viable and convenient ways to commute. If you are considering purchasing a two-wheeler for yourself too, make sure that you get one that will suit your needs. This article tackles some of the things that you need to keep in mind before buying a scooter.
Level of Experience
One of the primary things that you need to keep in mind before buying a scooter is the level of experience that you have, either you are a beginner or a seasoned rider. As a beginner, you may be unable to make the most out of a powerful scooter because of improper maneuvering or riding. On the other hand, a seasoned rider may find that puny motorcycles may not be up to par with their riding skills, making them discontented with their ride. For this reason, the first thing that you need to think about before buying a scooter is your experience in riding.
Your body size also matters when it comes to choosing the right scooter. For instance, if you are rather short, then you should go for scooters that will allow you to reach the tank pavement comfortably, particularly when you are stopped. Otherwise, you may be uncomfortable during long rides if your body physique doesn’t match the build of your bike.
Protection
Another thing that you need to keep in mind before buying a scooter is the protection that you need to have such as insurance coverage. In this case, there are many options for scooter insurance, but you have to exert the extra effort to explore them. An insurance policy will be able to cover your medical expenses as well as the damage to your property in case you encounter a road mishap when you ride your scooter.
Apart from insurance, you also need to think about the gear that you should wear to protect yourself each time you ride such as a helmet, eye protection, hand gloves, as well as a long-sleeved jacket and durable pants. If you are not comfortable wearing any of these, then it may be unsafe for you to ride a scooter in the first place. For certain states and countries, you should also get the appropriate license before driving a motorcycle.
Route
Before buying a motorcycle, you should also think about the route where you will ride. For instance, if you are looking for a motorcycle that you can ride on concrete roads going to your office, then you don’t need a liter-class or built-for-track superbike that is more appropriate for desert trails. On the other hand, if you intend to buy a scooter for a leisure ride, then you may want to opt for the latter.
Body Style
You also need to think about the body style of the scooter for you to know which best fits your needs and preferences. For instance, cruisers will provide you with an upright or slightly leaned back sitting position because your feet are placed forward and your hands are above your chest level. Cruisers are beneficial for long highway rides.
On the other hand, you may want to consider buying a sportbike if you want to ride on a track. In this case, you will most likely be in a leaned over riding position to handle sharp corners and fast lanes better. If you are looking for a comfortable long-distance ride, then you should go for a tourer. In a gist, the body style of the scooter that you should consider still depends on when and where you will use it.
Alongside the body style of the scooter, you also need to consider its engine, which determines the amount of power that your scooter has. Generally, the larger the engine displacement of your scooter is, then the more powerful it becomes. But apart from the power though, you also need to consider whether the engine of the scooter is fuel-efficient.
Before buying a scooter, you also need to think about its parts and accessories. You should go for a model that has readily available parts in case you need an immediate replacement.
Frequency of Use
The frequency that you intend to use a scooter is another factor that you need to think about before buying one. For instance, if you intend to use it only once in a while, then the maintenance of your scooter will only be minimal. On the contrary, if you intend to use your scooter daily, then expect that the maintenance schedule for it will also be more frequent. The reason behind this is that the maintenance schedule of your ride usually depends on the mileage that it incurs or the distance that you cover when you use it.
Budget
Finally, you should also consider the amount of money that you are willing to spend on buying a scooter. In this case, you can even compare if buying a used one is more economical than buying a new one. Just keep in mind that in each of the options that you have, there will always be pros and cons. For instance, you may save a significant amount on the upfront payment that you have to make for a used scooter, but you may need to spend more on its maintenance. On the other hand, you may need to shell out a bigger sum for a new scooter, but its maintenance may be minimal.
Before buying a scooter, you need to consider your level of experience when it comes to riding one. Apart from this, you also need to think about your safety and protection, as well as the route that you will use it with and the frequency of your usage. From there, you will be in a better position to choose the right scooter based on its body style as well as its parts and accessories. Of course, you need to think about your budget as well. All these are geared towards ensuring that you get the right scooter that will suit your needs and preferences.
