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A good definition of a motor scooter is a bike with fairly small wheels and a small engine which is geared to the back wheel. The first patents for “foot powered” scooters were granted in 1921. Prior to this there were no motors attached to the scooter. They were driven by “foot power.” You can learn more at Vespa for sale.
The early scooters which were driven by action with the feet was changed to a more advanced system using an engine, by Gino Tsai, whose dad worked for the J.D. Corporation in Shangai, as a mechanical engineer. His motor scooter took about 5 years to design. Go to Vespa prices for more details.
When questioned on his motives for designing the product Gino Tsai said it was because his father had to walk long distances around a bicylce factory as he had very short legs. To solve this problem he updated the old-fashioned push scooter into what we now know as the modern Razor motor scooter.
When Gino finished the building of his motor scooter he began to sell it to the public. It rapidly became a must-have item with customers waiting as long as six months for their new product.
Why was the Razor motor scooter so popular? The Razor scooter was made from lightweight airplane grade aluminum which can support over 1000 pounds without bending. It is foldable, which means it can be stored in very small places. It has small polyurethane wheels and a low-powered engine. Braking is activated by stepping down on the rear fender.
In modern times there are many different brands and models of motor scooters. We have electric scooters and gas powered motor scooters. They are very versatile and functional, serving many different purposes. Compared to a motorbike they have smaller sized wheels, a less powerful engine and you can “step through” which is different from a motorcycle.
The most commonly seen style of scooter is the “folding,” or “foldable,” scooter. These are two-wheeled models that are typically used for traveling short distances around the city. Braking occurs when the back fender is stepped on, putting pressure on the back wheel and stopping its movement. This type of motor scooter is designed for children or adults and can also be used to perform tricks on. It is very compact in size and can be folded for storage in small places.
A unique feature of freestyle folding motor scooters is the “kicktail,” a portion of the foot deck that extends over the back wheel. This is the feature that enables tricks to be performed. Motor scooters with “kicktails” are called freestyle scooters and usually have hand brakes due to the fact that the back fender allows for the performance of tricks instead of braking.
Electric scooters are generally bigger and heavier. Because of the extra weight they consume more power and can only go shorter distances when compared with the folding scooters. After about 10 or 15 miles it may be necessary to recharge the battery.
These electric, or battery-powered, motor scooters are often used to travel short distances around the neighborhood or perhaps on a school campus or other confined environment. They are particularly popular among the elderly, handicapped and disabled. Instead of being confined at home these elderly or handicapped people can now have some of their former independence returned to them. Motor scooters of this kind are usually referred to as mobility scooters.
Gas powered motorized scooters are usually more powerful and can attain higher speeds than the folding scooters or electric scooters. They can also travel longer distances when a larger fuel tank is included. Gas scooters may not be permitted in some areas so it is wise to check out the laws and regulations in your area before purchasing a motor scooter. Check out used Vespa scooters for more informtion.
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