How to Repair a Flat Tire on a Motor Scooter

November 18th, 2009



The tires and the spokes of the scooter will need regular check-up to ensure you have no difficulties, and that your ride will be a secure one. If you are confronted with broken wheel spokes, you should mend them right away to prevent more breakage.

For flat tyres, there is a canister type of mixture you can buy, which is known as fix a flat, which will fix flat tires, stopping up openings in the natural rubber tire. The Fix a flat is a canister that will cork right into the tire, blowing up the tire as it plugs the hole at the same time. The Fix a flat is going to work on the tires that is rubber, the same as your automobile. This type of patch is not going to work on the tire with a tube or the tire that has a big cut in it. Repairs to the tire that has a large gash will require replacement of the tire. Most auto supply, and scooter retail outlets do make replacement tires easy to buy.

Front Wheel: Vectrix Electric Maxi-scooter

Electric Scooter

Routine reviewing and care of your tires will be needed. If you are not using your scooter for long times, you should at least have someone move the tires around, so they are not sitting on one part of the tire for weeks on end. Dry rot is a trouble for tires not used frequently. A scooter not used for three months at a stretch can readily have dry rot on the tire. Dry rot can be spotted by the breaks in the tires, which can easily then lead to air leaks.

To stop the need to fix flat tires, to fix broken spokes, and to prevent dry rot on any scooter tire, you should ponder the acquisition of tires, which are solid. Solid tires are attainable with or without tread. Solid tires never need air. If you have tires that do need air, you can pump up the tires with a bike pump or with an air compressor.

Electric Motor Scooters – A Thrilling Ride for Everone?

November 18th, 2009
Scootin

Electric Motor Scooter

Looking for some fresh joy in your life? Want to find it inexpensive? Visualize the adrenalin rush you are going to experience behind the handlebars of an electric scooter. Electric scooters are exhilarating. Get your heart pumping with an electric motor scooter. Take a joy ride and find out first hand how much fun electric scooters can be.
Worried about the high price you are paying for gasoline? Remove your cash concerns by traveling around town on a fun electric or gas motor scooter. Go weeks without adding gas to your tank. Or best yet, get an electric motor scooter and never add gas at all. In addition, most scooters are small enough to be stored in a little place such as in a closet or in a public transportation system compartment.
Electric powered scooters range in size from mini to full-size and boast an variety of speed options. Journey at a safe 15 mph or find fast gas or electric power scooters that will get your heart pumping with excitement. Electric motor scooters also come in an variety of fun colors and optional characteristics. Stand up or sit down, it’s your choice. Plus, choose between the more popular 2 wheel electric powered scooter or locate a 3 wheel model.
When looking for a vehicle to get around town in there are certain considerations that you have to keep in mind. How expensive is the transportation? What kind of gas mileage does it get? Is it easy to find a spot to park it? And most of all, is it fun to drive?
When it comes to gas motor scooters or electric power scooters the answers are favorable to all of the aforementioned. The initial cost is negligible, even less than $1000 for many models. Gas motor scooters will go 50 miles on a gallon of gas or more and an electric power scooter will at no time need a fill-up.

     Plus, it's easy to find a parking spot because they are so small. You can even take it into your workplace with you and park it in a closet or under a table. It is  just that easy because many models are foldaway. That's right, they are made for folding.
However of course the best part is that they are fun to drive. . If you& have never been behind the handlebars of one of the many gas or electric scooters available you have missed out on some real exhilaration.
scooters are made for everyone, children to grown-ups, for fast fun or for the disabled. If you are aging or have a disadvantage you will need to find a popular mechanized mobility scooter that will get you around securely. They can make life fun again, permitting you to go almost anywhere you want.
Motorized scooters, whether gas or electric, are fun, dependable, inexpensive and comfortable to store. What more could anyone want from a transport?

Lifan Metro 50 LF50QT-2A

October 10th, 2009

Make: Lifan
Model: Metro 50 LF50QT-2A
Year: 2008
Engine Size: 50cc

So you’re thinking about buying a scooter. Your friends have Vespas, Yamahas, or even Hondas and they probably costs anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. You want a cool looking, yet reliable, scooter, but no way are you going to pay those crazy prices. Enter the Lifan Metro 50 LF50QT-2A; also know as a generic Chinese cheap scooter.

The Lifan Metro is cheap ($1,149.99) but the quality might surprise you. First, Lifan is the largest manufacturer of motorcycle engines in the world. They sell about 250 different models in 100 countries – I’m sure they know what they’re doing when it comes to bikes/scooters. The Metro rides extremely well, the suspension system is a lot better than I thought it would be for a scooter of this price. Turning corners are easy, and the brakes are above average. You’ll reach top speeds of 35mph; all while looking good on this stylish, sleek model.

The Metro is a little heavier than other 50cc scooters at 200lbs, but you won’t likely notice. The under seat storage area will hold your full face helmet, and a glovebox located up front can hold smaller items. The most incredible benefit of all would be the fuel economy of a whopping 91mpg! Does your friend’s fancy brand name scooter have anywhere near that? I didn’t think so.

So you’ve got a great price, excellent fuel economy, style, decent speed, solid brakes and decent storage. This isn’t junk or some “generic Chinese scooter”, this model is comparable to any of the “fancy” brand scooters. The only thing missing is a name brand, but who cares? This is the best value for your money, nuff said.

You can get a Lifan Metro 50 LF50QT-2A for around $1,149.99 or less.

KYMCO People 250

October 10th, 2009

Inexpensive, Reliable and Fun

Make: KYMCO
Model: People
Year: 2005
Engine Size: 250cc

KYMCO, also known as the Kwang Yang Motor Co, Ltd, is a Taiwanese company. They originally manufactured engine parts for Honda before moving on to make scooters, ATVs and motorcycles. KYMCO is the largest scooter manufacturer in Asia.

This particular model, the KYMCO People 250 is considered a great “all around” scooter. You’ll find that it constantly outperforms other scooters in its class, without costing an arm and a leg (when compared to Vespa, Piaggio, Yamaha, etc). The name might be a little silly, but who cares when you get 70mpg (2 gallon tank) and top speeds of 75-80mph?

Thanks to the giant 16” tires, the People handles almost like a motorcycle. Even so, the weight of this model is light (367lbs) and the center of gravity is low. The KYMCO People 250 packs a 249cc single cylinder engine and automatic transmission. Single disk brakes can be found on both the front and back tires. Dual shocks are located in the back for solid suspension. Up front there is a nice display that shows your speed, fuel, engine temperature and digital clock. There’s also a cigarette lighter type interface that allows you to charge your mobile phone.

Storage is ample with a full face helmet fitting nicely under the seat. There isn’t a glovebox, but you’ll find a luggage hook upfront instead. If you need more storage, try installing a small trunk on the back luggage rack.

The KYMCO People 250 is fun to ride, has great suspension for a smooth commute, gets good gas mileage, and looks great. I would recommend this model for touring and highway riding, as well as scooting around town.

If you’re looking to buy The KYMCO People 250, it retails at about $3999.99

Yamaha Jog Motor Scooters

October 10th, 2009

The Ugly Duckling

Make: Yamaha
Model: Jog
Year: 1988
Engine Size: 50cc

You won’t be turning any heads while riding the Yamaha Jog. If looks aren’t too important to you, then check out the Jog for buzzing around town at speeds of up to 38 MPH. Looks and speed aside, the Jog is pretty much just an ok scooter – the handling is poor, no thanks to the suspension system. You will feel every single pothole and bump. The brakes are a bit unresponsive, but still better than what you find on other 50cc models from this decade.

The only issues I have with this model are the style and the lack of storage. The Jog definitely isn’t ugly, but it’s not exciting to look at. Storage on the Jog is severely lacking. The under seat compartment contains the oil and fuel tank and there is no glovebox. Fuel consumption however, can make you forget about looks and no storage, at 85 MPG.

The lightness of the Jog makes it a fun scooter to ride on, especially when turning corners, but just be careful when it’s time to brake…

Overall, I would skip this model if you’re looking for a 50cc scooter. It may go fast (for 50cc) and have excellent fuel consumption, but at what cost? I would rather have a solid brake system and decent suspension. Ample space for a helmet couldn’t hurt either. If you’re still interested in the Yamaha Jog, it will cost you around $600 via classified sites. Not a bad price if you just want a scooter to make short trips to the local store, school, work etc. Keep in mind that you could always modify the scooter (improve the brakes, add storage, buy bigger wheels, etc) for a few hundred dollars more.

Yamaha BeeWee 100

October 10th, 2009

Fun Ride, Funnier Name

Make: Yamaha
Model: BeeWee
Year: 2008
Engine Size: 100cc

If you don’t mind the name “BeeWee”, then the Yamaha BeeWee BW100 is a fun scooter to ride. It might be a little uncomfortable for someone over 5’11”, due to the small amount of floor space. The 2 stroke motor gives the engine a high “revving” sound, which makes it seem as if you’re riding a much faster scooter. The BeeWee can reach top speeds of 50-56mph, so you could likely use it on the highway as long as it’s mostly flat terrain.

The large tires provide a nice ride for a scooter of this size. The braking is a bit lacking with this model, especially the front brake. I guess Yamaha had to cut corners somewhere to keep the pricing competitive.  The BeeWee weighs in at around 200lbs, so it’s easy to maneuver around traffic. Fuel consumption is exceptional at nearly 81 MPG!

The styling isn’t much to look at. I would consider calling the BeeWee “cute”. It reminds me of the many scooters seen in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam. Storage space is also lacking with only two small compartments up front. The front headlights could also be improved upon; they don’t seem to light up enough of the road, especially while turning.

If you’re looking for a scooter that has a cute style, is perfect for riding through downtown traffic and has a powerful sounding engine, then the Yamaha BeeWee BW100 is the scooter you want. The price alone ($1999.99) is reason enough to overlook the front brake issues, low top speed, small storage space and dim headlights. If you’re over 5’11”, check out the Vespa S125 for a roomier ride.

The Yamaha BeeWee BW100 retails at about $1999.99 – An excellent value.

Peugeot Geopolis 250

October 10th, 2009

The Peugeot Geopolis 250 combines motorcycle like performance and award-winning safety features to create this popular model. The price for a Geopolis is not for the faint of heart at $5,500, but no other scooter comes close to the amount of features the Geopolis has. Style, speed, intelligent design, storage, gadgets – this model has it all.

The style is almost futuristic and aerodynamic in a way.  The tires are much bigger at 16” than the tires of other scooters in this class (usually 10”). Big tires equal excellent handling, especially at top speeds. Its small design and low weight make it perfect for zipping in and out of traffic, and fitting into the tightest of parking spaces. The Geopolis just looks fast, and rightfully so since it can reach speeds of 65-70mph.

A few of the best safety feature on the Geopolis include anti-lock and power braking, as well as a bright halogen headlight. Included gadgets are a trip computer with a LCD display and a 12v interface for charging your cell phone. Storage is roomy with ample space in the under seat compartment and a glovebox up front (the 12v interface is located here).

If you’re looking for a scooter that looks more like a motorcycle (and handles like one) is packed with features and is highly stylish, then the Peugeot Geopolis 250 is the scooter you want. The price can seem high at $5,500, but it’s highly worth it. The only “downside” of this model may be the fuel economy of just 47mpg.

If you find that you really like the design of the Geopolis, you might also like another brand of scooters that have a similar style, such as Piaggio.

You can buy the The Peugeot Geopolis 250 for around $5,500.

Cushman Motor Scooters

October 10th, 2009

A quick history: The Cushman company was in operation from 1903 to 2003 in Lincoln, Nebraska. They began manufacturing scooters around 1936 until 1965. These scooters were mostly popular with the US Military during WWII. Cushman’s most successful scooter model was called the Eagle, which was produced for nearly 16 years. Cushmans were known to be easy to ride, which made them popular amongst both men and women.

The Cushman Eagle

A True Classic

Make: Cushman
Model: Eagle
Year: 1965
Engine Size: 318cc

Even back in 1965 Cushman seemed to be ahead of its time. The Eagle included such “modern” features such as telescopic front forks, dual exhausts and a hand-shifted two-speed transmission. The Eagle had modern looks (they resembled motorcycles) and reached a top speed of 50mph.

Fast forward to today, and you’re not likely to find a Cushman Eagle in its original form. Eagle fans have taken these classic scooters and modified everything from the engine, brakes, suspension, transmission, frame and paint job to mirrors and seats. Prices can range from $1500 for an unmodified Eagle to upwards of $15,000 to a complete rebuilt/modified Eagle.

Obviously, the Eagle isn’t a scooter to buy for your daily commute or weekend touring. The Eagle, and other Cushman models are purchased these days for collections, Cushman fans and hobbyist who love a good scooter modification challenge.

If you’re looking to purchase The Cushman Eagle, you have to look at both online and offline classified ads. You’ll also find Eagles for sale at some of the many Cushman clubs, forums, and fan sites. Even a scooter of this age (43 years!) could become the perfect scooter for you with a little TLC, if you don’t mind the nostalgia factor.

The Cushman Eagle sells for anywhere between $1500 and $15,000.

Honda Forza 250

July 29th, 2009

Futuristic Style Packed with Gadgets

Make: Honda
Model: Forza
Year: 2005
Engine Size: 250cc

Let’s be honest for a moment. We all know that Honda scooters are nothing much to look at in terms of style. They’re known to be well built and reliable, not stylish. Things have changed dramatically with the Honda Forza 250. This model boasts futuristic styling – sleek and nice on the eyes.

My new Honda Forza

The Forza 250 provides a comfortable ride with its huge seat and high back support. It’s easy to steer (it maneuvers like a much smaller scooter would) and can reach a top speed of 68mph. You won’t have to worry about your safety while riding this model; the braking and suspension system is strong with both front and back discs.

In addition to the awesome styling, Honda packed the Forza with tons of cool gadgets. First you have the keyless ignition system that “turns the scooter on” when the rider approaches (you have to have a tiny device on you for it to work of course). Once the scooter is on, just hit the start button. There’s also a hidden slot for a regular key for emergencies. The next gadget is the transmission. You can choose 3 modes from Drive, Sport and Manual. Drive is the best mode for fuel economy, while sport is good for passing. A toggle switch on the handlebars is all you need to switch modes.

If you need a lot of storage, the Forza has it. A roomy under seat compartment is perfect for a full face helmet as well as a smaller open face helmet. There are two small compartments up front – one that locks and one that doesn’t.

The Forza 250 isn’t really powerful enough to be used as a “touring” scooter. It’s also a bit large for tight traffic areas. If you’re looking for a second scooter that handles well, is comfortable to ride, has tons of storage space and a futuristic look, then the Forza 250 is for you.


Honda Dio 50

July 29th, 2009

Perfect for the New Scooter Rider

Make: Honda
Model: Dio
Year: 1996
Engine Size: 50cc

You’re probably wondering why you’re reading a review for a scooter that’s over 10 years old. Well, Honda motors are known for having a long lifespan (just make sure you keep the 2 stroke oil reserve full!) and the Dio has been in production for nearly 15 years – it has a proven track record for performance and reliability. This scooter is also a favorite amongst 50cc racers around the world.

Why buy a 50cc scooter instead of the more popular 150cc or even 250cc models? If you’re a first time scooter rider, this is all the power you need for now. The Dio is perfect for scooting around town or commuting to school/work (highway riding not recommended). Top speed for the Dio is about 50-60mph.

One of the coolest features of the Honda Dio is its size. You won’t have any trouble finding a parking space (or fitting in somewhere that’s not actually a “parking space”). Breezing past cars in standstill traffic is easy.

The handling is just ok. Frequent rattling sounds can be heard, and hitting the occasional pothole can be a bit jarring. Upgrading the standard rear shock could improve the handling.

Ed and Scoot

Honda Dio 50

Storage on the Dio is pretty good. The under seat compartment will hold both a pair of gloves and a full face helmet. There’s also a bag hook and a glovebox (not lockable) for smaller items.

If you’re looking to get your hands on this great little Japanese scooter, you’ll likely have to check classified ads or websites like Craigslist. The Honda Dio is usually pretty cheap to buy second hand, but don’t think you’re buying junk because the price is low. The Dio is super reliable, cheap to fuel and easy to ride.