Gas Powered Scooters 101

Alright. Here’s everything you need to know about gas powered scooters. You want to ride the new modern scooter wave? These scooters can go from 500$ to 1000$, and they’re waaaay better than walking. It’s a great gift for the younger generation. The average one goes up to 35 mph. Gas scooters are your ‘go-to’ vehicles if you are looking for freedom while moving, and you are not willing to burn your pocket and your bank balance by buying a larger vehicle. If you are not happy with the speeds that your bicycle or electric scooter is giving you, the Gas scooter shines. The backdrop is very clear. Here, we answer some questions that you might have about gas scooters to help you make the purchase:

  • Choice of Engine: Choosing between a 2-stroke and a 4-stroke engine is probably the first thing you will be faced with while you are buying your new scooter. Here are the things you should know about both:
    – 4-stroke engines are larger and heavier, but more quiet, vibrates less, and have very clean exhaust. There is little carburetor damage due to lubricating oil.
    – 2-stroke engines are smaller, lighter, make more sound, vibrate more, but give very good pick-ups and a thrilling ride. The exhaust is smokey though, and the gas used should be mixed with lubricating oil which also harms the carburetor.
  • Size of Engine: When you pick your ride, there are various sized engines available. What are engine sizes, you ask? The ‘cc’ notation that accompanies all scooters signifies the displacement of engine (virtually, the size). For all purposes, a higher ‘cc’ engine (say, 49cc over 25cc) is usually more powerful, but consumes more fuel. Engines come from a minimum size of 22.5cc. Depending on the weight of the rider (yourself), you must choose the engine size, so that the scooter does not cough while pulling your weight. Besides, gas scooters are usually meant to ride one rider, and you should not carry a passenger.
  • Speed Ranges: You need to pick your scooter, depending on your location (whether you live on hills or plains). You do not want to go downhill too fast, as to lose control. Nor do you want to pull very slow on plains. You can pick a scooter that gives speeds that are comfortably controlled by you. Many gas scooters that have engines as much as 50cc can go up to 60 km/hr., which is a respectable speed, provided you can control it.
  • Distance Ranges: While buying a gas scooter, you need to make sure you get one with a decent fuel tank size to help you reach your range of destinations that you plan to go to. As a basic rule, any distance larger than a 30-40 km radius, and you instantly need a bigger tank. Keep your prospective journeys on the scooter in mind before buying one.
  • Environmental Damage: Gas scooters burn fuel, and hence have exhausts that can potentially damage the environment. 4-stroke scooters produce less smoke, and are hence less polluting than 2-stroke ones.
  • Presence of shock absorbers: Gas scooters come with or without shock absorbers. You need to know whether or not you want them. Shock absorbers take away the roughness from your ride, and give you a smooth experience. But that depends on where you plan on riding them. If you are actually going to ride over pot holes, not even shock absorbers can save you. But if you are looking at a comfortable journey (especially if you are traveling over long distances), go for shock absorber equipped variants.
  • Braking Efficiency: The scooters come with three kinds of brakes, and you should pick the one that suit the terrain you will be driving in, the prevalent weather conditions and your own weight. Drum brakes are standard options, and can keep water out very well. But they accumulate dirt. Caliper brakes are the kind you find in bicycles. They are not very safe, and provide the weakest braking efficiency, especially when wet. You do not wish to meet an accident, do you? Disk brakes are the epitome of braking mechanisms and come in the top-line vehicles. They are very efficient, can resist water, and keep you safe.

2 thoughts on “Gas Powered Scooters 101”

  1. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.

    I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this informative article together.
    I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading
    and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  2. Hello I have a 33.5 cubic inch motor and I was just wondering if anyone out there could give me some information on if there’s a specifications on setting the valves and what would appreciate it thank you very much

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