Photo: How to choose a used scooter (bmwgroup.com) Author: Konstantin Shirokun
In order for a small scooter to conscientiously fulfill its great mission of local transportation, it is necessary to make the right choice when buying: class, model and specific model.
Read about how not to make a mistake when choosing a used scooter in the RBC-Ukraine article.
When someone in our country talks about a scooter, in most cases they are talking about a used model, because new scooters in our country do not have the main advantage of this type of transport: affordability.
You need to start your selection with several basic parameters.
Size class. Not all scooters are equally small – they also have their own size classification, even within the same engine capacity. To put it simply, there are small single-seat models, there are more solid ones – with a long two-seater seat, there is something like an intermediate class – with a conditionally one-and-a-half seat. Accordingly, they also differ in the chassis, which is either only suitable for smooth asphalt, or is suitable for light bumps. The wheel size of most models is 10 inches, but for bad roads it is better to find a model with 12 inches.
Engine. The engine capacity is the driving dynamics, fuel consumption and resource reserve. But the link to the last characteristic does not work in the case of used models. Standard volumes for scooters are 50, 100, 150 and 200 cubic centimeters. In Ukraine, you need a driver's license to drive any of them, in Europe there are countries where a motor up to 50 cubes does not require a driver's license.
Engine type. Two-wheeled vehicles traditionally have two-stroke and four-stroke engines. Two-stroke engines are noticeably losing ground, but they are cheaper, more powerful and easier to repair – although they consume more gasoline. In turn, a four-stroke engine requires less gasoline, pollutes the atmosphere less, but is more technically complex, since it has more mechanisms. Theoretically, a four-stroke engine is more durable, but we repeat that in this case the main thing is not the type of engine, but its condition.
Body. In relation to a scooter, the body can be called everything that concerns the comfort of the driver and passenger: protection from the air flow, the shape and softness of the seat, the presence of luggage racks (outside and under the seat), a basket for things, etc. Not all models have a full set of the named options, so this is a serious factor when choosing.
Manufacturer (brand). A scooter is a specific product, in some cases they are produced, so to speak, by not very responsible enterprises. And when choosing a used model, this can be one of the key points. Of what is presented on the secondary market of Ukraine, the choice is not very large. We do not have European motorcycle brands (which are generally the most expensive), and Koreans are not represented either. There are Chinese models left – they are the cheapest, and Japanese (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki) – they are high-quality, but much more expensive. Buying Chinese used ones is a very risky business, if not to say a losing one, because their resource is almost guaranteed to be exhausted by the first owner.
Where to buy a scooter
Even if we talk only about used scooters, there may be several options for where to buy. The most desirable option is to visit (physically or online) a specialized company that sells scooters imported from abroad. Most often, these will be supplies from Japan or other strong countries in the Asian region, and the models will, of course, be Japanese. The condition of these examples is probably the best of all possible. Such scooters are often offered first-hand even with pre-sale service and registration documents. But the price for a scooter “just from Japan” will be quite high, in the range of 450 – 800 dollars, depending on the size of the crew part and the engine capacity.
The second option is to buy a used scooter from someone. The risks inherent in used Japanese scooters are supplemented by another set of threats. Keep in mind that this will also be a scooter from Japan, but one that has already been ridden by some Ukrainian consumer. We are not saying that this is an unacceptable option, because along with the use of the remains of the original Japanese resource, the Ukrainian owner could install new spare parts on it. The only question is what quality they were.
The third option is usually the cheapest, but also the riskiest, if not exotic. In a big city, you can buy a scooter from a private mechanic who makes money by buying “killed” scooters and reviving them for further sale. To be honest, sometimes it is difficult to see the real difference between this and the previous options, because everything comes down to the quality of the parts used in the repair.
In brief
A modern gasoline scooter is a fairly simple vehicle in design. Therefore, on the one hand, you should not be afraid of repairs, which are guaranteed to await the happy owner of a used scooter. And on the other hand, there is a real chance to postpone repairs and reduce their number in the future if you are ready to pay more when buying a two-wheeled friend. And keep in mind that, as with buying some cars, it is important to first choose the right seller – and then choose the right scooter from him.
In preparing this article, materials from Motocentre and AutoRia were used.
Let us recall that RBC-Ukraine recently reported why pedestrians are not always right.