As long as the weather is nice and she has no errands to run, Trisha Bartz of Casper rides her scooter to work almost every day in the summer. It’s easy for me to cruise from the salon to my house because I live three miles away, she said.
When she saw how much her friend enjoyed her scooter, she decided to buy one for herself. She also liked the idea of getting great gas mileage. The gas price is fluctuating, so more and more scooter shop in Madison Americans are buying scooters. Perhaps it has something to do with the mileage. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, there were 222,000 scooters sold last year.
You don’t have to straddle them like a hog on scooters, and they’re lighter than motorcycles. They’re also easier to drive since they have automatic transmissions. Or maybe it’s just fun.Garry Yake, co-owner of Yellowstone Scooters in Casper, said that it is a fun way to get out in the fresh air. When you’re on one of these things, you can’t help but smile.”
3 Things You Need to Consider – When Buying a Scooter
There are a few things to consider before purchasing a scooter, regardless of why you want one:
- It Requires a Special License
The Wyoming state law requires motorcycle licenses for people who want to drive a motor scooter. Drivers must pass a written test and a test of their driving skills to get a permit. The written test costs $15, and drivers are given a 90-day permit to practice driving without passengers after passing it. The permit is valid for 90 days after passing the written test. If you pass it, you will receive a motorcycle license for an additional fee of $18.
An online motorcycle safety course is a good way to learn everything you need to know to pass the licensing test.The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s public involvement specialist, Jeff Goetz, says the trip is best for those who haven’t been on one.
- Take Precautions
Taking a scooter for a ride is just as dangerous as taking a motorcycle for a ride. It would help if you took it seriously, but it is fun. Ty van Hooydonk, director of product communications at the Motorcycle Industry Council, said, “You’re in the same traffic conditions and going the same speeds as motorcycles.”According to Van Hooydonk, you should always wear your safety gear. And the more coverage, the better when it comes to safety gear.
I don’t know why they have so many “cups” for your head, and yet you can still see your eyes. I would suggest using a helmet that covers the eyes only or part of the eye area. I had never had a problem with my vision when I was wearing a full-face helmet. That one looked like it was designed for a man, with those large side panels. It also had a chin strap that was too long and pinched my mouth.
- Cost
A scooter can cost anywhere from $800 to more than $5,000, with a common price between $2,000 and $3,000. Some of the cheaper scooters may fall below the minimum loan amount set by most banks, according to Jens Hansen of Hilltop National Bank in Casper. Be sure to read the fine print when dealing with a dealer who offers to finance. There are also some restrictions on recreational vehicle loans from banks.
- Insurance
A scooter must be insured before it can be used on a public road. According to Kyle Corbridge, vice president/co-owner of Bon Agency Insurance in Casper, although scooters fall under motorcycle policies, it is becoming more common for companies to rate scooters separately.
According to Corbridge, the cost of full coverage scooter insurance varies significantly by vehicle, driver age, driver experience, and personal factors. You should also consider adding passenger liability coverage to your policy.