what do i look for when buying a new scooter?

Question

i found a 2005 verruci scooter (1300 miles for $400)
i want to know
what i need to look for so i dont buy a lemon...
50 cc engine still needs to be broken in i am told

first off this is for my girlfriend 2nd she cant afford a car full time student

Answer 1

u will regret getting this within 2 weeks. if u have to get a scooter, get 1 that can actually hang with a cage. either a honda silverwing, or a suzuki berghman. 50cc's are t.f.w. (totally f-uckin worthless)

Answer 2

KatOli's answer is partially correct. 49cc scooters are very reliable and there are many that go above 50mph. 49cc scooters do not require a motorcycle license to ride. Regristration lasts 3 years Insurance on a typical scooter is about $120 a year, for full coverage. No 49cc scooter on the market gets 150mpg. Your typical scooter that has a carb will get between 50-70mpg. The only 49cc scooter sold in the world that gets the best mpg is a fuel injected model. In the USA, there is only one option for fuel injected 49cc, that is Aprilia SR50. They get 117mpg. In Europe, there are multiple choices for fuel injection. It's not the color of the scooter that people will notice, it's the color of the rider! So get a bright riding jacket. Don't buy any 49cc scooter that is Chinese made. You can find a fantastic used brand name scooter for the same price as new chinese model. Typical brand name scooter life depends on type of motor: 2-stroke scooters last around 10,000 miles before you have to replace motor parts. 4-stroke scoters can last up to 15,000+ 2-stroke go faster than 4-stroke All scooter require regular maintenance, just like a car. Certain parts are designed to be replaced every 4000 miles, thats just the way it is. Such as rollers in your variator (transmission) But the cost is very low. A set of rollers will cost around $20. Yes you can ride in the rain. Weight of the rider doesn't matter unless the person is really overweight above 300 lbs.

Answer 3

Truthfully asses your speed requirements. A China 49cc 4-stroke has a top speed of around 30 mph, a 150cc around 55-60 mph, and a 250cc around 75 mph. If you will be traveling on a freeway, a 250cc or 400cc would be more suitable. A 150cc is acceptable for most state highway travel. If you need to keep up with 45 mph metro traffic, a 49cc 4-stroke will NOT be suitable.

Most of the China scooter parts are interchangeable, and online parts vendors are abundant. Change engine (15W40) and rear gearbox (80W90) oil frequently . . 50, 200, 500, and 1,000 kilometers (indicated on most China scooter odometers) to flush the suspended metal particles. Hold the oil pan in the sun to see the particle reflections . . when they subside oil change durations can be extended.

Check the valve lash on the 150cc engines frequently . . .004 inch on both intake and exhaust cold.

Check your regional craigslist > for sale > motorcycles for used scooter values Kymco, Honda, Yamaha.
http://www.hooperimports.com/product.asp?pf_id=LF150T%2D6
http://bandit-motorsports.com/scooters/xc-150z.html
http://scootersus.com/
http://www.allpropowersports.com/index.html

Answer 4

First, let me say that $400.00 for a Scooter with that little miles on it sounds a bit hard to believe. Keep looking, and remember that you get what you pay for. However, with the number of miles on it, it should already be broken in. Go to Yahoo.com, click on Local, and enter Scooters and you area. A list of businesses should come up. Save a little bit more, and go in to see what they have. I would recommend not buying it for your girlfriend to get around on.

Answer 5

Well looking at a verruci is a good way to start out with a lemon. Save your money and buy a real bike. Or buy a rice rocket like every other idiot out there.

Answer 6

check there availability for parts and repair shops. i fixed one for my fiance's friend and tried finding the rectifier or voltage regulator and it took six weeks to get the part out of state. you can locate and find shops on line for the model your looking at. also check your local shops for parts and mechanical service. if not i would consider a scooter that is a little more well known, like a vespa. just a thought. good luck

Answer 7

If it's two cycle, make sure you premix gas and oil, otherwise the engine will sieze up in two minutes and be useless.

Answer 8

dude save n buy a car