Archive for November, 2009

Scooters are a Lot Cheaper and Simpler to Apply

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Scooters are a smaller version of the motorcycle but with some special individual features such as an integrated platform for the driver’s feet, footrests and a special step-through. Scooters have smaller wheels than regular motorcycles and they are a lot lighter. Plus, scooters have the advantage of being easier to drive both than cars and motorcycles. These are just a few of the reasons that have led to the extensive use of scooters in crowded urban areas where public transport and driving are a nightmare because of the traffic.

The first scooters were invented before World War I and they were part of the first motorcycle lines such as Lambretta and Vespa. In fact these models made the history of the vehicles we have today, and the first real progress was noticeable during World War II when Vespa and Lambretta became popular and sold well. The early scooters had small wheels, reduced storage space, level floorboards and manual transmission. Innovations like the four-stroke engine and the continuously variable transmission appeared lots of years afterwards.

Personal transportation has always been the main purpose of scooters, and a cylinder capacity between 50cc and 250cc is suitable for the purpose. Larger scooters with more powerful engines have also been manufactured in the West, but they are not as popular as the small versions. Moreover it is very advantageous to use scooters because of the traffic conditions and the rest of the legal obligations they involve. Just think of licensing, registration and insurance: the regulations the conditions are a lot better for scooters than for cars.

In many parts of the world, particularly in Europe and Asia, scooters are the most practical urban means of transportation because of the easy driving position, the low cost, and the possibility to get everywhere in time without having to worry about traffic. In fact, while the sales of automobiles have decreased, those for scooters have gone up. This is justified by the fact that scooters could satisfy some family vehicle needs when there are not enough funds to purchase a car.

Besides the navigation through heavy traffic, scooters have another great quality: they require a smaller fuel consume as compared to a car, and they are considered more environment-friendly than other vehicles. Hybrid scooters have also been designed over the last years, and they can be powered both by batteries and gas. The green alternative is a bit more expensive, but the costs are still low if we make a parallel with hybrid cars for instance.

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Power Scooters are Lightweight Vehicles with a Cylinder Capacity Over 150cc

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Two-wheel vehicles with a cylinder capacity over 150cc are sometimes called or known as power scooters. The term of power scooters also applies to the electric chairs that often replace the classic wheelchair for the disabled. Power scooters are of an immense help for people with mobility problems, not to mention that their costs and advantages are remarkable as well. Thus, if compared with electric wheelchairs, mobility or power scooters are not only cheaper buy easier to get a coverage for from insurance companies and health agencies. To get back to the other category, the power scooters used by the able-bodied are the most expensive of all step-through motorcycles, with prices often ranging 9,000 dollar.

A small 50cc scooter has a lower traction force than power models, because of the capacity of the engine and the overall technical features. Power scooters bring superior velocity levels, more storage space and an improved stability on the road. Yet, it is more difficult to ride power scooters because of their weight, not to mention that you need a driving license too. The size and the similarity of design could often make power scooters pass for motorcycles particularly if you see them at the distance. Even so, these vehicles are still sold in separate categories and they suit different purposes and needs.

In some states and countries, police forces are often equipped with power scooters for street interventions. The easy access facilities and the mobility allow one to get over the traffic inconveniences without any trouble and reach destination in a shorter period of time. Other than this institutional use, power scooters are a choice for people who for a certain reason don’t feel satisfied with the smaller scooter models. Now, where can one purchase power scooters from? It is good to know here that the market is shared by well known brand names and anonymous producers from certain Asian countries, particularly China.

No matter the type of power scooters you want to buy, make sure you get the chance to test the scooter to get a good look at the seating, the leg space and the controls. Depending on individual needs you should find out whether the scooter you intend to purchase will not face hidden problems in the environment where it will be used. Thus, check for all the technical details, and choose a model that corresponds to your real needs.

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The Lambretta Scooter

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Mention the word scooter to a UK person of a certain age and they get misty eyed.  The Lambretta scooter was the transport of choice of a young man back in the early to mid 1960s.  This was at the peak of the Mods versus Rockers age.  The Mods listened to soul records, dressed in smart suits and drove scooters covered in mirrors.  This was so they could check on their perfectly groomed hair.  The rockers, on the other hand, rode motorbikes, listened to rock’n'roll and wore leathers or denim.  Some of them were in Hell’s Angel chapters.  Unfortunately these 2 groups would often clash.  Vacations became the conventional time when Mods and Rockers attacked seaside towns, frequently joining in punch-ups on the beach.

Any Mod worth his salt would own a motor scooter. He would polish the mirrors and look after it as if he’d given birth to it.  Infrequently this would be a Vespa model.  It was fairly respectable to own one of these but they were never as trendy as the Lambretta scooter.  This chapter of youth culture was superbly caught in the film, Quadrophenia, starring Sting and based mostly on the tracks of The Who.  There was a Mod revival in the 1990s with bands like Oasis and Blur wearing the old fur hooded parka’s and Noel Gallagher was snapped astride a Lambretta.  All of a sudden, each fan wanted one.

There are Owners Clubs all around the planet but the English one still has the highest number of members and holds a number of rallies.  The scooters are kept in spotless condition and are regarded as classics.  The first Lambretta scooter started life in Italy of course, the first model being manufactured in 1947.  It was preferred right away and solved the state’s transport problem at a time when they were recovering from World War Two.  Italy is still the land of the scooter, seen in numerous films including the iconic image of a young Audrey Hepburn riding one in Roman vacation.  The last Lambretta scooter made in Italy was in 1972.  Models were made in other parts of the world, including India, which made the very last range as recently as 1998.

Some autos become part of the culture, especially those associated with young folk.  The Lambretta scooter was an affordable way of teens finding their autonomy but belonging to a shared identity.  We will not see its likeness again.

For further articles on Lambretta’s and whatever click on the Bikes Cars & Boats website.