FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions, questions to ask yourself, and questions to ask your dealer in order to help you find the perfect scooter!

First, you need to figure out what scooter is right for you. Here are some basic questions to ask yourself before you decide on which model is right for you:

• Do you like a Retro look, or a Modern style?

• Will you be using your scooter for short trips, or for longer distance commutes where you will need to reach highway speeds?

• How fast do you want to go?

• Will you be carrying passengers, or other items such as backpacks or briefcases?

• What kind of storage will you need?

• Will you be riding up any major hills or doing any off-roading?

• Do you mind shifting gears, or do you want an automatic transmission?

Probably the most common question is "What size engine do I need?" Here is a basic breakdown of the size of the engine (stock) and the speed it can reach. Don't forget that many of our bikes have performance parts available, so if you want to get a few more MPH without going to the next size engine, many times it is possible. A lot of times, for an adult first time buyer, a bigger bike is encouraged. Once you feel comfortable and find the joy and fun in riding, there's a strong possibility that 50 cc's won't be enough.

Now that you've determined how you're going to use your scooter and how fast you want it to go, it's time to find a reputable dealer. You want to pick a dealer that is passionate about scooters (not satellite dishes or flea markets) and establish a good relationship with them for future repairs, tune-ups, and information. The last thing you want is a no-name scooter and a fly by night shop who will not be there for you when your bike breaks down. Here are some questions to ask your dealer to make sure you don't get ripped off:

• Do the scooters have a MINIMUM one year warranty on parts and 90 days on labor? If not, why? Remember, a warranty is a good indication of how well a product is built. If the manufacturer is not willing to give you a good warranty, how much faith can they have in their product?

• Does the dealer have a mechanic who can work on your scooter? Ask to meet him or her, and ask them any questions you may have. If a dealer tells you any motorcycle mechanic or small engine repair place can fix them, RUN FAR AND FAST! This is NOT true. Motorcycle mechanics fix motorcycles, and most will not work on scooters. It is not worth their time, and they often don't know where to get the parts. Same with a lawn mower shop. These aren't lawn mowers or toys or motorcycles, they have many specialized parts that can only be attained from the manufacturer.

• Can your dealer get parts for your scooter if it breaks down? If a dealer tells you that all the scooters are the same, they just put different stickers and prices on them, RUN FAR AND FAST! Many scooters LOOK the same, and the bodies do come from the same factory. But the engines, transmissions, and exhausts, the things that count, are VERY different. Parts are NOT interchangeable, even if the body style is exactly the same.

• Does your dealer have a shop area to fix scooters? Ask to see where they work on bikes.

• Is your dealer licensed to sell scooters in your state, and are the scooters themselves registered to be sold in your state? A shop that sells any kind of motorized vehicle MUST be registered with the state and have a dealers license. Ask to see this license. Also, like the dealers, the scooter lines themselves must also be registered with the state in order to be legally sold. Any scooter sold as "street legal", no matter the size or displacement of the engine, must conform to the NHTSA federal motor vehicle safety standards as published in the code of federal regulations, and enforced by the US Department of Transportation (DOT). If your scooter does not meet EPA and DOT standards, or is not licensed to sell in your state, you may not be able to register and get plates for it.

Now that you've determined that your dealer is reputable, and their scooters are of good quality, you need to find out what the laws are in your state. This can be tricky. Ask 6 different people the same question, and you may get 6 different answers. Consult the Motorcycle Learner Handbook for your state. For example, as we understand it, in the state of Tennessee, a driver over the age of 16 with a valid driver's license, can ride a scooter of up to 125 cc's without a motorcycle endorsement. A person between the ages of 14 and 16 can get a limited learner's permit to ride a scooter of up to 125 cc's. Anything over 125 cc's must have a class M endorsement on their license. Anything that is built to exceed 30 MPH, regardless of engine size, must have plates. That is why you see so many scooters advertised as 'under 30MPH'. If someone tells you that you don't need a driver's license to ride a 50cc or under scooter, this is NOT TRUE. These are scams to get you to buy the bike.

Okay, now you may be asking 'why bother? It's just a scooter.' The answer is about your safety. Do you want to be on something that is unsafe? Do you want your child to be on something that you have no idea who put it together, or if the brakes even work? These are NOT toys. These are vehicles that can be dangerous if not properly prepped or is cheaply made. Just because you can't go faster than 40 MPH, does not mean you can't get hurt. Remember the old adages: You Get What You Pay For, and Good Scooters Aren't Cheap, Cheap Scooters Aren't Good.

If you have any questions what so ever, don't hesitate to call us or stop on in!

Scenic City Scooters | 2248 Dayton Blvd. | Chattanooga, TN 37415

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