Scooters: Saving Money On Gas

Scooters come in different shapes and styles, and can be fully powered by electricity, gasoline or both. The licensing requirements for the operation of a scooter vary widely depending on the country you are residing in. Some countries may allow the operation of a scooter, up to a specific engine size, without any additional licensing requirements. Most countries do have licensing requirements of some sort, so be sure to check this out prior to making a purchase.

Another area that should be looked at when shopping around for a scooter is whether or not it is street legal. Some units are not built for use on the street and the area that you live in may have different requirements for what would be considered a street legal unit. A bit of forethought and research can save you headaches down the road.

The style of the scooter may be that of a skateboard type where the operator stands on a platform, to which is attached an upright T for steering and control. One of the standing styled scooters I viewed gave the operator the option of both sitting and standing. Another style of scooter mimics the moped design, and as such, it is a design that is more familiar to most people.

Size for scooters, as with motorcycles, is defined by the size of the engine. As they are designed for the purpose of low-powered transportation, the engine sizes range from 50cc to 250cc. Maxi-scooters are also available with engine sizes of 250cc to 800cc. Of the scooters I checked out online, there was a 50cc model that topped out at 30 mph. The 125cc model I looked at had a top speed of 50 mph, which is a pretty respectable speed that should allow you to go with the traffic flow.

Depending once again on the model you are looking at, the scooter may come with either an electric start button or a pull-start mechanism. The gas tank, should you decide on a gas powered model, can be located in a variety of places, and hold on average about five gallons of gas. The more expensive electric scooters will have a battery somewhere on board and there are some units available that will use both electric and gas power.

Since the reason for using a scooter is based on saving money on gas and not machismo, you will want to find out the specifics of the fuel consumption for any unit you are considering. Advertisements that only state the unit has economical fuel consumption are not sufficient to allow you to make an informed decision.

If you are considering an electric model, you definitely want to know the expected mileage per charge and if you are able to recharge the unit quickly and easily. Somehow I don’t quite see employers that provide electrical plugins for vehicles being too thrilled with their employees recharging their transportation at work. In warmer climates, this may not even be an option, as there is really no need for vehicles to be plugged in.

Riding a scooter can be fun, but, as with any purchase, it is important to look at the whole picture when considering the purchase of a scooter. The ability to meet licensing and street legal specifications is an important consideration.

Your level of training and comfort moving in traffic with the open design of a scooter is another. If you are considering this purchase as a means to save money on gas, make sure the unit does in fact use less fuel than your current mode of transportation and if it is an electric model, that you have a means for recharging.

If you live on the fourth floor of an apartment complex that has no available outlets in the parking area, an electric model may not be a good choice for you. How about considering if you would be able to bring along a change of clothes for the office should the weather be less than perfect.

Look at the big picture before hand and if you find a scooter will enhance your savings, scoot on out and get one.

Need Help With A Green Project?
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May all your tomorrows be warm and bright,

SherryD
http://energyoldandnew.com

Buying A Motorcycle To Save On Gas? Make Sure It Is A Good Fit.

With the consistent rise in the overall price of gasoline, many people are considering the purchase of a motorcycle to save on gas. Overall, motorcycles are relatively affordable as an alternative means of transportation, but one of your first considerations once you’ve set a budget should be in finding a motorcycle that is a good fit for you physically and a good fit for your experience level.

Personally I haven’t operated one since I was a teenager, and that was only a little XR75 dirt bike that took me from town to the country to visit my horse. So, when this topic came up for this blog, I had some learning to do. Fortunately there is a lot of information available to learn from and one of the most important things that kept coming up was the need to make sure the motorcycle you choose is a good fit.

Not everyone is comfortable with the concept of riding a motorcycle, nor do they have the experience to operate one safely. One of the best tips that kept popping up over and over was the need to take at least a beginner class before investing in a bike of your own.

Let’s face it, if you can not get through the beginner class, chances are good that motorcycle ownership is not right for you. A class of this nature should get you comfortable with safely operating a bike. I recall my sister once popping the clutch on the XR75 and my father desperately trying to stop her from running it vertically up a tree. So getting some training before buying a bike will help save both you and your bike from unnecessary damage. If you really think you need a high powered bike after the beginner class, consider signing up for a weekend at a motorcycle racing school.

Another tip that made a lot of sense was to be prepared, as a beginner to get a bike you will outgrow. In the beginning you don’t need one that has more power than you can handle, even if it does make you drool in anticipation. For the first year or so, work with a motorcycle that is kinder to those with a lack of experience.

Size as related to motorcycles refers to the size of the motor. A rule of thumb that has been suggested is that if you are looking at a bike that has two cylinders, it should be no larger than 700cc. For a bike with four cylinders, keep it down to 500cc. You don’t want a bike that is going to overpower you while you are still working on your balance and control.

The next thing to look for is how the motorcycle fits you physically. There are many styles and sizes for you to choose from and many manufacturers have models that are even designed specifically for women. You should be able to put both feet on the ground comfortably as well as keep the bike balanced at all times. If you are struggling to get it upright or can only put down one foot at a time, it is too big for you.

Of course, too small is also a problem. Regardless of the fact that you don’t want to be cruising the streets looking like an elephant on a Tonka truck, you need to be comfortable. Reaching for and operating the controls should be not be a stretch. If you are stretching to grasp the handlebars, either they need adjusting, or you need to look at a different model.

Part of using a motorcycle safely involves wearing the proper gear as well. The law in most places requires helmets. In addition, you will need clothing that will provide protection in the event of an accident, no matter how minor. Tank tops and shorts just won’t cut it when you are sliding on the pavement.

I only took one spill on that little dirt bike. That was when I turned into a lane that was freshly graveled unbeknownst to me. But, it was enough to fully appreciate the protection that long pants and a good jacket can provide. My brother on the other hand, with whom the bike was shared, had a few choice words to say about the positioning of the handlebars, following that wipeout.

These are just a few tips to get you started thinking in the right direction when considering the purchase of a motorcycle to save on gas. The key here is to not only save money, but to also save you and your bike from harm. If you are totally clueless when it comes to knowing what is a good fit for you, take a sensible buddy, who is experienced with motorcycles, shopping with you.

Need Help With A Green Project?
US Homeowners, Call 888-880-6039 Today
For Referral To An Experienced Contractor In Your Local Area!

May all your tomorrows be warm and bright,

SherryD
http://energyoldandnew.com

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