How2Day: Scooter Specifications

Scooters are becoming the economical way to travel in the city. Shaun Egan/Digital Vision/Getty Images
There are three basic engine sizes in scooters, 50-, 150- and 250-cubic centimeters, cc. Top speeds range from 40 to 75 miles per hour and have fuel capacities of one to two gallons. However, there are also electric scooters available, but to get one that can travel more than 30 miles or so means spending around $11,000, as of 2010. When you get to the dealership, pick one with an engine size that is relevant to your needs and something you don't mind people seeing you riding.

Piaggio Typhoon is a popular scooter with more than 500,000 sold. It has a new leg shield and headlight profile that looks like a pair of eyes. The new design also includes a "shark face" that is more striking than previous models. This little scooter has the classic 50-cc, two-stroke engine or a new carburetor-fed 125-cc, four-stroke engine available upon request. The scooter measures about 76 1/2-inches long, 28 1/2-inches wide and a saddle height of 30 inches. The wheelbase is 53 inches with a fuel capacity of 1 1/4 gallons. One feature that makes this scooter popular is the graphics. Piaggio offers exciting graphics for the young rider and elegant for the more mature rider.

Suzuki has coupled with Sanyo to produce the e-Let's, which is an electric version of the gas-engine Let's4 basket. It weighs about the same as the Let's4 at 163 lbs., with a lithium-ion battery and charging system all on board. Charging the scooter's battery is as simple as plugging it into a 100-volt outlet. A single charge will take you about 18.5 miles. That's assuming a speed of 18 miles per hour on roads with no hills. Its dimensions are 65.5 inches long, 23.5 inches wide and almost 40 inches tall to the top of the handlebars.

Here is a scooter that is both stylish and fast. It takes a few seconds to warm up after starting, but can top out at 60 miles per hour at 8,000 revolutions per minute. The Vespa runs on a single-cylinder, two-stroke engine that gives about 12 horsepower requiring premium fuel. The wheelbase is 50 inches and it has aluminum wheels. Hydraulic disk brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear ensure good braking when needed. It measures 61 inches in length, 29 inches in width and 31 inches to the top of the seat, that has a lockable storage compartment under it.

With smart, European styling and ruby red paint, the Honda Metropolitan is a favorite among scooter owners. The 49-cc, liquid-cooled engine provides all the power needed to keep up with city traffic. The automatic transmission is belt-driven and pulls the 176-pound scooter down the road with no problem. Its wheelbase is 46 inches and the seat is 28 inches from the ground. The braking system separates it from other scooters in that when you apply the rear brake, it automatically activates the front brake as well. When you reach your destination, store your helmet in the compartment under the seat that is weather resistant and lockable.

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