Street Legal Road Regulations
There are some general requirements that a gas scooter built for adults must have to be street legal in different areas. These requirements can change by cities, regions or counties. For example, if you are going to ride your scooter on public roads you may or may not be required to obtain a permit or license. Many areas have clubs for riders – you can get information on those locations in your area. You may not be able to ride your scooter in certain places like state highways or parks. In these areas, they have designated areas for riders to enjoy the thrill of riding. You can also obtain a license for off-roading and it is advisable to have one for road riding.
You may also have to register your scooter with the state, county or city. Oftentimes, areas will have a special program for people who want to register their scooters and mopeds. In addition, most people who ride their scooters on public roads have to pay an annual fee for maintenance and upkeep of the roads they ride on. Make sure you check with your area’s laws and regulations to ensure you are compliant. If you need to acquire special permits , licenses or registrations, please do so to avoid problems in the future. Always make sure to follow the rules. There are some safety requirements for scooters as well. If you ride with a passenger, you must ensure that the passenger has their own safety gear. This includes a helmet, shoes and jacket. If you ride at night, it is a requirement to wear reflective material or striping on your clothes so that other motorists can see you. The materials are inexpensive and readily available. Always keep your lights and tail lights in good working order. Consider adding brake lights too. Many people carry a flashlight to improve their visibility. Always follow the laws wherever you ride. If you are riding in state parks, be aware of the speed limits and restrictions. Each state, region and city has different laws. Remember to obey these laws in every region you ride.
Essential Features to Consider in a Gas Scooter
When selecting a gas scooter that is street legal for adults, the size of the engine, the maximum speed and the gas mileage all play an important role in determining which model to purchase.
Engine Size
For street legal riding, gas scooters can have any engine size from 35cc up to 49cc. The engine size will dictate the maximum speed for that model. Generally, the standard for throttled adult riding is either 40cc or 49cc. If you are going to be doing a lot of uphill riding or traveling with a passenger, then you may want to go with the larger engine size for more power. Engine displacement refers to the area inside the cylinders in the engine. A larger displacement allows for a larger fuel charge, which provides more power, but also is subject to emissions restrictions. These restrictions are what limits the maximum engine size. The size of the engine is also important for the overall cost of the unit. The larger the engine, the more expensive the parts when you need repairs. The larger the gas scooter, the higher the minimum weight requirement is. The 49-cc gas scooter would require that the rider be between 100 lbs and 240 lbs.
Maximum Speed
The larger the gas engine, the faster the scooter will go. The gas scooter with a 40-cc engine should go at least 30 mph. The scooter with the 49-cc engine should go 35 mph. If you are on the heavier end of the approved weight, then you will not attain these top speeds. The 35 mph maximum is usually for riders under 100 lbs. For every additional 20 lbs of rider weight, you lose 5 mph from the estimated top speed. Be sure to check the weight requirements for passengers as well if you plan to ride with someone.
Gas Mileage
When comparing gas scooters, you will find that the gas mileage is about the same for all of the models. The 49-cc gas scooter will generally get around 100 miles per gallon while the 40-cc scooters will get about 80 miles per gallon. The gas scooters with the 35-cc engines get the least, at about 40 miles per gallon. The weight capacity and the speed limitations also factor into the gas mileage requirements.
Best Practices for Gas Scooter Safety
When riding a gas scooter on the street, adults have some special considerations. The speed and power of these scooters make it even more important to follow the rules of the road and the rules of safety when operating these vehicles on public roads. One of the first things you should do before riding a scooter is wear safety gear. Helmets should always be worn, even if your local laws do not require them. Riding with a helmet can help prevent serious injuries in case of an accident, and wearing the right helmet can also keep you in compliance with most state laws. In addition to a helmet that fits properly, you should also wear a sturdy jacket or vest, gloves, and sturdy shoes.
Any time you ride your scooter on the street, wear bright reflective clothing. Many scooter accidents occur because other drivers do not see the smaller vehicle until it’s too late to avoid an accident. Having bright clothing makes it much easier for other drivers to see you and stay clear of you as you ride. It also makes it easier to be seen if you must stop on the side of the road near traffic.
When you’re stopped, whether it’s in traffic or on the side of the road, always pull off the road enough to keep the vehicle wheels at least 12 inches away from traffic. While you may feel tempted to ride on the road’s shoulder, this practice interferes with the safe passage of other drivers and may actually put you at risk of getting hit by a passing vehicle. In addition to keeping yourself and your scooter safely away from other vehicles, you must maintain enough room to safely open the door of your vehicle after stopping on the shoulder of the road.
If you’re riding in traffic, abide by the same rules as any other vehicle. Your scooter should contain turn signals and brake lights just as your car or truck does. They must be kept in working order no matter where you are riding. Be sure to signal turns as you would with any other vehicle, and make sure you’re keeping up with traffic in order to avoid causing other drivers to become impatient. Always try to ride in bike lanes when possible, but again, be respectful of other traffic that may need to use the lane as well.
Gas scooters are still relatively new on the market, so most drivers have had little exposure to these vehicles. This means you still have to exercise extreme caution when riding. Many drivers may simply not notice your scooter until you are in the driver’s blind spot, so take extra precautions to keep yourself visible in places with lots of traffic.
Never ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol, even in small amounts, can significantly reduce your ability to judge the speed and distance of people and vehicles around you. It can also inhibit your physical reaction times, meaning that if something unexpected happens, you may be unable to react quickly enough to avoid a collision. Avoid taking any substances that may impair your ability to drive before and during your ride. If you feel that you are in a state that may cause you to ride erratically, simply push your scooter off the road until you can safely ride again.
Gas Scooter Environmental Considerations
When considering the best street legal gas scooter for adults, environmental impact is an important factor. Gas scooters emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases as a byproduct when operating on roads and highways. While gas scooters produce significantly fewer emissions than larger vehicles such as cars, their impact to climate change nevertheless cannot be ignored.
In addition to CO2, gas scooters also emit nitrogen oxides which may pose a health risk a local level especially in urban areas with high traffic. Certain locations have adopted emission regulations aimed at reducing nitrogen oxide levels which are triggered when a vehicle enters a designated area with high levels of pollution. Some municipalities are considering banning the use of two and three wheeled gas powered recreational vehicles on public byways due to their contribution to higher levels of nitrogen oxide . If the total emissions from coaching, motorcycles and other gas powered scooters can be reduced, a significant difference may be made in improving air quality.
Regulations pertaining to gas scooters and environmental concerns vary state to state and city to city. In some jurisdictions the use of gas scooters is limited, prohibited or subject to special licensing and registration requirements. Environmental issues related to gas scooters will likely continue to be the focus of local and state governing bodies in an effort to balance the needs of riders and the public at large. The environmental impact of gas scooters is just one consideration when choosing the best street legal gas scooter for adults.
Popular Street Legal Gas Scooter Comparisons
When considering the purchase of an off-road or street legal gas scooter, potential buyers are presented with options galore, in spite of the fact that it seems like most of them are coming from Europe. It is important to have a good list of comparison factors, reviewing each model fully to determine which gas scooter is right for you.
One cheap and popular model from China, the Tao Tao ATLV-110 ($740), features a 110 cc gas engine and four stroke, air cooled engine which provides for a top speed of around 30 mph with about 60 miles per gallon fuel consumption. The model comes with automatic Frank F version transmission, and onto the ground suspension with front and rear hydraulic disc brakes. It has large solid tires, and is designed for use not only on paved streets, but also on dirt and gravel roads. There is good room for one adult rider plus a passenger, but it is not very transportable due to its weight of 155 pounds.
The X-Treme XR-50-R ($780) is a full size gas scooter, designed for more serious off-road travel. The engine is a very powerful 50cc gas engine. The transmission is automatic belt CVT system with foot brake, and storage room under the seat. Lifan LF50QT ($590) is a popular scooter sold at for one adult. Also from China, it is a very efficient gas scooter, with a top speed of about 40 mph, maximum fuel efficiency of 85 miles to a gallon of gas, weight of 125 pounds and a top power output of 49cc. It is also electric start with automatic transmission. Duke Retro 200 ($1,390) is a Canadian made scooter that was recently featured in a positive review on VeloVision magazine. With a top speed of 70 mph, Duke claims their scooters are ideal for both city and country riding. With a rear cowled engine and download windscreen, they look pretty cool, too. The 199cc 4-stroke, air cooled, single cylinder engine is fuel injected, and exhausts through a catalytic converter and oxygen sensor. The starter is electric, and there is a kick starter in case the electric starter fails. Fuel economy is 60 miles per gallon, and the range is up to 200 miles on a single tank. Roketa Maui Elite 50cc Scooter ($949) is a 4 stroke, air cooled gas scooter with a sleek black body design. The seat is spacious enough to fit two average sized adults, or a heavyset single passenger, which is always a plus. Rated at 1 horsepower and about 40 claimed miles per gallon, this model will reach about 40 miles per hour. It has an automatic transmission, which is very easy to ride. Adjustable mirrors offer good rear visibility. Tires are tubeless with alloy wheels. Those are just a few of the comparative specifications for several of the basic models available.
Purchasing and Price Information
There are numerous places online where consumers may purchase street legal gas scooters, including but not limited to Jaronex International (Jaronex.com) and Halloween Adventure (HalloweenAdventure.com). Both companies have a specific segment of street legal scooters (the JN-49 and JN-50) without any remote start. If you do not want a remote start, it is recommended to review these offerings and determine if the same scooter with a remote starter option may be purchased from another retailer. Many of the companies that specialize in gas scooters will have one of their scooters for sale on Craigslist (in your area) at a discounted price. Few companies offer free shipping (often called "drop shipping"), so be prepared to incur this expense when purchasing online.
In addition, it is possible to locate numerous gas scooters for sale on Craigslist, from a private, local merchant. However, it is possible that you may not receive any form of warranty with your purchase (e.g. an "as-is" type transaction). No matter where you decide to purchase your scooter, you should check the return policy . The ability to return a scooter, at a nominal restocking fee, is highly recommended.
Pricing of these scooters vary considerably, dependent upon a number of factors. One major factor is whether the scooter is new or used. Certain manufacturers have manufacturer suggested retail pricing ("MSRP") restrictions, while others do not. Online merchants will often list the MSRP on their site, and discount that price by 20% or more, to show consumers they are pricing their products competitively.
If you are considering a purchase of an assembled street legal gas scooter, the average cost, including assembly, will be between $700-$1,000, depending upon the manufacturer, model and additional accessories/options. The less expensive scooters are typically smaller, especially for those whose height may be five feet and under. The more expensive scooters are larger, approaching the size of a low motorcycle, and will accommodate a larger rider. Numerous dealerships throughout the country may offer the same scooter for a different price. In addition, certain dealers, both online and in person, package the required accessories with the scooter.