Buyer's Guide

You'll find electric scooters sold by a large number of companies in a variety of places. Electric scooters are sold by companies who are online and local, small and large, reputable and not so reputable. Where's the best place to buy an electric scooter? Good question! Keep reading and we'll do our best to help you find a great place to buy an electric scooter.

CHOOSING AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER DEALER


Scooter Dealers

Specialty Electric Scooter Dealers - Whether you buy an electric scooter online or in your home town, it's always best to purchase from a reputable electric scooter dealer that specializes in the sale of quality electric scooters. If you have questions before, during or after you buy, the knowledgeable staff at a specialty electric scooter store will have the answers you're looking for. When you buy from an electric scooter dealer who doesn't know squat about electric scooters… you're on your own.

Avoid Questionable Electric Scooter Dealers - Dealers selling their products under questionable circumstances or locations should be avoided. If you have a problem or question after the sale, you'll want to make sure the dealer will be there for you. Also avoid electric scooter dealers who sell off-brand scooters, no brand scooters and clones. Electric scooter dealers willing to sell you junk shouldn't be trusted with your business. Click on the link for a listing of off-brand, no brand and clone scooter styles to avoid.

Electric Scooter sales

Electric Scooter Sales, Discounts, and Buying a Quality Electric Scooter for Cheap - It pays to shop around when buying an electric scooter. There's always a discount, electric scooter sale or low price electric scooter offer to be found. Many online shops offer free shipping! However, it also pays to be careful when looking for an electric scooter sale. Before you buy, make sure the electric scooter dealer is reputable and you're not sacrificing quality or service for the low price discount.

TIPS FOR BUYING FROM AN ONLINE ELECTRIC SCOOTER DEALER

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, over $300 billion in business will be conducted over the Internet during the first decade of the new millennium. Chances are good that you'll be one of those people making a purchase online soon, if you haven't already. Here are some tips to help ensure that your online shopping experience is a safe and satisfying one:

Location, Location, Location - Ask the company for its physical location (address and phone number) so that you can check on its reliability with outside organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and consumer agencies.

Check For Reliability - Check a company out with the Better Business Bureau. Also look for a reliability seal from a reputable online consumer protection program such as BBBOnLine (www.bbbonline.org).

Customer Service Policies - Check out the company's return and refund policies before you place your order. If an online company can't offer a concrete commitment on how they will handle potential problems, reconsider doing business with them.

Protect Your Passwords - Never give out your Internet password. When creating a password, avoid using common numbers, like your birth date, house number, telephone or Social Security numbers. If a website asks you to create a password protected account, never use the same password you use to access other accounts or websites.

Guard Your Personal Information - Only give credit card information or your Social Security number online in a secure environment. Look for the prefix “https://” in the URL (Uniform Resource Locator box) which lists the company's web address to be certain a website is secure. Also, look for the padlock in the bottom right-hand corner of your browser status bar at the time of purchase. This means that information being sent between your Web Browser and the Web Server you are connected to on the Internet is safe from being tampered with. A third item to look for is a certification symbol from a reputable secure website certification authority like Thawte. These certification symbols are secure images that appear on a website that allow visitors to tell at a glance that their information will be securely transmitted.

Keep a Paper Trail - Print out the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the company website you are on. The URL will indicate you are buying from the right company. It's also a good idea to print a copy of your confirmation number and order receipt for your records.

Protect Your Privacy - Review the company's privacy policy. You leave cyber “footprints” where ever you go online. This allows sophisticated merchants to collect data about your interests and buying habits. Choose company's who are approved to participate in the BBBOnLine Privacy Program or a program by a similar reputable privacy advocacy group. These companies must post online privacy policies that meet rigorous privacy standards. They open themselves up to review and monitoring and agree to participate in consumer dispute resolution.

Leave Nothing to Chance - Make sure you understand everything involved before placing an order. Be clear about the price and any shipping charges. Understand the terms of all product and service guarantees. Find out how long it will take to receive your order.

In Part 1 of this section we examined the key factors to consider before selecting an electric scooter for purchase. Now it's time to take a closer look at standard features and specifications. This section outlines the standard features and specifications offered by electric scooters and will bring you another step closer to finding the scooter that's right for you!

MOTOR: An electric scooter motor or engine is rated by its output in watts. Electric power is measured in watts; 746 watts are equal to 1 horsepower (hp). Electric scooters with a watt rating under 300w are not recommended for use on steep, hilly, or rough terrain, or with riders over 180 lbs. Generally speaking, the higher the watt rating of the motor the better your scooter will handle demanding terrain and a heavier load. Unless the electric scooter comes with a weather resistant motor, the motor should be kept away from water and wet weather. If water gets into the motor, the motor will short out and need to be replaced. An electric scooter motor is regulated by a controller. For more information about how an electric scooter motor works, visit HowStuffWorks.com.

DRIVE TRAIN SYSTEM: The mechanism that moves the scooter. Most electric powered scooters are chain or belt driven. Some brands and models come with a direct drive system. Chain and belt drive systems usually consist of a sprocket (chain wheel) on the motor and on the rear wheel with a chain or belt running around them. The motor turns its sprocket which moves the chain/belt and turns the rear wheel. Direct drive systems usually consist of wheel type device on the motor which is directly in contact with the rear wheel. The motor turns its wheel which turns the rear wheel. Most scooters are hand throttle controlled with either a twist (motorcycle style) or thumb (ATV, Jet Ski style) controller.

BATTERY: The power storage device of an electric scooter. The standard electric scooter battery is a sealed 12 volt rechargeable lead acid battery. Electric scooters will come with 1 to 3 batteries depending on the brand and model. The range of an electric scooter has much to do with the quality and power rating of the batteries. A heavier rider, low tire pressure, extreme temperatures, inclines, hills, rough terrain and high levels of speed will put extra demand on the battery and drain its charge quicker. The life span of a battery tends to run 300 – 500 charges and varies by brand and model. When fully drained a battery will take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours to recharge depending on the brand and model of the electric scooter and the quality of the battery charger. Some models offer a quick change battery feature that let's you swap out your depleted batteries for a fresh pair. It's recommended that you always keep lead acid batteries charged. Lead acid batteries do not like being completely drained. For longer battery life always charge your scooter immediately after riding it.

BATTERY CHARGER: The charging system for the scooter. Some electric scooter brands and models offer smart chargers which will not over-charge the battery and quick chargers that power an electric scooter faster than a regular battery charger. Always place battery chargers on a non-flammable surface!

BRAKES: The stopping system for the scooter. Brake types vary by brand and model. The most common types are drum, hub, disc and caliper (cantilever). Most scooters will come with any combination of the above brake types. Some models offer rear brakes, others offer front brakes and some offer both front and rear braking systems. Some models will come with an automatic throttle shut-off system. This is a safety feature that keeps the engine from engaging while the brakes are being applied.

FRAME, BODY & DECK: The overall construction of the frame structure and body of the scooter. The frame is typically constructed of steel. The body covers the frame and the deck is the area you stand on. Bodies and decks can be constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic or any combination of the three materials. Plastic bodies and decks are more susceptible to cracking and breaking. A rear suspension system may be built into the frame which will cushion the scooter and increase the handling characteristics. Rear suspension models will usually show the type of suspension and the amount of travel the suspension offers; measured in millimeters (mm); 25.4mm is equal to one inch; so a 50mm travel fork has just under 2 inches of travel.

FORKS: The system holding the front wheel on the scooter. Most brands and models come with a solid front fork but some brands and models are offered with a suspension fork setup. Suspension forks add travel to the front wheel. This cushions the scooter and increases its handling characteristics. Most fork suspension systems use metal springs, elastomers (rubber springs) or a combination of both. Most fork suspension travel is measured in millimeters (mm); 25.4mm is equal to one inch; so a 50mm travel fork has just under 2 inches of travel.

WHEELS: The entire part that includes the axle, hub, spokes and rim. Wheels come with wire spokes, solid spokes or a spoke-less solid design. Wheels come in steel, aluminum and reinforced plastic.

RIMS: The outside part of a wheel that holds the tire. Aluminum rims offer superior quality in terms of look and wear. Steel rims are a cheaper alternative. They can be found at lower prices, but typically, they don't last as long or look as good. Steel rims are more prone to rusting and paint chipping. Alloy rims are also available.

TIRES: Most tires are made of rubber, foam rubber or polyurethane. Styles vary from pneumatic with an inner-tube to pneumatic tubeless to solid and can come with a smooth, semi-smooth or knobby surface. Tire size will have an effect on the performance of the scooter. Taller tires will generally increase the top speed of a scooter but will lower its hill climbing ability. Taller tires will also increase a scooters ground clearance. Enhanced ground clearance helps the scooter handle speed bumps, pot holes, curbs and off-road terrain better. Shorter tires generally increase the hill climbing ability of a scooter but will lower the top speed. Shorter tires decrease ground clearance. Tire width will also have an effect on the scooters ability to grip the road, wide tires will increase traction and skinny tires will decrease traction.

ACCESSORIES: Some electric scooters offer a host of accessories and other stick with the basics. Here's a list of some of the accessories you might find when looking for an electric scooter; A removable seat, adjustable height handlebars, handlebars that fold, key ignition, headlights, taillights or brake lights, reflectors, turn signals, horn, rear view mirrors, battery indicator gauge, speed indicator gauge, kick stand, basket or cargo box, tool kit.
The electric scooter that's right for you is out there and our goal is to help you find it. This section outlines key factors to consider when purchasing an electric scooter.

QUALITY: Quality is the number one factor to consider when buying an electric scooter. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of overseas factories flooding the market with poor quality off brand scooters, no brand scooters and clones. Poorly manufactured electric scooters aren't built to last. They break down shortly after purchase, repairs are expensive, parts may not be available, safety can be a concern and ultimately these scooters find themselves in an early grave. Sadly, too many people have been ripped off by unscrupulous vendors selling poor quality scooters. You'll even find these cheap scooters sold in normally reputable establishments! You can save yourself much heartache and frustration by doing your homework and steering clear of poor quality electric scooters.

Here are a few tips to help you avoid poorly manufactured electric scooters:

● Stick with brand name electric scooters (avoid off-brand, no brand and clones).

● Avoid vendors who sell off-brand scooters, no brand scooters and clones.

● If the price sounds too good to be true… it is!

● Buy electric scooters that offer at least a 90 day warranty. (There are always exceptions to the rule and Rad2Go is a good example here. Rad2Go manufacturer's high quality electric scooters with a 30 day warranty).

● Purchase from a reputable vendor.

● For a listing of off-brand, no brand and clone scooter styles to avoid, click here.

PRICE: There is a big price range among electric scooters, but generally speaking electric scooters for kids sell for about $200 - $400 dollars and electric scooters built for adults sell for $300 - $1,000 and up. The better the specifications and the more bells and whistles the scooter comes with the more it will cost.

SPEED: Electric scooters vary in speed from 8 mph to 25 mph, however electric scooters that hit speeds over 20 mph are rare. The speed of an electric scooter is affected by several factors. The weight of the rider, the level of charge in the battery, tire pressure, inclines, hills and rough terrain can all influence an electric scooters speed. Typically the speed rating the manufacturer lists for an electric scooter is its maximum speed under ideal conditions.

RANGE: This is the distance an electric scooter will take you on a single charge. Electric scooters vary in range from 8 miles to 20 miles per charge. Electric scooters that offer a range of more than 15 miles are rare and more costly to purchase. The range of an electric scooter is affected by several factors. The weight of the rider, tire pressure, extreme temperatures, inclines, hills and rough terrain can all influence an electric scooters range. Typically the range rating the manufacturer lists for an electric scooter is its maximum range under ideal conditions.

CARRYING CAPACITY: This is the maximum amount of weight an electric scooter can carry. Keep in mind that the heavier the rider the slower the acceleration and top speed of an electric scooter. Heavier riders will also reduce an electric scooters range and decrease its hill climbing ability. Riders under 180 lbs. can typically ride any electric scooter out there and achieve maximum performance.

RECOMMENDED AGE: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children under the age of 12 not ride motorized scooters (see http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/prscoot.php). Local laws may require a rider to be a certain age to operate an electric scooter as well. The manufacturer will post a recommended riding age for their electric scooters. Manufacturers tend to recommend a riding age from 12 & up to 16 & up depending on the specifications of the electric scooter.

TERRAIN: The ideal riding surface for an electric scooter is a relatively flat street or road. If you plan of taking your electric scooter off-road, climbing hills or scooting through rough terrain you will want to purchase a scooter with a high watt motor. For a 180 lb. rider a motor rating of 300 watts or above will do the trick. Generally speaking, the higher the watt rating of the motor the better your electric scooter will tackle demanding terrain. Riders heavier than 180 lbs. will want to compensate by purchasing a scooter with an even higher watt rating.

PORTABILITY: Will you need to carry your electric scooter around? If so, then portability is a big factor to consider. Check the weight of the scooter and its dimensions when folded. Electric scooters can weigh anywhere from 30 lbs. to 100 lbs, so you'll want to make sure it's light enough for you to carry. You'll also need to check the folded dimensions of the scooter to make sure it fits in the trunk of your car or wherever you might need to store it for travel.

CLIMATE: Do you live in sunny California, the snow covered North or rainy Seattle? Wherever you live you'll want to make sure your scooter can handle the local weather patterns. Temperature will affect the battery of an electric scooter. Extremely hot or extremely cold weather will decrease a scooters range. You will typically want to avoid the rain. Electric scooters tend to offer some resistance to wet weather and your scooter will probably survive a real light rain. However, if water gets into the motor, the motor will short out and need to be replaced. Some Currie built scooters (Currie, Schwinn, Mongoose and GT) come with weather resistant motors and can handle wet weather. High winds will also affect the performance of your electric scooter. Traveling against a high wind will decrease your speed and range.

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