July 20, 2008
Scooters cheap on gas, but watch out for costly repairs By BOB KOSLOW
Business Writer
DAYTONA BEACH -- Like more than 100,000 other consumers across thecountry, Rick Kane bought a motor scooter last year to save on gascosts for short shopping trips and jaunts to the beach.
In fact, he bought three off-brand scooters about a year ago, hesaid.
But all three have mechanical problems.
"It took the salesman a long time to tell me they were Chinesebecause otherwise no one would buy them. China makes crap. I knowthat. I figured for the price, I could get rid of them later forJapanese ones," the appliance repairman said. "I did some researchafterwards that I should have done first. If you are going to buyone, spend a little more for a brand name. You are better off inthe long run."
Kane could serve as a dealer spokesman. They too stress that newscooter buyers should do their scooter research, buy brand namesand work with a full-service dealer who can repair what they sell.
"More important than what you buy is where you get it from," saidDavid Hurtibise, sales manager for Pompano Pat's, a scooter andmotorcycle dealer with outlets in Daytona Beach and DeLand. "Use adealer that has been around, has a service department and honorsthe warranty, a place where reputation is important."
Scooter sales across the country are at an all-time high mainly tocombat gas prices that have risen to more than $4 a gallon. Scootersales have more than doubled since 2001 to 131,000 units sold inAmerica in each of the last two years. Sales continue to be strongthis year; they have increased almost 24 percent during the firstthree months compared to the same time last year, according to theCalifornia-based Motorcycle Industry Council.
"Two-wheeling is great for commuters. There are so many advantages,including some scooters that get 60, 80 and even 90 miles pergallon," council spokesman Ty van Hooydonk said.
As a result, traditional motorcycle shops have added scooter lines.Also, scooter sellers have flooded the Internet, invaded tradermagazines, opened temporary store fronts and erected roadsidetents, especially at Christmastime, looking to capitalize onincreased consumer interest with direct-from-the-factory discounts.
Although scooters carry hundreds of names, dealers say there areonly a handful of manufacturers, mainly in the Far East, Europe andIndia. They make top-of-the-line scooters with well-known names,but also make scooters with varying specifications for Internetmiddlemen.
"I'll caution people to be careful who they are buying from andwhat they are buying," said Nate Stickney, business manager forDeLand Motor Sports. "There are some good Chinese scooters outthere. We carry some to flush out our inventory and give thecustomers some options. We can't keep some models in stock becausethe manufacturers were not ready for the rapid rise in gas pricesin the U.S. and the increased demand."
Businessman David Levison learned the dangers of Internet scootersales the hard way before opening Mega Power Sports about 18 monthsago in Daytona Beach. He ran several Internet companies under thatname and others that were the subject of frequent complaints to theBetter Business Bureau of Central Florida and receivedunsatisfactory ratings.
"The scooters came in boxes to the buyer and 99 percent of thecomplaints were people who could not put them together and set thecarburetor," he said. "We lost like $3 million in back charges. Wewere not doing our customers justice, so we opened the store andplan more in Sanford, Altamonte Springs and the Disney area."
Pompano Pat's frequently sees broken and damaged scooters theycannot fix because mechanics cannot get off-brand parts fromoverseas manufacturers.
"I see it daily," part-owner Ron Hurtibise said. "I can't fix it,and they get mad at me. I always say cheap and good do not gotogether."
Before buying a scooter -- which ranges from a couple hundreddollars for a small used one to more than $5,000 for a new, largermodel -- consumers should take a motorcycle rider safety class tosee if a scooter is right for them, van Hooydonk said. Otherinitial steps for first-time scooter riders include having a properdriver's license and protective gear, such as helmets, gloves,jacket, pants and boots.
Ownership costs also include taxes, fees and insurance.
The first question a salesman should ask is what kind of riding theshopper intends. Fitting the right scooter for the right use makesfor more enjoyable and safer riding, Stickney said.
New scooter shoppers, like buying a car, should also ask a lot ofquestions about the scooters and service and get a warranty inwriting, and understand it.
Scooters are easier to ride than motorcycles, with no shiftinggears, and easier to maintain, said Chris Cortese, service managerat DeLand Motor Sports. Regular oil changes are the key to scooterlongevity, he said. Owners can do many simple repairs.
Florida requires all motorized vehicles on public streets to have aregistration and a tag. Riders must be 16 and have a valid driver'slicense. Any scooter with an engine greater then 50cc is considereda motorcycle and drivers must have completed a rider safety courseand receive a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license.
bob.koslow @news-jrnl.com
