Some FAQ

Some of the questions I get asked, as a scooter rider:

Do you need a motorcycle license? No, not if the engine is under 50cc and has an automatic transmission. A regular automobile drivers license is all that is needed.

Do you have to wear a helmet? No, in PA, you don't have to. Eye protection is all that is required.

Do you wear one anyway? Yep. Sure do. I like my skin and bones, and the ones around my brain are some of my favorites.

What kind of mileage do you get? Mine gets about 110mpg, but that will vary with body size and weight. After all, the rider weighs almost as much as the scooter. My C3 also has a fuel-injected four-stroke. A bigger two-stroke may only get 60mpg. It's still better than a car.

How fast does it go? A 50cc scooter, unmodified, tops out at about 40mph. So you can't take it on the highway. You can buy models that will do 80mph, but you'll need a motorcycle license.

How do you get a motorcycle license? In PA, pay $10. You'll get a learner's permit, which you can renew, annually, indefinitely I believe. To get the full license, which allows you to carry a passenger, you'll have to pass a driving test. Or you can take a motorcycle safety course.

How much gas does it hold? Mine has just over a 1 gallon tank. That means that filling it up costs less than lunch. Filling up my car costs more than lunch for week.

Do you ride it in the travel lane, or on the shoulder? Right in the travel lane, just like a motorcycle.