| Motor scooters are vehicles with small wheels | | | | the "folding," or "foldable," scooter. These |
| and a low-powered gasoline engine geared to | | | | are two-wheeled models that are typically |
| the rear wheel. The first patents for "foot | | | | used for traveling short distances around the |
| powered" scooters date back to 1921. Up to | | | | neighborhood. Braking occurs when the back |
| that time there were no motors attached to | | | | fender is stepped on, putting pressure on the |
| the scooter. They were propelled by "foot | | | | back wheel and stopping its movement. This |
| power." | | | | type of motor scooter is made for kids or |
| | | | adults and can also be used to perform tricks |
| The old-fashioned foot-powered push scooter | | | | on. It is very compact in size and can be |
| was updated to a Razor motor scooter under | | | | folded for storage in small places. |
| the direction of Gino Tsai, whose father was | | | | |
| a mechanical engineer for the J. D. | | | | A unique feature of freestyle folding motor |
| Corporation in Shanghai, Taiwan. His motor | | | | scooters is the "kicktail," a portion of the |
| scooter took about 5 years to design. | | | | foot deck that extends over the back wheel. |
| | | | This is what provides the leverage for |
| Gino Tsai claims that the reason he invented | | | | performing tricks. Motor scooters with |
| the Razor motor scooter was due to the fact | | | | "kicktails" are called freestyle scooters and |
| that his father had to walk for miles every | | | | usually have hand brakes due to the fact that |
| day around the huge bicycle factory that he | | | | the back fender allows for the performance of |
| worked for because of his short legs. To | | | | tricks instead of braking. |
| solve this problem he updated the | | | | |
| old-fashioned push scooter into what we now | | | | Electric scooters are generally bigger and |
| know as the modern Razor motor scooter. | | | | heavier. Because of the extra weight they |
| | | | consume more power and can only go shorter |
| When Gino finished the development of his | | | | distances when compared with the folding |
| motor scooter he began to market it to the | | | | scooters. After about 10 or 15 miles it may |
| public. It quickly became a huge success with | | | | be necessary to recharge the battery. |
| customers waiting as long as six months for | | | | |
| their orders. | | | | These electric, or battery-powered, motor |
| | | | scooters are often used to travel short |
| Why was the Razor motor scooter so popular? | | | | distances around the neighborhood or perhaps |
| The Razor scooter was made from lightweight | | | | on a school campus or other confined |
| airplane grade aluminum which can support | | | | environment. They are particularly popular |
| over 1000 pounds without bending. It is | | | | among the elderly, handicapped and disabled. |
| foldable, which means it can be stored in | | | | Instead of being confined at home these |
| very small places. It has small polyurethane | | | | elderly or handicapped people can now have |
| wheels and a low-powered engine. Braking is | | | | some of their former independence returned to |
| activated by stepping down on the rear | | | | them. Motor scooters of this type are usually |
| fender. | | | | called mobility scooters. |
| | | | |
| Today there are many different brands and | | | | Gas powered motorized scooters are usually |
| models of motor scooters. We have electric | | | | more powerful and can attain higher speeds |
| scooters and gas powered motor scooters. They | | | | than the folding scooters or electric |
| are very versatile and functional, serving | | | | scooters. They can also travel longer |
| many different purposes. They are patterned | | | | distances when a larger fuel tank is |
| after motorcycles, but have smaller wheels, | | | | included. Gas scooters may not be permitted |
| lower-powered engines and can be "stepped | | | | in some areas so it is wise to check out the |
| through," unlike the motorcycle. | | | | laws and regulations in your area before |
| | | | purchasing a motor scooter. |
| The most commonly seen style of scooter is | | | | |