What is a Motor Scooter?

A motor scooter is a motorcycle with a step-through frame in which the rider sits without

straddling any part of the engine. Most modern motor scooters have smaller wheels than

motorcycles, between 8 and 14 inches (20-35 cm) in diameter. The scooter engine is usually

found under the seat with a continuously variable transmission transferring power to the rear

wheel, often in a front-hinged arrangement that allows the rear of the engine to swing

vertically in conjunction with the motion of the rear wheel. In contrast to most motorcycles,

scooters generally feature bodywork, including a front fairing and body that conceals all or

most of the mechanicals.

The classic scooter design features a flat floorboard for the riders feet, and classic scooters

most often include some kind of storage on-board, either under-seat or built-into the front

fairing or both. Most scooters have smaller engines than motorcycles (between 30cc and 125cc

with a single cylinder). Until recently, most modern motor scooters came with air cooled two-

stroke cycle engines with automatic 2-stroke oil injection although some of the higher spec

small ones and large ones are water cooled such as the Honda FC50 or the 2002 Yamaha

YQ50s. Scooters increasingly have four stroke engines to meet stricter emissions controls.

A common variation, the 'big-wheel' or commuter-style scooter features wheels as large as a

motorcycle. Popular models of the commuter-style bike include the Aprilia Scarabeo and the

Taiwanese Kymco People models. North America has recently seen a trend towards larger

touring scooters called Super Scooters with engines ranging in size from 250cc up to 650cc.

This trend began in 1986 when Honda introduced the Helix CN250, and continued with the 1999

introduction of the Suzuki Burgman 400 and in 2002 with the Honda Silverwing. Piaggio,

Yamaha, Aprilia, Kymco and others have since introduced scooters with engine displacements

ranging from 400 to 650cc. Honda's PS250 or Big Ruckus defies commons scooter classification

in that it's "step-through" is high and the bike features no bodywork but rather tubular frame

design.. High-end scooter models now include comprehensive technological features including

cast aluminum frames, engines with integral counter-balancing, and cross-linked brake

systems, V-Matic Transmissions -- along with comfort features such as windshields, heated

hand grips and full.

In essence the Scooters today, have fast acceleration and the same power as the standard

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