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Motor Scooter Parts: Electric, Honda, 150, 250 CC

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Published: November 5, 2006

The scooter truly is a technological marvel. It is compact, yet efficient. It is stylish, yet functional. And its technical composition is what makes the scooter unique from other two-wheeled vehicles, such as the motorcycle.

When discussing scooter parts, it is helpful to start with the heart of the vehicle: its engine. Generally, scooter engines tend to be placed low on the vehicle, near the rear wheel. Most have smaller engines than motorcycles, with capabilities of around 50 to 250cc.

There has always been an air of confusion in the discussion of scooter engines, especially since the definition of a scooter itself ranges from state to state and from nation to nation. However, most people consider scooters with 50cc engines and lower to be mopeds and those above 50 cc are deemed motorcycles. The leeway some states give in creating in-between definitions for engines between 50 and 150 cc only adds to the confusion.

Depending on the model and production date of the scooter, it may have a manual transmission, complete with clutches and gearshifts. Older scooters have two-stroke engines, which burn gas and oil together. This process results in greater lower-end torque, fewer moving parts and greater fuel efficiency. Scooter models with two-stroke engines require a technique called pre-mixing, in which one fills the gas tank with gas and oil. However, large amounts of harmful emissions are dispelled in this combustion process.

For this reason, most manufactures now equip scooters with four-stroke engines, which pollute less. Four-stroke engines separate the lubrication and fuel systems, thereby reducing pollution since no oil is burned in the combustion process. A downside to the four-stroke engine is its tendency to overheat, which can seriously damage engine parts.

A distinguishing feature of the scooter is its bodywork. The most common features are an overarching body, or shell, that hides the engine parts and a step-through frame. Many scooters also come equipped with flat floorboards which act as footrests. Wheel size is another important factor in scooter design. Most scooters have wheels between eight and 12 inches in diameter.

Scooter manufacturers have also placed maxi-scooters on the market, which are similar to standard scooters, only much larger. Maxi-scooters have more powerful engines than their standard counterparts, varying from 250cc to 650cc. Also, the wheels tend to be much larger. Companies such as Honda, Yamaha and Piaggio have all manufactured these large-scale scooters.

Regardless of the technicalities of scooter classification and design, one thing is clear. For many people, scooters provide a fast, efficient and convenient mode of transportation.


Sources:
Scooter FAQ. 2005. Full Moon Scooter Club. 24 Sept 2006 .
Scooter (motorcycle). Wikipedia. 2006. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 24 Sept 2006
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