| Gas scooters seem to be all the rage these days, and | | | | coming into the country that were labeled as being |
| gas prices are part of the reason. Not only are gas | | | | inspected for California, but were not actually |
| prices going up, but people are becoming more aware | | | | inspected. A California man was asked to surrender |
| of carbon dioxide emissions and its effect on the | | | | his plates and title by the State of California after the |
| environment. A scooter is an easy and fun way to | | | | scooter he bought was found to not be inspected. |
| shrink your carbon footprint while still being mobile. The | | | | If you are not worried about emissions, or adding oil to |
| miles per gallon of gas (mpg) of the average scooter | | | | your gasoline mixture, and gas mileage is your only |
| is often 3-4 times that as an average car. | | | | concern, then almost any gas scooter will fit the bill for |
| Look for a 4 Cylinder Engine in Your Gas Scooter | | | | you. Most scooters have at least a 50 mpg rating. Any |
| If you are considering a scooter strictly to cut down on | | | | scooter you buy will get better gas mileage than any |
| your carbon emissions you should consider a 4 | | | | car. The only thing you need to look for are the safety |
| cylinder model vs. a 2 cylinder model. A 2 cylinder | | | | features that make it legal for your area. Different |
| engine (especially an older engine) needs oil added to | | | | states and counties in the U.S. have different laws as |
| the gasoline for lubrication. That oil is burned during | | | | to what a street legal vehicle is. Some have extra |
| combustion and as a result the engine produces more | | | | licensing laws and age limits, as well as helmet laws. |
| emissions than a 4 cylinder engine of comparable size. | | | | Make sure that the scooter you buy has the proper |
| California considers carbureted and direct injection | | | | equipment for your area. This list covers common |
| engines to be "high emission" engines. They consider | | | | equipment that most states regulate: |
| direct injection engines, typically those manufactured | | | | - Headlights |
| after 1999 to be "clean emission" engines. Also be | | | | - Brake lights |
| aware that 2 cylinder engines must have oil added to | | | | - Brakes |
| their gasoline in a specific ration. If you want to avoid | | | | - Helmet laws |
| the extra hassle, then skip the 2 cylinder scooter | | | | - Horsepower |
| altogether. | | | | This is not an exhaustive list, and covering all aspects |
| Make Sure Your Gas Scooter is Rated California | | | | for every municipality is beyond the scope of this |
| Compliant | | | | article, but your state Department of Transportation |
| If you're looking to buy a scooter in California, or just | | | | (DOT) should have a list on their website. Have fun |
| want to make sure that your scooter is a "clean | | | | shopping for your new scooter, there are dealers in |
| emission" engine, make sure it is California compliant. | | | | almost every city across the US and Europe. Gas |
| There should be a sticker on the engine telling you if it | | | | scooters can be a fun way to travel, and they can |
| is rated. If you live in California make sure you find the | | | | also save you money while saving the environment. |
| sticker. There have been reports of Chinese imports | | | | |