Motorized scooter
Encyclopedia
A motorized scooter is a small scooter designed to have the rider primarily in the standing position with a small motor attached. These scooters are generally designed with a large “deck” in the center on which the operator may stand. Gas powered stand-up scooters use a small utility engine (often designed for use in industrial power equipment) attached to the rear of the scooter. The first production scooter, the “Sport,” was released by Go-Ped in 1985. Since then, the industry has exploded with the creation of many new brands and technologies.
There are two general categories of tires on which stand-up scooters travel—hard tires and air tires. Hard tires are generally six inches in diameter and constructed of a hard-plastic insert surrounded by a solid rubber tire. Air tires are most often 10 inches in diameter. They are constructed of a steel or aluminum split rim, an inner tube and rubber tire. Other, less common wheel and tire types include 8 inch and 13 inch air tires.
Transmissions.
The most simplistic drive mechanism of stand-up scooters is the "spindle" drive. This drive mechanism puts an extension of the engine's output shaft, the spindle, in direct contact with the rear tire of the scooter. In order to function correctly, the tire must have a clean, dry surface which the spindle will be able to effectively interact with. Scooters with this type of direct transmission can be pull started with the rear wheel off of the ground or "bump" started by forcefully pushing the scooter with the rear tire in contact with the ground.
Simple chain reduction drives
are also used to transfer energy to the rear wheel from the engine. These generally incorporate a type of centrifugal clutch
to allow the engine to idle independently.
Belt
reduction drives use the combination of wide flat "cog" belts and pulleys to transfer power to the rear wheel. Like chain drives, belt drives include a centrifugal clutch
. Belt drives are more susceptible to breakage in off-road conditions.
Suspension.
The suspension systems of stand-up scooters range from simplistic spring based fork systems to the complicated, dampened cam-link and C.I.D.L.I suspension mechanisms.
motorized scooters are not street legal, as they cannot be tagged, titled, insured, and do not meet simple federal requirements for lights or mirrors. Particular localitites may have further ordinances that limit the use of motorized scooters. The top speed of the average motorized scooters is around 20 miles per hour. Due to their small wheels motorized scooters are not typically safe for street use as even the smallest bumps can cause an accident.
For example, the state of California requires that a person riding a motorized scooter on a street must be 16 years of age or older, have a valid driver's license, be wearing a bicycle helmet, have no passengers, and otherwise follow the sames rules of the road the same as cars do. The motorized scooter must have brakes, may not have handlebars raised above the operator's shoulders, and if ridden at night must have a headlight, a taillight, and side reflectors. A motorized scooter may not be operated on sidewalks or on streets if the posted speed limit is over 25 mph, unless in a Class II bicycle lane.
Technologies
Wheels and tires.There are two general categories of tires on which stand-up scooters travel—hard tires and air tires. Hard tires are generally six inches in diameter and constructed of a hard-plastic insert surrounded by a solid rubber tire. Air tires are most often 10 inches in diameter. They are constructed of a steel or aluminum split rim, an inner tube and rubber tire. Other, less common wheel and tire types include 8 inch and 13 inch air tires.
Transmissions.
The most simplistic drive mechanism of stand-up scooters is the "spindle" drive. This drive mechanism puts an extension of the engine's output shaft, the spindle, in direct contact with the rear tire of the scooter. In order to function correctly, the tire must have a clean, dry surface which the spindle will be able to effectively interact with. Scooters with this type of direct transmission can be pull started with the rear wheel off of the ground or "bump" started by forcefully pushing the scooter with the rear tire in contact with the ground.
Simple chain reduction drives
Chain drive
Chain drive is a way of transmitting mechanical power from one place to another. It is often used to convey power to the wheels of a vehicle, particularly bicycles and motorcycles...
are also used to transfer energy to the rear wheel from the engine. These generally incorporate a type of centrifugal clutch
Centrifugal clutch
A centrifugal clutch is a clutch that uses centrifugal force to connect two concentric shafts, with the driving shaft nested inside the driven shaft....
to allow the engine to idle independently.
Belt
Belt (mechanical)
A belt is a loop of flexible material used to link two or more rotating shafts mechanically. Belts may be used as a source of motion, to transmit power efficiently, or to track relative movement. Belts are looped over pulleys. In a two pulley system, the belt can either drive the pulleys in the...
reduction drives use the combination of wide flat "cog" belts and pulleys to transfer power to the rear wheel. Like chain drives, belt drives include a centrifugal clutch
Centrifugal clutch
A centrifugal clutch is a clutch that uses centrifugal force to connect two concentric shafts, with the driving shaft nested inside the driven shaft....
. Belt drives are more susceptible to breakage in off-road conditions.
Suspension.
The suspension systems of stand-up scooters range from simplistic spring based fork systems to the complicated, dampened cam-link and C.I.D.L.I suspension mechanisms.
Technological advancements
- 1915: AutopedAutopedThe Autoped was an early motor scooter or motorized scooter manufactured by the Autoped Company of Long Island City, New York from 1915 to 1921....
introduces its stand-up scooter. Pulling back on the handlebar disengaged the clutch and applied the brake. Autoped continued production until 1921; Krupp of Germany built the Autoped under licence from 1919 to 1922. - 1986: Go-Ped introduces the first production stand-up scooter, the "Roadster", quickly followed by the "Sport"
- May 2001: Go-Ped introduces the first full suspension stand-up electric scooter, the "Hoverboard."
- 2004: Evo Powerboards introduces the first scooter with a two-speed transmission, the "2x."
- November 2009: Go-ped introduces their first completely propane powered scooter and go-kart, the "GSR Pro-Ped" and the "GSR Pro-Quad"
Legal issues
In many areas in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
motorized scooters are not street legal, as they cannot be tagged, titled, insured, and do not meet simple federal requirements for lights or mirrors. Particular localitites may have further ordinances that limit the use of motorized scooters. The top speed of the average motorized scooters is around 20 miles per hour. Due to their small wheels motorized scooters are not typically safe for street use as even the smallest bumps can cause an accident.
For example, the state of California requires that a person riding a motorized scooter on a street must be 16 years of age or older, have a valid driver's license, be wearing a bicycle helmet, have no passengers, and otherwise follow the sames rules of the road the same as cars do. The motorized scooter must have brakes, may not have handlebars raised above the operator's shoulders, and if ridden at night must have a headlight, a taillight, and side reflectors. A motorized scooter may not be operated on sidewalks or on streets if the posted speed limit is over 25 mph, unless in a Class II bicycle lane.