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Scooters v motorcycles
A scooter differs from a motorcycle in several important ways. Scooters generally have less power and acceleration than their two-wheeled cousins, although there are some very grunty machines on the market.
Scooters are usually fully automatic, which means you can turn on the ignition and go: no clutch pedal and no gear changes.
A scooter also has a "platform" based design. While a motorcycle rider sits astride the machine, with the thighs gripping either side of the fuel tank and feet on pedals, a scooter rider sits more upright with their feet on a footboard or platform.
Scooters sold in Australia mostly range from little 50cc models up to 500cc "sports" scooters (there is a Suzuki model which is a massive 650cc).
Value and convenience
The scooter industry argues that the boom has been driven by value rather than style.
Hollie Black, Chair of the Australian Scooter Federation and General Manager of Select Scoota, says the small tank of her 200cc scooter lasts for 150 to 200 km.
There is a huge variety of reasonably priced scooters available in Australia – some starting as cheap as $2000.
Apart from price, Hollie argues that other scooter positives are convenience in negotiating city congestion and ease in finding a park (although motorcycle parks can get snapped up early on a normal city working day).
Safety
Scooter riders, like all motorcyclists, are vulnerable on the road. If you get into trouble, there's not much between you and the cold, hard reality of the bitumen.
Forget any ideas of buzzing around dressed in T-shirt and shorts (or little black dress and heels). Unless you want to risk some ugly injuries, you need to take the style pressure down and wear boots, gloves, a full faced Australian Standards approved helmet (look for the AS1698 sticker) and sturdy, long-sleeved pants and jacket.
Scooters are not necessarily more stable than motorbikes. They have small wheels, which makes them vulnerable to changes in the road surface including water, oil, loose gravel and holes.
Like motorcycles, scooters are difficult for other drivers to see. So you've got to be extra careful, especially at intersections, and position yourself on the road so you're visible to other drivers.
The RTA has produced a guide for riders called Braking Habits, which is just as helpful for scooter riders. You can order it online (go to myResources at myRTA.com).
Licensing
To get a motor scooter licence in NSW you need to go through the same process as a motorcycle riders.
Here's the step-by-step guide.
- Pass the pre-learner course (practical).
- Pass the rider knowledge test (computer) – and progress to a learner rider licence.
- Take the six-hour pre-provisional course.
- Pass the Motorcycle Operator Skills Test (practical) – and progress to the provisional rider licence.
- Hold your provisional licence for 12 months – then you can go to a motor registry and upgrade to a full licence. There isn't a test at this final stage.
There's one minor exception to this process. You can get a licence that restricts you to a 160cc or less automatic motor scooter. To get this licence you still need to complete all the tests but can skip the pre-provisional course, but most people choose to take the course so they can progress to a full rider licence.
Full details of all the steps are available at www.rta.nsw.gov.au (go to Licensing and follow the links to motorcycles).
More info
Licensing and safety
www.rta.nsw.gov.au (follow motorcycle links)
New and used scooters
www.scootersales.com.au
Select Scoota
www.scoota.com.au
Aprilia Scooters
http://www.aprilia.com.au/
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