Motorcycles

Scooters are classified under motorcycles. Scooters have step-through frame, protective leg shield, a footboard and generally comes with smaller wheels. Two wheel and three wheel scooters using electric motors instead of gasoline or petrol is called electric scooters. The electric scooter is an alternate to gasoline based scooter. They operate on battery motors. It is environmentally cleaner with reduced emissions. It is economical with lower energy cost. However, the electric scooters are slower in speed and run for a shorter distance before the next refill which in this case is a plug in. They come in a variety of models. Some models are less expensive than gas scooters.

As early as the later half of the 19^th century, electric motorcycles were being conceived as a possibility.  However, it was not until 1911 that an electric motorcycle was designed. But the commercial production of electric motorcycle and scooters were actually made only in recent years. Batteries are the source of energy to the electric motor. Research is going on in the application of fuel cell technology.

The Cost of gasoline has been rising constantly. It is going to cost more and more with gasoline scooters. Electric scooters become a cheaper option. It costs only a quarter of what it costs with gas. But the electric scooter runs only for a short distance before it has to be recharged. This can be done at a recharging station or at your home. There has been a progressive improvement in battery technology. The electric scooter models that are available in the market includes Vectrix VX-1, E-Solex, Eped Sport/City, ZAP Zapino, Yo Speed, Razor Scooters, EVT-4000e, Ezip Electric Scooters, Io-scooter and Peugeot Scoot’Elec.

Electric scooter is almost silent. This means lesser noise pollution. But it also poses a higher risk of accidents as the usual noise of the scooter announcing its presence is not there. They do not exhaust gases. They are eco-friendly. There are usually neither road taxes nor parking charges for electric scooters. There is no oil to change too. However the speed of electric scooters is lesser. The capacity of the battery reduces in winter.  However, it is expected that electric scooters will rise in popularity.

Motorcycle is a motor vehicle that is two-wheeled powered by an engine for long distance travel. Scooters, sport bikes, cruisers and mopeds fall under the category of motorcycle. Scooter is a motorcycle with basically protective leg shields. It is a personal transportation with low power of between 50 and 250 cc intended for smoother ride. Scooters are also cheaper vehicle amongst motorcycles and its maintenance cost is also lower. It weighs lesser, has large storage room and is more fuel-efficient.

Urban traffic in most countries is becoming a nightmare. Traffic congestions due to increased automobiles on the road are common place. Roads are not often favorable for automobiles to ride on. Motorcycles are a major means of transport in a number of countries and in particular the Asian countries of China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. In these countries, motorcycles form the major proportion of motor vehicles. Often, the public transport system is not adequate. Motorcycles become the cheaper and affordable preferred means of transport for many. It is estimated that the sales of motorcycles grew by an impressive 6.5 percent in 2008 despite the economic slide worldwide. Even the US has reported an increased sale. Motorcyclists form their own social groups and sub-cultures. In the world of sports, motorcycle racing is a popular sport.

{Lambretta and Vespa are two well known scooters that set the trend. Later versions of scooters have introduced larger engines and tires, newer technological features, more automation, and comfort features. There are many automotive industries who manufacture a variety of motorcycles. Newer and improved models are launched in the market due to its high demand amongst motor vehicles. There are many user friendly scooters in the market as the Roketa Bali 250cc in the market. The popularity of scooters was set by Vespa and Lambretta worldwide. Better and more efficient scooters were launched. Newer technologies made it better to ride. They had better tires and larger engines. More features were added. A variety of designs are on the road brought out by many motorcycle manufacturers. Increasing demand and demand for better features have brought out improved models. }

Motorcycles have better fuel efficiency than automobiles. Fuel prices are increasing. Petroleum products are non-renewable source of energy and are fast depleting. Motorcycles become attractive for its fuel cost though they can transport lesser number of passengers. Emission of greenhouse gases is lower in motorcycles giving credence to the claim that these are more environment friendly. However, motorcycles pollute more with nitrogen oxide as the major pollutant from combustion. They pollute many times more than a car. Amongst various vehicles, motorcycles are prone to more fatal accidents on the road.