How to Ride a Scooter
[6 Tips You Must Know]
Riding a scooter can be SO much fun! Wind blowing through your hair. The warmth of sunshine on your skin. That unbeatable feeling of being right there in it, that up-close and personal, front row seat view of whatever beautiful landscapes your travels may take you through. But…there are some important factors that you need to think about before making your scooter purchase and getting it on the road safely. See our 6 tips below!
1) GET A SCOOTER THAT’S COMFORTABLE FOR YOUR BODY SIZE!
Make sure that you can comfortably put both feet down on the ground. This will help you mentally be able to prepare for your first ride on the road. If you can’t comfortably put both feet on the floor, this can create a lack of confidence and fear of falling over or dropping the scooter. With both feet on the floor, you’ll feel steady and stable
Like the scooter pictured above? Check out the Wolf Jet in white! https://www.wolfbrandscooters.com/scooters/wolf-jet/
2) GET THE RIGHT CC (ENGINE SIZE) SCOOTER. THE CC WILL DETERMINE THE MAX SPEED AND HORSE POWER OF YOUR SCOOTER.
What’s right for you? A 50cc, 125cc, 150cc or maybe even a 200cc or 300cc Scooter?
First off cc just stands for cubic centimeters and is how we measure an engines size. The larger the cc the more speed and power you will have. Most scooters are either 50ccs (aka 49cc) or 150ccs. Sometimes you’ll see a 125cc or 300cc as well, but those are less common.
I think most people would tell you to start off with a 50cc Scooter if you’ve never ridden before. And I could agree with that. However, a few things to consider are that you will quickly get used to ridding, no matter the cc of the scooter, and if you do actually need or want a larger cc scooter, but opt for a 50cc scooter instead, you’ll be back at the dealership within a few months to trade-up, almost guaranteed.
Which means time and money! So, it would be my recommendation to get the cc you actually need, upfront. With some easy tips ahead, learning about and getting comfortable on your scooter shouldn’t be too hard.
Are you only planning to take short trips, around the corner to work, or school, or maybe the grocery store? Will you mainly drive on small, inner-city roads, where the speed limits are around 40mph? Then a 50cc scooter may be just fine for you! A cool bonus is that you won’t usually need much for a 50cc scooter in terms of special licensing, insurance, etc. You can verify that here on our blog post-
Motor Scooter and Moped License Requirements by State.
A 50cc will also generally be cheaper than a 150cc or above. So, if budget comes into play and you don’t have far to go each day on your scooter. A 50cc might be the perfect fit!
Are you driving long distances on roads with heavy traffic? Will your scooter be your main mode of transportation? Maybe you’ll need to jump on the highway sometimes? Will you drive on roads that have speed limits over 40mph, like 60mph?
A 125cc or a 150cc sounds like a better fit to me if you answered yes to the above!
A 200cc or 300cc scooter may be a good choice if you plan on doing a lot of highway and long-distance traveling and with a local weekend motorcycle training course, you could be in ship shape condition to ride in no time at all.
See TIP #4 below for more info on motorcycle courses.
3) SHOULD YOU GO AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL?
MOST scooters are “twist and go”, meaning it’s automatic and you won’t need to switch gears. Not like back in the day, a lot of scooters were manual, meaning you would need to shift gears like on a motorcycle. If you are new to riding, I would definitely go automatic. Learning how to ride can be a small task but learning how to use and switch gears is a whole new subject in itself.
However, if you do want a manual, then you’ll have to dig out old uncle Bob’s phone number (you know…the one who rode a motorcycle in the 70s) and have him come and teach you! Having an experienced rider teach you is a must! Learning to switch gears isn’t something I can really teach you in a simple blog post. Go take that motorcycle course and learn from professionals better yet! Continue reading for more on motorcycle courses.
4) SCOOTER SCHOOL
Take a motorcycle (scooter) safety course!!!
Taking a motorcycle safety course will teach you the ins and outs of riding your two-wheel cycle on the road. What to look for, what to do, what not to do, and how to avoid dangerous situations. I HIGHLY recommend and advocate a motorcycle safety course for anyone riding a two-wheeler of any kind. I have personally taken the course, as well as an advance motorcycle training course on a motorcycle race track, and I’ve learned things that I don’t know how people even ride without knowing. Take one! It’s worth every dollar and the weekend it will take to complete the course.
Check out this awesome motorcycle safety courses website and find a local course near you today! They even have “Scooter School” course on how to ride a scooter!
https://www.msf-usa.org/Default.aspx
5) GET TO KNOW YOUR SCOOTER- step by step
I would of course go to scooter school to learn how to ride a scooter, but if you aren’t going to go or can’t for some reason, at least go to a large empty parking lot with your scooter (have someone experienced drive it there for you of course) and practice, practice, practice!
Maybe Start off by just getting a feel for giving the scooter some gas, and then a little more and a little more. Go straight first! Do not attempt turns or turning until you have mastered going straight and braking, straight and braking, repeat. Do this for a while until it’s seamless.
Then after you can do that, you can start to add some wider turns in. Get to know your scooter and how it handles, what the acceleration and braking feel like, etc.
Once you can turn your scooter on, off, go, stop, turn, U-turn, park, backup, use your center stand properly, etc., you may be ready for a real road lesson, but again start off in a quiet neighborhood and drive around for hours until you’re fully confident and comfortable. Do not go on major roads until you know you are ready and can handle it and have had excessive experience in empty parking lots and quiet safe neighborhoods. Just cruise around, take turns, lefts, rights (Yes use your blinker) stop, park, u-turn, do it ALL, before heading out to the big roads!
6) WEAR A HELMET (and protective gear)
This is a very important tip! Wearing a helmet shouldn’t be an option. To us, it’s part of riding. So are safe shoes (not flip flops) and a motorcycle jacket made to protect your skin, elbows, and other important parts of the body, are highly recommended too. If jumping on your scooter Saturday morning to cruise down to the beach, tank top and flip flop clad, in your favorite Ray-Bans, we can’t stop you of course. We do not advocate riding unprotected though. Be Safe, ride protected!
Check out this awesome helmet from Bell!
Well we hope you’ve enjoyed this article by Wolf Brand Scooters. We wish you safe and fun travels! If you found this article informative and helpful, please make sure to share it via your website, Facebook, Twitter, etc. And don’t forget to leave a comment! Pretty please with a cherry on top!
The Wolf Team
All the information found on this website was collected through extensive research. However, Hammer Brand LLC., DBA Wolf Brand Scooters does not represent a legal law firm or entity in any way. We are not a government agency and cannot be responsible if laws change, are updated, or in fact never existed. Our readers are responsible for coming to their own conclusions and acting accordingly to the actual law in their state through their own research and counsel. We are only a guiding point with information to the best of our knowledge.
I would have been lost without the help of this article. Thank you for the great safety tips I will definitely be following this guide.
Great article touching base on all the most frequently asked questions from beginner riders!
Thank you for the feedback Robin, LOVE it! You guys are awesome!!!
Being a scooter dealer I so agree with all of it. That is one of the reasons at NC Scooter we offer a Scooter 101 for free with the purchase of a Wolf Brand Scooter.
Thank you for your feedback guys!! You’re the BEST! So glad you like the article.
And scooter 101 for FREE, is an awesome idea and add on! Love it!
I just bought a Wolf scooter and this is the exact article I was looking for! Thank you for helping me feel safe while riding my brand new Pink Islander!
So glad you liked it! Thank you!
I never thought I’d be riding a scooter at 59 years old. When the doctor told me I would not be allowed to drive a car anymore, I tried a 50cc scooter. 75mpg! A little helmet and sometimes sidewalks are a blast and safe. The policeman leave me alone as long as I am riding like a bicycle and I do not have to get it licensed! scootersarebetterthancars
Hi There,
That is awesome!!!! Sounds like you are having so much fun. Keep enjoying the ride and life : )
Wolf Team
Can you tell me please wut length throttle cable I need for my 2018 zhng wolf rx 50.please.
Hello. Here is the specs for the throttle cable you need. Sleeve Length is 65 inches, Overall Length is 72.5 inches, and the throw length is 85mm. Any local Wolf dealer will be able to help you with your purchase. Please let us know if you need help with anything else.
Any tips for fixing the fuel gauge on my brand new 2019 Wolf Rugby .
I have driven about 45 miles on the tank and it has never read anything ,but full.
It is digital
Yes. They come with a warranty. Please take it back to the Dealer you purchased it from and get it fixed right away. Keep up posted. Thank you!
The Wolf Team
Just got a 150cc scooter. Have only ridden a Kawasaki moped before in the early 80s. There’s a bit more to riding a scooter than I thought. It’s big, heavy and FEISTY and making turns is tricky as well as driving in a straight line and getting a steady flow on the throttle (since I am not used to it). I was wrong in thinking I could just hop on this scooter and go riding down the back roads. It looks easy when someone is experienced but looks are deceiving if you are not!
This is a good article and is exactly what I plan to do.
Hi Lynn, glad to hear you liked the blog post. Sounds like you are having a cool new experience with your scooter. Hope you have fun! Keep us posted.
The Wolf Team
I’m glad articles like this is up for us to know the do’s & don’t thanks for the adevice.
This article is a great help for beginner riders like me. 1st tip is really helpful as most of time I got back pain while riding.
Thank you Allen, so glad we could help and that your liked the article 🙂
The Wolf Team
Hello, thinking of buying the wolf EX150, going to look at it today or tomorrow, can u please tell me are they made in the US, used to ride a Harley but age , had to give her up , really miss ridding, is why thinking of buying the Wolf EX150, hope I won’t be disappointed, Donnie age 67.
Dear Don, sorry for the late reply, we have been pretty busy with COVID changes, etc.
I hope you found a scooter that fits your needs. 67! Rock on brother…
The Wolf Team
THANK YOU I AM SO HAPPY!
Is there a owners manual for the wolf jet 50cc
Hi Leaeann, Yes, please contact your local Wolf dealer to obtain one. Visit https://wolfbrandscooters.com/find-a-dealer/
Let us know if you need any further help!
Good information! I will definitely practice going straight and then adding turns. My balance is not the best after multiple back surgeries which for the most part, have not been successful. But, I am done with back surgeries (actually, the doctors are done) and I have resigned to having a pain pump to keep my pain under “control. I am a bigger guy so I went with a 150cc Rugby II. I do think that is a consideration that needs to be part of the discussion. A 50CC for a bigger guy can strain a bit and not hit the desired speeds.
Hi Robert, I am truly sorry to hear that your back surgeries haven’t been completely successful. That is heartbreaking. But if you are still up for riding a scooter, then that tells me you are one kickass guy! Thank you for tuning in and taking the time to reply and share your thoughts. A 150cc is definitely a better option for a larger person, and for just better speed and power. Please stay awesome, and have fun! Much love, Diana.
Hi Everyone, I just bought a 2023 EX 150 sport it is actually my 2nd 150 EX Sport. First one I bought to keep at the beach, was a 2019 and this is my 9th scooter overall. I would like to add to the discussion about cc size to take into consideration where u live! My first 2 scooters were 50ccs and I live in Redding, PA, and if u don’t know it it’s all hills everywhere! I found myself having to pull over and let the line of angry drivers go by and yes within 4 months I was back at the cycle shop getting a larger scooter. So far I think your scooters are right on par with the likes of Kymco. I had an X-Town 300 that I loved. Now I love this thing and it’s torque can get right up to speed on any highway I use, and I am a bigger guy, 250lbs and still can accelerate up the steepest hills. Buy a Wolf you won’t regret it one bit.
Hi Scott,
Thank you so much for your great feedback! I really appreciate you taking the time to inform fellow riders about CC options and benefits and your experience. We are so happy that you love and recommend our product! Thank you a million!
The Wolf Team