The Perks and Terrors of Driving a KYMCO 50 Agility Scooter
My partner and I recently acquired a KYMCO 50 Agility Scooter for $1,700 after tax, on a loan. Upon experience with this machine, I have compiled the following benefits and concerns to keep in mind when debating the purchase of this mode of transportation.
Pros:
- Goes 100 miles to the gallon.
- Doesn’t require a motorcycle license.
- Comfortable seating.
- Only $125 a month.
Cons:
- Can kill you.
- No, really, you can die on this thing.
- I’m not kidding; you could brake too hard and hit a tree, street light, stop sign.
- People can ram into you.
- Everything that you are as a person can, in one hideous blink, be scattered across ten square yards of asphalt.
Pros:
- Goes 100 miles a gallon!
John Fram is a freelance writer whose public records show him living in Texas. He has a dog and a guy that lives with him. He tweets here, and you can contact him here. Photo: flickr/*CQ*
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Previously on The Billfold
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Is 100 miles/gallon faster or slower than the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs?
Functionally, it’s about 30 mph for two weeks.
100 mpg unless it’s raining, snowing, or rush hour
Ha! I am in the process of finding/purchasing a 150cc scooter and getting my motorcycle license. I realize all of the cons are true, but this carless lady is still super excited.
Although in rush hour you can totally pass cars. Oh yeah, is that illegal? Whatevs.
@Selena Hoy@facebook as far as i’ve heard, going up on sidewalks is also kosher
Depending on your state a license endorsement IS required for one of these – yes, even the little 50cc.
And YES re: “can kill you.” I have a Buddy 50 that I adore, but I’ve definitely had my scares – the worst was the summer a few years ago I wiped out on the way home from work (protip: when someone in a pickup truck is tailgating your scooter, it’s best to just surrender your pride and pull over ASAP) and knocked out my front teeth. They’re back, but it was painful (ever had your teeth jammed back into your skull sans-novocaine?) and expensive and traumatic and I never want to repeat that experience.
But! 100 miles to the gallon! Also maintenance is SO EASY, and also it’s a great conversation starter. Just…be careful. And wear a helmet.
Definitely thought “agility scooter” meant “mobility scooter”… http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Mobility_scooter_zoo.jpg/300px-Mobility_scooter_zoo.jpg
I was tempted to buy a scooter (grew up with a fun little 120cc trials bike) but after crunching numbers, dropped $1200 on a bicycle instead. I don’t enjoy motor maintenance and the scooter fills the same niche as a bike, but with more drawbacks (to me.) I still have to park on the street and can’t take shortcuts on pathways (or sidewalks on bridges) and can’t (legally) split lanes or otherwise avoid jams. But yes, scooters are fun! And motorcycles too. In nice weather, that is. You do become immune to the imminent-death-fear, as well.
Full Face Helmet!!! Cannot stress enough, people.