Scooter (motorcycle)

Most modern scooters have an engine mounted on the swingarm, as popularized by the Vespa.

A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier. Scooter development continued in Europe and the United States between the World Wars.

The global popularity of scooters dates from the post-World War II introductions of the Vespa and the Lambretta. These post-war scooters were intended to provide low-power personal transportation (engines from 50 to 250 cc). The original layout is still widely used in this application. Maxi-scooters, with engines from 250 to 800 cc have been developed for Western markets.

Scooters are popular for personal transport, partly based on their low cost of purchase and operation and on benefits that include convenience in parking and storage. Licensing requirements for scooters are easier and less expensive than those for cars in most parts of the world, and insurance is generally cheaper.

Contents

Description

Kymco G3 scooter

A motor scooter is a motorcycle similar to a kick scooter[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] with a seat,[2][3][4][5][6][7] a floorboard,[1][2][3][4][6][7] and small or low wheels.[1][2][5][6] The United States Department of Transportation defines a scooter as a motorcycle that has a platform for the operator's feet or has integrated footrests, and has a step-through architecture.[8]

The classic scooter design features a step-through frame and a flat floorboard for the rider's feet. This design is possible because most scooter engines and drive systems are attached to the rear axle or under the seat. Unlike a conventional motorcycle, in which the engine is mounted on the frame, most modern scooters allow the engine to swing with the rear wheel. Most vintage scooters and some newer retro models have axle-mounted engines with a manual transmission and the gear shift and clutch controls built into the left handlebar. Most newer scooters use a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Scooters usually feature bodywork, including a front leg shield and body that conceals all or most of the mechanicals. There is often some integral storage space, either under the seat, built into the front leg shield, or both. Most scooters have small engines, 50 cc to 400 cc with a single cylinder, although maxi-scooters might have twin cylinder 400 to 800 cc engines.

Traditionally, scooter wheels are made of pressed steel, bolt on easily, and are often interchangeable between front and rear. In some cases, a spare may be carried - in the early days, with post-war rubber and poorly surfaced roads, this delivered a substantial marketing advantage. The bigger wheels of underbones are more like those of conventional motorcycles, being larger, spoked, non-interchangeable and, being axle-mounted, are considered rather more difficult and dirty to replace than scooter wheels.

Regulatory classification

Most jurisdictions have no legal definition for scooters. If a scooter conforms to a national or provincial definition of a moped, it is regulated as such in that nation or province, otherwise, it is regulated as a motorcycle.

For all legal purposes in the United States of America, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends using the term motorcycle for all of these vehicles. However, while NHTSA excludes the term motor scooter from legal definition, it proceeds, in the same document, to give detailed instructions on how to import a small motor scooter.[9]

History

Predecessors to the scooter

Scooter-like traits began to develop in motorcycle designs around the 1900s. In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller produced the first motorcycle that was available for purchase. Their motorcycle had a step-through frame, with its fuel tank mounted on the down tube, its parallel two-cylinder engine mounted low on the frame, and its cylinders mounted in line with the frame. It was water-cooled and had a radiator built into the top of the rear fender. It became the first mass-produced and publicly-sold powered two-wheel vehicle, and among the first powered mainly by its engine rather than foot pedals. Maximum speed was 40 km/h (25 mph). The rear wheel was driven directly by rods from the pistons in a manner similar to the drive wheels of steam locomotives. Only a few hundred such bikes were built, and the high price and technical difficulties made the venture a financial failure for both Wolfmüller and his financial backer, Hildebrand.[10]

In France, the Auto-Fauteuil was introduced in 1902. This was basically a step-through motorcycle with an armchair instead of a traditional saddle. Production continued until 1922.[11]

Predecessors to the scooter
The first production motorcycle, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller had a step-through frame
1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller motorcycle 
This was a step-through motorcycle with an armchair instead of a saddle
1908 Auto-Fauteuil motorcycle 

The first generation (1915-1930)

The Motoped entered production in 1915, and is believed to be the first motor scooter. [12] They were followed that year by the Autoped, whose engine was engaged by pushing the handlebar column forward and whose brake was engaged by pulling the column back.[13] Autopeds were made in Long Island, New York[14] from 1915 to 1921,[13] and were also made under licence by Krupp in Germany from 1919 to 1922.[15]

The number of scooter manufacturers and designs increased after World War I. The Skootamota, the Kenilworth, and the Reynolds Runabout debuted in 1919, with Gloucestershire Aircraft Company following with its Unibus in 1920.[16] The Skootamota was noted for being practical, popular, and economical,[17], the Kenilworth for its electric lights,, and the Reynolds Runabout for its advanced specifications, including front suspension, a two-speed gearbox, leg shields, and a seat sprung with leaf springs and coil springs.[18] The Unibus also had a two-speed gearbox, but it is more notable for its full bodywork, similar to that which would appear of second- and third-generation scooters.[17][19]

The reputation of first-generation scooters was damaged by a glut of unstable machines with flexible frames,[17][20] and more substantial examples like the Reynolds Runabout and the Unibus were too expensive to be competitive.[17][18] The first generation had ended by the mid 1920s.[17]

First generation scooters, 1915-1930
The Autoped was one of the first powered scooters
1919 Autoped Ever Ready 
The Skootamota was a more refined scooter than the Autoped
ABC Skootamota, designed by Granville Bradshaw 
Another 1st generation British scooter, the Kenilworth
1921 Kenilworth scooter 
Gloucestershire Aircraft Company's Unibus was ahead of its time, but was too expensive to survive
1920s Unibus scooter, in grey, at right. 

The second generation (1936-1968)

E. Foster Salsbury and Austin Elmore developed the Salsbury Motor Glide, a scooter with a seat above an enclosed drivetrain, and began production in 1936 in California. In 1938 Salsbury introduced a more powerful scooter with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This was the first use of a CVT on a scooter.[21] It was such a success that Salsbury attempted to license the design to several European manufacturers including Piaggio. The Motor Glide set the standards for all later models. It inspired production of motor scooters by Powell, Moto-scoot, Cushman, Rock-Ola, and others.[22]

The Cushman Company produced motor scooters from 1936 to 1965.[23]. Cushman was an engine manufacturer that started making scooters after Salsbury found their offer to supply engines to be unacceptable. Cushman and Salsbury competed against each other, with both companies advertizing the economy of their scooters. Cushman claimed an efficiency of 120 miles per gallon at 30 mph. Cushman introduced a centrifugal clutch to their scooters in 1940.[21] The Cushman Auto Glide Model 53 was designed to be dropped by parachute with Army Airborne troops, and was eventually called the “Cushman Airborne”.[24] Cushman scooters were also used around military bases for messenger service.[25]

Salsbury continued manufacturing scooters until 1948,[26] while Cushman continued until 1965..[27]

Second generation scooters, USA, 1936-1965
Sears Allstate scooter, made by Cushman
Typical Cushman scooter, this one sold by Sears under the Allstate brand 
The Model 85 was much bigger and sleeker than the early Motor Glides
1948 Salsbury Model 85 scooter, in the middle 

Early postwar Japanese scooters

After World War II, wartime aircraft manufacturers were forbidden from making aircraft, and had to find other products to make in order to stay in business. Fuji Sangyo, a part of the former Nakajima Aircraft Company, began production of the Fuji Rabbit S-1 scooter in June 1946. Inspired by Powell scooters used by American servicemen, the S1 was designed to use surplus military parts, including the tailwheel of a Nakajima bomber, re-purposed as the front wheel of the S1.[28][29] Later that year, Mitsubishi introduced the C10, the first of its line of Silver Pigeon scooters.[30][31] This was inspired by a Salsbury Motor Glide that had been brought to Japan by a Japanese man who had lived in the United States.[31]

Production of the Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon and the Fuji Rabbit continued through several series until the 1960s.[32][28] Some series of the Fuji Rabbit were developed to a high level of technological content; the S-601 Rabbit Superflow had an automatic transmission with a torque converter, an electric starter, and pneumatic suspension.[33].[34] Mitsubishi ended scooter production with the C140 Silver Pigeon,[32] while Fuji continued production of the Rabbit until the last of the S-211 series was built in June 1968.[28]

Second generation scooters, Japan, 1946-1968
Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon, apparently a C10
Early Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon 
S-402: Fuji Rabbit Touring 150
Fuji Rabbit Touring 150 (S-402) 

The third generation (1946 - 1964) and beyond

Italy - Vespa and Lambretta

1952 Lambretta 125 D

In post-World War II Italy the Piaggio Vespa became the standard for scooters, and has remained so for over 60 years. Patented in April 1946, it used aircraft design and materials. D’Ascanio's 98 cc scooter had various radical design concepts, including a sleek, stress-bearing structure. The gear shift lever was moved to the handlebars for easier riding. The engine was placed near the rear wheel, eliminating the belt drive. The typical fork support was replaced by an arm similar to an aircraft carriage for easier tire-changing. The elegantly-styled body protected the driver from wind and road dirt, and bore little resemblance to uncomfortable and noisy motorcycles. The smaller wheels and shorter wheelbase provide improved maneuverability through narrow streets and congested traffic. Combining the best elements of automotive, aeronautical and motorcycle design, the Vespa quickly became an icon of design and economy. The name reportedly originated when Piaggio's president upon seeing the prototype, remarked "Sembra una vespa", "It looks like a wasp".

Months after the Vespa, in 1947, Innocenti introduced the Lambretta, beginning a rivalry with Vespa. The scooter was designed by Innocenti, his General Director Giuseppe Lauro and engineer Pierluigi Torre. It debuted in 1947 at the Paris Motor Show. The Lambretta 'A' went on sale on December 23, 1947 and sold 9,000 units in one year. It was efficient, 160-180 mpg (miles per gallon) or 68–76 km/litre, at a time when petrol was severely rationed. It had a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) from a fan-cooled engine of 123 cc. The Lambretta was named after Lambrate, the Milanese neighborhood where the factory stood. The first Lambretta designs had shaft drive and no rear suspension, later designs used various drive and suspension systems until Lambretta settled on a swingarm-mounted engine with chain drive.[35]

Germany and Austria

Zündapp Bella R 154 from 1958

Germany's aviation industry was also dismantled after World War II. Heinkel stayed in business by making bicycles and motorbikes. The Heinkel Tourist was a large and relatively heavy touring scooter produced in the 1960s. It provided good weather protection with a full fairing, and the front wheel turned under a fixed nose extension. It had effective streamlining, perhaps thanks to its aircraft ancestry. Although it had only a 175 cc 4-stroke motor, it could sustain speeds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Heinkel scooters were known for their reliability.

The Zündapp Bella was the most popular German scooter in the 1960s. It was in production for about ten years, in three engine sizes, 150 cc, 175 cc and 200 cc. They could perform all day at a steady speed of 60 mph (97 km/h). Extremely reliable and very well made, many of these scooters still exist today.

The Maicoletta motor scooter of the 1950s was one of the largest produced in that era. The engine was a single cylinder 247 cc piston-port 2-stroke (277 cc for use with a sidecar), with four foot-operated gears and centrifugal fan cooling. The tubular frame was built on motorcycle principles, with long-travel telescopic forks and 14-inch wheels. The Maicoletta had a top speed of 70 mph (110 km/h) which was comparable with most 250 cc motorcycles of the time.

In Austria, Puch made a scooter with a 125cc (later 150cc) two-stroke engine from the late 1950s.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, Douglas manufactured the Vespa under licence from 1951 to 1961 and assembled them from 1961 to 1965.[36] BSA and Triumph made several models of scooter including the BSA Dandy 70, the Triumph Tina, and the Triumph Tigress. The Tigress was made from 1959 to 1964 and was sold with a 175 cc 2-stroke single engine or a 250 cc 4-stroke twin;[37] both versions used a foot-operated four-speed gearbox. The 250 twin had a top speed of 70 mph (110 km/h).[37] The BSA Sunbeam was a badge engineered version of the Tigress.

United States of America

Salsbury continued manufacturing scooters until 1948,[26] while Cushman continued until 1965.[27]

Small numbers of the 165 cc Harley-Davidson Topper scooter were produced from 1960 to 1965 using the engine from their line of light motorcycles based on the DKW RT 125. It had a fiberglass body, a continuously-variable transmission, and a pull-cord starting mechanism.[38][39]

Other U.S. scooter manufacturers included Cycle-Scoot from 1953 to 1955[40] and motorcycle manufacturer Simplex from 1956 to 1960.[41]

Later Japanese Scooters and "maxi-scooters"

1983 Honda Beat
A modern Honda Jazz

In the 1980s new versions of scooters began to be released and become popular, especially in Japan and far-east Asia. This style of scooters began to reflect that of larger, sporty, higher-performance motorcycles of the time and the trend has continued till now. With the release of the Honda Ruckus, new trends towards dirt-bike scooters are just beginning. In 1988, Honda introduced a large, touring scooter design, the 250 cc Helix (also called Spazio, Fusion or CN250). Although it was bulky to handle at low speeds and was derisively called a "Barcalounger on wheels", it was designed for riding long distances in comfort. Now nearly all major scooter manufacturers produce such models, called "maxi", "GT" or "touring" scooters. The largest scooter made is now the 840 cc Gilera GP 800, a 75 CV (55 kW; 74 hp) scooter capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds.

The classic styling of the Vespa never lost its popularity, and remains the most-popular and most-imitated scooter design. Almost all manufacturers now carry both a classic/retro model and a sporty/modern model.

Scooter developments

Piaggio MP3

Trends around the world have seen new variations on the classic scooter, some with larger engines and tires. High-end scooter models now include comprehensive technological features, including cast aluminum frames, engines with integral counter-balancing, and cross-linked brake systems. Some of these scooters have comfort features such as an alarm, start button, radio, windshield, heated hand grips and full instrumentation (including clock or outside temperature gauge).[42][43][44]

Three-wheeled scooters

During World War II, Cushman made the Model 39, a three-wheeled utility scooter with a large storage bin between the front wheels. They sold 606 to the US military during the war.[45]

The Piaggio MP3 is a recent example of a three-wheeled scooter.

Maxi-scooter

Honda CN250 Helix

A maxi-scooter[46] or touring scooter[47] is a large scooter, with engines ranging in size from 250 cc (Honda CN250) up to the latest 839 cc machine (the Gilera GP 800), and using larger frames than the normal sized scooters.

The trend toward maxi-scooters began in 1986 when Honda introduced the CN250 Helix / Fusion / Spazio. A few years later, Suzuki launched the Burgman 650 and 400 models.[48] Honda (600 cc), Piaggio, Yamaha, Aprilia, Kymco (700 cc) and others have also introduced scooters with engine displacements ranging from 400 to 850 cc. Honda's PS250 (also known as Big Ruckus) defies common scooter classification because its step-through is high and it features a motorcycle-like exoskeleton instead of bodywork.

A new direction in maxi-scooters has the engine fixed to the frame. This arrangement improves handling by allowing bigger wheels and less unsprung weight, also tending to move the centre of gravity forwards. The trend toward larger, more powerful scooters with fully automatic transmissions converges with an emerging trend in motorcycle design that foreshadows automatic transmission motorcycles with on-board storage. This is exemplified by the Aprilia NA 850 Mana automatic-transmission motorcycle that provides built-in storage for a full-face helmet.

Electric scooters

Eped Sport electric scooter

In 1996, Peugeot launched the Scoot'Elec, the first electric moped. It is powered by a 2.8 kW (4 hp) DC motor fed by an 18 V, 100 A·h battery made of 3 Saft nickel-cadmium "monoblocs". A lot of body panels and suspension parts come from Peugeot's entry-level gas scooter, the Zenith. However, the frame is different, built around a "double cradle", and holding the batteries low between and behind the driver's feet. Under the seat are the electronic controller, onboard charger and a curly charging cable with a standard plug. The fast on-board charger (1,400 watts) uses a 230 V power supply. The batteries charge from empty to 95% full in two hours, with 3 more hours to equalize.

Other electric road scooters, including the Vectrix (which has a 21 kW (28 hp) motor and 100 km/h (62 mph) top speed), e-max, and the eGO, are currently offered for sale.[49][50]

Four-stroke engines and fuel-injection

Aprilia SR50
Piaggio XEvo 250ie, four-stroke Maxi-scooter

With increasingly strict environmental laws, more scooters are using four-stroke engines again.

Aprilia released the SR50 Ditech with direct injection in 2001. The SR50 uses one litre of fuel for 50 kilometres of driving (117 mpg) and meets the Euro 3 standard with a two-stroke engine. Later on, more brands, including Derbi and Peugeot, started using direct injection systems for their scooters. Catalytic converters are now common in two-stroke and four-stroke engines sold in the E.U. and the U.S.

Popularity

Motor scooter parking lot

In many parts of the world, such as Asia and Europe, motor scooters are a popular form of urban transportation due to their low cost and easy driving position. In fact, in many nations in Asia, scooter sales growth outpaces automobile sales growth. For many people, a motor scooter is the family vehicle until sufficient funds to purchase an automobile are amassed. In crowded cities, scooters can be preferred over automobiles regardless of cost due to parking, storage, and traffic issues.

In Taiwan, road infrastructure have been built specifically with two wheelers in mind, with separate lanes and intersection turn boxes. In Thailand, scooters are used for street to door taxi services, as well as for navigating through heavy traffic. Motor scooters are popular because of their size, fuel-efficiency, weight, and typically larger storage room than a motorcycle. In many localities, certain road motor scooters are considered by law to be in the same class as mopeds or small motorcycles and therefore they have fewer restrictions than do larger motorcycles.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, sales of motor scooters in the United States have more than doubled since 2000. The motorcycle industry as a whole has seen 13 years of consecutive growth. According to council figures, 42,000 scooters were sold in 2000. By 2004, that number increased to 97,000.[51]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (third ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. 1968 [1956]. pp. 1808–09. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Gove, Philip Babcock, ed (1966). Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged. Springfield, Mass. USA: G & C Merriam. pp. 1476, 2035. ISBN 0713510374. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary. Cleveland OH USA: The World Publishing Company. 1970. p. 1625. ISBN 0529048523. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language. The English Language Institute of America. 1973. p. 629. ISBN 0832600016. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus (3rd ed.). Glasgow: Harper Collins Publications. 2004. p. 776. ISBN 0007181396. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Chambers Concise Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrup Publishers. 2004. p. 1084. ISBN 0550100725. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 World Book Dictionary. World Book Inc.. 2005. p. 1356. ISBN 0716602993. 
  8. ↑ "DOT Regulation Part 571.123: Standard No. 123; Motorcycle controls and displays.". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?section=571.123. Retrieved 2010-06-03. 
  9. ↑ "Importation and Certification FAQ's Directory-Motorcycles and Scooters". Nhtsa.dot.gov. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page3.html#Anchor-52644. Retrieved 2009-04-27. 
  10. ↑ "The World of Motorcycles: Vintage Motorcycles - Hildebrand & Wolfmüller". The world of motorcycles. Kevin Hulsey Illustration, Inc.. http://www.khulsey.com/motorcycles/vintage_motorcycle_hildebrand_wolfmueller.html. Retrieved 2009-05-17. 
  11. ↑ "ScooterManiac - Auto-Fauteuil" ScooterManiac publisher = Florian JACQUET, webmaster http://www.scootermaniac.org/index.php?op=modele&cle=171. Retrieved 2010-08-28 
  12. ↑ Shattuck, Colin & Peterson, Eric (2005) "Chapter 1: The Evolution of a Revolution" Scooters: Red Eyes, Whitewalls and Blue Smoke Speck Press p. 13 ISBN 0972577637 "The American Motoped, first produced in 1915, was a sign of motorscooters to come. The Motoped, unlike the motorcycle-like French Monet-Goyon that actually pre-dated it, was based around the very same concept as kids' push scooters, only a small displacement engine over the front wheel replaced the pushing action of the foot." 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 22. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  14. ↑ "America On The Move - Pope, Cleveland, Autoped, and Simplex". America On The Move. Smithsonian National Museum of American History. http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/themes/story_54_2.html. Retrieved 2009-05-17. 
  15. ↑ Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The Directory of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 243. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  16. ↑ Wilson, Hugo (1995) (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. pp. 170 (Skootamota), 222 (Kenilworth), 159, 228 (Reynolds Runabout), 231 (Unibus). ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Webster, Michael (2008) [1986] "The early years" Motor Scooters Shire Album Series, volume 181 (2 ed.) Shire Books pp. 6-7 ISBN 0747806683 "At £99 15s the Unibus was too expensive and, whilst it deserved to succeed, it was too far ahead of its time to be appreciated fully. The general public had also become extremely wary about scooters as more than a dozen models had been rushed on to the market since 1918 and many of these were crude, uncomfortable and difficult to handle." 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 159. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  19. ↑ "ScooterManiac - Gloucester Aircraft Co. Unibus" ScooterManiac publisher = Florian JACQUET, webmaster http://www.scootermaniac.org/index.php?op=modele&cle=584. Retrieved 2010-08-28 
  20. ↑ Gary, Johnstone (1995) [1993] "Scooter Mania" Classic Motorcycles Twickenham, U.K.: Tiger Books International p. 78 ISBN 1855017318 "But the technology of the time could not create a sufficiently strong structure that would resist torsional stress, so the machines were difficult to handle. Such machines were seen by "purists" as playthings, an adjunct to mainstream motorcycles. The bigotry persisted even if the scooters did not." 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Shattuck, Colin; Peterson, Eric (2005) "Chapter 1: The Evolution of a Revolution" Scooters: Red Eyes, Whitewalls and Blue Smoke Foreword by Michael and Eric Dregni Speck Press pp. 14-16 ISBN 0972577637 "And the CVT's legacy lives on. Almost every new scooter built today uses Salsbury's basic design." 
  22. ↑ Mary Anne Long (1998-12-17). "From Scooter to Scooterist: A Cultural History of the Italian Motorscooter" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2010-08-28. http://www.scribd.com/doc/24599027/Scooter-History. Retrieved 2010-08-28. 
  23. ↑ Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The Directory of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 269. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  24. ↑ "Olive-Drab: Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter (G-683)". Olive-Drab.com LLC. http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_cushman_53.php. Retrieved 2010-02-19. 
  25. ↑ Powell, Larry (August/September 1995) "Cushman Military Scooter" Gas engine magazine Topeka, Kansas: Ogden Publications p. 1 http://gasengine.farmcollector.com/Implements/CUSHMAN-MILITARY-SCOOTER.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-19 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 165. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 44. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "Fuji Rabbit Scooters - History" FujiRabbit.com http://www.fujirabbit.com/pages/frame_history.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01 
  29. ↑ "The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum - 1968 Fuji Rabbit" The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum Madison, GA, USA 2002 http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/fujirabbit.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01 
  30. ↑ "Mitsubishi Motors Silver Pigeon C10 - 1946" Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum Mitsubishi Motors Corporation 2003 http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/museum/autogallery/e/history/pigeon_c10.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology - Silver Pigeon (Motor Scooter)" 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. http://www.jsae.or.jp/autotech/data_e/4-6e.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Mitsubishi Motors Silver Pigeon C140 - 1964" Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum Mitsubishi Motors Corporation 2003 http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/museum/autogallery/e/history/pigeon_c140.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01 
  33. ↑ "Fuji Rabbit Scooters - Introduction" FujiRabbit.com http://www.fujirabbit.com/pages/frame_history.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01 
  34. ↑ "Fuji Rabbit Scooters - Tech - Fluids" FujiRabbit.com http://www.fujirabbit.com/pages/Tech_fluids.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01 
  35. ↑ Johnstone, G. "Classic Motorcycles" p. 79 Tiger Books Internationa PLC, 1993 ISBN 1-85501-731-8
  36. ↑ "A History of the Douglas Vespa" Veteran Vespa Club Essex, United Kingdom: VVC (UK) http://www.veteranvespaclub.com/1008.html. Retrieved 2010-08-24 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "1959 250cc Triumph TW2 Tigress Twin" The National Motorcycle Museum Solihull, U.K.: The National Motorcycle Museum http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/museum/exhibits/Triumph/1959-250cc-Triumph-TW2-Tigress-Twin-/45/. Retrieved 2010-08-26 
  38. ↑ How Stuff Works: 1963 Harley-Davidson Topper
  39. ↑ AMA's Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum: 1960 Harley-Davidson Topper
  40. ↑ Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The Directory of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 270. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  41. ↑ Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles" (in UK English). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 169. ISBN 0 7513 0206 6. 
  42. ↑ Kilburn, Will (March 21, 2008). "Easy riders: Scooters on road toward mainstream acceptance;The two-wheel vehicle's image is evolving, in the minds of Americans, from geek chic to mainstream cool.". The Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0321/p12s01-stgn.html 
  43. ↑ McCandlish, Laura (June 11, 2008). "More than joy rides;Scooters gain popularity as an affordable alternative for commuters". The Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.scooters11jun11,0,4355379.story 
  44. ↑ Holter, James (October 2007). "On the road on big scooters". American Motorcyclist: pp. 41–42,44–46. http://books.google.com/?id=QvYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39 
  45. ↑ National Museum of the US Air Force - Fact Sheet: Cushman Model 39 Delivery Scooter
  46. ↑ PM.Zone Test: Piaggio X9 Evolution 500 Maxi Scooter
  47. ↑ Motorcycle.com Bike Specs - 2009 Touring Scooter Motorcycles
  48. ↑ Motorcycle USA 2007 Suzuki Burgman 400 First Ride
  49. ↑ e-max ev's Germany Ltd. - High performance electric scooter
  50. ↑ Home: eGO Vehicles
  51. ↑ Is a motor scooter in your future? - Life - MSNBC.com

See also

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Standard
Universal Japanese Motorcycle
Dual-sport
Adventure touring  · Enduro  · Motocross  · Supermoto
Off-road
Motocross  · Track racing  · Trials
Small
Minibike  · Mini chopper  · Moped  · Pit bike  · Scooter · Underbone
Electric
Electric dragbike  · TTXGP race class  · TT Zero race class
Utility
Ambulance · Auto rickshaw  · Fire  · Taxi
Other
Derny  · Feet forwards  · Cabin cycle  · Rat bike  · Trike