There are several variations of scooters nowadays. Each of these different scooters has its wonderful characteristics and useful applications. If you are in the market for getting one but are unsure which one would be best for your situation, look at our quick guide to all the unique types of scooters. Here are all the different types and why they are so great:

There are different types of scooters on the market today for almost everyone.

They can be classified as scooters, electric scooters, and hoverboards.

This article will see some of the most common scooters, their pros and cons, and probably why you should have them with you.

 

Kick Scooters

The scooter that started it all was the kick scooter.

It was the original design where you stand upright with one leg on a platform set between two wheels and your hands on handlebars mounted on a bar that rises from the front of the platform. You then kick off with your other leg to propel yourself forward and do this repeatedly to gain speed.

Then, once you have built up some speed, you can put your other foot on the platform and cruise along until you are slow enough to need to start pushing off with your foot again. The design is classic, simple, and straightforward.

If you are looking for a scooter to keep your kids active and outdoors, you will want this type of scooter. It works great for exercising, and its simple design elements mean that it is often the most economical choice of scooter type.

Pros:

• The most straightforward scooter type is simply a platform between two wheels and a bar extending up to a pair of handlebars from the front of the platform.
• Great for getting yourself or your kids outside and exercising. Since it is human-powered, you can burn plenty of calories riding long distances on your scooter.
• These are the most economical scooters, and you can often get one for a very low price.
• Freedom of movement. You don’t have to wait for public transport.
• Saves on fuel
• Requires a small storage space
• Low maintenance. This electric model does not incur costs like changing filters or oil like other scooters.

Cons:

• It is very simple for a scooter, and although fun to ride, they are not as exciting to operate as some other types of scooters.
• Low speed. Most of these scooters have small wheels, which affects their cruising speed. Their maximum speed is 20 mph.
• Long charging time. Charging the battery takes longer than refueling the motor scooter.

Electric Scooters

Electric scooters are a green energy mode of transportation for the future.

They work great for getting around with little to no effort from the operator.

They take very little electricity to charge up their batteries. They can then go an extended distance on a single charge, lowering the number of emissions caused by your transportation needs. They are great for getting out and getting some fresh air. Plus, they are perfect for those quick trips to the store, and you can easily load up a backpack full of groceries to bring home for cooking dinner.

Also, they are more fun than the kick versions because they go faster, and you can cover longer distances easily.

These scooters are the same setup as the kick scooters. Only they have a battery pack and an electric motor attached to the rear axle that powers the motion of the scooter.

One of the unique features of these electric scooters is the hand brake. Most scooters do not have one.

The bikes can also be folded, making them easy to transport and store. Some of these scooters can also be equipped with a seat.

These are seated scooters where riders ride while sitting on the scooter.

Why choose an electric scooter?

These scooters are convenient for navigation. With an electric scooter, you are sure to bypass any traffic in the morning or on your way home.

Plus, they have special features like seats, which means an older adult can ride because they don’t have to stand.

 

Pros:

• Green transportation is an excellent choice because using very little electricity can go longer distances. So your carbon footprint while riding one of these is very minimal.
• Wonderful scooters for making a trip around the neighborhood to a friend’s house for your kids or a quick trip to the store to load up a backpack full of groceries for cooking dinner with you.
• The same appearance as a kick scooter, only with a battery pack usually mounted under the platform and an electric motor mounted to the rear axle that propels the scooter forward.

Cons:

• It is a bit more exciting to operate than the kick scooter, but still not the most thrilling option for scooter riding options.

Moped

A moped was initially named because it was a motorized pedal-powered bicycle. That means the first mopeds were bicycles with a motor to assist their motion.

You would get going using pedal power first. Then, when you got up to speed, you would engage the motor to keep you going at speed for a long distance until you needed to stop, in which case you would disengage the engine and use the brakes to slow down.

Then you would repeat the process again and again until you reached your destination, allowing people to go further distances using a bicycle without wearing themselves out too much.

Nowadays, there is a new type of moped out there. This type has a step-through frame, a seat, a lower platform for your feet, and a solid front capped with handlebars for steering.

 

Pros:

• Originally mopeds were motor-assisted pedaling devices, i.e., a bicycle with an optional motor to help propel you along.
• These devices allow people to go long distances for minimal energy cost. Often mopeds of today can get gas mileage rates upwards of 100 miles per gallon of gasoline.
• New versions of mopeds have a step-through frame design that you sit on top of the motor on a seat with your feet planted firmly in front of you on a platform.
• Easy to acquire and cheap.
• Saves time instead of walking.
• Easy to maintain, even if there are gasoline problems. It does not require too much gasoline.

Cons:

• While they are similar to a motorcycle and maybe even a little bit safer than driving one, they are still one of the most dangerous types of scooters to operate.
• The moped is relatively slow. On the highway, you are sure to create traffic with the scooter.
• Not ideal for long distances. Since they are slow, they can’t travel long distances because you will be late.

 

A moped is simply a bicycle that has been motorized with low power. It is equipped with pedals and a small motor.

The moped has pedals and, at the same time, has an engine. This motorcycle alternative can travel relatively fast at a maximum speed of almost 30km/h.

Why should you choose this option?

Well, a moped has a motor and pedals simultaneously, which means that if the engine fails while you’re on the road, you can always switch to pedals and go home.

They are also economical and don’t cost as much as a motorcycle.

 

 

 

Hoverboards

The hoverboard is a skateboard with an electric motor. It can also be called a self-balancing scooter. Hoverboards are two-wheeled and use batteries to get around.

They are ideal for getting around your area and exploring the neighborhood.

Pros

• They are portable, and you can easily carry them on a trip.
• Easy to ride. Anyone can quickly learn to ride a hoverboard.
• Affordable. These scooters are not very expensive, and you can get one cheap.
• They are practical.

Cons

• There can be safety issues.
• They are not easy to find and are not readily available in any store.
• They can cause accidents. You can fall while driving the scooter or collide with other road users.

 

Special features of hoverboards include an LCD screen and a Bluetooth connection. The display alerts you when your battery is low or fully charged.

Hoverboards are all-terrain compatible, which means you can use them almost anywhere.

Why should you choose this?

A hoverboard is a much more advanced technology. Plus, it’s very convenient.

You can get through traffic and get home or work sooner with a hoverboard.

 

Fat Tire Scooter

 

So, you can sit down and drive one of these scooters, but some of them are designed as stand-up models. It just depends on which type you prefer. Although the sit-down versions vastly outnumber the stand-up fat tire scooters.

These are great for taking to places like the beach or camping because they can go more places than regular scooters, and you can comfortably drive one over rough terrain.

These scooters were made for those who want to travel long distances without much effort.

They are electric motor-operated scooters with ranges of about 50 miles or so on a single charge.

Pros:

• A sit-down scooter is designed as a seat above a platform with handlebars and fat tires in front and back.
• Some stand-up versions, but most fat tire scooters are sit-down versions.
• Fat tire scooters are electric motor-powered scooters with ranges of approximately 50 miles per fully charged battery stage.

Cons

• While very stable and versatile, scooters are not known for their acceleration. Some pick up speed quickly and are thrilling to drive, but most are relatively easygoing.

Big Wheel Scooters

These are the same as the regular kick-powered scooters. They have larger wheels than the typical kick-powered scooters have. The bigger wheels appeal to some people because you can ride the scooters over rougher terrain and roads than the regular ones.

They also can glide for longer distances typically, as opposed to the short-distance gliding small-wheeled kick-powered scooters.

These also can have hand-mounted brakes on front and back tires because the room is available on larger wheels, allowing more speed, distance, and stopping control.

This scooter is safer and often more comfortable to ride on than the average small-wheel kick-powered scooter.

Pros:

• Similar to the previously covered kick-powered scooters, just with one significant difference. That difference is wheel size, and these have much bigger wheels, often inflatable bicycle tire style wheels.
• These scooters can have extra features like handbrakes operated by levers on the handlebars and mounted on both the front and back tires.
• Big wheel scooters are safer and more comfortable riding than their regular kick-powered scooters.

Cons:

• They can only go as far as a person can push them along. So, while great for exercising, they can be tough to travel extensive distances on. But they are easier to push along and glide farther per push than the original kick-powered scooters.

Dirt Scooters

Dirt scooters are very much like regular kick-powered scooters, with the only significant difference being that they were designed to house bigger tires with better tread designs for added traction in the dirt or mud.

They were usually built to withstand more pressure from large bodies landing on the scooters after jumping over or off different terrain features and ramps.

They tended to weigh more than their average cousins and were built to withstand higher amounts of force in various ways.

While some models are made for smaller, younger riders, most were made with the teenager or adult rider in mind.

Pros:

• It is like regular kick-powered scooters, just with fatter and larger inflatable wheels with tread patterns instead of the solid PU rubber wheels of regular kick-powered scooters.
• They are built tougher than the regular kick-powered scooters by using stronger materials to withstand the added pressures of adult bodies landing on the platform with all their weight after going over or off different terrain features or dirt ramps.
• They can go places other scooters cannot and were designed to travel over even the roughest of trails easily.

Cons:

• They were made for adults and teenagers and can be heavier than regular scooters, which means they will be tougher to push up to higher speeds. But there are models designed specifically for kids, and they do glide better over cracks and bumps in the road or trails than their regular kick-powered scooter cousins.

 

Pros of using scooters

Scooters have several pros for users, some of which you may not know yet. Some of these pros include:

Perfecting your body’s balance

Knowing how to balance your body is very important because it will allow you to move comfortably and much more freely.

A scooter can help you achieve body balance in the right way. Even if you stumble along the way, you can be sure you won’t fall because you have trained your body to balance correctly.

Fun exercise

Riding a scooter is an exciting way to burn calories.

Studies have indicated that riding a scooter every day has several health pros. It helps people burn calories, improve their activity, and even lose weight through exercise.

Save on gas

By using a scooter, you save a lot of money on gas.

Ride your scooter around town to the store, to work, or even if you have a doctor’s appointment. Your body will thank you for keeping it in good shape while saving a few dollars.

Great for adults and kids

No one ever said they were just for kids. While it’s evident that there are great scooters for kids, adults can successfully use them.

Explore the neighborhood

If you’ve just moved into a new neighborhood, taking a scooter for a ride might be the best plan on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

You can ride around the neighborhood on your scooter without worrying about traffic.