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If you are starting to think about buying a scooter, but don't know where to start, then this is the page for you. We've brought together a lot of the combined wisdom, and added our experience, to help you start to make inroads into determining what's right for your needs.

1. Size matters

Ok. So getting a scooter looks like it might be the way to go. So given the multitude of scooters that we stock, where does one start? Well the first thing to work out, is what size of scooter is required and take it from there. Fortunately, Piaggio Australia very recently published some excellent guidelines to help with the process, so lets start with them.

"Maximum speeds below are a guide only and are affected by load and weather conditions. Extended and continuous operation should be around 80 to 85% of the maximum speed capability and maximum speed reserved for intermittent bursts.

• 50cc scooters are speed limited (by law). They are best suited for local suburban travel and the congested inner city.
• 125cc 150cc scooters are best suited for local travel, continuous travel on 80km/h roads and brief commutes on 100km/h speed limited roads.
• 250cc scooters are best suited for local travel and continuous travel on 110km/h roads.
• Over 250cc scooters are best suited for local travel and continuous travel on 110km/h roads. Extra power provides more relaxed highway riding and overtaking abilities."

2. Licensing needs

Ok. So hopefully you've sorted out what size is necessary, the next step is to determine whether your licensing requirements. If you've already got a motorbike license then you can ride anything at all! And if you've got a car license, then you are entitled to ride a 50cc scooter, but anything bigger, or you don't have a car license, and you are going to need some sort of license. The good news is that getting a license is actually a lot easier than you think, particularly if you do it with us. Click here for more details.

3. Testing the water

For most riders in WA, the licensing laws certainly encourage the riding of 50cc vehicles - indeed for every 6 scooters sold in 2006, 5 were 50cc. And if you haven't ridden before, they really are a great place to start. In 2010, things are changing, and much more larger scooters are being sold - indeed less than half the scooters that we sell are 50cc models.

To work out whether riding a scooter is the way to go, come down and let us show you how to ride on one of our demo's. If you can ride a bicycle, you'll be riding in seconds, and confident enough to be on the road in minutes. (And don't worry, we will be delighted to show you how to do it, and get your confidence up in the carpark before we let you loose on the road!) For most people this is all they require to make their minds up to buy a scooter.

But our recommended method for trying out whether scooters are for you would be to try it out in conjunction with a lesson from a professional riding instructor. You can't have a better start to your riding career than having an hour with someone who can give you the key information on both control and roadcraft skills. An hour long lesson will only cost you $70, and if you do decide that you do want to buy a scooter from us we'll pay for the lesson for you. And if you determine that its not for you, well its only cost you $70 - a lot cheaper than if you'd bought a scooter first!

Some people however, want a little bit more convincing before they splash out their hard earned cash. To help prove to people the versatility of scooters we have instigated a test-to-buy scheme. For a small non-refundable deposit you can test one of our scooters for a few days. If you like it, then we'll take the cost of the deposit from the price of the scooter that you decide to buy. And if you find that scooters aren't for you, then you are only down the cost of the deposit - but our success rate to date is 100%.

4. Making your mind up

So now you know you want one, and you know what size - but which one? Well the best thing to do is to get a short-list together, based on what type of scooter you like the look of and which matches your budget.

When you are ready to purchase, it's time to do those final test rides and make your mind up. Our strong recommendation is to do the final test-ride when you are ready to buy, and not before. And you need to remember that scooters need to be run in before they are going to perform to their full potential - you can't compare the performance of a showroom model to that of the demo models, but you will be able to see whether the ride and handling suits you.

Then its simply a case of finalising the paperwork - and if we have the scooter you have in stock, it's quite possible that you'll be riding it home that very day!

5 After Sales Support

But it doesn't stop when you leave the shop. Ace Scooters prides itself on our after sales support. We regularly organise group rides so riders can enjoy riding together and meeting other scooterists. We also regularly have customers popping in or phoning up wanting advice, bringing in their friends, or cadging a cup of coffee. And why not?  Once you are part of the family, well, you are part of the family!

And when the time comes that you want to move onto something bigger, then as a customers you can borrow our scooters to do your next set of lessons and test on, and let us help you sell your scooter when you want to upgrade! Our aim is to make things as easy for you as possible. And we've had customers that have moved from 50cc to 250cc to 500cc - and we'd be delighted to be with you all through your journey!

So contact us today, and find out what scootering is really all about.  Call 9300 1719 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it