Scooter Sales On the Increase
By scooter is the only way to go. It is practical, fast and economical. And it has become a trend.

With the increasing price of gasoline, more and more Costa Ricans are turning to the two wheeled method of transportation, as reflected by sales, which has increased over 30% in the last couple of years. In 2006 alone, retailers are expected to sell 12.000 brand new scooters.

Scooters save time and money. Stuck in growing traffic jams of San José is no fun on the nerves or the pocket book.

A scooter can run an average of 200 kilometres on a single 3.7 litre tank of gasoline, which, at current prices, costs ¢1.750 colones (us$3.50). In practical terms, that is 54 kilometres per litre, or 20 times back and forth between La Sabana and downtown San José.

On the market there are all kinds of models and sizes and colours, from a small 50cc scooter that is suitable for one person, to the more powerful 250cc. For enthusiasts there are couple of 600cc - big scooters - to choose from.

However, the favourites are the 100cc and 125cc models, economical, yet powerful enough to make it up and down the hills around town and up the Escazú mountain.

Scooter dealers have sprung up all over town. Along the Uruca there are a number of scooter dealers offering Japanese models like the Yamaha, the Genesis from China and the Italian Vespa. Prices range from as low as ¢450.000 colones (us$995.) to ¢1.2 million colones (us$2.500), depending on the model, manufacturer and engine size.

Financing packages allow customers to easily own their own transportation.

A word of caution on buying a scooter - the Chinese models are cheaper that their Japanese or European counterparts, however, don't count with service support and parts availability. Buying a scooter from a reputable dealer can make all the difference between riding and walking.

In Costa Rica, a helmet is mandatory for riding a scooter. 50cc and 75cc  scooters - classified as "bicimoto" (moped) do not require a motorcycle license.


History of the Scooter
The Vespa originally manufactured by Piaggio in post World War II Italy with aircraft materials and styling became the first of the road motor scooters and defined the vehicle type for three and a half decades.

A Vespa

In the 1980s new versions of scooters began to be released and become popular, especially in Japan and Far-East Asia.

This styling of scooters began to reflect that of larger, sporty, higher-performance motorcycles of the time and the trend has continued to the current day. With the release of the Honda Ruckus, there may be a new trend towards dirt-bike scooters just beginning.

The classic styling of the Vespa has never lost its popularity, however 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 brands sold in Costa Rica:
Adly (Taiwan)
Aprilia (Italy)
Bajaj (India)
Honda (Japan)
Kymco (Taiwan)
LML (India)
Peugeot (France)
Piaggio (Italy)
Suzuki (Japan)
Vespa, brand by Piaggio (Italy)
Yamaha (Japan)

* There are a number of Chinese products that are sold under various names and not listed above. Insist on knowing the country of manufacture, as it will greatly determine price, resale value, service and parts support.