Card 1 — The Goal
🔍 The 5-Minute Used Check: Tires for cracks, brakes front and rear, VIN against your local stolen-vehicle database. Five minutes of inspection routinely reveals $200+ in hidden repairs — or a deal-breaker.
Two Small Wheels: 5 Rules for Buying and Riding Your First Scooter
Card 2 — Step 1
📄 The Paperwork Reality: Most places require a motorcycle endorsement at 50cc and up, and liability insurance runs about $12-20/month. Budget both BEFORE buying — the cheap scooter that can't legally leave the driveway isn't cheap.
Card 3 — Step 2
👁️ The Right-Third Rule: Ride in the right third of your lane where drivers actually look, and keep a 3-second following gap. Visibility is the entire game on a small vehicle.
Card 4 — Step 3
🔒 The Two-Lock Layer: A $40 disc lock on the wheel plus a $25 cable lock around something bolted to the earth. Thieves pick the scooter with one lock — layers make yours the wrong target.
Card 5 — The Cheat Sheet
🔧 The Weekly Pressure Check: Tire pressure weekly with a $10 gauge, oil every 1,000-1,500 miles. Underinflated tires cause the wobble that scares new riders off scooters forever.