Motor Scooter

motor scooter: see motorcycle.

---

motor scooter

a light motorcycle with small wheels and an enclosed engine

---

Motor Scooter 

a variety of motorcycle that provides greater comfort for the driver. A front guard that extends downward to broad footrests protects the driver and passenger from dust and mud. Increased ease of mounting for the driver is provided by under-seat location of the engine, which is covered by a housing, and by the use of wheels that are smaller than those of a motorcycle. The main shortcomings of motor scooters are limited performance on unpaved roads and poor stability when traveling on an uneven road.

The engine of a motor scooter is usually a two-cycle, single-cylinder type with forced-air cooling (with a fan). Most engines have an electric starter. The maximum speed is 70–95 km/hr. Mass production of motor scooters began late in the 1940’s (in the USSR, in 1957). In the early 1970’s, production in foreign countries was reduced because of low demand; it ceased in 1972. In the USSR, motor scooters are manufactured in plants at Tula and Viatskie Poliany (see Table 1); the output in 1973 was 140,000. Three-wheeled vehicles have been developed from motor scooters for loads of 100–150 kg.

Table 1. Specifications of Soviet motor scooters
	Viatka Turist V-150M	Turist
Engine displacement (cu cm)..........	148	199
Maximum power at 4,800 rpm, kW (hp).........	4.42 (6)	8.24 (12)
Maximum speed (km/hr).........	70	90
Number of speeds.........	3	4
Tire size (inches)..........	4.00 × 10	4.00 × 10
Weight (kg)	120	145

REFERENCES

Gruzovye motorollery, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1969.
Volkov, A. T. Remont motorollerov, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1967.

S. Iu. IVANITSKII and B. V. SINEL’NIKOV