To escape mayhem or disaster, you will need transportation. Many survivalists have grand visions of a bulletproof, tracked vehicle that mimics the functions of a tank while matching the size and comfort of a luxury RV. I am no exception. However, like most people, my reality is something on a much lesser scale— assuming that someday I will even be able to have a dedicated survival vehicle.
If you have a limited budget, and because there are no special qualifications required to operate one in most areas, a feasible solution for a survival vehicle could be a scooter. Yes, a scooter. I am not a student, a hipster, or European, but it seems that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, and support the philosophy that a scooter could be a viable option as a survival vehicle.
Advantages
The cost of a scooter can vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer, model, and specifications. While a new scooter can cost well more than ten thousand dollars for a top-of-the-line, highway-ready model, some of the imported models can be as cheap as six hundred dollars. It is also not uncommon to find an old, used, name-brand scooter that is still running and listed for sale for two hundred dollars or more. In addition to a low purchase price, the cost of operation and maintenance are minimal. Most states do not require any endorsement to operate a scooter, and registration and insurance fees are minimal.
Most small scooters weigh less than three hundred pounds, and the heaviest models weigh about six hundred pounds. Because they are lightweight, scooters are easy to get around on. Also, they can be moved, and even lifted over obstacles, with minimal or no assistance. A scooter can easily be navigated through the tightest of areas. In the event of societal collapse, a scooter may be the only motorized form of transportation that can be maneuvered through an urban environment. The size advantage will allow a scooter to pass through roadblocks that a car or truck could not. If your survival vehicle of choice is not a scooter, you could put a scooter in the back of a truck, van, or SUV. This will allow the use of the scooter if an impassable area is reached or if your first choice of vehicle becomes incapacitated.
Scooters are very efficient in the amount of fuel that they consume. Many of the fifty-cc models can get more than a hundred miles per gallon. Because of the fuel-consumption advantage, a scooter can be a good survival vehicle. For example, a scooter with a full tank of gas and a two-gallon gas can in reserve can travel nearly four hundred miles. This should be a plentiful distance to reach safety in many survival scenarios.
The range of a scooter on a single tank of gas is not all that impressive on its own. But many scooters have additional luggage or cargo racks available that will easily facilitate the carrying of additional fuel.
Many preppers are concerned about the possibility of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) or coronal mass ejections (CME) from the sun that could potentially wipe out the electrical grid, and destroy any machinery or equipment that operates on an electric system. As a result of a scooter’s size, it is possible to design and build a Faraday cage that will protect the scooter and keep it operational after an EMP or CME. Having a source of transportation following such an event will offer significant advantages versus not having a mode of transportation.
Scooters are quiet by design. Their small engines do not produce a large amount of noise or emissions, which make them great vehicles for keeping a low profile. A scooter can be easily concealed. They are small and easily hidden, and they are typically covered in plastic panels that can easily be painted with basic spray paint. This allows for a custom paint job to blend in with a variety of environments. Additionally, cheaper models of scooter don’t usually have any chrome or bright metal components. That means less risk of light sources reflecting on the scooter and giving away its location.
Scooters are not inherently designed to carry large amounts of cargo, but they do offer the opportunity to carry cargo in several different configurations. In addition to cargo racks, saddle bags, and various other bags can be strapped to the scooter’s frame, handlebars, and panels. A bicycle or motorcycle trailer could also be pulled by a scooter to allow additional cargo capacity.
Disadvantages
The small size of a scooter makes the payload that can be carried extremely limited. This includes limitations on the number or weight of passengers carried, the weight of cargo, and the space available to carry both. In addition to cargo restrictions, the scooter’s small wheels make it susceptible to falling into potholes, which can ruin your mode of transportation. Because of this possible complication, it may be advisable to maintain an inventory or extra parts for your scooter. This is especially true if you are depending on a scooter for survival purposes. Some of the spare parts that should be stocked include wheels, tires, spark plugs, oil, engine lubricants, and electrical components (bulbs, fuses, and wires).
The average size of a scooter engine is somewhere between fifty and a hundred-and-fifty cubic centimeters. This is great because it means that a scooter will only sip fuel as opposed to guzzling it, but it also means that the maximum speed of a scooter is very limited. Typically topping out at a speed of 45 mph (on a good day), a scooter will not allow for quick transportation. The speed of a scooter will be decreased even more when attempting to ascend a hill or traversing rough terrain.
Disaster ApplicationsThere are many potential applications to use a scooter in the event of a disaster. Besides point to point transportation, scooters could be used for:
Scouting and reconnaissance: Because of the potential to get around in a quiet and stealth manner, a scooter could be a great recon vehicle.
Evasion: In the event of a confrontation, a scooter could offer a quick means of evading a threat. They also offer the potential in assisting in an effective getaway by traveling on sidewalks, through alleyways, etc.
Hunting and gathering: During difficult times, hunting and gathering food and water sources may be the main method of survival. In this case, a scooter could greatly increase the effectiveness of these efforts. It is also possible that some resources could be used because of the additional capabilities offered by having a scooter.
Assisting others: Rebuilding after a disaster often revolves around the efforts of an entire community. If there is limited transportation available or if environmental conditions limit the use of conventional vehicles, a scooter could offer an opportunity to assist your neighbors and help rebuild the community.
Is a scooter a viable option to get out of Dodge? I don’t know. But what I do know is that I would rather ride a scooter out of chaos than strap on my hiking boots and walk an unending number of miles to safety.
This is a topic that has been on my mind a lot lately. Where my wife and I live is a perfect place for riding scooters about the neighborhood and doing a bit of shopping, with the price of gas today, getting one of these seems like an increasingly better option each day.
One of the main drawbacks to a scooter is that it can be cost prohibitive. Some of these scooters can cost $5,000 or more, but with a little patience and luck you can find some great deals.
Because I live in a “scooter saturated” area, I can find a used one on www.craigslist.com in the four hundred to eight hundred dollar range for a good name brand scooter.
If you live in a smaller city, where sites like Craigslist show very few results, try eBay or Amazon, you might just get lucky.
Check out this one I’ve found:
It might still seem high, but if you want to be able to enjoy a scooter and have a secondary survival vehicle, you may just want to check this out. As with any machinery it only works until it doesn’t… You need to make sure that you have the knowledge of how to repair small engines, perform oil changes, and do the other various maintenance that is required in order to keep this scooter running smoothly for you even when the shit hits the fan...Rico says you could hang one on davits off the back of your Hummer...
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