Table of Contents
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What happens when modern technology meets 100-year-old classic design in a scooter? Answer: The Cushman Scooter 2. The Cushman Scooter Company was started in 1903 in Lincoln, Nebraska. In recent years, the classic scooter has returned to the marketplace to great applause.
The back-story is a good one. Jack Chalabian loved his Cushman scooter as a kid delivering newspapers in Los Angeles. After exhaustive research, design & development, and American engineers getting on board, the Cushman Scooter 2 was born. Chalabian’s dream of a better design with a larger engine for speed, a better braking system, and dual shocks brought American craftsmanship alive again in the Cushman Scooter 2.
What Is a Cushman Scooter?
One of the most popular, prolific vehicles built to help move people from here to there in the world is the scooter. Scooters are especially popular throughout Asia and Europe, and recently there has been an uptick in the US scooter market. People’s concerns over global warming and greenhouse gas emissions may be one reason for the uptick since scooters are highly efficient. The good news is that consumers can now purchase a durable, American-made scooter that is long on tradition: the Cushman Scooter 2. With fuel efficiency averaging 70 miles per gallon (MPG), this is a workhorse scooter and a classic favorite.
Product Specs
VIA: Unsplash
There are currently three models of the Cushman Scooter 2 you can choose from: the Eagle, the Deluxe Highlander, and the Step-Thru. Each has features that may suit your specific needs and wants in a scooter. The main differences between these models are in their weight, gas tank size, and overall styles. Your choice may depend on whether you want your scooter to look good on the roadways or need it for hauling goods around town.
We loved the features on the Cushman Scooter 2, which include the classic 14HP overhead cam engine. Stopping the scooter smoothly is simple with front and rear suspension Brembo disc brakes. The electric start is well placed for easy stop-and-go functionality. We all want practical safety features on our vehicles, and the Cushman Scooter 2 does not disappoint. The Cushman 2 offers the perfect, easy on/off turn signal design as well
The aesthetics of a custom VDO speedometer just gave us good feelings as we looked at it during our test rides. The all-steel frame reminded us of the 1960s. Remember when many goods and products were made of steel? The Cushman Scooter 2 even has elegant chrome mirrors with the crowning glory of a chrome headlight with both high-beam and low-beam settings. Other engineering aspects of this machine, such as the variable speed clutch and drive, jackshaft, and chain-driven rear sprocket complete this stellar, compact and efficient scooter.
Pricing
You can find the Cushman Scooter 2 models priced between $4,600 and about $6,000.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar vehicles available on the market to see how they compare.
- 150cc Three-Wheel Bonzai Moped
- RoadRunner iScooters
- GigaByke Groove 750 Watt Motorized E-Bike
Cushman II Motor Scooters
With it’s revived engineering and durability factors, the Cushman Scooter 2 sits at the top of the price range among machines we evaluated. You can find the Cushman Scooter 2 models priced between $4,600 and about $6,000 at dealers across the United States. Your best bet is to go to the Cushman Scooter website to find the location nearest you where you can test drive a Cushman Scooter 2.
Ease of Use
Our team of testers found out quickly why people love the Cushman 2. It is fun, easy to start and simply beautiful to bop around town on.
Features
The Cushman Scooter 2 offers many high-quality features. Some of these perks include a 14 HP overhead cam engine allowing you to reach speeds of 55 MPH. Stopping is responsive yet smooth with front and rear suspension Brembo disc brakes. Handily placed for easy stop-and-go functionality is the electric start. The Cushman Scooter 2 offers an accessible, highly visible turn signal, and the custom VDO speedometer is a great test we enjoyed during our test rides.
Our durability experts liked the all-steel frame. The Cushman Scooter 2 even has elegant chrome mirrors and the crowning glory of a dual-beam chrome headlight. Many other engineering aspects are worth noting, including the variable speed clutch and drive, jack shaft, and chain-driven rear sprocket.
Design Quality
The Cushman Scooter 2 offers classic American craftsmanship enhanced through modern technology. From the Brembo disc brakes to the VDO speedometer and all-steel construction, this new-generation Cushman Scooter is noticeably well-designed to excite any scooter aficionado.
Warranty
Cushman Scooter 2 offers a 1-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty and drive train coverage for a year or 2,000 miles. Cushman also provides a 5-year limited emissions warranty, but it warns that any mechanical modifications made to the scooter voids these warranties.
Pros
- All-steel construction
- Fuel efficiency averaging 70 MPG
- 3 models to choose from
Cons
- Pricey
- Not widely available
150cc Three-Wheel Bonzai Moped
The Three-Wheel Bonzai Moped has a unique look to it and its 3-wheel design makes it a uniquely stable, fun ride as well. With fuel efficiency around 90 MPG, you can count on this scooter to save you gas money and be “green” every time you ride. You can also expect this scooter to bring you up to speeds as fast as 45 mph. We found the electric key-start ignition to be a nice feature.
Price
The Three-Wheel Bonzai Moped is priced around $3,000.
Ease of Use
The key-start electric ignition fires up quickly. The 1.6-gallon gas tank allowed us to get around town with confidence we would not run out of fuel.
Features
This Bonzai moped has a 150cc air-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine. Its horsepower is rated at 11HP, and the machine weighs in at 463 lbs. The braking system relies on disc/drum brakes. These mopeds come in a variety of colors.
Our durability experts liked the all-steel frame. The Cushman Scooter 2 even has elegant chrome mirrors and the crowning glory of a dual-beam chrome headlight. Many other engineering aspects are worth noting, including the variable speed clutch and drive, jack shaft, and chain-driven rear sprocket.
Design Quality
Our testers enjoyed the stability of the three-wheel design. The torque was strong, and with 11 horsepower, this moped provides the power you need.
Warranty
The Three-Wheel Bonzi Moped comes with warranty coverage. Please check with the manufacturer or seller for more information.
Pros
- Electric key-start ignition
- 90 MPG
- Air-cooled engine
Cons
- 45 MPH top speed
- Limited availability
RoadRunner iScooters
RoadRunner iScooters have been around since the early 2000s. RoadRunner is a trusted online seller of a variety of scooters sizes and styles. We tested the smallest of the iScooters, the 50cc. The cost of this iScooter was one of the main reasons we included this scooter in our review. We did enjoy getting 100 miles per gallon of gas, but as expected, the torque and power were limited.
Price
RoadRunner iScooters range in price between around $800 and $2,500, depending primarily on the specific model and features you choose.
Ease of Use
This is a fun scooter to ride around town. it starts up quickly with a turn of your key in the electric ignition.
Assembly Time
You can have a RoadRunner iScooter delivered to your door directly, assembled, intact and ready for you to take to the road.
Design Quality
The RoadRunner iScooter comes in a variety of colors and styles.
Warranty
These scooters come with warranty coverage provided by the manufacturer. The seller you contact will have more information.
Pros
- Electric ignition
- Comes in a variety of styles and colors
- 100 MPG fuel efficiency
Cons
- Limited availability
- Ships from overseas
GigaByke Groove 750 Watt Motorized E-Bike
[amazon box=”B0188CQOVA”]
The GigaByke Groove 750 Watt Motorized e-Bike recently underwent a makeover to provide you with better performance and longevity. The extra power will help you on your journey whether going up hills or into deep valleys. The larger magnets that run the magnetic drive provide more torque for higher top speeds while the hydraulic brake system provides excellent stability and confidence. We were happy with this machine’s 48v 14Ah silicon battery that ran the bike for around 25 miles. We could get all of our errands accomplished before we had to recharge the battery. The beauty of this scooter is that you can just plug it into any wall outlet, and in 4 to 8 hours you are ready to hit the road. Another excellent feature is the steel frame. It is strong and slim. In addition, GigaByke took the extra step of using a matte-finish, electrostatic, auto grade, rust-protective paint to keep your bike rust-free. We also noted an upgraded sidekick stand and a center kickstand so that nothing gets left hanging or tipsy on the bike when you park. The powerful LED headlights, taillights, and turn signals offer extra safety protection. Also, because this is not a gas-engine bike, licensing and insurance requirements are minimal compared to scooters classified as motor vehicles.
Price
The GigaByke Groove 750 Watt Motorized e-Bike ranges in price from about $1,400 to $1,500.
Ease of Use
The GigaByke Groove bike, once assembled, is easy to start up with a press of a button. It is great for short trips around town.
Features
This motorized e-bike comes with pedals. You can easily change from using the electric motor to the human power of pedaling. This is a great feature. The GigaByke will get up to 20 mph and will run up to 25 miles on one full charge.
Design Quality
The kickstand is perfectly situated to do its duty but offer a quick release for your on-an-off activities. All controls are at your fingertips by the hand grip points. The LED lighting system adds a safety element that makes you feel at ease.
Warranty
Amazon has an A-Z refund promise guarantee that applies to these e-bikes. The manufacturer may offer additional warranties.
Pros
- LED lighting system
- Well-positioned kick stand
- Runs up to 25 miles on one charge
Cons
- Not as powerful as other scooters
- Limited scope for use
Conclusion
Our Runners-Up
The GigaByke Groove 750 Watt e-Bike provides good performance with extra power you need for uphill and rugged riding. The GigaByke now has larger magnets that run the magnetic drive this is what gives you that extra torque for those top speeds. The hydraulic brake system/disc brake is a great stabilizer while driving. Batteries matter and the 48v 14Ah Silicon Battery kept it’s power till around 25 miles.
We found the ease of the plug-and-go system on the GigaByke very cool. Just plug it into any wall outlet, and in 4 to 8 hours you are ready to hit the road. The sturdy steel frame provided stability too. It was important to have the powerful LED headlights and taillights and turn signals. We assigned an overall 4-star rating for this innovative, non-gas-powered transportation option.
The Three-Wheel Bonzai Moped is the most unique-looking bike of our contenders. We enjoyed the fact that it gets 90 MPG so we can get all of our errands done without interruption. The Bonzai can run up to 45 mph, and the electric key ignition was a nice feature.
RoadRunner iScooters come in a great variety of scooters sizes and styles. The prices for iScooters allow almost any consumer a chance to own a scooter. This friendly price point is one of the iScooter’s biggest advantages.
The Cushman
We assigned the Cushman scooter we reviewed five stars because of its high-quality features. During testing, we were impressed with the 14 horsepower overhead cam engine that can get you up to 55 MPH. There are not that many scooters out there that can offer that kind of speed. The front and rear Brembo disc brakes added a safety feature that did not get lost on us while we out on our test drives. The easy stop and go functionality of the electric start was perfect. That kill switch adds a layer of security you might like on all your vehicles. This is a classic, high-end ride that leads this scooter category in our view.
Featured image by: Unsplash
