Scooting into the Valley Dealership tries 100-mpg rides

Gas prices may be all over the charts, but Chaplin’s North Bend Chevrolet recently brought in a novel selection of vehicles designed to take a bite out of the gas budget.

About three weeks ago, Chaplin’s manager Frank Protzman added several new Schwinn motor scooters to the dealership’s inventory of new and used cars and trucks.

With gas costs “through the roof,” Protzman said, he was looking for a community vehicle with great mileage. The Schwinn scooters’ 50-cubic-centimeter engine gets 100 miles per gallon. Chaplin’s has never carried motorcycles or scooters before, said Protzman, who started offering a special on them.

One North Bend buyer picked one up for her daily drive to work at the nearby Nintendo facility.

“She says it’s perfect,” Protzman said. He figures the vehicle can run around the Valley for a month before it needs a refill.

Protzman said the scooter could be good ride for Valley residents with local businesses. With a typical top speed of about 35 mph, the vehicle could also work for students on their way to school, or people that work at the casino. Downhill, the vehicle can reach up to 50 mph.

Chaplin’s 50-cc scooter does not require a special license to drive.

Scooters are a mainstay of European roads, and are catching on in big cities, especially in California.

Schwinn’s line of bigger 150-cc scooters do require a cycle license. The company also offers a special pink model as a fundraiser for breast cancer cure efforts.

• Chaplin’s North Bend Chevrolet is located at 106 Main Ave. N. Call the business at (206) 682-6307.

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