Possible future scooter owner in Reno, NV

[Arro]

Hi everyone. I'm seriously interested in a scooter as a means of getting to the university and back (about five or so miles away) and as a backup ride... I have a car for a daily driver right now (Dodge SRT-4).

I originally went on a Facebook group and mentioned some Chinese bikes like Zummer and Ice Bear and got mixed reactions. So I'm looking to learn more about the good and bad of Chinese scooters. I really want the Ruckus or ZOOmer look but without the Honda pricetag.

I should mention I am very mechanically inclinded, having done a few motor swaps in more modern cars, and with a fairly good toolset aimed towards automotive... so maintenance, repair, and modification isn't something I am afraid of. I just know next to nothing about scooters... is there a common format, who is copying who, getting parts, hybriding motors or drivetrains or chassis parts... and so on.