Off Topic: Moped / Scooter.....I might get one.

[matt_a]

Can anyone share a little knowledge about them? What's a good brand or type? I am lucky enough to live within about 8 miles of my office (might actually be only 6) and I don't have to take any highways between home and here. All the roads I take are posted at 35 MPH or less. Because of this, I have been seriously thinking about getting a moped or scooter to use on nice days. It would be fun, save gas, and keep the milage ultra-low on my car. Here's my problem: I don't know anything about them. I mean, I had a moped when I was like 13 (nearly 30 years ago) but I haven't paid any attention to them since. There seem to be a bunch of very reasonably priced models available on the internet, but I suspect they are mostly cheap chinese junk. I would like to keep it under $1000 which seems pretty possible. Would I be happy with a 50cc or should I get a 150cc? I'm pretty sure I'm not interested in more than 150cc. Any advice? Thanks.

[daan]

I had looked into a scooter a couple years ago when I lived on the other side of downtown from where I worked. (less than 2 miles away) I was gonna look at http://www.scootervillemn.com/ not that it's anywhere near where you live, but they had tons of good info about the various scooters. Anyway here in MN if your machine is less than 250cc you don't need a motorcycle license. That may be different in your state, some states if it's over 50cc you need a license. (It was gonna cost a couple hundred $ for the safety course and license test) Anyway some of the scooters cost as much as a 5-year old car does, and (here anyway) you can only use the scoot for part of the year, so I ended up not getting one. Pretty much any new scooter is going to cost more than $1000, unless you get the really crappy chinese ones. THey all look fun, until it's raining or it's below 45 outside. http://www.neoscooters.com/large_mopeds.asp is another good spot. GOod luck!

[matt_a]

Thanks for the links! Yeah, I realistically would only have about 4 good months a year to ride it here (and that's if it's not raining). I still think it would be worth doing. That second link you posted has a 150cc for $999. That's typical of what I've been looking at. In PA anything over 50cc requires a motorcycle license. I'll have to see what costs are involved. A 50cc would probably be good enough for my needs, but some 150cc models are priced only a few dollars more. I dunno....I guess I have some research to do.

[frankoV]

I doubt you'd be happy very long with a 50cc scooter . . . not that 150 is a powerful machine but you'll want something you can run faster off the start than.

[bikeman]

I would like to keep it under $1000 which seems pretty possible. Would I be happy with a 50cc or should I get a 150cc? I'm pretty sure I'm not interested in more than 150cc. Any advice? Thanks.

I'd recommend a Trek. No cc's. With fenders, no problem in the rain. Heck, it no problem in the snow if there's no ice on the road. Six to eight miles would be just enough to keep the engine tuned. Been doing it for twenty years. It's addicting.

David

[matt_a]

I'd recommend a Trek. No cc's. With fenders, no problem in the rain. Heck, it no problem in the snow if there's no ice on the road. Six to eight miles would be just enough to keep the engine tuned. Been doing it for twenty years. It's addicting.

David

I would love to ride a bike to work, but it's not really practical. By the time I got here on a warm day I would be pretty sweaty and there is no where for me to shower. I have to be dressed nice (business casual) for my job.

[kc5f]

Years ago I used a 50cc Honda Express to get to work - about a 3 mile ride on back roads. I picked it up for $100 and sold it a couple of years later for $100. Top speed was about 27mph, but it sure was cheap to run!

[matt_a]

Years ago I used a 50cc Honda Express to get to work - about a 3 mile ride on back roads. I picked it up for $100 and sold it a couple of years later for $100. Top speed was about 27mph, but it sure was cheap to run!

That's pretty cool! Something like that would be fine with me. I don't think anyone is making that "style" anymore. Now they all look like motorcycles or Italian Vespa scooters (at a much higher price).

[kc5f]

I should have made it clear that when I bought it for $100, it was already used. I just Googled it and there's one on eBay for $100 and another for $699. Not sure what that means, but there ought to be something similar out there you can get for under $1000, new or used.

[matt_a]

Thanks. I'm going to look around. I've been reading a few things today and it seems like I will want to stay away from the super-inexpensive deals on line (for new ones). Apparently they are mostly Chinese made and they fall solidly into the "you get what you pay for" bracket.

[Great White Versa]

My little bro bought a Kymco 49cc scooter a few years ago. He got it for $800 used and never had any mechanical problems with it. Since his was a 2-stroke engine its a bit louder than some others, but accelerates similar to what a 100cc 4-stroker would. http://www.strmotorsports.com/

[Vahagn23]

Do you need a different drivers license for it? like a motorcycle license or a car driver license is good enough?

[illf8ed]

What about the merchandiser/pennysaver? When I lived in taneytown, md I'd always see mopeds for sale in there. If PA is the same as MD you won't need to tag or insure it if it's 50c or less. That'll save some money too. You could also call arch murrays in westminster, md they have some mopeds for sale that or the honda motorcycle store in hanover (maybe gettysburg?) sells scooters. It was Ray Wilt Honda the last time I saw it.

[motoguy128]

Anything under $2000 is a crap shoot if you plan to use it regularly and that's for a 50cc. The extra money spent for a Yamaha or Honda is worth it. You get a dedicated dealer network.

In most states, a scooter over 50cc or 125cc requires a motorcycle license.

I'd run the numbers. Honestly, gas needs to be $6 or more to get close to a real break even if you keep a car also.

You can only ride a scooter or motorcycle in PA about 200 days/year... if you like riding in the cold and rain. More realistic is about 150 days... and maybe only 80-90 working days. So figure 100 days, 16 miles per day = 1600miles. That's 64 gallons (25mpg) in the car. The scooter would use lets say 20 gallons (80mpg) in city riding. So you saved 44 gallons or $220 @ $5/gallon. Now add $100/year for minimal insurance, $100 annually on average for maintenance including tires... and you haven't saved much money.

Consider the high probability of being involved in a accident that involves hospital bills, and lost time at work. The worst drivers often don't have incurance or any assets to claim in a lawsuit.

In my opinion, scooters are too much or a compromise. they are the Smart Car or the motorcycle world. On 2 wheels, you are at a disadvantage to cars. With most motorcycles, you have the ability to manuever, brake or acclerate away from danger. With a small discplacement scooter, you have less braking, less cornering ability, and almost no ability to accleerate.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but unless you have a longer commute or live in a warm state where you can get by with no car or a very cheap used car, you won't see any payback with a scooter.

I have a freind at work that bought a used 500cc motorcycle for his 50 mile round trip commute on 2 lane roads. His other vehicle is a Dodge Ram with a Hemi. He had a 3 year payback even riding it 5000 miles per year.

Now if you do it for enjoyment and really want one because it looks fun, then go for it. The gas savings is a bonus, but shouldn't be the primary reason for owning one.

If I can't persuade you not ot get one.... Please, please, please, wear a helmet. Would you fall straight over and let your head bang on the pavement.... now toss in road rash from even a 20mph accident.... why in the world would anyone ride without one. I appologize if you were already planning on using one.

Otherwise ride safe, keep the shiny side up!

[AZhitman]

^ Well-said.

People riding w/o helmets makes me sick. It's freaking selfish.

I know that sounds harsh, but think about it....

On a side note, I've been looking at getting a Ruckus, just for running into town (about 5-10 miles).

[superskunk]

have you looked into the honda ruckus? i heard that its the latest craze from japan rite now....

[frankoV]

Now if you do it for enjoyment and really want one because it looks fun, then go for it. The gas savings is a bonus, but shouldn't be the primary reason for owning one.

Fun: the reason to ride.

Quote »Please, please, please, wear a helmet. [/quote]Don't understand why anyone wouldn't wear one!

I shake my head every time I see anyone riding around in a t-shirt, even. Protect your head from a solid bump but ignore a serious case of road rash?

[matt_a]

Thanks for the tips and concern guys. I worked as a full-time EMT on an ambulance for 6 years. After the stuff I've seen, I can promise you I will wear a helmet EVERY time. As for the laws in PA...they are kinda strange. If it is under 50cc and has actual pedals, you don't need anything. They treat it like a bicycle. If it's 50cc or less but doesn't have pedals, you do need insurance, registration and plate, but no motorcycle license. Anything over 50cc requires everything a motorcycle does including license.

I don't really expect to have this thing pay for it's self. Sure, I'll save gas plus wear & tear on my car for the days I ride it, but it is also about the fun.

Oh, and I have looked at the Honda Ruckus. It's pretty cool, but I personally don't see all the hype. It looks like an off-road minibike. It's basically a frame, motor and fat tires. I like the european "Vespa" look better. Right now I'm leaning towards the Yamaha Vino 50: