Moped Insurance - Do You Really Need It?

Any vehicle you own needs an insurance coverage. This is a must whatever type you have, whether it's recreational, sports or one you regularly use. Motorbikes or mopeds, as what they're commonly known, are not exempted.

Mopeds, even though they've gone through different classifications and have less licensing requirements, also need an insurance coverage. Additionally, the legal driving age for this low-powered type of motorcycle is lower at 15 years of age compared to the regular vehicles and motorcycles.

Mopeds are smaller in size and less bulky compared to the regular motorcycles. The term used is derived from two words - motor and pedal as coined by Harald Nielsen, a Swedish journalist in 1952.

These motorbikes can be with or without pedals. Normally with two wheels, they have limited use and speed limits especially in public roads and not allowed to run on freeways. As far as passengers are concerned, some states allow only one passenger other than the driver while other states are stricter allowing only a driver to ride the moped.

Laws that apply for mopeds differ from state to state. Some areas classify mopeds as motorcycles which means a motorcycle license is a major requirement in order to drive one. Some states may allow the regular driver's license to operate a moped although some require a separate license for this low-powered motorcycle. It is thus important to check first the laws in your area before deciding on getting insurance coverage for your motorbike.

Shopping from several insurance providers is also essential. This will help you find out which one offers the most comprehensive coverage at affordable rates. You can actually request for quotes from each of them to give you a better idea of their premium prices if budget is a concern for you. Some websites offer free quotes by allowing potential clients to fill out a registration form but you can also call the firm if you wish.

Be particular about coverage. Remember this will serve as your protection when any untoward incident occurs while you're driving a moped so it's advisable to choose the best one for your personal use. Things to consider if you've owned your moped for several years and are living in a populated location are accidents such as collisions, third party fire and theft.

It is also very important to learn about the terms and conditions on safety of any insurance plan you choose especially one that provides coverage to accidents. Most usually require the use of helmets as well as reflectors and lights for driving during nighttime.

But other than the coverage of the moped insurance policy and rates, you may also want to verify the company. Find out how long the company has been in the business and how many clients they have served so far. Most insurance providers have established an online presence wherein they provide their contact details so take advantage of this if you're particular of a company's reputation.

Know that you're spending money for an insurance policy as long as you own a moped so make sure that the coverage that you choose fits your needs.

Mopeds, Cars and the Road

Mopeds used to be an anomaly only seen in Europe. Soon culture in the United States changed and mopeds became a popular asset for those looking for economically friendly ways to get from place to place. Depending on the city you live in, you may see tons of mopeds or non at all. But it is impossible to deny that their popularity only seems to grow with time.

What is a Moped?

A moped is basically a type of low-powered motorcycle. They are designed to be very economical and relatively safe as when compared to a motorcycle. They are only capable of going certain speeds. The restriction on their speed capability keeps moped riders off the highways. These vehicles are strictly meant for commuting within a relatively localized area.

Because of this, they are ideal for individuals who live in densely populated cities which have a strong city center. They are not a great choice for those who live in suburban areas or "metro-plexes" in which a long highway commute would be required to getting to and from work.

Mopeds are the smallest motorized vehicles on roadways. Moped riders must take great caution as they ride because of this. A moped can easily be tossed yards when it collides with a car. Additional moped dangers include:

o Limited agility-mopeds are not designed for intense driving. They offer the bare minimum in means of transportation. Most vehicles do not have the fast acting breaks and superb maneuverability of most cars and motorcycles on the market today.

o No protection-like motorcycles, mopeds have no safety devices to help in the event of a crash. Moped riding is often not taken as seriously as motorcycle riding because of the speed restrictions, so many riders do not take the proper caution necessary for safe riding.

o Small gas tanks-mopeds are very kind on the wallet. They have small gas tanks and very good mileage. But because of the small tank, running out of gas is a constant threat.

o Small weight-because mopeds are so light, they can jerk or turn over at the slightest road hazard. Potholes and roads with breaking asphalt should be avoided when on a moped.

It is vital that moped riders are aware of their small size and various restrictions when they are driving in order to avoid serious and potentially deadly wrecks with cars.

For more information on wrecks involving mopeds and cars, visit the website of the Green Bay car accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, SC.

What Are Moped Motorcycles?

Moped is a low powered motorcycle for sale especially designed for easy traveling. These are generally used by teenagers, women and old aged people. Many youngsters don't want to rely on their parents for their transport. Most of them are buying for the college or tuition classes. As it is light weighted, it is easy to drive. Anyone can drive the moped if they know riding. Youngsters are ready to take the responsibility and are doing part time jobs. Moped also helps them to reach the place in time and they can afford the moped as it is very cheap compared to other motorcycles.

Moped has bicycle like pedals and it comes in various models. Generally moped is of two tires. Age is less as compared to other bikes and they travel 50km per hour. As the moped is a small vehicle, others may not recognize it from the distance. They are very slow as compared to other bikes. On the high speed roads, it is more likely that the accidents may occur. In western societies, they conduct moped racing, this is also used for that purpose. Taking insurance is also one of the important factors for the mopeds in motorcycles for sale. It has low emission of gas and they are mostly used on the roads where there is low traffic. For heavy vehicles like lorry, bus and many more, they cannot see the moped from a far distance as it is small vehicle.

If you are ready to buy the moped from motorcycles for sale shows, try to buy the one which is very safe. Take care that you should not drive on the heavy traffic roads. Place the dark blinking stickers at the front and back which are observed by the heavy vehicles while riding.

Why Scooters and Mopeds Are Great For the Environment

With gas prices on the rise and an increase in the cost of living, people are looking for ways to cut back and save money. Electric mopeds, electric bicycles and gas powered scooters can reduce the use of gas and climate change. They are also fun to ride.

If you are thinking about getting a scooter, you may want to consider an electric moped. Electric mopeds are great for someone who lives in a city or a highly urbanized area because they help you get around with ease. They are powered by batteries and an electric motor and offer those environmentally conscience a good source of alternative transportation. Because electric mopeds are not powered by any type of fuel, they will not pollute the air with carbon emissions which is detrimental to our environment.

Electric bicycles are fun to ride and benefit the environment and sustainability of global economy. They are proven to deliver the highest possible energy efficiency, even likened to traditional pedal bikes. Electric bicycles also diminish air and noise pollution. While having a car has its benefits, electric bicycles is a much more affordable option.

Gas powered scooters are an affordable, easy to handle and environment friendly means of transportation. Gas powered scooters discharge very low carbon emissions therefore causes minimal air pollution. These scooters are the chosen favorite with most scooter enthusiasts. There are a lot of different makes and models with their own features that will help you save money, especially at the pump. Gas powered scooters have been popular for many years. They originally started out as motorcycles and then gradually evolved into motor scooters.

So there are many benefits in owing either an electric moped, electric bicycle or gas powered scooter. If you are someone who cares about the amount of toxins polluting the air, either of these would make an excellent choice.

The Basics of Motorcycle and Moped Insurance Coverage

Discover Your State's Opinion on the Difference between Moped and Motorcycle Insurance

Mopeds and motorcycles might both be motorized bikes, but there are some very important differences between them. In many states for insurance, registration and inspection purposes, mopeds that have no gears or shifting mechanisms and engines that are less than 50 cubic centimeters will often not be considered motorcycles and will instead be treated as small recreational vehicles similar to snowmobiles.

In the state of New Jersey, the DMV states that they consider motorcycles to have engines that are 50 cubic centimeters and higher and to have a permanent saddle seat or platform for the driver. Mopeds, which are exempt from state inspections, must have pedals for traditional cycling and a motor of less than 50 CCs with the ability to reach speeds no greater than 25 miles per hour. Scooters, however, are treated as motorcycles no matter what size their motor.

Check out your state's DMV to see how they categorize your new set of wheels.

Meet the Basic Insurance Requirements

Once you've determined how your state classifies your vehicle, you must understand what the insurance requirements are. While these requirements might offer minimal coverage, it's a starting place to at least comply with state regulations. Generally speaking, each state will have the same requirement for motorcycle insurance as they do for standard automobiles. The state of Washington, however, does not require insurance for mopeds or motorcycles. And in the state of Louisiana it doesn't matter what you ride because to register either a moped or motorcycle, you have to follow the same set of insurance guidelines.

Once you've clarified the basic requirements you must meet for proper coverage in your state, your next step is to determine how practical these minimal requirements are. Often, the state-required limits leave motorcycle and moped drivers exposed to financial risks after an accident. For instance, your state likely has no requirement about comprehensive or collision coverage-which leaves you paying out of pocket for damages to your bike after a theft, fire or collision.

Instead of settling for the minimums, think about how much is at stake in an accident and get affordable coverage that actually protects your investment.

Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage

Finally, both mopeds and motorcycle drivers may want to consider custom parts and equipment coverage. If you have customized your bike-added any electronic equipment or a sidecar, had it custom painted or plated, added a new exhaust system or invested in pricey safety apparel or a trailer, then your comprehensive coverage in your standard insurance policy may not offer you enough to replace the cost of the items and installation after an accident.

As mentioned, comprehensive coverage does offer some benefits for custom parts and equipment, but the limit is lower than many bike upgrades cost.

Getting the right insurance coverage for your moped or motorcycle means protecting your wallet from the cost of accidents and damage to another's property. It ensures not only that your bike will have some financial protection but also that the others around you will get the right reimbursement after being involved in an accident with your bike. Call an agent and find out all the different points you should consider to have your bike covered properly.

Become a Motorcycle Mechanic

Motorcycle mechanics are responsible for repairing and overhauling two wheeled motorized vehicles. Some of the most common are motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles. Mechanics may perform a wide variety of repair and service duties, including transmission work, engine repair, brake jobs, ignition work, and even minor body repairs. Most motorcycle mechanics are employed by dealers that service a limited number of makes and models of motorcycle. For this reason, mechanics tend to specialize in servicing only the types of vehicle that their employers sell. Work hours tend to be seasonal, with heaviest workloads occurring in the spring and summer.

Education, Certification, Licensing

The ideal motorcycle mechanic possesses a combination of classroom and garage experience. High school graduates are preferred by employers and initial training in the profession usually includes small engine courses acquired through high school, vocational school, or community college programs. A growing number of motorcycle mechanics today graduate from formal motorcycle programs beyond high school. A large amount of a mechanic's training takes place on the job and a few years experience is usually necessary for full proficiency in the trade.

Because motorcycle mechanics typically service the specific models of the company that employs them, they need to learn the specific nuances of their particular model. For this reason, employers often send mechanics and trainees to specialized courses conducted by motorcycle manufacturers or distributors. These courses, which usually do not exceed two weeks in duration, upgrade the mechanic's skill set and provide updated information on repairing new models. There are no nationally recognized certifications in this field; however, the short term training offered by manufacturers and distributors typically concludes with an industry certification. These certifications can be valuable to a mechanic's employment opportunities and future salary.

Gas Moped Scooters Are Driving Me Nuts - Quiet Please!

Does the sound of gas moped scooters bother you? It drives me nuts; let me explain. I recently moved to Spain from the UK and after getting my bearings one of the first things I noticed was the difference in the amount of cars on the road; now you would think that fewer cars would be a good thing, however I have reservations. You see there is a fundamental difference here - the weather is better - some 300 days of sunshine a year, which means that there is a huge proportion of the traveling public using motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.

Again I hear you say that must be a good thing as it has to be good for the environment, I agree, however during the summer the noise pollution which occurs at peak times of the day and well into the night can be unbearable. There is also the issue of two stroke engines pumping pollutants into the atmosphere.

That got me thinking about how the scooter manufacturers should be introducing alternative methods of powering these machines. I started to search the big ones such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki etc as they seem to be the main culprits for the noise on the streets around my house. I was amazed at the work that had been done in finding an alternative mode of power, such as Yamaha's range of hybrid motorcycles which were launched at motor shows in 2005. The problem is they don't seem to have been brought to market.

It appears that most of the big manufacturers have built concept models and showed them at the major motor shows but few have been have made it to the street.

Honda have been a notable exception to that rule with the stunning Vectrix and have produced a good looking electric motorcycle which is packed with technology and is capable of giving a traditional city bike a run for it's money. Compare them like for like, and it is hard to tell the difference between it and a petrol scooter, however when you open up the throttle the lack of engine noise gives it away.

Plug it in at night and it will return over 70 miles on a two our charge, It has a top speed of around 65 mph and is extremely comfortable. One of the cleverest things about the Honda Vectrix is it's regenerative braking unlike a gas scooter when you ease off the throttle the scooter does not slow, however you twist it past it's resting point and the brakes kick in - the further it is twisted the more it brakes, and whilst it does so it turns the motor into a dynamo which tops up the battery charge.

The down side of this fabulous bike is the price, bearing in mind the age group of the average rider is probably between seventeen and thirty years old, I think $12000 which is about 8000 Euro could be be prohibitive and will take take time for them to enter the pr-owned after market.

In the winter when the tourists go home and the town returns to normal the noise subsides and you can hear the birds singing, I only hope that in the coming year the big scooter manufacturers can break down the technology barriers which restrict the development of alternatively fueled bikes and scooters so that we may live in peace.

Teen Driver Safety For Motorcycles, Mopeds and Scooters

Many teen drivers today are turning to motorcycles, mopeds and scooters for transportation. These vehicles cost little to nothing (in the case of electric scooters) for gas, are easy to maneuver and park, and in some states, mopeds and scooters can be legally operated at a younger age than required for passenger vehicles and/or can be legally operated without a driver's license. But the benefits of these vehicles are offset by the compromise in safety.

Motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are less visible in traffic, and their riders are much more vulnerable to injury in a crash. Riders of these vehicles must take this into account.

Here are some safety tips for riders:

Make training a priority. Even if a license is not required, for safety's sake, practice extensively in a variety of road and weather conditions. Learn how to minimize wobbling when accelerating and how to avoid locking the wheels when braking. Ask a seasoned rider for help. If a license is required, make sure to get one - about one-quarter of fatally injured motorcycle riders don't have a valid license.

Choose the roads you use carefully. Try not to select those with heavy, fast-moving traffic. Mopeds and scooters are not allowed on some roads.

Watch for vehicles following you too closely. You have the ability of stopping much more quickly than cars. If you stop quickly in front of a vehicle that is following too closely, you could be run over. Drivers may tailgate a moped or scooter because these vehicles often travel at lower speeds than cars. Use a hand or electric signal well ahead of a stop or turn to give drivers behind you time to slow down.

All of these vehicles are less stable and less visible than cars, but motorcycles combine this with high-performance capabilities. Don't overuse the power of the motorcycle and cause a crash. Per mile traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles is about 26 times the number in cars.

Weather and road conditions present greater difficulties for you than to the driver of a passenger vehicle. A puddle may hide a hole that jolts a car; the same hidden hole can throw your vehicle out of control. When it rains, reduced traction may make it difficult for you to see and balance and reduce your control of the vehicle. A wind gust could move your vehicle across an entire lane. Gravel roads decrease traction and may cause you to slow down or brake where a car or not. Anticipate these changes whenever possible and begin slowing down early so vehicles behind you will have time to react. Use extra care when crossing railroad tracks. The tires of your vehicle could get caught in the grooves of the crossing, causing you to lose your balance.

Never carry a passenger unless it is legal and you are comfortable doing so. Passengers change the way you operate your vehicle. If you are inexperienced in transporting a passenger, you may have extra difficulties with balance and control of your vehicle.

Whether it's required by law or not, always wear a helmet. Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing rider deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. A rider who isn't wearing a helmet is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury compared with a helmeted rider.

Learn more about how to get your motorcycle learners permit and license today and start your adventures safely!