Scooter and Mopeds Make Great Financial Sense

A moped is typically a two wheeled vehicle resembling a motorbike. The differences between a motorbike and a mopeds are difficult to quantify, but typically will include some of the following factors.

Modern mopeds will often have a step through design rather than a motorbikes step over mounting system. Most mopeds are also equipped with an automatic transmission as opposed to a manual transmission on most motorbikes. Perhaps one of the main attractions of a mopeds is the simplistic twist throttle control, which, coupled with the lack of gears makes the process of travelling, simply a matter of twisting the right handlebar throttle.

Although most mopeds fall between the 50CC and 125CC range, there are also many 150CC mopeds even going as high as 500 CC.

Up until the 1980s, many mopeds had pushbike pedals, to allow the rider to actually peddle the bike for some distance.

These days, most mopeds do not have pedals, and the term is a generic phrase used to describe smaller motorbikes typically under 125CC. However mopeds exist that have a cubic capacity far higher than this, and the line between high end mopeds and a motorcycle can seem blurred.

Most mopeds have an automatic transmission, and the vast majority have a step through design.

In the UK, a provisional driving license can be obtained by anybody over the age of 16. However at this age only mopeds under 50CC can be licensed legally. The provisional licence is given only to those who pass a CBT.

C.B.T. stands for "Compulsory Basic Training" Many times you will hear it referred to as compulsory bike training.the latter is incorrect.

At age 17 and above, the CBT entitles the rider to ride a bike up to 125CC. And the 30 mile an hour speed restriction is lifted.

Mopeds safety, requires that all riders wear a motorcycle helmet, it is also recommended that riders wear brightly coloured clothing and scuff and impact proof armour. Most modern lightweight motorcycle clothing includes this armour in the form of shoulder pads knee-pads and elbow pads.

Modern mopeds have a fantastic fuel economy, often able to do close to 120km per gallon. In addition to the savings on fuel, this also reduces substantially the carbon dioxide emissions per mile.

With fuel prices increasing, the demand for mopeds has risen steadily in the last four years. They offer a practical and cheap solution for many applications where only one person is required to travel without a great deal of luggage. It has become quite common for car owners to own a mopeds as a second vehicle to cut down on costs for many local journeys.

What Are the Differences Between Mopeds and Scooters?

Mopeds and Scooters are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower running costs and purchase prices, indeed even the insurance can be very reasonable. So what are the differences between the two types of vehicle?

Design

A gas moped is a street legal 50cc motorcycle powered by gas. The original, older mopeds will generally have pedals to start the engine and were one of the first hybrid vehicles, using human pedal power to start the engine and a gas motor to power it after start up. In fact the name is derived from MOtor and PEDal. Scooters however are a more recent invention and will usually have either a key start or kick start mechanism.

Both scooters and mopeds will usually have what is known as a step through frame. The bigger scooter engines are placed to the rear and under the driver's seat, which will normally be made big enough to carry a passenger. The smaller moped motor are usually placed on the rear drive wheel. One of the other obvious main differences is that scooters have a platform for the feet to rest on; whereas mopeds have either pedals or a bar for a foot rest.

Performance

A traditional 50cc pedal moped is usually limited to not easily exceed 35mph, whereas a scooter will generally have a bigger engine capacity, usually about 125cc, and better acceleration and top speed performance figures. Scooters have a top speed of well over 50mph and up to 70mph depending on the engine capacity. The older mopeds do not have any gears, as transition is rendered unnecessary due to their limited speed. However I am sure we have all covered our ears when a moped races past at top speed screaming like a tortured bee!

Costs and Purchasing

You can still buy the original gas powered mopeds, complete with the pedals, although because of their age, they can often require some serious maintenance. The bigger engine sizes and superior performance make scooters more expensive to both purchase and run than mopeds. Gas mopeds however are cheap to buy, and very cheap to insure. You can buy a used gas moped for around $100 and more. You will be paying upwards of $500 for newer used scooters and mopeds.

Mopeds and Scooters and the Law

In some countries there is no age limit to ride a moped; however the more usual permitted age is 15, for scooters though it is more usual for a motorcycle license to be required and therefore the age limit is the same as that for motorcycles. This is the reason that gas mopeds are often the first powered vehicle anyone owns due to the lesser restrictions on driving ages in most countries around the world. They are slow and reasonably safe, if they are driven correctly and the driver has the proper training. Again the required training that prospective drivers must have differs greatly depending on country of residence.

50CC Mopeds - Ten Questions Answered

Mopeds are low-powered motorcycles which are generally defined as having engines of 50cc or less. Subject to certain qualifying factors, they can usually be driven by people too young to drive a car.

1. What is a Moped?

In the UK, a moped is defined as a motorcycle which has an engine capacity of no more than 50cc and which is designed to achieve a speed of no more than 50 kph (roughly 30mph). They should not be powered by pedals otherwise they are not defined as mopeds (unless they were on the road before 1st September 1977).

2. What qualifications do I need to drive a moped?

Anyone over the age of 16 may drive a moped legally on roads as long as they hold a provisional driving licence and have passed Compulsory Basic Training(CBT). Even then they must put L plates on the moped (or D plates in Wales) until they have passed a full test. Other countries in the world have different rules, but many follow the same principles.

3. How expensive are mopeds?

In the UK, new mopeds vary in price from around £600 to over £2,000 or more for well known brands with extra specifications. Retro scooters, which are mopeds styled with the classic looks of the 50s and 60s are likely to be more expensive than cheaper versions, but can start at £700 upwards for lesser known brands.

4. What are the most famous brands?

Vespa, Piaggio and Lambretta are all famous names, often associated with La Dolce Vita and the glamour of the mediterranean in summer. Famous and lesser known motorcycle brands from Japan, China and other parts of the Far East often make mopeds which are just as stylish.

5. Do I need to have special clothing?

It is essential to wear a helmet when driving your moped. This is the law in the UK and many European countries, but advisable everywhere. In the event of an accident your head is most susceptible to serious injury and a properly fitted helmet will protect it. It is certainly best to buy a new helmet to the correct standards and you must never use one which has been damaged in a crash or accident. It is sensible to wear other protective clothing and make sure your arms and legs are covered.

6. Can I take a passenger on a moped?

Drivers without full licenses cannot take a pillion passenger. They must have passed their test first and have no more need of L plates. Remember that if you take a pillion passenger, they also need to wear a helmet and it would be sensible for them to have protective clothing too.

7. Are mopeds easy to steal?

Mopeds will need a key to start them, but just like a motorbike or a bicycle, it is a good idea to have some other form of lock. There are several different types. It is worth spending a little more money on a good security device which has good certification. In some areas insurance companies may request a certain amount of security.

8. Do I need to have insurance for a moped or scooter?

In the UK, all drivers must have third party insurance for the vehicle they are driving - and that includes mopeds. This covers any damage done to anyone else or anything else. The next level of insurance is called "third party fire and theft" which also covers your scooter if it is damaged by fire or stolen. "Comprehensive" insurance policies cover damage to the moped itself whatever the cause and can include many other things, such as legal fees insurance. The motor insurance market is very competitive and it is worth shopping around every year to find the best deal.

9. What is the difference between a 49cc scooter and a 50cc moped?

Nothing really. Some countries define a moped as less than 50cc. Other define it as no more than 50cc. Manufacturers generally make the engines about 49cc capacity and so it's just a different way of describing them.

10. Should I buy a moped online or at a shop?

If it's new, I'd have no problem buying online as there are reliable company's who can deliver very quickly to you. You may also get the best deal. If you are buying something second-hand, it might be a good idea to see the scooter in person, but a second-hand private sale is unlikely to deliver anyway. If buying for a 16 year old, I would nearly always opt to buy new to ensure it is in good condition.

The Pros and Cons of Driving a 50cc Moped

One of the most convenient, cheap and fun ways to get to work or school is by riding a small motorcycle such as a 50cc moped. These are just some of the reasons I think that they are so great for all sorts of people, whether you are getting to work or school.

The main pros of riding a moped:

• Mopeds are cheap to buy. These little bikes are really cheap to buy. Often times you can get a used one for just a couple of hundred bucks if you look around. If you prefer to get a new one because you want reliability and the certainty of a warranty then you can still get a new one for pretty close to $1000, depending on the make and model you choose. Be careful however when you buy not to get one that is too cheap because some of the imported ones from places such as China have not yet earned reputations for reliability. Spare parts for these may also be hard to find. So it is often best to go with a solid European or Japanese brand such as Piaggio or Honda.
• Mopeds are cheap to run: Mopeds generally seem to run on just the sniff of an oil rag. Their Little engines buzz along and burn very little fuel. I have found doing commuting every day to work that I spend just a few dollars filling up the tank once a week. That is party because the tank is so small. Mine holds just a few liters of gasoline (petrol for people from the UK) and goes all week between refills. They are also cheap to maintain. This is because their engines are really simple so it does not take a lot of work to open them up for maintenance or repairs. There is also not very much that can go wrong. And because they are so small you spend less on parts compared with a car or a big bike. They have only two wheels, so replacing tires does not cost too much. They have only one spark plug so that is also cheap an quick to change.
• Mopeds are easy to ride: The other great thing about them is that they are usually really light and easy to ride. Most are "twist-and-go" bikes, which means you just turn the throttle to go and you do not have to worry about changing gears. This makes them perfectly suited to beginners. In many places such as Europe you do not have to take a special test to ride one. If you are allowed to drive a car, then you are generally entitled to ride a moped too. In some places the only formality is that you have to do a one day course of compulsory basic training that is aimed at keeping you safe on the road.

The cons of riding a moped

• Safety: Motorcycles are not all fun and games. Mopeds are generally safe and fun to ride but you are still more exposed to danger on a bike than you would be in a car. In an automobile you have a seat belt, crash protection and airbags that all come into play if you have a collision. On a bike you generally will only have a helmet and some protective gear such as gloves and a jacket and pants.
• Weather: Driving in a car means you can turn the heat up when it gets cold or you can put the air conditioner on when it gets too warm. On a motorcycle you are exposed to the elements. That means in winter you will be cold, even if you have warm gloves and clothing. It is also hard to stay dry in heavy rain. And on a hot sunny day you will soon get quite warm, even with the cooling breeze that is generated as you zoom along.