Mopeds/Scooters--May be less regulated in your state

[amy31416]

So, I'd been thinking about looking into mopeds since they can get upward of 100 mpg, and one posting I saw for a used one stated "no insurance necessary." So I checked out the state laws and have been reading up.

In my state:

Moped Definition
A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a motor which has no more than 50cc piston displacement producing two brake horsepower or less. The moped must have a power drive system that does not require shifting gears and cannot have a top speed exceeding 30 mph on level surfaces.

If it falls into that category, then it's a $15 fee for a 3-year registration decal, no insurance required and a regular driver's license is all that's required.

I know a 50cc bike ain't gonna work for a big fellow, but this was new info to me and I've checked out several other states that have a similar lack of regulations on this size bike. The job I'm working on getting is only five miles away and I'm rather intrigued.

The big negative is the 30mph restriction, but I'm on country roads and don't have to worry about traffic or cops much and so, y'know. Another negative is the weather restrictions, but I have a car for those days. Maintenance is generally easy and minimal (if I invest in a decent make/model--after reading up, avoid the Chinese makes unless you LOVE working on them.) I'm thinking of going with the Honda Metropolitan--$2k new for the basic model, though I imagine I can get it cheaper this time of year.

Just wanted to post this in case it'd be useful to others and see if anyone else had experience with them.

 

[tod evans]

Just so you know folks of my ilk call these "scooters"...

 

[CaptUSA]

Moped Definition

That's funny, I had a different definition. You see them in every bar you go into. You know, kinda fun to ride, but you wouldn't want your friends to see you on one.

 

[phill4paul]

In N.C. they don't even require a drivers license. For years they have been referred to as "Liquor Cycles" as DUI offenders would usually get one after losing their license. Lately there a lot more on the road and I think a major draw is the savings. You could always get a bigger motor if you want one and slap a 50cc sticker on it. I've known some that have. Most cops can't tell the difference.

 

[amy31416]

Just so you know folks of my ilk call these "scooters"...

I honestly did not know that.

That's funny, I had a different definition. You see them in every bar you go into. You know, kinda fun to ride, but you wouldn't want your friends to see you on one.

LOL!

Just goes to show how different people's definitions of them are--I always thought along the lines of this:

Certainly not a ride that any manly-man would be caught dead on. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that stigma.

 

[CaptUSA]

LOL!

Just goes to show how different people's definitions of them are--I always thought along the lines of this:

.

Actually, it's a slang term for a sorta ugly woman. You know, fun to ride, but wouldn't want your friends to see you on one.

 

[dannno]

Actually, it's a slang term for a sorta ugly woman. You know, fun to ride, but wouldn't want your friends to see you on one.

No, she doesn't 'get it'

 

[amy31416]

Actually, it's a slang term for a sorta ugly woman. You know, fun to ride, but wouldn't want your friends to see you on one.

OUCH! and LOL!

Well pfft, I don't care what ya'll think, I can fill up the tank for $5 and get change.

 

[tod evans]

Well pfft, I don't care what ya'll think, I can fill up the tank for $5 and get change.

Same thing for the hardtailed pan and it'll appreciate in value...

 

[amy31416]

That's funny, I had a different definition. You see them in every bar you go into. You know, kinda fun to ride, but you wouldn't want your friends to see you on one.

And yeah, Dannno's right--I didn't "get it." I wondered what the heck kind of bars you went to that had mopeds IN the bar. WOOOOOOOSH! Never heard that joke before.

 

[amy31416]

Same thing for the hardtailed pan and it'll appreciate in value...

Okay, I give--what's a hardtailed pan?

 

[tod evans]

Okay, I give--what's a hardtailed pan?

The picture I posted, old model Harley...Old enough to qualify for "antique" tags in most states....

 

[dannno]

They are actually very popular around here, one of my old female roommates used to have one and she had to learn how to use it and drive it in some pretty heavy street traffic and was ok.

Careful on the grass when it's wet and wet surfaces.

 

[dannno]

And the actual official text of the joke goes like this -

Mopeds are like fat girls chicks - fun to ride but you wouldn't want your friends to see you on one.

 

[Cheimei]

I have a 2008 Yamaha Vino. I decided to splurge on mine because I didn't want that cheap Chinese junk. The definition of a "moped" is similar in my state (i.e., can't go more than 30 mph - anything higher is considered a motorcycle), but the top speed on mine is 40 mph. I've never been pulled over on mine, nor have cops ever been suspicious.

 

[amy31416]

I have a 2008 Yamaha Vino. I decided to splurge on mine because I didn't want that cheap Chinese junk. The definition of a "moped" is similar in my state (i.e., can't go more than 30 mph - anything higher is considered a motorcycle), but the top speed on mine is 40 mph. I've never been pulled over on mine, nor have cops ever been suspicious.

I read up on that one, it's my second choice, only because it's slightly more expensive than the Honda--apparently just as reliable and good performance-wise. Some of them actually have governors on them, but the Yamaha/Honda don't, so it depends on your weight/road conditions, etc as to how fast it'll go.

Good motivation to lose weight, I suppose.

 

[Dr.3D]

Careful on the grass when it's wet and wet surfaces.

Yep, wet manhole covers are murder if you hit one while making a turn.

 

[amy31416]

Yep, wet manhole covers are murder if you hit one while making a turn.

That right there is some valuable info. I imagine wet leaves ain't so great either.

 

[tod evans]

That right there is some valuable info. I imagine wet leaves ain't so great either.

Loose gravel, oil in the center of the lane, June-bugs, hail, flicked cigarette butts....

Been there, done that..

 

[bunklocoempire]

I never figured you for a mod amy, or a rocker. But more of a mocker...




"The rockers had their snarling motorbikes but the mods also needed to find a motor transport they could call their own, something classy looking and neat -and it would also be something of a fashion item."



I've got no experience with owning them but I have ridden them. I appreciate all the good things about them but I prefer a motorcycle. When riding a scooter I never cared for the small wheels -just felt unstable to me. It's also been my experience that a quicker motorcycle (or car) can get you out of harms way easier. At the time that I was test riding my friends scooter I had already had a few years with a smallish on/off road motorcycle -an '89 Yamaha XT 350. My bike wasn't the fastest of it's class of course, but it was stable and adequate. Pretty cheap to run too.

With the gas $'s saved riding a motorcycle in the first place I had no problem forking out for insurance/tags. If I ever got another 2 wheel transport I would opt for a 650 dual purpose Honda. Thump! Thump! Better for my size and more than enough bike for me.

I would suggest looking into a smallish motorcycle too. But I do understand the $ thing. Test drive before you buy if you can -see what feels safer to you.