What are some of the pros and cons to getting a moped?
Jonathan F asked:
I’m wondering if I should get a moped, all I’ve heard are pros for mopeds. Less restrictions, better milage, and the like. While the only cons I know of is that they can’t go all that fast and they look (excuse the expression) dorky. Can you give me a bit more insight into mopeds? Thanks
Tags: Expression, Insight, Moped
February 4th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
If you don’t have a lic. for a car they are allot of fun. But take a safety course first (I did) and wear a helmet.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:19 am
The only big con would be other drivers, being that your in such a small vehicle it might be easier for others on the road to “miss” you being there. Mopeds…specifically a Vespa or the like are VERY efficient on gas, getting it registered is dirt cheap, and the maintenance is minimal. I ride my old Ninja around town and the main thing is stupid people not paying attention.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:08 am
They are like fat girls…they’re fun to ride until your friends see you.
February 9th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
ok I am guessing that you are a college student or you live in a large town or city. mopeds are great for around campus, or around town on the smaller back roads. They are not designed to be used on main roads or for long distances. I If you are looking into getting one try to find one that you Like but at the same time ha a larger cc “Cubic centimeter” displacement. the larger the displacement the faster and better control you will have. Most mopeds have two cycle engines. Four cycle engines run cleaner but they do not produce as much power for the same displacement as a two cycle engine would.
mopeds are good for short distance ridding. like a few miles on curvy roads, or through city blocks. The biggest prob. with a moped is PEOPLE CAN’T SEE YOU. take a look at most motorcycles. they are twice to three times the size of a moped. plus the have lights all over them. mopeds DON”T or at least most of them don’t. if you are looking for one find one with lights blinkers tail lights etc. the more visible you are the less likely you are to get hit. the other big prob. with a moped is most people like to ride them down main street or down a main hwy. That’s STUPID. you got cars going 50-60 mph. and your doing 35 mph. Trust me even a Honda vista will kill you at that speed difference.
Now I am not trying to scare you into not getting one they are great on gas mileage. I have heard of some of them getting close to a hundred miles per. gallon. DAMN!!!! two gallons of gas and you can go all week! they are not a hury up and get there kind of ride, they are peaceful and fun. they require little mantanance. and most of them are tough. they don’t cost much and you can actually get upgrades for them. A friend of mine bought one that was wrecked for like 200.00 then he bought another one of the same kind for like 50.00 that was wercked and swaped parts to make a good one. he rebulit the motor and got a bored kit for it. That made it go from a 33cc engine to a 90cc engine. he also to the governor off of it, and added”can you believe it?” a racing Exhaust! LOL!!!! but hey when he first got it and rebuilt the original moped it would only go like 35mph. When he was finished I think he spent like 1000.00 on the whole thing and it would do around 55-60mph. THATS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. Note this was a two cycle engine he had. you can’t do this to a four cycle engine as easlly.
Check into brand names like HYOSUNG, KYMCO, HONDA, SUZUKI, DALEM. they all have good scooters. I know that you can get a street leagle SCOOTER that has a 250cc engine will do hwy speeds 70-80 mph and cost like 2500.00 HYOSUNG, KYMCO they are a korean brand. but the will last. Good luck! RIDE SAFELY.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Pro: Faster than a bicycle, won’t tire you out the way a bicycle can. Great gas mileage!
Con: Slower than traffic, so you have to keep right, which increases your chances of getting killed. It’s probably a two-stroke, so you have to mix in two-stroke oil when you fill up your gas tank.
Been there. I wanted to get a Puch or Peugot moped. A “friend” told me I should get a used dual purpose (it’d now be called a “dual sport”) motorcycle instead — it’d keep up with traffic, and I could take it on the freeway. And — get this — a used dual purpose motorcycle would cost less than a new moped.
He was right. The motorcycle was much better than a moped would have been. I don’t regret getting the motorcycle over the moped.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
WHAT STATE and WHAT MODEL??
A moped Moped (with big wheels and pedals) go only 30mph, and need only a drivers license. IT IS ILLEGAL TO “kit” or upgrade a moped licensed as a Moped. You need a MOTORCYCLE license plate (and endorsement) to exceed 30mph!
Go faster than 30 in most states you will need a Motorcycle endorsemnt ALSO! (even if it`s under 50cc`s)
Why should you get a scooter??
this is why..
February 17th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Sorry I have to disagree, there is a huge difference between a 4 and a 2 stroke,
2 strokes are much better off the mark, but are much less reliable (very prone to heat ceasures) they are alot quick than the equivilelent 4 stroker, but sound awful and need alot more maintainence, 4 strokes sound better and are far more reliable but are slow. nuff said!
February 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Hi,
Dorky?
Not necessarily. Or at least I don’t think so. I ride a 49.5cc scooter/moped/motorcycle which is licensed as a moped in the state of Arizona. I have 80,000 miles of Motorcycle riding under my belt, (yes I’m OLD 40 if you must know), most of which is on my Yamaha FJ1100 and without incident. One thing I found interesting when I started riding a 49.5cc bike was that I still get the low wave (almost a point to the ground with left hand) that is a universal acceptance as a “biker”. Wow I thought, my plate says “moped” and some guy on a Harley just said I was within the spectrum of a “biker”. Cool. So don’t get afraid of dorky syndrome, just enjoy the ride. Another fun thing is waiting in line at the QT gas mart, when It’s your turn just smack $3.00 on the counter say “premium please, I don’t know if it will take that much, I just filled up last week.” Look at the people in line and see the dork in the Suburban turn bright red.
KGR
P.S. Cons? Can’t use the freeway system. Rain.