I'm looking to buy a moped...

CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
Ok, I'm 20, I have no car, I take the bus everywhere, it's done me good for a long time. But now, I feel like having something that doesn't run on any schedule other than mine, and doesn't consume half of my pay with things like gas...

So I thought to myself, why not a moped? I see them around, I hear they get insanely good gas mileage. (roughly 100mpg depending on the make/model)

However, I do live in Colorado, and it tends to get cold. I intend to use said moped to go to and from work, maybe to and from school, depending on what I have to carry, which sometimes is quite a bit. Work is only about a 10 minute car ride away, however, my school's campus is located in downtown Denver, which is substantially further away.

There is a 30mph limit in CO for mopeds, which sucks, but I'd rather not buy an expensive car and pay for its gas. I'll most likely continue to take the bus to school, it works well enough for me, I can do homework and such during the ride. But for running little errands or going places that would take multiple bus transfers with large layover time...

Anyway, does anyone here have any experience with mopeds? Good or bad... Any suggestions as to a make/model? I'm currently looking at the Honda Metropolitan, used of course.

Comments

  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    <a href="http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005models-Suzuki-GSX750FKatana.htm" target="_blank">Suzuki makes a mean moped.....</a>

    <a href="http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005models-Suzuki-GSX750FKatana.htm" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Suzuki-GSX750FKatana.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" /></a>
  • spinviperspinviper Join Date: 2003-05-08 Member: 16151Members
    What's a "moped"? A motorcycle? A <a href="http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/occ/index.html" target="_blank">chopper?</a>
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    edited June 2007
    moped < 50cc

    Suzuki Katana = 750cc = not a moped, but that does not subtract from its bad arseness.

    :edit:

    moped =
    <img src="http://www.bikez.com/pictures/honda/2004/21024_0_1_2_metropolitan%20ii_Image%20credits%20-%20Honda.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    not the coolest looking vehicles, but they go from point A to point B on very little gas.
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1635036:date=Jun 21 2007, 02:25 AM:name=Caboose)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Caboose @ Jun 21 2007, 02:25 AM) [snapback]1635036[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->moped < 50cc

    Suzuki Katana = 750cc = not a moped<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I'm sure you could just scratch off the 7 and nobody would be the wiser.
  • spinviperspinviper Join Date: 2003-05-08 Member: 16151Members
    edited June 2007
    Oh! A scooter. Why didn't you just say so. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> Something like <a href="http://www.epinions.com/auto-Motorcycles-Scooters-Aprilia-Habana_50/display_~reviews" target="_blank">THIS?</a>
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    Yea, like that. But to me, this is a scooter...
    <img src="http://www.razor-scooters.com/razor-scooters/razor-ms-130a3/razor-scooter-ms130-a3-blue.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
  • spinviperspinviper Join Date: 2003-05-08 Member: 16151Members
    Ahh, right right.

    I think <a href="http://web.mit.edu/scz/www/metro-v-vino.shtml" target="_blank">THIS</a> will help. I'm partial to the Honda Metropolitan.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    I think "Vespa" is universal for motorized scooter you sit on.

    Remember, you'll need a Ricky to go along with it:
    <img src="http://www.milezero.org/images/i_am_waiting_to_buy_a_bass.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
  • DroggogDroggog Random Pubber Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 3293Members, Constellation
    Heh. Mopeds rules. I've had several "Honda Camino" (PA50), best moped ever. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

    However it's a very old model now. And i don't even know if it was sold in America. Sold mine a long time ago when i bought a car, but i may rebuy one someday. Those things can do a good 55 mph with some modifications while still being reliable. I'm not into scooters (small wheels thingies), but as you say its cold where you live, it's your best bet i guess. Honda engines are rock solid.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Technically mopeds are half bicycle / half motorcycle. The earliest mopeds, introduced in the early 1950s, were standard bicycles with a helper motor in various location. That being said, somewhere along the line some scooters started being known as mopeds, which actually is incorrect. A moped:

    <img src="http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/paris/images/8907N06B20French%20Moped%20rider3.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    Now, whether you choose to navigate a scooter or a moped through traffic makes little difference - neither offers any protection in an accident and YOU will lose.<b> <u>Always</u></b> wear a helmet and allow extra following distance etc.
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    Just wondering:

    Mopeds don't allow for additional storing space. So why not simply use a bike?
    Depending on the kind of area you are living in (metropilitan,urban,ural etc) and the distance you need to travel it is often faster to go by bike than to go by motorcycle or car.
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    If you do get a moped, please please PLEASE do not get one of those 50cc bikes that use plastic casings of bigger sports bikes. They look and sound ridiculous.

    Seriously, you get people leaning over on them like they're going 400mph, revving the throttle to pretend they actually have gears, and they're doing about 30mph down the road with the engine screaming like a huge mosquito giving birth.
  • Sub_zer0Sub_zer0 Join Date: 2004-05-09 Member: 28569Members
    edited June 2007
    <img src="http://www.reliablecp.com/images/contec/el_mop.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />-ED

    Yes please don't get a screacy anoying one they are blooming anoying.
  • MulletMullet Join Date: 2003-04-28 Member: 15910Members, Constellation
    I'd say don't get a moped because of the weather conditions where you live. Moped + bad weather = no bueno. Get a job and buy a cheap car!
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    edited June 2007
    yeah, cheap car, or cheap motorcycle. cars really are the most practical, even though the fuel economy of a bike looks good on paper. I've had used cars from $500 to $2000 that got the job done for years. and if you're only going on a 10 minute drive a few times a week, buying gas won't break the bank.

    and a scooter isn't a moped. it has no pedals, now does it? call it a moscoot if you want. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
  • DroggogDroggog Random Pubber Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 3293Members, Constellation
    In there we call that a Solex (refering to Depot's post). Here is one:

    <img src="http://www.bullnet.co.uk/shops/test/images/solex.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    Basically it's a bicycle with some help from the small motor

    A moped (this is a "Honda camino" btw):

    <img src="http://images.kapaza.be/fotos_shop/logo192915.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    50cc with little body (imo, the best choice)

    A scooter:

    <img src="http://www.mobcustom.com/IMG/jpg/1-262.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    Same as a moped, but with smaller wheels and some useless body

    And he is correct about security. I used to drive a lot of mopeds going REALLY fast (about 95km/h) without a helmet and i guess i can consider being lucky to be still alive.
  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    edited June 2007
    Wow, this is scary. I was just about to go post about my Moped:

    <img src="http://pgroves.googlepages.com/TomosArrow.jpg/TomosArrow-full.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    WHAM!

    Yep, this is my moped... 48.8cc, 2 stroke, oil injected single cylinder, air cooled, automatic two-speed motor, disc/drum brakes... and PEDALS!

    You should get the STRANGE looks I get when I start pedaling in the middle of slow traffic. XD

    Oh, and look at that speedometer! A top speed of SIXTY KILOMETERS PER HOUR! ...*Cough*GoingDownHill.WithATailWind.DraftingBehindATruck.*Cough*

    ...That's about 30mph, just so's-you-knows.

    LIVE TO RIDE! ...Ride to Work.

    Born to be MILD!

    -Sid
    "Swarm and Destroy!"
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    I was wondering how long it would take Sid to show up in this topic <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    I always have sorta pondered gettign one of these things and always turned it down as not really efficent.
  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    Lol, Than. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    Anyways:

    Scooters do not equal Mopeds. Mopeds have pedals, scooters do not.

    Some people prefer a moped because, for example, I do not need my full license to operate it, and it only costs me $60 a YEAR for insurance.

    That and it costs me 72 cents to fill up, and it gets 160KM/gallon. A tank on this lasts me three weeks. They're a blast to ride, and you can actually find a huge load of kits available for them.

    Go here and find out everything you need to know:

    <a href="http://www.mopedarmy.com/" target="_blank">http://www.mopedarmy.com/</a>

    I recommend Tomos or Puch.

    <a href="http://www.tomosusa.com/" target="_blank">http://www.tomosusa.com/</a>

    <3s,
    Sid
  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    edited June 2007
    I don't get down with mo peds, I'm more go-ped.

    Check out the riot, it's a thousand dollars, it's like a few cc under 50, and weights 46 lbs, full suspension with 1/2 the wheel diameter in suspension play, chain driven with a clutch, and for an extra 200 ish you can get another 7-10 mph out of it, it already goes 26, DDM offers a kit that is a expansion chamber, different gearing for sprocket, bigger non stock air filter [I go with 4.5' k&n] and some other randomness that makes the mph add up.

    www.davesmotors.com is where the offical go-ped people recommended I buy one, as it's ran by one of the founders of PWM, who makes the offical go ped.
    <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->To accommodate various rider skills, weights, and preferences, the suspension can be tuned from plush to firm through its elastomer compression adjusters. These adjusters raise and lower its natural damping characteristics as well.

    The C.I.D.L.I. suspension system geometry produces very effective anti-dive characteristics under braking from its powerful and race proven Mad Dog twin stainless steel wave rotor disc brakes.

    For power, PMW is introducing a new 4 port, 4.5 HP, high compression, high RPM 45.7cc 2 stroke engine. This purpose designed engine becomes PMW's top of the line performer of its production gas powered scooter line-up. Power delivery is through a single reduction pocket bike style chain-drive system with 78mm automatic centrifugal clutch. Though the aftermarket selection is already great, the stock sprocket ratio was chosen to deliver the best bottom end for this combination. This produces absolutely the highest fun factor in trail riding for this scooter. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    and a link of jumping on the suspension: <a href="http://www.davesmotors.com/files/videos/ripperjump.avi" target="_blank">http://www.davesmotors.com/files/videos/ripperjump.avi</a>

    [edit]
    it would be that, or a dual sport. No way I would actuall get a 600 cc cycle, as it would be the death of me
    [edit2]
    added some stuff
    [/edit]
  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    edited June 2007
    Lol Tak.. for the price of that, I bought my Moped, which is street legal.. full suspension also and has a two speed automatic transmission.

    Gopeds are cool if you have the cash to buy them. They're pretty good quality, very modifiable... but expensive! And not street legal.

    Before I bought my Moped, I was ridding this:

    <img src="http://ic1.deviantart.com/fs14/f/2007/087/4/4/Look_what_I_bought____again__by_Gubru.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    Yep, it's a Chinese knockoff, but I bought if for $200. It has more features than a Goped, too. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

    <33
  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    seat == FAIL

    I wouldn't even bother with a moped, I would just go dual sport motorcyle... You can take those on the freeway, but barely =D
  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1635095:date=Jun 21 2007, 01:06 PM:name=That_Annoying_Kid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(That_Annoying_Kid @ Jun 21 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]1635095[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    seat == FAIL
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Ow, my feelings. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />

    But the seat is comfy for my bony arse. :/
  • GreyFlcnGreyFlcn Join Date: 2006-12-19 Member: 59134Members, Constellation
    Heh, just because it's fun <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
    <a href="http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/6/1/1287/76804" target="_blank">http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/6/1/1287/76804</a>

    Guy spent $1600 on the whole package.

    [youtube]zKKvP9wWrlY[/youtube]
  • DrfuzzyDrfuzzy FEW... MORE.... INCHES... Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21094Members
    edited June 2007
    If your looking for something around 110cc instead, get a x19 pocket bike. I just bought one today, holy ###### its so much fun. Plus it goes 65mph and street legal. Best of all their $700 shipped, and so far it seems really solid, built ff honda parts. Has electric start, horn, turn signals, even electronic gauge that tells you what gear your in <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
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