Tell me if you’ve heard this one before: “What do mopeds and scooters have in common?” Wait a second, I’m not sure I have that down correctly. Anyway, if you prefer the former to the latter, you’ll want to factor these options into your purchasing decision: engine size, local regulations, and the new vs. used vs. vintage debate. If you’re simply looking for a fun, cheap and fuel-efficient way to get around town, a moped might be exactly the solution that you never expected to consider.
Why Buy A Moped?
Sure, a motorcycle is bigger, faster, and more impressive. And scooters are certainly more polished, more of a “buy it and ride it” proposition. But mopeds have a lot more character, they’re dirt cheap, you probably won’t need a new license or registration to make it street legal, and they average100 miles per gallon.
If you’re still searching for the fun-factor, here it is: You can slam it around town in full throttle and never get a speeding ticket. You can toss it around corners, and push it to the limit without seeming too reckless. In short, it’s the difference between dancing with a 100 pound partner versus a 400 pound partner – What’s that joke again?
Bigger wheels improve the ride, when compared to most scooters. With step through mopeds, they often have the same shopping bag hangers and practical touches that make scooters popular-ish. They benefit from a lean profile, so they land on handlebars and pedals instead of expensive plastic or metal when they fall over (or get kicked over by a loving but inebriated young neighbor). Note: you can park almost anywhere.
The aftermarket is strong for enthusiasts
Enthusiasts love them because they’re easy to work on. Go ahead, “throw a kit.” They’re fun to ride in packs. Unlike the motorcycle world, nobody is likely to have an overwhelming mechanical advantage. That means setting up a course and racing the rest of the crew is more about skill than standing atop a big wallet.
If you want a tuned pipe, there’s probably one that’s available for your model. If you want a new intake manifold, a fancier drive pully, improved cylinder that’s water-cooled, a frame brace, pegs to replace the standard pedals, an adjustable clutch, or over-the-top racing crankcases, you can do that too. Of course, that’s all completely unnecessary and way beyond the Lazy Environmentalist definition of moped ownership but we too can imagine the comedic value of drowning out the Harley next to you with the loud straight pipe you just installed on that little 39 cubic centimeter engine.
Engine Size
The main reason that people want the smaller engines, 39cc and below, is to meet regulations – mopeds regulations vary by state. The little guys typically max out at 35mph. The primary concerns: Do I have to register my moped or get a motorcycle license? The answers are often no and no.
New vs. Used vs. Vintage
The major player in the US for new mopeds is Tomos. Tomos makes six different models, ranging from $1,100 to $1,700. Each gets 100 mpg and is built on the same basic platform: a 49cc two-stroke engine that’s air-cooled and starts with a swift kick, lawnmower-style!
With regard to the Used market, keep in mind that the last moped boom in this country was during the oil crisis in the 70’s, so there’s a bit of vintage in every used moped you’ll likely shop. The Puchs and Motorinis have more readily available spare parts than the Jawas. Honda made a lot of small bikes, many of which legally qualify as mopeds depending on state law. Make sure you get the title, no matter what.
If you’re a vintage aficionado, the original American moped was the Whizzer. If you’re more of a vintage-inspired type (with performance that’s inline with the look), you might check out a cafe-style moped, which look way cooler and ride way better than the lame-o name suggests.
