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Post by joel on May 29, 2013 17:44:28 GMT -5
Hello!
I'm new here. I live in Portland, Oregon, and I'm looking at getting a little 50cc to putt around town with. I did some searching and I feel like a Honda Metropolitan is exactly what I'm looking for. I love the retro styling, the storage, and the overall "neat" factor of having something that gets 110 miles on $4.00. (The Yamaha Vino also looks nice.)
Initially I was lured by some misinformation (i.e. "anything 50cc or below requires no insurance, no registration, no endorsement, etc.") due to my naivety on the subject. Those things may be true in some states, but I guess in Oregon any bike that travels faster than 30 MPH is technically a motorcycle...which has a way of defeating the purpose of even getting a Metropolitan, because if I need my endorsement I may as well get something with more power. Nevertheless, the prospect of insane gas mileage and affordability still pulls me toward the 50cc. It's the perfect vehicle for most of my in-town needs.
Basically, I was wondering what I need to do, in chronological order, to get on the street. It seems like Oregon law isn't the most conducive to scooter riding. Do I purchase the scooter first, then use it on my test (if that's even possible) since that's the kind of vehicle I intend to ride? I don't necessarily see myself riding regular bikes; I'm more comfortable automatic transmissions, and I like the nimbleness of scooters. Also, what should I expect as far as insurance rates?
I appreciate any knowledge or advice you might share with this young grasshopper. ;D
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Post by domindart on May 29, 2013 17:52:57 GMT -5
Myself I took the motorcycle safety course and I did the entire process on their motorcycle (a buell blast) as did the rest of people.
After that was done I was able to take the written part of the test at the DMV but didn't need to take the riding test there since the other course covered it.
Then I had my M license and was able to get a motorcycle
The motorcycle safety course also gave me extra's like discount on insurance I think
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Post by rockynv on May 29, 2013 21:41:44 GMT -5
Every state is different but start by contacting your local MSF rep and see what they have to offer.
In Florida you pay between $200 and $300 to the MSF and they provide 3 days of training along with the bike to ride which the DMV accepts as the written and road test for a Motorcycle License or Endorsement.
If you fall and damage the bike you are out your tuition and fail to get your license however you have not damaged your own bike and many won't purchase a bike until after they have passed. Why pay for something that you can't lawfully use?
Once you pass then you can go and buy your own bike being better equipped to choose due to the experience from the three days riding the MSF motorcycle or scooter.
Passing the MSF Basic Riders Course will get you reduced insurance rates from many providers too.
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Post by Paladin on May 29, 2013 23:11:09 GMT -5
[replyingto=joel]joel[/replyingto]Very First thing: team-oregon.org/ Find what sites have a scooter available and reserve it for your class. You can use your scooter, but how do you plan the bike to take to the class? Trailer? Take the class, pass, get the certificate, go to the DMV, pay, pass written test, walk out with your motorcycle license. -- www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/motorcycle_endorse.aspxYou don't need to get a learning permit first, and is actually useless since you cannot ride unless an 21-y-o+ motorcyclist is riding their scoot watching you. |
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Post by onewheeldrive on May 29, 2013 23:45:22 GMT -5
I respect how you at least are looking at the laws. People around here think, and that includes dealers, that just because it's 49.whatever cc---that you don't need a license to ride. It amazes me the the misinterpretation of laws---especially with mopeds/scoots. That, in turn, could get someone in trouble.
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Post by scootnwinn on May 30, 2013 0:34:05 GMT -5
I'm with these guys take the MSF course its the only place anyone should start. I wish I had
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Post by rockynv on May 30, 2013 4:18:33 GMT -5
If you take the course first you can save yourself the grief of not getting your motorcycle license and having to sell a bike at a loss which can be a pretty big loss if you use your own bike for the class and lay it down.
Here if you ride your own bike to the class and get caught then you have a hefty fine to pay and the bike sits in impound accruing storage fees until you do pass the course. About half the students in the class I took had been caught riding without a license and were there to get their bikes out of impound.
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Post by daniel on May 30, 2013 11:32:52 GMT -5
Here if you ride your own bike to the class and get caught then you have a hefty fine to pay and the bike sits in impound accruing storage fees until you do pass the course. About half the students in the class I took had been caught riding without a license and were there to get their bikes out of impound. In PA you need your permit, which is just the written test to even sign up for the safety class. Lots of people rode their own motorcycles to the class, I think the only permit restrictions were that you can't ride at night and can't ride 2 up. Once I passed the course (2 nights of classroom and 2 days of riding drills and test) they stamped my M class permit right on the spot. It's free here too, really a great service. |
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Post by rockynv on May 30, 2013 11:53:55 GMT -5
Here if you ride your own bike to the class and get caught then you have a hefty fine to pay and the bike sits in impound accruing storage fees until you do pass the course. About half the students in the class I took had been caught riding without a license and were there to get their bikes out of impound. In PA you need your permit, which is just the written test to even sign up for the safety class. Lots of people rode their own motorcycles to the class, I think the only permit restrictions were that you can't ride at night and can't ride 2 up. Once I passed the course (2 nights of classroom and 2 days of riding drills and test) they stamped my M class permit right on the spot. It's free here too, really a great service. That used to be the case here however you also had to be withing sight of a licensed rider who had their motorcycle license for more that just a few years (can't remember the exact number). |
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Post by joel on May 30, 2013 15:32:04 GMT -5
Awesome, I didn't know you could take the MSF course in place of the DMV test. And it looks like they have 125cc scooters to use on the course, so that's pretty cool.
I've also come to a realization that my height (6' 3") may be a bit too much for a little scoot like the Metro. I've heard Vespas are better in terms of fitting taller people. I want to stick with that classic streamlined style if I can. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the help, guys.
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Post by hank on May 30, 2013 15:36:51 GMT -5
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Post by prodigit on May 30, 2013 16:56:29 GMT -5
My suggestion to you would be, to get a 49cc. You say 50cc or below, but in reality it's 49cc.
A 49cc worldwide is recognized as a different beast from a motorcycle.
If for some reason in your state you require a motorcycle endorsement for it, I would suggest you to find a ~125-150cc fuel injected Japanese, italian, or Korean scooter (like Puma, Piaggio, Vespa, or some other brands).
A 125cc fuel injected scooter usually gets you very near to the 100mpg, with added take off power. Really, the difference between a carbed 125cc and a carbed 50cc on fuel is minimal (you'd be going for $4,25 instead of $4 /100 miles), but the added benefit of being able to accelerate like the rest of the traffic is really a bonus; plus, being able to go 55+MPH in case you need it is welcome too!
IMHO, a true 75-100cc engine is perfect for city travel under 50MPH for one person (who's riding on level ground).
With some hills, and an occasional passenger, 125-150cc is the minimum.
Get them fuel injected, and a 125 gets ~120MPG, a 150 gets ~100MPG. Never seen a fuel injected 50cc, but I suspect they could be around ~125MPG.
Carbureted 125 should get you ~85MPG, 150cc ~70MPG, 50cc ~95MPG
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Post by shalomrider on May 30, 2013 20:11:13 GMT -5
howdy and welcome to the forum
the honda dealer here in woodburn oregon has new 125 honda scoots for a thousand off putting them at 3,000 bucks and i think they are fuel injected. you might take a look. when you get ready to ride some you can come down 99 from oregon city and i'd be tickled to meet up with ya for coffee or?
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by joel on May 31, 2013 16:31:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the warm welcome, all.  Anyone know much about manual scooters like the Genuine Stella 4T? Are they good for the highway? |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 1, 2013 9:26:54 GMT -5
The Stellas with slight mods can do around 65 or so. My P200E (the series the Stella is based on) Will do 70 or better. Stick depending on a lot if factors the Stella is good for about 55 or so. So it is fine on some highways... Have a look at used older Vespas I paid less for mine than a new Stella though I was looking to by a new Stella
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