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bigred
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Post by savy09 on Jul 9, 2013 14:46:19 GMT -5
I'm talking about scooters in the 150cc category, specifically, the Vogue/Auto Moto 150ccZK trike. Many owners like myself can cruise at 48-50+mph all day, others top out 45mph. Most 2 wheeler 150cc can top-out 55mph., wo mods. That's wot on most of these scoots and not having anymore throttle to get out of harms way is not riding safe, and yet I keep seeing AutoMoto trikers on their forum asking the same question. How can I mod this motor to get me to ride on the interstates? Of course the answer is get a (Piaggio mp3) 250cc... the manufacturer Xingyue has a 250cc with the rear differential, but not for sale in the USA. to date. There is a wind turbulence issue with this trike because of the canopy enclosure. Many sellers in the past advertised a 60mph top speed for the 150cc scooters, just to sell a scooter. Interstates are 65-70 mph and motorist are all doing 10mph over the limit, most of the time, that's not a safe ride for a 150cc. IMHO Attachments:
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Post by sailracer on Jul 9, 2013 14:49:55 GMT -5
I don't even careto ride a full size bike on the highway! Come to think of it, I prefer side roads in a car too ;D
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Post by keltex78 on Jul 9, 2013 14:54:52 GMT -5
Yeah, here in NE Texas, the Interstate speed limit is 75mph and some other locations are 80mph. If I drive the speed limit, there are still a lot of people passing me at very high speeds. I ordered a 250cc and still have absolutely no intention of EVER driving it on an interstate.
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bigred
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Post by savy09 on Jul 9, 2013 14:58:46 GMT -5
sailracer, we have the same mindset...old sailer myself Catalina 30. Ah... the skill of getting a 1/4 knot more out of the same sailboat!!!
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Post by sailracer on Jul 9, 2013 15:02:06 GMT -5
Yup, ride the eddys... anything for just that tiny edge!
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Post by Paladin on Jul 9, 2013 16:00:33 GMT -5
I'm talking about scooters in the 150cc category... Many sellers in the past advertised a 60mph top speed for the 150cc scooters, just to sell a scooter. Interstates are 65-70 mph and motorist are all doing 10mph over the limit, most of the time, that's not a safe ride for a 150cc. IMHO Not safe "In My Humble Opinion" -- I have been driving for over 50 years and I know anything is safe if you compensate. I have taken my Vespa on the I-405 from Torrance to Lake Forrest -- 40 miles in 39 minutes. Last month I went on a jaunt through the Mojave under the Full Moon -- at night, 157 miles on the Freeways/Interstates, 89 miles through the National Park and back to the Interstate, 108 miles back home Interstates/Freeways while morning broke. I had a 652cc motorcycle, I could have had a bigger bike -- but I wanted lightest weight that was capable and legal on any road or highway in North America -- a 150.46cc Vespa. WOT is not a problem. Not "having anymore throttle to get out of harms way is not riding safe" tells me that you are a unsafe driver. |
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Post by scooter12 on Jul 9, 2013 16:00:59 GMT -5
Yes, the 150cc scoots are not made for long distance travel on the interstate. They can go faster than the minimum speedlimit which is 40 mph in most States. But are you going to want to be going 45 mph full throttle and cars coming up on you at 70 to 75 mph.. That is the question. Interstate travel is meant for long distance travel and a 250cc scooter is barely able to keep up that pace for to long. I ride a 250cc scooter and still choose times that traffic is not bad, before deciding to take a long distance trip on the interstate. If you have a lot of hills to climb, well even on a 250cc scooter, you are going to slow down a tad. It is not as safe as back roads that are 55 mph, for any 150cc scooter. I rode 40 miles on( Belle MO to Highway 63 was 55 mph about 14 miles long) ( Highway 63 to 50 was 65 mph 19 miles long) ( 54 Expressway was 60 mph across Missouri River and 70 mph into Holts Summit 6 miles long at 70 mph). It is o.k. to ride on 70 mph Highways for a short duration but not long distance on a 250.. Sure, it seems like fun, if you know hours that people are working, kids are in school, ect.. More kids are out of school for the summer, increasing the opportunity of an accident with a high school driver. They are on the roads at all hours.
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Post by skyrider on Jul 9, 2013 16:47:50 GMT -5
I just recently returned from a 5300 mile cross country on my Reflex, There were some places that there is no other road that goes where I needed to go. Depending of traffic conditions I had to ocasionally run 65 - 70. When ever possible I took back roads, it is a lot safer and generally (not always) less traffic. I prefer to ride 45 to 55. But I'm an old man with no need to hurry. www.thescooterprofessor.proboards.com/indexcgi?board=discussion&action=display&threads=2751 |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 17:14:58 GMT -5
The speed limit on the interstate in FL is 60-65MPH, on the highway 50MPH.
You need to be able to have a sustained speed of 50MPH or more on the interstate, and 40MPH on the highway.
I can go on the highway with my 50cc ATM50, though not legally.
The 150cc is about the smallest bike I'd get on the interstate.
I don't believe you need more throttle 'to get out of harms way', I hear a lot of people say that, but in my 25 years of riding on a 2 wheeler, I've never 'needed more throttle to get out of harms way'. There are plenty of ways to get out of harms way, one of them being to pull over to the side if necessary.
The only way when you need to have extra throttle IMHO, is when you see a zigzagging car/van with drunks approaching you at high speed; but in my 25 years, again, I've never encountered a single one.
Anyway, 150cc is really the minimum recommended. I have a 127cc motorcycle, and it can barely keep 55-60MPH on the highway (that is depending on the wind and bridges).
A 250cc gives you more headroom, and will have more power to sustain those speeds, regardless of wind or hills.
For a trike or quad, you'll have to start with a 250cc, or higher. A 150cc trike/quad, will not be able to sustain speeds over 45MPH, and perhaps top out between 50-55MPH at best.
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Post by spandi on Jul 9, 2013 18:09:18 GMT -5
Even if it could keep up with traffic, states have minimum tire size requirements for riding in the interstate. (and I don't think the back wheels would be legal.)
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 18:31:14 GMT -5
yeah, I never saw a trike on the highway, neither a quad.
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Post by Paladin on Jul 9, 2013 20:12:18 GMT -5
Even if it could keep up with traffic, states have minimum tire size requirements for riding in the interstate. (and I don't think the back wheels would be legal.) I have never heard of a minimum tire size retirement for riding on the Interstate. Especially since a '60's Mini Cooper can do over 100 mph on 10" wheels. Every State has their Vehicle Code on line -- show me the law. |
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Post by spandi on Jul 9, 2013 20:32:58 GMT -5
From the Nebraska MVA handbook (don't know about all the states)  |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 9, 2013 21:00:52 GMT -5
My 10" rims on the Vespa are just a but over 16" including the tire. A tall tire on 8's would theoretically work out. I certainly have the horses to ride in Nebraska. I am not bothered on the freeway at all really I haven't on the Vespa but I have ridden on the highway on bikes as small as 250 before. Power is good but its not the only advantage 2 wheels have over 4. Necessity teaches quickly and like Paladin says you learn to compensate
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 9, 2013 21:02:40 GMT -5
By the way I have never felt safe at any speed on a trike of any displacement those things are squirrelly suckers.
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