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Post by chris939 on Jul 24, 2014 0:34:29 GMT -5
I'm trying to buy a 50cc gas scooter, so I can ride it with my drivers license. I have looked at many for countless hours but I am still confused. I am looking to get one under $2,000 that can go over 45 mph. I am willing to put extra money into aftermarket parts if needed. I asked a bunch of scooter-related questions on yahoo and someone suggested I become a part of this forum. I was looking at: Genuine Buddy 50 Yamaha Vino Classic Kymco People 50 Kymco Like 50 Kymco Super 8 50 Honda Metropolitan 50 I'm really new and don't know exactly what I'm looking for. Kind of going for the vintage look but i'm still open to others. I read that most 50cc scooters are limited to 30 mph or at least top out at that speed. I tried looking into derestricting scooters and was wondering how I could get one of these up to over 45 if possible. Or are there any [inexpensive] 50cc scooters you have experience with that have exceptional speed? I appreciate any help at all  and I look forward to soon becoming a part of the scooter community. Thank you! |
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Post by alleyoop on Jul 24, 2014 0:43:57 GMT -5
Most 50cc scoots will only do 30+ you can get them to do 40+ but you need to slap in a big bore kit(bigger piston) bigger jets in the carb, maybe taller tranny gears as well etc.. But the problem is it MAY do those speeds but at Wide Open Throttle and High rpms. Running a motor at High RPMS all the time the motor will not last.
my .02
Alleyoop
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Post by pmatulew on Jul 24, 2014 5:02:52 GMT -5
2-stroke motors have a bit more oomph compared to the same size 4-stroke motors. They're getting harder to find these days but it might be worth a look around. My aunt has an unrestricted 50cc Eton Beemer that nails 45 without too much trouble.
In the long run you'll be much better off just biting the bullet and getting your motorcycle endorsement, Then you're set to ride whatever you can get your hands on.
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Post by chris939 on Jul 24, 2014 10:53:27 GMT -5
Thanks guys I appreciate it, I'm gonna try to find a 2 stroke I can work on.
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Post by earlwb on Jul 25, 2014 21:21:30 GMT -5
You would really be better off looking for a 150cc scooter, maybe a 125cc one.
As mentioned 45mph is at or over the redline or max RPMs for the engine. Thus the engine won't last very long doing it.
As mentioned already you would have to put in a big bore kit, tuned pipe, carger carburetor, etc. to go over 30mph. The companies limit the speed to 30mph because of the various laws in different states classify them as mopeds or equivalent.
One problem depends on your state and how well they enforce the laws, if you don't have the motorcycle endorsement, then if they catch you going over 30mph, they can write you up for it and even impound your ride too. We have had folks complain before about what happens when they get caught. Also getting a 150cc ride and putting decals, etc on it to make it look like 50cc works until you get caught by the police going 45 or 50 mph. It usually gets ugly then.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 26, 2014 4:12:37 GMT -5
Welcome to the site!
All replies are good advice! From past experience though, I would STRONGLY advise going with at LEAST a 150cc. Getting a motorcycle license is easy enough, and I'm 99% sure you'll ABSOLUTELY want a little faster ride in only one season... HONEST!
Your choice of brands is great! All good scoots... Personally, I'm really fond of the Kymco and Genuine Buddy brands, of any size but that's just me. For simple, reliable and FAST dependable rides, my vote goes to the larger Buddy 170 (THAT little gem is to DIE for!!! One of THE coolest scooters on the planet!) and the Kymco "People 200". The People 200 is really only 160cc or so, a simple, air-cooled GY6 type engine, but balances like a BICYCLE... and with their large wheels and plenty of power, they feel nimble as a 50cc, but are vastly superior to the typical 150. My dealer loaned me one while he changed tires on my old Grandvista 250 and I was AMAZED! What a simple, nimble light and quick little air-cooled ride!!! Felt like a 50 and ran almost like a 250! Can't beat that!
True, bought NEW, they're more expensive than your current budget, but you can find minty USED ones in your price range. A 50cc is just not going to have quite the performance you want, so please do test-ride and consider the larger engine.
Just my personal views... I happily rode a Xingyue 150 for 6 years, but finally went with a used 250 to keep up with traffic.
Whatever you get, enjoy it!
Leo in Texas
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Post by millsc on Jul 27, 2014 10:22:19 GMT -5
I've had several 50cc's that went 45+ but spent more on them that a 150cc was a cheaper option.
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Post by chris939 on Jul 27, 2014 12:25:19 GMT -5
millsc Which 50cc scooters did you have that went at that speed?
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Post by chris939 on Jul 27, 2014 12:25:55 GMT -5
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Post by millsc on Jul 27, 2014 13:15:05 GMT -5
You can make any 49cc go 45+ but you have to mod the heck out ta them big bore kit gear upgrade open air filter bigger jets etc etc cheaper to get a 150cc
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 27, 2014 15:51:33 GMT -5
You're most welcome! That's what we're here for...
We're certainly not trying to get you to spend more than you can afford, or knock the little 50cc scoots. They fill an important need for basic, simple transportation. (Not to mention that some 50's are SO cool looking!). But many of us who've been around the block a few times have gone through the all-too-common phenomenon of getting THE smallest, least expensive scooter or motorcycle we think MIGHT do, then spending hundreds of dollars trying to make it into something it simply never was meant to be.
Then, after a few seasons, we pony-up for something bigger, having wasted hundreds of dollars in engine mods which actually HURT the already pitiful resale value of the small scooter.
My background like many others here included many decades of riding big bikes. Now, old age and arthritis keeps me from climbing aboard anything "resembling" a horse... LOL! And limited budget keeps me from buying a NEW scooter with modern power. So, I compromise!
I really thought a 150 scooter would do for my needs; mostly around-town, 45mph speed-limits and such. It did serve me OK for six years but lately the local streets have been totally changed. Still have 35 to 50mph "posted" speeds, but traffic runs 55 to 75mph bumper-to-bumper and to get to surrounding towns it's almost mandatory to get on the limited access highways. For THAT my old 250 is useable, but still "marginal" sneaking along at 70mph in the slow lane... At least it DID prove that a short scooter on small wheels CAN be a comfy ride at 70+ mph... No need for white-knuckles... Vespa guys learned that WAY back in the stone-age! My short-wheelbase old Kymco on 12" rims is as at-home cruising at 70 as my old Harley Electra-Glide from the 70's... I just lean back, relax, and let the 90mph traffic blow by in the left lanes... LOL!
Depending on your location, a scooter that will CRUISE at 50mph, and reach 60+ may suffice. For that, even the fastest 50cc rides just won't quite cut it. You need a 150cc at the absolute MINIMUM. If you find it convenient to hop on the freeway (even on a limited basis) you'll need a 250cc Chinese ride at a minimum. Exceptions might include the Italian, Japanese or Taiwanese "200" scoots, some of which like the Kymco "People" or turtle-deck "Like" 200, SYM and Buddy air-cooled mid-size scoots in the unusual 160 to 200cc class. I think these scoots still keep the lightweight handling and air-cooled simplicity you may prefer, but will still accelerate with "frisky" traffic, AND cruise 55mph and hit 65 to almost 70mph wide-open.
Being on a very limited budget, AND desiring a FLAT-FLOOR step-through model as close to a Chinese 150 in size and weight as possible, I test-rode EVERYTHING I could find, ESPECIALLY the Japanese, Italian and Taiwanese models. I would have considered a new Chinese 250 or 300 at around $1,800 to $2,000 new, but those just don't show up in flat-floor models. And I'm SOOOO tired from six years of wrenching instead of riding... LOL!
Opening my options to USED rides, I found a whole new world of affordable scooters which offer a whole lot of "bang for the buck"... From seven years of personal experience, I honestly believe a USED scooter from Japan, Europe or Taiwan with less than 30K miles on the clock will likely give less trouble than some NEW scooters from China. In all fairness though, Chinese bikes seem to get better all the time.
The point is, you need to do plenty of research and test-riding to be sure you're getting "enough" bike for your needs. If you think a 50 MIGHT do, you need a 150. If you think a 150 MIGHT do, you need a 160/200 or larger, etc.
You don't need to go overboard, but it's FAR better to get a scoot a little larger than you think you need, than to get stuck with one that won't meet your needs.
Whatever you decide on, ride safe, and ENJOY the ride! 
Leo in Texas
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Post by earlwb on Aug 4, 2014 22:10:40 GMT -5
You are welcome. If you are a bit tight on money, going with a used ride would maybe be the way to go too.
I remember a few years ago reading about some teenagers in Holland or The Netherlands that had mod'd their 50cc rides with big bore kits, etc. Later they got caught in a speed trap going over 30mph. The police impounded the scooters or mopeds besides giving them citations. When they went to get their rides back out of the impound lot, the police had pulled the cylinder heads off the engines and kept the cylinder heads too. So they had to put the rides back to stock or find a new big bore kit. Now I doubt they would do that in the USA though.
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Post by alente on Aug 5, 2014 21:10:43 GMT -5
Honestly I'd do as stated before and just suck it up. Buy a used scooter. In my area we have 150cc for under 1200$. I have a 125cc and it is rather weak for what I need. Luckily I'll be leaving soon and leave it to my fiance who doesn't mind cruising at 50mph.
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Post by wheelbender6 on Aug 6, 2014 19:35:06 GMT -5
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..BAD TO THE BONE..
