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Post by horace on Oct 2, 2015 21:02:51 GMT -5
Unless you ride the bus, Do whatever YOU want with your transportation!!!!!!!!!!!! JMHO
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Post by rockynv on Oct 3, 2015 6:01:40 GMT -5
Unless you ride the bus, Do whatever YOU want with your transportation!!!!!!!!!!!! JMHO Most mods being discussed were to increase hp and top speed while still keeping the bike registered as a no motorcycle license or insurance required bike and not mods to only make it corner or stop better. Once you exceed the envelope for riding without a motorcycle license and insurance then its no longer a do what you want matter and the economy of not needing a motorcycle license and insurance evaporates. I understand that many have a caviler attitude towards motor vehicle laws and side stepping them but for the law abiding citizen you just don't go there. |
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Post by wheelbender6 on Oct 3, 2015 13:25:52 GMT -5
If you drive your legally uninsured 50cc scooter at 50mph, you can open yourself up to a big costly lawsuit if you are involved in an accident. You will be essentially buying some trial lawyer a retirement home in Malibu by the time the lawsuit is settled. Motorcycle license, tag and insurance are a bit of a hassle, much cheaper than being sued.
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Post by horace on Oct 3, 2015 15:47:02 GMT -5
Again, Do what you want with what you buy..... Just Realise the consequences of your actions....!!!! Everyone always has a choice-- keeping up with traffic seems like a good idea IMO.... I brought up the 50cc angle... and again a lot of folks do legally own/mod a 50... Most folks do have a license and insurance.. Just look at this forum membership as an example. If I use zip ties to hold a fuel line---- Modded scoot  |
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 186
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Post by novaraptor on Oct 4, 2015 16:37:44 GMT -5
"zip ties".. Horace, stop lookin' under my bike!!  |
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Post by rockynv on Oct 4, 2015 23:26:07 GMT -5
The lack of good sense and those that encourage it is why we have stricter laws and enforcement along with higher insurance rates and fines nowadays. We really need to stop encouraging lawless behavior under the false front of individualism and free choice as this just helps foster a negative attitude by enforcement agents and the general public toward all riders and increases the costs for the rest of us who are riding within the law with a license, registration and insurance. It is an affront that those who complain of the high costs of meeting the requirements of the law for riding a licensed motorcycle and go to great lengths to circumvent them are also among those most responsible for those high costs.
Painting the bike pink, choosing retro/modern styling, adding chrome or a different front fender are items of free choice however modding a 50cc bike to a motorcycle class vehicle to be able to sneak past the licensing and insurance requirements is not a matter of free choice no matter who is patting one on the back for their ingenuity in doing so and getting away with it for the time being.
If you want to ride public streets and roadways at motorcycle speeds on a two or three wheeled vehicle they by all means do so lawfully with a valid DOT certified bike classified as a motorcycle with the correct drivers license, insurance and registration. You will help make the whole scooter community more respectable along with help keep all our annual licensing, registration and insurance costs down.
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 186
Likes: 37
Joined: Jun 13, 2013 15:39:09 GMT -5
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Post by novaraptor on Oct 5, 2015 9:45:18 GMT -5
Agreed, Rocky. And the best reason of all to get an actual motorcycle endorsement if possible: You can upgrade to a larger size anytime. It just gives you more options.
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Post by floridagull on Oct 5, 2015 12:28:41 GMT -5
The lack of good sense and those that encourage it is why we have stricter laws and enforcement along with higher insurance rates and fines nowadays. We really need to stop encouraging lawless behavior under the false front of individualism and free choice as this just helps foster a negative attitude by enforcement agents and the general public toward all riders and increases the costs for the rest of us who are riding within the law with a license, registration and insurance. It is an affront that those who complain of the high costs of meeting the requirements of the law for riding a licensed motorcycle and go to great lengths to circumvent them are also among those most responsible for those high costs. Painting the bike pink, choosing retro/modern styling, adding chrome or a different front fender are items of free choice however modding a 50cc bike to a motorcycle class vehicle to be able to sneak past the licensing and insurance requirements is not a matter of free choice no matter who is patting one on the back for their ingenuity in doing so and getting away with it for the time being. If you want to ride public streets and roadways at motorcycle speeds on a two or three wheeled vehicle they by all means do so lawfully with a valid DOT certified bike classified as a motorcycle with the correct drivers license, insurance and registration. You will help make the whole scooter community more respectable along with help keep all our annual licensing, registration and insurance costs down. Amen!  I wonder how many states are like Florida, where <50cc scooters can be driven with no motorcycle endorsement on one's license, but still must be titled, registered, and insured? As I've mentioned before, the ONLY "motorized" vehicle legal in FL to drive without a license is a less than 750 watt electric bicycle - limited to 20 mph - and one has to be at least 16. There is a Craigslist posting on my local site - someone has moved here from Virginia, and wants to get a small scooter to avoid the title and registration process, and avoid insurance...they are in for a rude awakening... |
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Post by scooter on Oct 5, 2015 15:56:21 GMT -5
This seems to be an ongoing thread so I'll chime in again. I have a nice ride at 45mph, the 250 engine isn't even trying. It does 70+ when I need it to. I wouldn't take it across the state if I could help it though.
The 150 is super easy to work on and great for 45mph, but at 60mph on long stretches, my 150 was hard on the belts. I prefer the humped floor designs and feel safer on those at speed. Could be mental, could be because they feel more solid. I don't feel very safe on the open floorboard models.
I have ridden a couple of 50s but not enough to gain much of an opinion on them. I would not feel safe at 45+mph on a 50cc.
My recommendations based on the above:
A 50cc is for pretty slow rides, probably safe and smooth at around 25mph.
A 150cc is safe and smooth up to about 45mph, good for slow commutes and occasional hwy use.
A 250cc is safe and smooth up into the 50-55mph range, good for longer commutes and occasional 70mph freeway use.
The 250 is the biggest scooter I have ridden. If you need more than what a 250 is good for, then go bigger, and if you need something really solid, get a name brand like Honda. I'm looking forward to test driving a 400 or 650 Burgmann and a Silverwing some day.
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Post by wheelbender6 on Oct 5, 2015 19:35:13 GMT -5
"I wonder how many states are like Florida, where <50cc scooters can be driven with no motorcycle endorsement on one's license, but still must be titled, registered, and insured?"
Texas requires all of the above for <=50cc scooters and you must also complete the 2 day MSF course. However. you can do the MSF course on a scooter if you do not want to clutch and shift.
The only way to avoid the MSF in Texas is to ride a goped or assisted bicycle.
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Post by Jarlaxle on Oct 6, 2015 6:56:23 GMT -5
If you drive your legally uninsured 50cc scooter at 50mph, you can open yourself up to a big costly lawsuit if you are involved in an accident. You will be essentially buying some trial lawyer a retirement home in Malibu by the time the lawsuit is settled. Motorcycle license, tag and insurance are a bit of a hassle, much cheaper than being sued. Except I suspect most of the people doing this are turnips...as in, you can't get blood out of one. |
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Post by JerryScript on Oct 6, 2015 7:08:13 GMT -5
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Post by urbanmadness on Oct 6, 2015 9:56:20 GMT -5
From what I understand, here in California, all scooters have to be registered and insured, however, you can ride a 150 on a regular license, with no endorsement.
When I had my 150, I made a few mods that made the bike more fun. Racing variator, weights... that sort of thing. No BBK, or exhaust mods. Probably 70 bucks in go fast goodies.
The thing is, there is only so much you can do and by the time you tap it out, you could of put that money into a bigger bike and been ahead.
I went from a 150 to a 250, and there wasn't much of a performance jump, really. Then I went to a 500cc Aprillia. That was the best scooter I've ever owned, hands down. Then I went to a goldwing (1100cc) and now I ride a 1500cc goldwing. I have spent a grand total of 1500 bucks. That's right, only 1500 bucks.
I bought the 150 for 500 bucks. Traded it for the first goldwing. The 250 was given to me as a basket case (no money there, other then to paint it and for a few maintance parts), I still have the 250. Got the 500 for 1500 bucks, sold it for 1500 bucks, Sold my first goldwing for a 1000 bucks(I could of got 2000.00 out of it easy, but I sold it to a friend) and bought my current goldwing for 1500 bucks.
My point is, cheap bikes are out there and it just doesn't make sense to dump a ton of money into one just to gain 5mph.... or to get off the line quicker. Get your endorsement, buy a bigger bike.
Oh btw, insurance on a goldwing is dirt cheap... I'm paying 13.00 a month for full coverage. Of course, I'm 45, with a spotless record, BUT I'm still on my permit. That right.... I ride a 1500cc, 900lbs bike on a motorcycle learners permit... LOL (I'm actually scheduled for the class, something I should of done long ago), and I have three other cars insured thru them as well.
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Post by mikestib1 on Oct 6, 2015 15:38:35 GMT -5
If you decide to get a big bore kit be advised a lot it 80cc kits are really 72cc kits. Be sure it comes with a 50mm piston, not a 47mm one. The 72cc kit gives you better acceleration from a stop sign but hills still kill it. I might try a different cam as the 72cc kit with new head has bigger valves. Still stuck with the stock restrictive muffler and a tiny 19mm carb. As we used totally people at the shops who asked how fast we could make their Harley's go......How much do you have to spend! It's easy for me, another $100!
The stock bore for a qmb139 is 39mm, the stroke is 41.4 for these 49cc engines.
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Post by JerryScript on Oct 6, 2015 15:50:57 GMT -5
If you decide to get a big bore kit be advised a lot it 80cc kits are really 72cc kits. Be sure it comes with a 50mm piston, not a 47mm one. The 72cc kit gives you better acceleration from a stop sign but hills still kill it. I might try a different cam as the 72cc kit with new head has bigger valves. Still stuck with the stock restrictive muffler and a tiny 19mm carb. As we used totally people at the shops who asked how fast we could make their Harley's go......How much do you have to spend! It's easy for me, another $100! The stock bore for a qmb139 is 39mm, the stroke is 41.4 for these 49cc engines. And don't believe the 100cc BBK sales pitch, it's actually 83cc (50mm)! |
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