Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 81 
Likes: 18
Joined: Nov 24, 2014 16:12:53 GMT -5
|
Post by scoot08 on Jan 16, 2016 21:44:20 GMT -5
Hi all, is it just me or is it just that 50cc scooters are a pain in the a** most problems on this web site seems to deal with 50cc scooters, now i'm not pointing fingers ,but it seems that they are not the best decision when it comes to picking a reliable foam of transportation. and I may be wrong about this as well, but isn't that the reason, we buy them in the first place.( maybe not all), but most of the new comers do .why? because there cheap! and as the old saying goes you get what you pay fore.also being a old school guy," forgive me", aren't most of them 2 strokes, maybe I'm wrong about this( please let me know if I'm wrong) .and as we all know 2 strokes are bad for the environment . I guess what I'm trying to say is if some one asks you what you would buy as far as a scooters goes. try steering them to a 150cc plus 4 stroke scooter, now I know the 150 cc scooters are not the best, but I think there far better than the 50cc scooter on the market today. and there maybe other reasons for picking a 150cc plus scooter .I know being a motorcycle mechanic you can get more hp.from a 2 stroke than a 4 stroke for less money.but the average scooter rider doesn't care about that. I think as seasoned scooter riders as well as owners it is our duty to inform the new guys and gals that cost is not the only thing to consider. a 150cc plus scooter can keep up with traffic on most roads most 150's are ac systems so your lights work without the motor running a good thing if you brake down on the side of a road. and you want to be seen by oncoming traffic,just a safety concern . well I know the 2 stroke guys are probabley going to say I'm way off my rocker (so be it) but that doesn't change the point 50cc is not your only choose please con setter a 150cc plus 4 stroke scooter it maybe a little more money but in the long run it maybe a good thing (hey 150cc bring more money on the resale. later
|
|
|
|
Post by Paladin on Jan 17, 2016 0:55:29 GMT -5
I am in California. License/registration/insurance/etc. are the same for a 50 versus a 150, other than that the 50 cannot keep up with traffic.
In other States you can ride a 50 without a motorcycle license, some States need no license at all. If you can survive the pitiful performance a 50cc is "better" than a 150.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 17, 2016 1:29:16 GMT -5
I am in California. License/registration/insurance/etc. are the same for a 50 versus a 150, other than that the 50 cannot keep up with traffic. In other States you can ride a 50 without a motorcycle license, some States need no license at all. If you can survive the pitiful performance a 50cc is "better" than a 150.
Paladin,
Texas is the same as California. A 50 cc scoot requires title, license tag, motorcycle driver license and insurance. So it costs approximately the same to operate a 50 as a 150 (or in my case, a 250). Same cost.
Same is true for ANYTHING with a motor... even those little 2-stroke Whizzer-style bicycle conversions.
Considering my old 250 is giving me an amazing 80+ mpg gas mileage (my 150 gave only 60 mpg) I'd go with a larger scooter. However, as you mentioned, if your state allows riding without documentation, plates or insurance, a fifty is pretty sweet!
Leo in Texas
|
|
Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 81
Likes: 18
Joined: Nov 24, 2014 16:12:53 GMT -5
|
Post by scoot08 on Jan 18, 2016 14:17:16 GMT -5
good point guys, i didn't think about the license part of the deal (my state also requires them) but I still think the 150 plus scooters are the way to go.now that's just my opinion .and as the old saying goes, like a** h**** everyone has one. for me if a newbe ask's I'll still try to steer them to the 150 plus scooters.thanks for your opinions, in the long run we all benefit . later
|
|
New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
Joined: Aug 30, 2015 9:41:31 GMT -5
|
Post by townzlblx150 on Jan 18, 2016 14:42:57 GMT -5
Currently in my state, SC, a 50cc does not require license, I'm not exactly sure about the insurance side of it. Everything above 50cc does require license, registration and insurance. I got a 150cc because I am planning to move on to a bigger bike and this way when I do I'll have all my paper work in order. I also got into scooters because of gas prices and wanting to hold down mileage on my truck. I use it for around town errands and travel back and forth to work when weather permits. I needed the 150cc, cause let's face it, cagers are sometimes a dangerous group to be around if you can't keep up with traffic and the roads I usually ride are 35-55 mph.
i can understand the issues of why someone can only get a 50cc and it's mainly due to either budget, license issues, or just plain old choice.
No matter what you ride.., Be careful, keep your eyes open and keep your ride mechanically sound and above all else enjoy the ride.
|
|
|
|
Post by floridagull on Jan 18, 2016 16:29:11 GMT -5
In FL, a "motorized bicycle" is a bicycle with an ELECTRIC motor of no more than 750 watts (and pedals) - no more than 20 mph - this is the ONLY motorized vehicle one is allowed to drive without a license, and one must be 16 years or older. No title, registration, or insurance required. Gas motors on bicycles? NO WAY - confiscation - not legal.
Next, the common moped - less than 50cc gas engine, pedals - no title required, but registration and driver's license IS required - limited to 30 mph. Then the less than 50cc scoots - title, registration, and license required - tops 30-35 mph. Finally, over 50 cc scoots and motorcycles - title, registration, and MOTORCYCLE license required. No insurance required for any of the above - e-bikes, mopeds, scooters, or motorcycles...
|
|
|
|
Post by crawford on Jan 19, 2016 1:40:09 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Jan 20, 2016 13:37:13 GMT -5
Remember that the economy of the 50 cc bike evaporates the closer you get to 30 mph. Many will find out too late that a 150 at 30 mph may get better fuel economy than a 50 and a 250 at 45 mph may get better fuel economy than a 150. At 20 mph the 50 will be in its sweet spot and the 150 will be in its zone at around 35 mph while the 250 will be there are around 55 mph. Where I live most roads are 40/45 mph with traffic flowing at 45/50 mph so the 250 is the logical choice both for safely keeping with traffic and fuel economy. I gained 20 mpg on my daily commute going from 45 mph to 65+ mpg switching from the 150 to the 250.
|
|
|
|
Post by SylvreKat on Jan 21, 2016 8:24:11 GMT -5
Seems like at least some of the folks that've posted in the forum, they like the 50cc 'cause they just tool around in town on errands, or they work just a couple miles from home. If that's all you need it for, then won't the small scoot work fine for you?
>'Kat
|
|
|
|
Post by crawford on Jan 21, 2016 12:45:14 GMT -5
What I'm saying all these forums wouldn't have much of a life if it weren't for the 50cc seems most aren't happy, so they are always trying to make them faster and doing more harm then good in most cases. All you do is read and you will see all kinds of problems with modify with people who shouldn't be touching.   |
|
|
|
Post by phatboy on Jan 23, 2016 3:13:24 GMT -5
I started out with a Kymco 49cc QMB139 scoot because I did not have a motorcycle endorsement and this is the most you can do without one. Of course it was too slow so I BBK'ed it, it was tolerable but still needed more. So I got my endorsement, sold the Kymco and got a GY6 150cc. Then wanted more and sold the 150cc and got a Vespa GTS300. The next part might not make sense, but I kind of missed the 49cc. So I bought a 49cc 2-stroke scoot and ride both scoots. The Vespa can zip down the highway at 80 mph all day long and I ride it most of the time, so why would I bother with the 49cc? When I had my first scoot, I would have to find ways to get places by avoiding all streets with over 40 mph speed limits, too steep of hills and things like that, and in a weird way I kind of enjoyed that. I've discovered new paths through the city I never knew of, and even some short cuts that I never would have discovered otherwise. Another part is a friend of mine has my old Kymco, we went for a ride and I rode my Vespa, it was kind of boring becuase we weren't evenly matched. After I got the 49cc 2-stroke scoot we went riding again and it was a lot of fun. Turns out the Kymco QMB139 with its 72cc BBK is pretty evenly matched with the 49cc 2-stroke (derestricted, but otherwise stock.) The other part is 49cc scoots have awesome aftermarket support, parts are ridiculously inexpensive compared to just about anything else, and I enjoy working on them and modding them. I paid very little for the 49cc scoots I've owned, so even if I mes them up it's no major loss. While my Vespa, it actually cost more than my truck  I have no desire to mod that Vespa, and parts are pretty expensive anyway. Plus I definitely don't want to mess it up. I don't know if this makes much sense but it is what it is. |
|
Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 81
Likes: 18
Joined: Nov 24, 2014 16:12:53 GMT -5
|
Post by scoot08 on Jan 24, 2016 17:33:50 GMT -5
I get it the 50cc can be fun. I too kind of get a kick out of planing my routes even with a 150 cc avoiding the freeways ect. (and believe that's not easy in calf.) but I've got one ? if for some reason you lost the Vespa would you just ride the 50 and be happy with that or would you be out looking for another Vespa or 150 plus scooter to replace the Vespa. my guess is you would replace it as soon as you could. as the old saying goes it's hard be beat cu.inches (or in this case cc's lol) later.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Jan 24, 2016 23:35:02 GMT -5
I started out on a Motobecane Mobyete 49cc 2stroke over 40 years ago and after going as far as a Commando 850 have settled on the Aprilia 250 as my general go to bike for everything. Every now and then I am tempted with an Aprilia 500 or BV350 but so far the Aprilia Sport City 250 has been 30,000 miles of go anywhere very low to no maintenance fun. It has not needed any mods however I did put a Puig Sport Fairing and Dr Pulley sliders in it.
Yes to a certain extent there is no replacement for displacement for that magical balance of curb weight, torque and hp.
|
|
|
|
Post by phatboy on Jan 25, 2016 4:43:22 GMT -5
I get it the 50cc can be fun. I too kind of get a kick out of planing my routes even with a 150 cc avoiding the freeways ect. (and believe that's not easy in calf.) but I've got one ? if for some reason you lost the Vespa would you just ride the 50 and be happy with that or would you be out looking for another Vespa or 150 plus scooter to replace the Vespa. my guess is you would replace it as soon as you could. as the old saying goes it's hard be beat cu.inches (or in this case cc's lol) later. If I didn't have the vespa, I would keep my 49cc and soup it up. I've read about others with 2T scoots that can really scream. Now that I've had a vespa, though, I can't go back to just a 49cc scoot upgraded or not, but I don't want to part with it either. Another part of it my wife really likes my Vespa. So much that she wants to learn to ride it. I told her she can start on the 49cc and work up to getting her endorsement and riding the Vespa. I actually want to encourage this so we can ride together, if she does I'll let her have it and I'll get something else. But I would still keep the 49cc and have three scoots. |
|
|
|
50cc vs 150cc
by: geh3333 - Jan 25, 2016 21:48:24 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by geh3333 on Jan 25, 2016 21:48:24 GMT -5
I'm def a 150cc scoot person. Now when it comes to which is better , its almost impossible to say. I do think that if we were able to test a 50cc vs a 150cc in an environment where all aspects of wear and tare are equal. We would find that a 150cc would have less wear lugging a 200lbs rider around compared to a 50cc engine. There are so many aspects at play in our day to day riding that out of a controlled environment 50cc scoots I'm sure have outlasted many 150cc scoots . on paper a 150cc engine should last longer then a 50cc engine pulling the same load. Either way , I would always lean towards the 150cc over a 50cc , for many other reasons like safety , power , etc.
|
|
