For some reason I cannot find this information anywhere.....maybe you gurus can help.
I want to figure out if it makes sense for me to get a moped for my 11 mile trip to work during summer and fall. (No public transportation is available.) I wish I could rent one for a while to try it out but there is no opportunity to do that here.
The purpose would be environmental, global warming, all of that. Looks like the cost would equal out after a season of use.
The road is very hilly and the speed limit for much of the distance is 55 mph, country highway. I would never use it in the dark or rain.
Does it stall out when going up big hills? Can you control the speed going downhill?
Do other cars have enough trouble seeing you that it causes an unreasonable safety hazard?
Could I arrive at work in business attire (pants) without being too dirty/sweaty/wrinkly?
Would I need more safety gear than just a helmet and sneakers?
Is there space on it to carry a bag of personal items?
Thanks to anyone who can help.
moped questions
by rebel8 12 Replies latest jw friends
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rebel8
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zeroday
I would suggest something a little bigger like a scooter. They are road worthy at 55mph get great gas mileage and better to handle in traffic...
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SixofNine
As Zeroday said, you would need one of the 150cc scooters to reliably keep yourself at 55 mph for the whole trip and still have power to accelerate if you needed it for hills or to get out of danger spots.
Their safety is about exactly the same as motorcycles, I'd imagine.
Environmentally, do some more research. I hate to say this, because I love the idea of having a little Vespa or something like it, but I have read that while they do get good gas mileage (80mpg for the 150cc, 100+ for the 50cc), they are not regulated the way automobiles are, and so are polluting much more for the amount of gas they burn than a modern car would be. The same goes for all motorcycles.
But do some more research before you take that as gospel. It may have referred to the entire spectrum of motorcycles, which would include performance bikes (which may skew the numbers drastically?). And it may be true for a small scooter relatively, but not quantitatively; not so much as to wipe away the gains of tripling your gas mileage.
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zeroday
they are not regulated the way automobiles are, and so are polluting much more for the amount of gas they burn than a modern car would be. The same goes for all motorcycles.
You are right to a point. Air cooled motorcycles pollute much more than liquid cooled motorcycles. The EPA is heading to regulate motorcycles and require liquid cooled engines... Most scooters today are liquid cooled...
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OnTheWayOut
Scooters most likely require insurance and plates and a license that includes them.
That means money, money, money. Check your state laws (at their website) on that.I have avoided buying a scooter that could keep up with traffic because I have a car, it
would cost additional moneys in insurance, I should be pedaling my bicycle if I want to
enjoy the ride. Otherwise, I would love a scooter.A moped can not really keep up with traffic speeds and you have pedals to help get over
the hills. If you want exercise, and a moped doesn't require insurance, it is a great
alternative to just a bicycle- but it is only a step up from the bicycle. -
rebel8
It doesn't bother me not to be able to go faster than 40 mph but is it safe to go that slow on a 55 mph road?
Do you have to use the pedals to get up hills? If so that's enough to make me forget this idea.
Also I thought of something else....at one point in my commute, I have to make a left turn on a country highway from a side street during rush hour. I need all the juice I can get. I don't even know how I would make that left. -
bigdreaux
You are right to a point. Air cooled motorcycles pollute much more than liquid cooled motorcycles. The EPA is heading to regulate motorcycles and require liquid cooled engines... Most scooters today are liquid cooled...
too true. most motorcycle engines are 2 stroke, which is a high pollution motor. more people are coming out with small 4 strokes for bikes. they are more pricey, but, pollute alot less. they are less powerful than a 2 stroke, but, get better gas mileage, and pollute less. that's why car manufacturers use them.
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bigdreaux
too true. most motorcycle engines are 2 stroke, which is a high pollution motor. more people are coming out with small 4 strokes for bikes. they are more pricey, but, pollute alot less. they are less powerful than a 2 stroke, but, get better gas mileage, and pollute less. that's why car manufacturers use them.
i should clarify, i am talking about small bikes here. bigger bikes are 4 stroke.
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zeroday
It doesn't bother me not to be able to go faster than 40 mph but is it safe to go that slow on a 55 mph road?
It would not be safe on a 55mph road and you would not have the power you would need in my opinion...
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zeroday
i should clarify, i am talking about small bikes here. bigger bikes are 4 stroke.
Even a 2 stroke liquid cooled engine is less polluting than an air cooled. The key is keeping the engine at a constant temp for proper fuel ignition...