When I say I own a moped in front of friends or strangers they usually ask why not a motorcycle or make a quip about fat women. I usually don't get mad at people for this but if it ever turns into something insulting I'm going nuclear on them. For one, 50cc engines are cool in the fact you can get so much power out of something so little, especially since mopeds/scooters are like mini-AK-47's. They are so simple to operate, maintain, and modify. They don't have ignition systems, batteries, brake hydrolic systems, coolant, or any complexity or at least most of them don't have this stuff. Not to mention they are fun to work on, like a motorcycle but smaller.
They also are slower then most vehicles but they are easily tunable to go faster, this really depends on the engine. I personally wouldn't mind getting a 50cc motorcycle, something like a Derby or Aprilia RS50 but I currently have a moped that only has 2hp. While most scooters go only 30mph, its fast enough in a city or out in the country, when it comes to highways, not so much a good thing. If I ever wanted to go faster, new pipes and carb would probably jack up the speed by at least 5mph, with new lightweight tires I'd probably add 2-3mph, (because I put some heavy Gazelles on I lost this so I could easily get it back) and if I really wanted to I could port out my engine, adding probably another 5mph.
I also find that mopeds are easy to have, no special license, no insurance, $15 registration for 3 years, and gas economy is about over 100mpg. Though mine goes a little faster and sucks down the gas, so the economy is probably around 60mpg. Depending on your make of moped/scooter, replacement parts are fairly easy to find, I have a Murray which is almost a Puch but the frame and suspension is different. Either way, parts are easy to come by with a little homework since my moped is a little different.
Even so, if someone rides a bicycle they already know the benefits of 2 wheeled mobility, add a small engine and it already pays for itself on steep hills. Even so, having something lighter then a motorcycle makes it easier for handling and storage. You can pull your bike indoors if need be, load it up for travel, and park it near bike racks. If all else fails light poles or other affixed signs make excellent things to lock up to.
I recently rode out to Holland, MI for the Tulip Time Festival and even though the streets were packed with traffic, it didn't seem so bad, it was actually fun in heavy traffic, its slow moving and it seemed quite safe. Parking wasn't a problem, most places don't mind if you parked in their lots as long as you didn't take up a parking spot or blocked traffic. So nobody will tow you or bother you because they just see you as another bike. So during events that are busy a moped pays off by less stress, better parking, and more fun!
Overall if the ease of having one, the cheapness, or the numerous benefits of having one doesn't seem right, try riding one. The fun factor is what makes it great! Driving out to Holland takes about 30 minutes during a normal day, with event traffic bump it up to 50 minutes. With me on my moped I can get there and park withing that 50 minutes because its more maneuverable and easier to park. They also do stand out a lot, I had 4 positive comments during that trip, 0 negative. One was from a motorcycle rider, two from two girls in a car, and another one from a guy when I stopped for a pop in North Dorr. How often do you get compliments about your ride? I think 4 in one day while having fun riding is more then I ever got about my Taurus, probably more then someone would get with a new Mustang in a month.
Sure motorcycles go fast but they all look the same to me, Harley's all look just about the same to me and sound the same. Crotch rockets all look and sound the same again. Sure there are a few different things here and there but mopeds and scooters just have a awesome feeling about them. They turn heads and people make comments about them, even if I don't have my moped around. But the number one thing people talk about is speed, they are slower then just about anything on the road excluding regular bikes but they are just like a bike you don't have to peddle. They get you from point A to point B, they don't require peddling like a bike and its just like riding one without all the hoops you have to jump through to get a motorcycle.
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