Moped/Scooter?? (DMV, store, electric)

[Trainwreck20]

I have seen (mopeds/scooters/whatever they are called) become more popular in our neighborhood, with people using them to run to the store. Now, there are still not a lot of them, but I see several every weekend going to or from HEB. It appears that most are coming from VOWO or Legend Oaks, but I have no idea for sure where they are originating. There may be some coming up from CC, too, but I don't travel down that way and wouldn't see them. Anyway, the fastest, most dangerous road in that trip would be escarpment, which is 40 mph and is nicely wide and divided.

[llowllevellowll]

Originally Posted by Mckellyb

atxcio is 100% correct. The limit is not speed, it's engine displacement, which must be below 50cc. This is why you see so many machines with 49cc engines.

FWIW, there was a Honda back in 1980-1982 called the MB-5. 49cc engine coupled to a 3/5 scale motorcycle chassis. Would do 50-55, if you were patient enough. Five speed transmission, 100 mpg...at least with a 130 lb person on-board.

If you manage to figure out how to get a 49cc engine-equipped machine to do 70 MPH, you're still not required to have a license...yet. Also, if you manage to do this, and make it practical for daily use, you've just conquered a huge physics milestone.

Absolutely correct. I'm currently getting my motorcycle license here and you wouldn't really want to ride 49cc on a road anyway, so just be a (euro)man, grab a 150cc bike ATLEAST and spend the 23 dollars and get your license. Otherwise you could be in some big trouble (whoa on the terrible advice way above)

[Mckellyb]

Originally Posted by Puddy4LyF

Absolutely correct. I'm currently getting my motorcycle license here and you wouldn't really want to ride 49cc on a road anyway, so just be a (euro)man, grab a 150cc bike ATLEAST and spend the 23 dollars and get your license. Otherwise you could be in some big trouble (whoa on the terrible advice way above)

+1...repeatedly.

I used to ride a 72cc machine, went about 50 mph, in Dallas, back, wow, 20+ years ago, and it was pretty dangerous. Less so than my bicycle, but I lost maneuverablilty with the heavier machine.

I consider even a 150cc machine a bit small for a city of this size's roads. If I were to seriously consider a 2-wheeler, I'd not go below a 250, as while off-the-line acceleration is important, 30-50 MPH acceleration is moreso, in certain situations. Plus, at 55-65 MPH, you don't want to be at 95% of the vehicles ability.

Now, if this were Corpus, Denton, Lubbock...that'd be different.

[Trainwreck20]

I think the OP was looking for a scooter for use only on streets with speed limits less then 35 mph, not a scooter that went less than 35 mph.

[Mckellyb]

True, but that eliminates all but the quietest of residential streets. I'd not want to try and cross a highway on one. BTDT, albeit quite a long time ago.

A 30 MPH road will likely have an average traffic speed of 38-45 MPH, from what I've experienced.

In fact, I'm doing my best to maximize MPG in our cars, and at, or slightly over, the speed limit, I'm still passed by 98% of other traffic.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by Mckellyb

True, but that eliminates all but the quietest of residential streets. I'd not want to try and cross a highway on one. BTDT, albeit quite a long time ago.

A 30 MPH road will likely have an average traffic speed of 38-45 MPH, from what I've experienced.

In fact, I'm doing my best to maximize MPG in our cars, and at, or slightly over, the speed limit, I'm still passed by 98% of other traffic.

Seeing as you have no protection whether going 35 or 55, does it really make any difference? I think that as long as you keep off the interstates
or the top 3 boulevards, like Lamar, Congress, and 6th, you should be fine...also Mcneil and such would be bad up north.

[mimimomx3]

Thanks for the info. I basically want a motorized bike for riding up and down Mesa and Far West, maybe as far as Balcones. I don't want to get a license for it, or insurance. I basically just want something that goes a litte faster than a bike does.....

[woodinvilleguy]

My bike give me infinite MPG!! :-) Try bike commuting it is cheap and healthy.

[Trainwreck20]

and healthy.

Not on the route that I would ahve to take.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

My bike give me infinite MPG!! :-) Try bike commuting it is cheap and healthy.

I do my fair share of that!!! I'm just looking for a change of pace, especially at night....