Mopeds have been around for over 50 years and are closely related to scooters. The term moped comes from combining the terms "motor" and "pedal". Another name they have gone by is cyclemotors.

Mopeds come in a varity of shapes and sizes as well as makes and models. Most modern day mopeds are in the 50cc to 125cc range. 125cc mopeds are the most powerful you can get that are still classified as mopeds although they pretty much are a scooter at that point. Most mopeds with a 125cc engine can travel on the highway if they stay out of the fast lane. The engine will be either a two stroke or four stroke but if you have the choice always pick the four stroke engine. My 2009 motor scooter guide goes into more detail for why you don't want two stroke when you have a choice.

In most most areas moped riders must wear helmet and all other traffic laws still apply. In some countries the speed that mopeds may travel is restricted below the normal range (30-75 mph) for safety reasons. In those countries mopeds may be restricted by dealers with plates or washers. Of course not everyone wants their mopeds restricted and some dealers will remove them for a fee. How much is gained by these modifications depends on the engine size and what was removed.

There are several reasons to buy a moped, but first and foremost is the low cost of owning own. Mopeds themselves go for anywhere from under $1,000 for cheap 50cc mopeds to over $3,000 for a brand new 2009 125cc moped. This is obviously much cheaper than a car or hybrid car and is perfect for teenagers or people with a limited income and budget.

The next great selling point of mopeds is their great gas mileage. Many mopeds get 3-4 times the mpg that the average car does - many in-fact are over 80 mpg. This can save you a lot just on refueling over a couple months. We all know how much the price of gas can go up to and although its not there right now you never know when it could raise again. The tax on mopeds is generally cheaper than cars as well.

A moped is also much better for the environment than other motor vehicles - in-fact mopeds produce less than 20% emissions of most cars. They also burn less fuel over time which helps.

Overall, owning a moped is a good investment whether you're just looking to save money every month or you can't afford a car or you just want to reduce your carbon footprint. A 125cc moped is a great choice if you need a vehicle for everyday use that you can drive on the freeway and save money every month.