50cc Gas Scooters
Street Legal Gas Scooters
eBay vs Amazon
50cc Gas Scooter Benefits
Often when we choose to buy a great item like a 50cc gas Scooter, we have to come up with some inane benefit to mumble to our wives, parents and coworkers. Apparently its not right to pick up a fun vehicle because it makes us smile. I bought my first scooter from a guy on the side of the road, because I had the money and he had a scooter.
Simple as that.
Obviously the smaller size of the engine on a 50cc gas scooter can be said to be a gas conserver. Its a nice light, ethical vehicle to get around town in when you have limited cargo. On the flip side, emission standards vary greatly by make and model but you can dig that deep yourself it your the type yourself. Scooters will NOT make you look like the man. Its not a Harley, it doesnt add any weight in your pants, its a scooter - it goes vroom, vroom, beep beep. Its the Wile E Coyote of personal transport devices.
But, they are really fun. They are also very affordable, easy to find parts for and a greatr way to learn simple mechanics and start doing upgrade projects if you so desire.
50cc Motorcycle: Things to Consider
Your first consideration should be, where can I ride this? Is the scooter street legal? Often, scooters will be marketed as 49cc which makes them street legal.
Here in NY - that 49cc engine MAY be street legal but its not because its 49cc or 50cc. There are more specific guidelines to follow. Of course, you should check with the DMV and you will have to anyway when you register, but this is what you should be prepared for:
A Gas Scooter, Moped, Pocket Bike , Vespa etc. can be classified as either a LMA , LMB or LMC.
Limited Use Motorcycle Class A,B, C
- LMC does not top 20MPH - does not require Motorcycle License or insurance
- LMB does not top 30mph - does not require Motorcycle License DOES require Insurance
- LMC does not top 45 mph - requires License and Insurance
All 3 classifications require registration and Insurance is always suggested even when not mandated.
Your classification is pretty much set by the manufacturers statement (MSO) that states the scooters top speed. Most can go much faster after some mild tweaking or after market kits to deregulate.
A guide featuring some top varieties and parts and accessories is below. Have a rad time.
50cc Pocket Bike
These Pocket Bikes are not actually 50cc gas engines, but I make the rules here and I think they deserve top billing, Especially since they are supposed to be about 1200 USD and they are selling for under $500.
ENGINE: Air Cooled, 2-Stroke
DISPLACEMENT: 39.9 cc
STARTING: Pull-start
TIRES: 3.00 - 4" (FRONT), 3.00 - 4" (REAR)
FUEL: Gasoline 92 or higher Octane +2-stroke synthetic oil (50:1)
GAS TANK: 1 liter
TOP SPEED: 30+ MPH
WEIGHT (w/BOX): 46 lbs.
MAX LOAD: 242 lbs.
50cc Gas Moped
More traditional Moped options, again they are using the 49cc trick to get by some state and country regulations on what exactly a motorcycle is. In most places a 49cc scooter is just a gas powered bicycle!
50cc Honda Scooter
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Used 50cc Gas Scooter
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Comments
You make some good points...what the hell is Hello, hello commenting on every article of yours I read? Anyway I digress, I think you offer sound advice to prospective buyers, or at least a good attitude:
"Apparently its not right to pick up a fun vehicle because it makes us smile."
Ain't that the truth? I owned a working 1972 Yamaha supposedly 72cc's. It was the most fun I've had on two wheels in years. There is a terrible price to pay though, for the nonmechanically inclined such as myself. I paid a few hundred for the thing on eBay from a fella in Minneapolis. I paid another Benjamin to ship it with a trucker on the side. Then paid another $250 when it was all said and done. Moral of the story for me? No more scooters unless I can learn how to maintain the things myself. I eventually traded it to a dude for a guitar and a hundred bucks. Currently the guitar sits captive in it's case in the attic.
Ben
- AUTHOR
@C - I am also considering purchasing an electric, I will be able to post a hands on review, but it will be a few months before I can write a legitimate review
Thank you for your selection of great scooters
Lots of cool scooters. Love em.
Great guide on scooters - perfect timing as I looking to buy one soon. Might go electric, will you be doing a guide on these?
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