Fuel efficiency, as a metric in miles per gallon mpg , describes how much fuel a motorized engine uses while in regular operation. Many modern cars feature fuel efficiencies around mpg, while some mopeds can top out around mpg.
However, you may be able to forgo such fuel efficiency and gas tank comparisons if you are looking at electric-powered mopeds. Without a doubt, an electric moped would be cheaper to operate given their usage of cents worth of electricity per recharge. Just like your car, this will mean going down to the DMV and registering for a set of license plates so that your moped can legally operate on public roads.
This cost will vary from state to state. Often, your moped licensing cost will come out to slightly higher than this flat rate, however, due to the need to also add a title your new mode of transportation. Also, your local jurisdiction may require additional licensing in order to legally operate or park the motor bike within its confines. Such is often the case in urban centers where compact mopeds have gained great popularity.
In Illinois, for example, you would need to acquire a Class L license for motorcycles if your moped can drive at over 30 mph or can displace at a higher than 50cc rate. As a matter of raw pricing, moped insurance costs will almost certainly be cheaper simply because there are fewer physical assets to insure against damage. Actual pricing will vary from person to person, though, especially when factoring in risk factors such as collision probability and individual experience operating a moped.
Of course, purchasing insurance for your moped is a matter of good practice that will certainly make them cheaper to operate in the long run, especially if an accident were to occur. However, carrying moped insurance is not necessarily required in all jurisdictions.
In Illinois, moped insurance is required as is vehicular insurance while its immediate neighbor Indiana does not require this kind of protection policy from moped operators. Indeed, there are non-financial benefits and drawbacks that an informed consumer must factor in before committing to a change in their primary mode of transportation. As such, their ultimate impact should be aligned with your needs as a commuter, rather than the demands of your budget. Even a compact car tends to include a passenger seat and trunk for storing your belongings while you travel; at best, a moped may include some side compartment and room for one passenger to ride along.
If you primarily use your vehicle to commute to work with a small volume of belongings, this loss of carrying capacity may not be a big issue for you. Should you try to carry a descent volume of materials on your new moped, you may find operating the vehicle to be more difficult if not outright dangerous. Also, because they are an open-air mode of transportation, all belongs and people on the moped will be continuously be exposed to the elements, including rain in the spring and snow in the winter.
Suffice to say, this loss of capacity and protection can really put a damper on owning a moped. As noted, mopeds are exceptionally fuel efficient, with ratings often exceeding mpg.
While these compact modes of transportation are often able to travel great distances, they are by no means the most efficient or comfortable method of doing so. Most mopeds only travel at a 30 mph top speed, making them a slow method of reaching far off destinations.
I live in PDX where it rains often as well. Wear some rain pants over normal clothes, peal them off when I arrive at work or home, have a normal rain jacket or breathable bicycle one if I chose. Maybe heavy snow in some areas plenty ride bikes and I assume motor cycles in snow in many places but rain? Not just being cold and precipitation, but ice on the roads would be killer with a scooter, I would imagine.
One thing you might consider is a car rental when you absolutely need it. This requires being able to plan your trips very well, and schedule a lot of things on the day that you need the car. Living in Texas, weather is typically pretty nice. I work for a licensed scooter dealership in San Antonio and I actually had a gentleman who came in earlier today.
Untitled vehicles cant be registered and cant get license plates or inspection stickers. Also purchasing from the internet leaves you with out a warranty, service or support. If you go to a scooter shop with a scooter purchased from the internet they may actually charge you more to fix it. As for cup holders — nice design thought! I bought a 50cc scooter last spring and I love it. But you can put a carrier on the back and you can fill a backpack, and that will get you through a couple of days.
Or at least through dinner, I guess it depends on the size of your household. I do not ride in the snow and ice, that would be stupid. So take that into account. The scooter is not meant for icy roads or snow. Maintenance is pretty straightforward. You need to make sure you have oil in it This is a 2-stroke engine. Every time you get ready to ride you should have a look to see that all the bolts are where they belong and things are connected.
Takes 2 minutes. And if you put it away in the winter you need to get a trickle charger. When you start up again in the spring, you should either do maintenance yourself or take it to a shop. Replace what seems sensible, and repair or clean the rest. Develop a good relationship with the service people! Get a high-octane gas with no ethanol. By lots. Buy — and wear — a good helmet, whether your state laws require one or not. Wear at least a work-type denim jacket, and go for leather not cowhide, but leather if you can afford it.
For g-d sake, always wear shoes. Thanks for posting this. You said a half hour of labor was 38 dolars which means you believe your time is worth about 76 dolars an hour. I find it hard to believe someone making k a year would be driving a scooter. Thanks for posting this Cate! Wow you could have written your own article.
This was very helpful to read as someone that has never owned or used a scooter before. Thanks again. We find that storage is often a concern for new scooter owners. And actually, storage is one of the advantages a scooter has over most motorcycles.
To start, on modern scooters, there is usually a fair amount of storage under the seat. On average, enough to fit a soccer ball.
That would typically accommodate bags of groceries. Then, there are a ton of options for exterior storage — — everything from a milk crate old school, if not a bit tacky to wire mesh open baskets, to weatherproof lockable top cases, to saddle bags. These options offer anywhere from an additional liters of storage, or more soccer balls.
Depending on your lifestyle, that may or may not be a lot of groceries. Now as far as the rain…mmm, a bit more tricky. While there are options for rain gear including suits and skirts yes, skirts — — they are actually very cool , it really comes down to attitude. In the U. Lastly, since your in Seattle, I will mention that there are even drink holders available for your scoot.
I use a skirt, which I found at scooterskirts. I never had this much fun in a car! It definitely would be cheaper for commuting if you can, but you still would have to have a car anyways and have insurance, so not sure if you really are saving in the long run. I have two removable cup holders. I have figured that at the current rate of savings from driving my truck for the commute, it will take me about 4. I enjoy the commute too!
I would be curious to know if someone has calculated if financial gain from scooter outweigh the safety risk? I also am very interested to buy a scooter. But what is stopping me right now is the safety risk.
The probability of broken bones in an accident while riding a scooter is higher compared to a car. I keep recalling an accident 3 years ago. I was waiting for the stoplight to go green in my car , and this drunk hit my car from behind at 40mph. My car was a wreck but I was ok. The financial consequence from that accident was that my insurance premium increased. Had I been in a scooter in the same situation hit while waiting for stoplight at 40mph , I would probably have permanent injury.
My hub got broadsided in a new subaru by a car load of teenagers who ran a stop sign full blast. He was driving on a side street too to avoid the main drag. BTW, I commute to work by bicycle for 2 years now.
It saved me from having to purchase a 2nd car, but the distance which I can go is very limited. I used to ride on the road together with cars. But now I mainly ride on the sidewalk after twice almost got hit buy a car.
No receipt no title;no title no insurance; no insurance no registration;and round and round. The new laws were enacted as a response to our friends the Hipsters, who rode their Mopeds and Scooters on the Streets and sidewalks of DC and the Virginia and Maryland Suburbs. Unable to keep up with traffic especially aggressive cab drivers the Hipsters started taking over the sidewalks and when an entire Hipster Kickball team decides to ride over to the saloon to quaff whatever they would take to the sidewalks and knock down pedestrians.
Maryland has conveniently posted a video on YouTube explaining the new laws, unfortunately it was originally intended for law enforcement and spends some time on what circumstances justify a legal stop and citation and fine. Its actually far safer to ride in the street than sidewalk statistically. No one can see you in a car as you cross a street. Also, sidewalks are for walking, not bikes. However, in some less normal circumstances like thorough fares you might be better off cautiously riding in the sidewalk than minimal shoulder.
In general, usually being in the street right where cars can see you with a helmet in and proper lighting, you should be safer. Sometimes taking the Kane is much safer if the shoulder is not enough.
Have you considered simply riding a bicycle for trips under say 10 miles each way, and the bus to locations better served by bus, then.. People sell ones in perfectly decent running condition. A top speed of 60mph is more than enough for say driving on the motorway, or anything like that. The only thing that you need to do, then, is make sure you have the means to ride a bike in the first place.
Take a look at what license you have, and contact us if you are unsure if that license would let you ride on the roads of the UK. How Much a Moped Cost? How much a moped cost? Buying a 50cc moped The most common place for our buyers to start at would be our 50cc scooters. Buying a cc moped However, what about if you want something with a more power in the engine than just a 50cc?
And best of all? Buy a new model from somewhere else, and you could be paying for something very different indeed. Take a look at all of our other accessories, too, and you can easily complete a purchase that is going to be very affordable indeed.
So, why not come and see how much a new moped will cost you with Direct Bikes today? However, if you choose to take a look at our cc moped range the prices will change somewhat. At Direct Bikes, though, we look to make sure you are only going to pay what you should.
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