49cc mopeds

[Tommunist]

I'm switching jobs in a few weeks and my commute will be around 3.5 miles. Highest speed limit I'll have to deal with is 40mph. I'm thinking of looking into the honda ruckus which is 49cc. Would this be reasonably safe to commute with or would someone run my ass over as I struggle to get above 25mph? I'd also consider using this to make quick trips around town.

If anyone wants to chime on on the ruckus I'd like to hear about that as well. I really like the looks of it and if I could find a used one the price probably wouldn't be too bad...

 

[Billb2]

I'd suggest that something that can't make the speed limit will be a danger to you.
At rush hour cars will be going 50mph..and you'll die.

 

[dud]

The Ruckus will easily do 25 MPH but like most Hondas it is WAY overpriced. The Ruckus is basically a glorified moped that looks like a mini-bike and costs about $2,000. For that kind of money you can get a scooter with 150CC or more, more visibility and power on the road. Remeber that anything over 50cc requires a licence.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Meh, get a bicycle. 3.5 miles is nothing.

 

[MiataNC]

Bicycle or even walking is a better choice if you can't do the speed limit.

If you are sure you want 2-wheel transport, check the posted speed limits of the roads on you will commute on, and get something that is sure to do at least 15mph over the highest posted limit.

 

[alkemyst]

the 49cc toys are for kids and immigrants.

Of course those with a death wish too.

 

[Ktulu]

Any possible mods to the Ruckus? Maybe drop a larger engine in it? I'd love to commute with one as well, they don't look as queer as other scooters.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Meh, get a bicycle. 3.5 miles is nothing.

Stop trying to make America less fat! :|

Seriously though, that does seem like a better suggestion.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Meh, get a bicycle. 3.5 miles is nothing.

Stop trying to make America less fat! :|

Seriously though, that does seem like a better suggestion.

Well he probably doesn't want to smell of BO when he gets to work.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

49cc's!!!

Thats a weed wacker, not a scooter


Seriously, don't consider anything under 250cc for a daily commuter

 

[JeepinEd]

I used to ride around in a 50cc scooter, when I was in HS.
The thing could not keep up with traffic, so I had to stay to the right of traffic.
It all ended when someone decided to open their car door...

Either get a bicycle, or a 150cc scooter.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Meh, get a bicycle. 3.5 miles is nothing.

Stop trying to make America less fat! :|

Seriously though, that does seem like a better suggestion.

I def won't be able to do 40mph on my bicycle and a bicycle is less visable so I can't see how that's a better suggestion. Walking is an option if I feel like burning 2 hours of my day. I can easily run that far as well but then we are talking about having to take a shower when I get to work.

Getting anything over 49cc isn't worth it - at that point get a motorcycle since you are going to have to get a motorcycle license anyway...

edit: fyi - a motorcycle is pretty much out of the question - I'd be too tempted to drive it at higher speeds (legal or not) and I'd eventually kill myself.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: Ktulu
Any possible mods to the Ruckus? Maybe drop a larger engine in it? I'd love to commute with one as well, they don't look as queer as other scooters.

I can't deny this.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: Tommunist

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Meh, get a bicycle. 3.5 miles is nothing.

Stop trying to make America less fat! :|

Seriously though, that does seem like a better suggestion.

I def won't be able to do 40mph on my bicycle and a bicycle is less visable so I can't see how that's a better suggestion. Walking is an option if I feel like burning 2 hours of my day. I can easily run that far as well but then we are talking about having to take a shower when I get to work.

Getting anything over 49cc isn't worth it - at that point get a motorcycle since you are going to have to get a motorcycle license anyway...

How about taking some side streets instead of main streets? Might take a little longer but you wont have to worry about going over 45 or even accelerating quickly.

 

[JeepinEd]

I'm not sure what your local laws are, but in California, you need a motorcycle license for a 49cc bike.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

How about taking some side streets instead of main streets? Might take a little longer but you wont have to worry about going over 45 or even accelerating quickly.

A good suggestion but I'd definitely have to be on a road that's 35-40mph for some length of time. Granted these roads are all single lane roads in NH - we aren't talking about driving around NYC here or anything.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: JeepinEd
I'm not sure what your local laws are, but in California, you need a motorcycle license for a 49cc bike.

Def don't need a motorcycle license in NH for a 49cc moped. Otherwise I wouldn't even be considering this...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: JeepinEd
I'm not sure what your local laws are, but in California, you need a motorcycle license for a 49cc bike.

The moped with the 20 mph cap can be driven without a license, but the driver must be at least 16 years old.

You will need to obtain a Class M2 license if you choose to go the way of the scooter or the moped with a maximum speed limit of 30 mph.

If you're going for an M2, you might as well just go to an MSF course and get an M1.

 

[MovingTarget]

50cc is too anemic, but if you do get one, make sure it is a 2-smoke. You will need the extra power. Honestly though, get above 100cc if at all possible.

 

[hoope11]

Aprilia makes a 50cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke direct injected scooter (the SR50 R), as well as some 100cc and 200cc scooters, all of which are reasonably priced (compared to the Hondas). From my experience working at a dealership for 4 years, reliability shouldn't be a problem with any of them.

With my 235lb ass on it, the SR50 would hit 40mph in stock trim. With some minor modifications (electronic restriction Gameboy mod, and removing spacer in final drive... shouldn't cost much, dealer I worked at did it for free) it would hit 50+ on a level road (and get there fairly quickly). With some more work (port/pipe), you'd get 65+. So, not all 50cc scooters are created equal. However, the 4-stroke 50cc Hondas are indeed pathetic.

Honestly though, I'd be looking for a used, small displacement, dual-sport motorcycle. Something like a Yamaha TW200 or XT225, or a Kawi KLR250, or a Suzuki DR200SE. All of these are cheap, reliable, very low maintenance, adequately quick (but not fast by any means), and won't care if you drop them every now and then (as they are all essentially dirtbikes). And getting a M/C license should be easy, especially if you take the test on any of those dual-sports.

 

[Zenmervolt]

When I was 14, I had one of these (in Ohio you can get a Moped License at 14, gave me two extra years of being able to get around before I got my driver's license). I switched out the muffler for a different brand and it could hit 45 mph on level ground. Granted, I only weighed about 145 pounds at the time, but it should be able to maintain 35 mph even with a heavy rider if you switch to a larger muffler.

ZV

 

[SpeedEng66]

honda ruckus is fine for local streets
try finding a used/cheap one
because your going to end up finding it very slow
the good thing is there's plenty of cheap kits (big bore kits, carbs, ect) for the rukus

for the first year my Rs50 (50cc) was stock, and I use that on the highway (5-10 miles) to work
I modded it over the winter so right now it's faster than a honda fit lol

since your only doing 3.5miles and top speed limit is 40. the ruckus will be fine!
throw in a bbk and it will be alot more enjoyable

 

[Budmantom]

Honda Ruckus.... that thing is hideous.

 

[MovingTarget]

Come to think of it, if you like the look of the Ruckus, and aren't averse to buying used, you way want to check out the Big Ruckus. They discontinued the model, but it had the same styling with quite a bit more power (250cc engine). You may find that more to your liking.

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: hoope11
Aprilia makes a 50cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke direct injected scooter (the SR50 R), as well as some 100cc and 200cc scooters, all of which are reasonably priced (compared to the Hondas). From my experience working at a dealership for 4 years, reliability shouldn't be a problem with any of them.

With my 235lb ass on it, the SR50 would hit 40mph in stock trim. With some minor modifications (electronic restriction Gameboy mod, and removing spacer in final drive... shouldn't cost much, dealer I worked at did it for free) it would hit 50+ on a level road (and get there fairly quickly). With some more work (port/pipe), you'd get 65+. So, not all 50cc scooters are created equal. However, the 4-stroke 50cc Hondas are indeed pathetic.

Honestly though, I'd be looking for a used, small displacement, dual-sport motorcycle. Something like a Yamaha TW200 or XT225, or a Kawi KLR250, or a Suzuki DR200SE. All of these are cheap, reliable, very low maintenance, adequately quick (but not fast by any means), and won't care if you drop them every now and then (as they are all essentially dirtbikes). And getting a M/C license should be easy, especially if you take the test on any of those dual-sports.

This is a nice looking ride. Any idea what the fuel consuption is like? The price seems a little higher than I'd like though (around 3 grand new)...

EDIT1: Does $2400 for a used 2006 with 1300 miles seems fair? That seems really pricey to me compared to 600 dollars more for a brand new one.

EDIT2: In general - how long can one expect a 49cc engine to last? For instance I kind of assume most car engines can make it to around 200k without any HUGE issues. Would expecting a life of maybe 50k be reasonable? 60k?