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Choosing Between a Moped and a Scooter - Some Facts to Help You Decide

By: janet bugby

With a smaller carbon footprint and cheap running costs a moped or a scooter may be a good alternative to an automobile. Both mopeds and scooters are starting to have more than the cult following of old. Their popularity is increasing as gas prices rise. In this article we'll explore the differences between scooters and mopeds. Although many people think of these types of vehicles as interchangeable they are actually very different from one another.

What is a Moped?

In general, mopeds are simply motorized bicycles. The name 'moped' comes from the terms motor and pedal. You may no longer have to pedal, and your moped will be faster than a bicycle, but for the most part the outward appearance of a moped is that of a bicycle, including pedals. Mopeds are frequently powered by gas burning engines though a some devotees have chosen electric engines instead. The motor of a true moped is designed to assist the rider who pedals the machine. While it is faster than a bicycle that is only pedal powered it isn't a freeway fast vehicle. Some states require the traveling speed of of a moped remain under forty miles per hour. Still, at over two hundred miles to the tank, a moped can save you some travel time and won't burn a lot of gas.

In many states in the US a moped is defined legally by the engine size or by the maximum speed. So a vehicle that has an engine size of less than 50cc, even if it doesn't use pedals can be defined as a moped for legal considerations such as the type of license needed to ride one. This allows a person that is under the legal age to drive an automobile the ability to ride a moped.

What is a Scooter?

A step above the moped, a scooter is the baby brother of the motorcycle family. Scooters lack the power of real motorcycles but may seat two riders and have limited storage space which can be very handy if you plan on shopping. Modern scooters are available in electric or gasoline powered models. While electric scooters are more environmentally friendly and offer a quieter ride gas powered units are much quicker and approved for highway use.

These vehicles are classified based on total engine displacement measured in cubic centimeters. Scooters around 50cc motors can achieve speeds of up to thirty miles per hour. 150cc class engines should move a scooter between fifty and sixty miles per hour and the most powerful scooters, those with 250cc engines reach a minimum of seventy miles per hour and are designed for highway and long trip use.

Why are Scooters So Popular?

Scooters have become popular for short range, personal transportation due in part to the low cost of purchase and running. They are also more convenient to park and to store. In addition licensing laws in some countries such as Italy and Spain allow them to be ridden by anyone in possession of an automobile license as long as they are below 125cc. Above this a motorbike license is usually required. In other countries however, including Japan and most other E.U. countries an automobile license only allow you to ride one that has an engine capacity of 50cc or less.

Conclusion

For those who require a cheap, easy to ride form of personal transport for short journeys around town or the local neighborhood a moped or scooter is a great choice. Although not so good in the colder months, during the rest of the year they are perfect for easily getting around town, parking and saving money at the gas station.

Article Source: http://articlesltd.com

For more information on scooters and mopeds and some good deals visit Cheap Mopeds or Cheap Scooters for Sale

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