| Scooters, mopeds, Vespas... Whatever you call them, | | | | of 50cc as would have required 150cc thirty years |
| these smaller motorcycles still deserve to share the | | | | ago. That's helpful in those hilly cities, like San Francisco |
| name of their larger cousins. | | | | where a little more power is the difference between |
| Not everyone needs the size of a touring bike, nor the | | | | having the bike pull you versus you pushing the bike. |
| speed of a motocross racer. Some people just want | | | | The bike typically weighs no more than 220lbs (100kg) |
| to get out on two wheels in the open air and enjoy the | | | | and often less, with mopeds on the lower end of the |
| sunshine. Going where you want to go around town, | | | | scale. That makes either of them easy to maneuver |
| getting maximum gas mileage and avoiding parking | | | | with the engine turned off. It also means that, combined |
| hassles, makes the choice of a smaller bike ideal. | | | | with the smaller engines, gas mileage is great. In an age |
| Mopeds and scooters typically have smaller wheel | | | | of ultra-high gas prices, 70 miles per gallon looks very |
| rims than standard sized motorcycles. Since that isn't | | | | attractive. |
| compensated for by raising the frame, ground | | | | Designed for short trips around town, you won't want |
| clearance is less. But what would be a disadvantage in | | | | to do any long distance driving with these smaller bikes. |
| off-road circumstances is just what the scooter | | | | But getting in and out of parking lots is a breeze and |
| owner is looking for. | | | | you can almost always find a parking spot in the city. |
| The term 'moped' is often reserved for smaller bikes, | | | | Even with the small size, comfort has been kept firmly |
| while 'scooter' designates a slightly larger, two-wheeled | | | | in mind in the design. Between the wide, plush seats |
| vehicle. Also, 'moped' originally meant a motorcycle | | | | and the ample fairing on scooters you won't suffer |
| with pedals attached. But the conventions are violated | | | | from excessive road feel or wind. |
| as often as they are observed, nowadays. | | | | And most mopeds or scooters have integrated |
| Between the low ground clearance, and the 'girl's | | | | accessories that are often extra on standard bikes. |
| bicycle'-style frame, getting on and off is a breeze for | | | | Good-sized containers in the rear, electric starters up |
| anyone old enough to legally ride one. | | | | front, and automatic gear boxes in the middle make |
| Engines are smaller on the more traditional moped, in | | | | these a joy to own. Some even have electric motors. |
| the range of 50-150cc. The newer generation of | | | | The price for a smaller bike is often correspondingly |
| scooters can have between 250cc and 650cc, though | | | | smaller. While a good touring bike can run $12,000 to |
| they may be heavier than desired at the top of the | | | | $20,000 or more, even a fully decked-out scooter will |
| scale. Some scooters will reach speeds of 60mph, but | | | | only be around $2,000. Retro Vespas and other |
| 40mph is more common, and mopeds may be even | | | | scooters are often higher, though, around $4,500. |
| slower. | | | | Mopeds are commonly less than $1,000. |
| Even the smaller engines may well have more than | | | | So, if your need for speed is a little less than your |
| enough horsepower to suit the owner's needs, though. | | | | desire to just get around town in comfort and style, a |
| Modern engine designs have squeezed as much out | | | | moped or scooter may be just what you want. |