In the market for a moped / scooter

March 13, 2005 4:29 PM

In the market for some sort of non-car auto-transport, need help...

Do not have a driver's license, cannot afford a car; I am thinking of getting some sort of motor scooter / moped / motorbike. I live in New Jersey.
Does anyone know where to find anything like this aside from the Internet?
OK, on the internet then?
Do I need some sort of license? Where could I find information about this sort of thing?
What does "cc" mean?
Anyone have any recommendations?
I don't need anything expensive, just something to get to work. *Thanks* askmefi

posted by ac to travel & transportation (14 comments total)

'CC' means cubic centimeters, and refers to engine displacement. In NJ, mopeds require licenses. That's about all I've got. Oh, and how long is your commute?
posted by box at 4:40 PM on March 13, 2005

It's going to be about ten miles.
I am looking at scooters online - the gas-powered ones, where does one fill them up? Buy canisters of gas?
And would you feel comfortable buying something online without even seeing it in person?
thanks
posted by ac at 4:50 PM on March 13, 2005

I also live in NJ, and I got my motorcycle license last year. You will need some kind of license to operate a motorbike/scooter/moped. If you are willing/interested in getting a motorcycle/scooter, I'd recommend taking the MSF course whereever it is local to you.

Myself, I did not purchase online. I went to Freehold Honda in Freehold, NJ. But I did shop online, for which I recommend ebaymotors & cycletrader especially. Visit as many dealers as you have the opportunity to (maybe some friends can drive you?). I didn't like the idea of buying any bike I couldn't drive to see (I set my radius at ~50 mi. because Northern Jersey sucks for bike shops).

Be safe, and if you are going the m/c-scooter route, read David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling before your class. You will ace the written test. I'm contactable if you want help/guidance.

On preview: Gas-powered rides you fill up at a gas station. You ride it there, and usually they let you pump your own fuel if you're on a two-wheeler. For a short commute, it's probably ideal to get a two-wheeled vehicle, as the only thing more fuel-efficient/eco-friendly is a bicycle! Good for you, doing your part for conservation.
posted by Eideteker at 5:05 PM on March 13, 2005

Given that mopeds appear to require a license (I'll take box's word for that as the link didn't work for me) you might consider a bicycle. Where are you going? Your zip code puts you in the Harrison street area through which I have cycled extensively and can say it is quite bicycle friendly. A ten mile commute is not bad, somewhere short of three quarters of an hour if you do not want to work up a sweat. You could do it in less if you are in good shape and have a shower at the other end. Fourteen to sixteen mph is a pretty good pace to not get too sweaty, although it might be a couple of mph slower the first month or so.
posted by caddis at 6:17 PM on March 13, 2005

In NJ, as well as most states, you need a license to operate any motor vehicle on any road. The cops are cracking down on this, even the little powered skateboards.

One way around this is an electric bicycle. Most bike shops have one or two, as well as kits that bolt on to existing bikes. As long as looks like a bike, you'll probably be OK.

If you go for a license, you can check out the requirements here.

Are you sure you can't afford a cheap car? New Jersey's in a temperate zone, and 10 miles to work in the rain isn't fun.
posted by Marky at 6:26 PM on March 13, 2005

Marky: I am not sure the querent's age, but let me tell you that there is no such thing as a cheap car for a young male (under 25) in NJ. My insurance premium is TWICE my payment each month (and that's with GEICO). I would love to ditch my cage for riding full-time, once I have some more experience under my belt.
posted by Eideteker at 6:33 PM on March 13, 2005

My fiancee (it's too bad you're not here on the left coast) is selling her Honda Rebel 250 (that's 250cc) which gets almost 100mpg. She rode the bike for three years, even in the rain, and loved it. Now that she can affort better, she's selling it off. All it requires is a small loan ($3000) and a moto license, which is easy to get.
posted by wzcx at 6:54 PM on March 13, 2005

I ride a Honda Beat (about 125cc) scooter (I think it has different name in the States). I am heavily cautioned that the small tires are far more inclined to slip/skid. I haven't fallen except when I test drove, and that was undoubtedly my mistake and a bit of loose sand on the pavement. Be very careful also about buying unknown brands.

Here in South Africa I couldn't get my hands on an electric bike, which is what I wanted. However, I am rather happy with my scooter and enjoy riding it. Problem is, the warnings about those tires perhaps make me extra cautious about weather. People have told me I'd be better off with a real motorcycle, but then you have to deal with the clutch/gear issue.
posted by Goofyy at 7:42 PM on March 13, 2005

According to This Page, you can be issued a Class E license, which is a separate motorcycle license that only allows the operation of two wheeled vehicles. You will need a validated Permit to take the MSF class, through which you should be able to get the Class E license.
posted by SpecialK at 8:00 PM on March 13, 2005

Oh, and the clutch/gear issue isn't that hard to deal with. I've been riding for about three years and picked up manual transmissions from motorcycles and carried the skill over to cars from there.

Goofyy, we don't have the Beat here. We have the Metropolitan, which looks Vespa-ish, the Ruckus, which is a very basic tubes and exposed engine thing that's meant for back-country/sports use, (i.e. to get around campsites quickly) and the Reflex/Helix which is an old-school lookin thing that's pretty much been the same as the 80's.
posted by SpecialK at 8:04 PM on March 13, 2005

It sounds like you're leaning more towards a scooter/moped type machine than a fully street-legal motorcycle. If you opt for the latter you'll have more mobility, as you'll be able to ride it on the freeways once you feel comfortable doing so. You can probably find a good beginner motorcycle for a reasonable price. My first bike was a 1979 Honda XL250S, and I got it for $200 (in 1995). I'd recommend visiting a local motorcycle shop and talking to some folks there. Mention that you're in the market for a beginner bike and you're on a tight budget, and chances are someone will know of a decent bike for sale, or at least where you might find one. They might even be able to point you towards a good moped/scooter if that's what you're after.

Whatever you get, don't forget to include a good helmet in your budget. you'll probably want to have some good rain gear too.
posted by Buzz at 10:33 AM on March 14, 2005

I am in somewhat below average shape, and can't get sweaty on the way. I don't need to go on freeways, and would really prefer to get something that doesn't require a registration/license. I am thinking an electric bike would be the best way, any recommendations?
What would happen if I was riding a non-VIN gas-powered scooter on the side of the road? Are police watching for that?
posted by ac at 1:05 PM on March 14, 2005

ac: since the pocket-bike craze, yes, they're watching very intently for people who are using any forms of motorized transportation on public streets or sidewalks.

Face it: you've either got to walk, bike, or get yourself licensed to drive SOMETHING. There are no loopholes that are worth looping through.
posted by SpecialK at 11:41 PM on March 14, 2005

ac: What's your reason for wanting to avoid registration licensing? Is it cost? Time? Legal or Political (dirty commie! show us your national ID card!)? Maybe we can steer you toward more acceptible alternatives. Because if you ask me, learning to ride a motorcycle has been intensely rewarding, so of course I'm going to steer you toward that. But the right answer for me is not the right answer for you so... li'l help? Let us know more about your circumstances/rationale.
posted by Eideteker at 5:10 AM on March 15, 2005