Choosing your first two-wheeled friend: moped or scooter

In real and virtual life, there are heated debates on the topic: which is better, a scooter or a moped. It’s worth noting right away that there is no clear answer to this question! Since each person is individual, their preferences are different - for some, a scooter is better, for others, a moped. This article will help you decide on the choice of two-wheeled equipment, pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages of mopeds and scooters.

Fundamental differences

How, in principle, a moped differs from a scooter - let's find out, and start with the distinctive features of a moped. For a moped it is typical:

• larger wheel diameter
• appearance similar to a motorcycle (riding like a horse)
• Manual Transmission
• virtual absence of decorative plastic.

What can a scooter do against this:

• smaller wheel diameter
• comfortable seating (like in a chair)
• decorative plastic – more attractive appearance
• automatic transmission (variator).

These parameters are what distinguish such similar (for the uninformed) vehicles. Otherwise, they are similar - they have two wheels, save fuel, are easy to maintain and repair, and require a category M or A1 license (depending on engine size).

What to buy?

This article provides various criteria for choosing a particular vehicle. Having thought about the purpose of purchasing a two-wheeled friend and carefully studying the article, everyone can decide for themselves: to buy him a scooter or a moped. Or the choice may fall on a mixture - a motorcycle scooter that combines the advantages of both competitors.

The choice of a manufacturer's brand always remains with the individual - in this matter one can only rely on the reviews of the owners. And this is a completely different story...

Mopeds

Now let's learn more about the advantages of mopeds. It is definitely worth pointing out their shortcomings. After analyzing the following data and comparing all the pros and cons, you can decide whether you need a moped.

Advantages of a moped

• Appearance. A moped similar to motorcycles will delight teenage audiences. Usually young people want to have a big, powerful motorcycle, but they don’t have enough money for it or it’s too big and heavy. In this case, a moped will come in handy - a kind of “mini-motorcycle” with enough power for a teenager.
• Access to details. Due to the absence of decorative plastic, access directly to the engine, transmission, shock absorbers and other parts is easier. This factor makes repairs pleasant, because you don’t have to remove all the interfering plastic every time.
• Low fuel consumption. The amount of fuel consumed per 100 km is about 2 liters. Consumption depends on driving style, engine condition and fuel quality.
• Manual Transmission. The presence of a manual transmission allows the driver to learn how to operate the clutch, which will be useful when changing from a moped to a car. Independent gear selection while driving can significantly reduce fuel consumption, down to 1.5 l/100 km.
• The large wheel diameter and high ground clearance allow the moped to ride confidently on bad roads and off-road. The moped is ideal for the village.
• Load capacity. The strong frame and the absence of plastic allow you to load anything on the moped. This property is also very useful for rural areas or summer residents.
• Acceleration and speed. Compared to a scooter of the same power, a moped will accelerate faster and can maintain a higher speed.
• Price. A moped usually has a lower cost than a scooter. The price may differ by 5-8 thousand rubles with the same characteristics.

Pros and cons of technology

Let us now consider separately what opportunities scooters and motorcycles provide and how they differ, especially for those starting to master this technique.

• Automatic transmission;
• lack of clutch is convenient when driving in traffic jams;
• when landing, you do not need to throw your leg over the body;
• comfortable for any driver height;
• protects the driver’s feet from rain, tree branches, grass;
• protects the driver and passenger better in cold weather thanks to the large front shield;
• compactness and solid plastic construction reduce fragility when dropped;
• low speeds increase safety;
• It’s easy to find a parking spot;
• efficiency due to small cubic capacity;
• it is not necessary to undergo maintenance or obtain insurance;
• there is a platform for transporting goods;
• the ability to ride in any clothes;
• comfortable seat for the passenger;
• A large trunk, allowing you to take everything you need, is the main advantage of this technology.

Disadvantages compared to a motorcycle:

• small wheels that react to uneven roads;
• not recommended for off-road use;
• problematic maintenance, repairs due to the need to remove many parts;
• instability;
• the driver does not support himself with his legs and does not regulate the vehicle with them;
• impacts from the rear wheel are painfully felt on the driver’s spine;
• poor handling due to short-travel suspension;
• limited possibilities for speed, maneuverability, and lane changes.

Advantages and differences between a motorcycle and a scooter:

• high power;
• maneuverability in traffic flow;
• good stability;
• improved handling due to the low seating position and the ability to interact with the body of the bike with your legs;
• large wheels reduce sensitivity to road unevenness;
• long-travel suspension allows driving on off-road roads, steps, curbs;
• easy accessibility of individual parts for repairs and maintenance.

• additional costs for insurance, tax payments, when registering with the traffic police;
• high fuel costs depending on cubic capacity;
• high speeds imply less safety, especially with little driving experience;
• the need for additional fastening for luggage racks;
• The driver's height is assumed to be at least 170 cm.

So, a scooter is an excellent vehicle for traveling to the country, fishing, moving around the city, and transporting small loads. A motorcycle is a more serious option and requires a driver’s license.

If you plan to ride a motorcycle all the time, then it is recommended to immediately purchase a bike, not a scooter, and learn how to ride it. This will help you develop the correct posture and teach you how to control motor vehicles. If you know how to drive a motorcycle, you will be able to ride a scooter, but the skills to drive a scooter will not allow you to operate a bike without additional training.

Scooters

Now let's find out what a scooter will give its owner. Let's discuss its advantages and disadvantages, and then find out why it is better and worse than a moped.

Hollywood actress Milla Jovovich also uses a scooter

Pros of a scooter

• Appearance. The scooter looks very good - its decorative plastic attracts many glances and pleases the eyes of the owner and passers-by.
• Automatic transmission or CVT. The presence of an automatic transmission allows the scooter to smoothly gain speed and accelerate. There is no need to constantly change gears with your foot.
• Wide wheels prevent slipping on wet and slippery surfaces, as well as mud.
• Fuel consumption. Like a moped, the fuel consumption of a scooter will be close to 2-3 liters per 100 km. This is very little and the cost of travel is often less than on public transport.
• Comfortable fit. The scooter seat allows the rider to feel like he is sitting on a chair or even a comfortable armchair and a luxurious sofa. Seat comfort largely depends on the price of the vehicle, but even the cheapest scooters are comfortable to ride.
• Aerodynamics. Plastic not only creates a beautiful appearance. Plastic allows the scooter to better cut through the air flow, which reduces fuel consumption.
• Comfort. Comfortable seating position, automatic transmission and soft suspension make the scooter ideal for moving around the city.

Technical characteristics, design features

Scooters are usually smaller in size and weight. Compare: the weight of a motorbike reaches 200 kg, and the Fortune YHXTE scooter with dimensions 1665x610x1050 weighs 70 kg.

Scooter wheels are installed in sizes 8–15 inches, significantly smaller than those of bikes.

A motorcycle's engine is located between the wheels, supplying power through a driveshaft or chain to the rear wheel. In a scooter, the engine is located close to the rear wheel, transmitting power directly, without additional lines. In addition, the engine is placed lower, adding stability to the vehicle.

There is a difference in fuel consumption: a scooter consumes 2 l/100 km (Fortune YH50QT-16), a bike requires 10 liters for the same distance.

The motorcycle gears are controlled by pressing the left lever with your hand and pressing the pedal with your left foot. The scooter has an automatic transmission, controlled by a lever on the right handle.

The bike is braked through the right foot pedal for the rear wheel, and using a lever on the right handle for the front wheel. The scooter's brakes are controlled by levers located on the handlebars - for both wheels when pressed with both hands.

The seat on the scooter is comfortable for the driver, straight, the legs are placed on the platform in front of you, under the protection of the body from dirt and water. The motorcyclist places his legs on the sides of the seat, moving them back, leaning his body forward.

The components and parts of the scooter are hidden by plastic casing.

The license plate is not installed on the scooter, the equipment is not registered with the traffic police when the engine capacity is below 50 cubic meters.

The scooters are equipped with a spacious trunk located under the seat, which is locked.

conclusions

To summarize, we can come to the following conclusions. A moped (alpha or delta) is more suitable for rural areas and for young people who want to buy a motorcycle, but do not have the opportunity. A scooter will be the right solution if the goal is comfortable movement on city roads. The scooter is more popular among the female population, as it is easier to operate than a moped.

Famous actress Jennifer Lopez posing on a scooter

Scooters and mopeds up to 50cc: what to look for when choosing

When choosing a scooter, you should first determine the specific purpose of purchasing a two-wheeled vehicle. Let's look at the main characteristics and differences. Most models are equipped with 2 or 4 stroke engines.

• low noise;
• economical;
• easy to maintain;
• have smaller dimensions and weight, which means they are more maneuverable and suitable for city roads and traffic jams;
• playful and react instantly to squeezing the throttle.

• expensive;
• increased gasoline consumption;
• the need to pour oil directly into the gas tank.

If you love tuning, dynamics and speed, feel free to choose a scooter with this engine. 4-stroke – for people who prefer a quiet riding style.

You should pay attention to the fork installed on the scooter. For trips outside the city and traveling over rough terrain, the optimal and comfortable option is a pendulum fork, and for city trips - a telescopic fork.

The location of the air filter is also important; it quickly becomes dirty when driving on country roads, where there is a lot of dust and will have to be cleaned or replaced frequently.

The choice of any product often depends on the price/quality ratio. What to choose - cheap Chinese, but new, or used Japanese? The decision is yours. If funds allow and you plan to drive constantly, the best option is to buy a model of the Japanese brands Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki.

Moto scooters

A separate branch of two-wheeled transport is motor scooters . A prominent representative is Viper Active . Let's find out what he is.

As the name suggests, a moto-scooter combines a moped and a scooter. For example, the engine of such vehicles is often equipped with a semi-automatic gearbox - the speeds are switched using a foot lever, but there is no need to depress the clutch.

Large wheels, like those on a moped, allow you to quickly gain speed and calmly move off-road. Engine, 125 cc. allows you to reach speeds of up to 120 km/h. The presence of decorative plastic gives the motorcycle scooter a pleasant appearance. The seating position is somewhere between a moped and a scooter.

From the history of motor transport

The first production motorcycle appeared in 1901. The creators were the Werner brothers, who successfully patented their invention first, although there had been attempts to do something similar before (bicycles with steam and gasoline engines by Pierre Michaud, Wilhelm Maybach, Gottlieb Daimler and others). It was a Werner motorcycle, a clumsy, heavy machine, which, however, became quite popular among couriers and postmen. The gasoline 4-stroke engine located between the wheels had a power of 0.75 hp. s., the transport reached a speed of approximately 35 km/h. Electric ignition was later added. The Werner model proved popular, with 3,500 cars sold in the first year. And motorcycles have firmly established themselves in various segments.

A modification of the motorcycle - a motor scooter, later called a scooter - was created at the beginning of the 20th century in Italy by the Piaggio company to move around the vast territories of industrial enterprises, so that employees would not spend many hours moving between workshops. The vehicle was not intended for public roads, so it had a different seating position, small wheels, and a low-power engine. Scooters have spread among city dwellers, especially in metropolitan areas.

A motorcycle and a scooter are different types of transport; when riding them, different categories are required on your driver's license. At the same time, they are similar in design, both are two-wheeled, have the same weight and almost similar cost, which sometimes confuses those who are just starting to enter the world of motorcycles. There are models that are approximately the same in size and weight. So what should a beginner choose? Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of these types.

Giants for big guys

Maxi is a scooter size for true connoisseurs. Many models implement a new structure system - a separate movable lever attached to a stationary engine and gearbox. This system gives stability, rigidity and reliability to the scooter.

Once again Honda showed everyone how to make maxi scooters. Honda Silverwing is a huge monster, equipped with a 2-cylinder in-line engine, the displacement of which is as much as 600 cubic meters! Some parts are similar to motorcycle ones. Among other things, we can highlight the presence of ABS:

Scooter Honda Silverwing

The Yamaha T-max stands out among its competitors. Also a strong monster, hiding 500 cubic centimeters. The engine is located in front of the driver, rather than on the rear wheel as usual. From a powerful variator, torque is transmitted to the rear wheel by a chain drive. The tubular frame is connected to the wheels via a rear shock absorber and a front telescopic fork. Thanks to the design (and not only) it is recognized as one of the best maxi scooters!

Yamaha Tmax

And here comes the Piaggio Beverly 500 - a powerful and reliable maxi-scooter of the Gran Turismo class. Belonging to a class indicates its mandatory comfort. This is confirmed not only by soft seats, but also by large wheels, two rear shock absorbers, and Kayaba front forks. The 3-disc disc brake system will ensure soft and timely braking of this large device. The package even includes an immobilizer and a mobile phone charger.

Scooter Piaggio Beverly

There are countless scooter models

And every day more and more new scooters appear that can win the attention and recognition of buyers. This article reviewed only some of the best scooters, the best quality and pricing policy

The fastest models

When considering scooter brands, many focus primarily on top speed and then other characteristics, although the speed of most 50cc models is about the same.

HONDA DIO AF68

The Honda Dio AF68 scooter is a “classic of the genre”. It is liquid cooled and features record low fuel consumption. At a cruising speed of 30 km/h, the scooter needs only 1.25 liters per hundred. The four-stroke engine with injection provides acceleration of up to 60 km/h.

Stels Skif 50

The domestically produced model has small dimensions and good characteristics. 4.9 hp two-stroke engine. with a carburetor power system, the moped quickly accelerates to 65 km/h. Fast stopping is ensured by the front hydraulic disc brake.

Model StelsSkif 50

Irbis LX 50

A domestically produced moped of the Irbis brand, equipped with a 3 hp engine, does not exceed the 65-kilometer speed threshold. The distinctive features of a four-stroke moped are reliability, reliability, fast acceleration and efficiency.

Sports scooter

When choosing a scooter model, many are looking for a reliable 50cc scooter. Others are trying to choose the most powerful 50cc scooter. Remember that products from well-known manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki are reliable and have excellent dynamics with a small cubic capacity.

Double reliable models

Many lovers of long journeys and shared walks like 50cc double scooters, which are produced by different manufacturers. It is difficult to answer which of them is the most reliable moped, but we can definitely say that Japanese-made two-seater models have never let their owners down. The domestic model Irbis LX 50, equipped with a seat for a passenger, has also proven itself positively.

A two-seater scooter for long-distance travel enthusiasts