The statement that all motorcycles run on gasoline has become an axiom for most. However, this does not mean that there are no motorcycles that cannot use diesel fuel. They are simply so rare that most people have simply never heard of them. You can’t just see them on the street; their rare examples are most often found in the garages of true connoisseurs of such vehicles.
Suzuki Let's 2
Suzuki Let's 2 was created for comfortable movement around the city; thanks to its modern design, representatives of the younger generation often ride it. The model is equipped with a two-stroke air-cooled engine. The Suzuki Let's 2 can seat two people, but there is very little space for a passenger. There is a spacious luggage compartment under the driver's seat, and there is also a rear trunk. The model has a maximum speed of 70 km/h, which other Japanese scooters cannot boast of. At the same time, the scooter is very light - dry weight is 66 kg, and the single-cylinder engine with a thrust of 7.2 l / s gives a good boost of power at low speeds. Hence the fuel consumption per 100 km is about 3 liters.
Most owners note that Suzuki Let's 2 is difficult to repair. For example, spark plugs and piston group are difficult to access. The scooter has a problem area - the oil pump. Due to its frequent breakdowns, the overall impression of the model is spoiled.
Suzuki Let's 2 scooter with 2-stroke 49 cm3 engine
Characteristics of Suzuki Let's 2
- The engine is two-stroke.
- The volume of the power unit is 49 cm3.
- Engine power, (hp/rpm) – 7.2 /6500
- Torque, (H*m/ 6500 rpm) – 7.3/ 6500
- The power supply system is a carburetor.
- Cooling is air.
- Average fuel consumption is 3 liters/100 km.
- Maximum speed – 70 km/h.
- The volume of the gas tank is 4.5 liters.
- Dry weight – 66 kg.
- Front brake type: drum.
- Rear brake type: drum.
- Front suspension - telescopic fork.
- The rear suspension is pendulum with a monoshock absorber.
- Gearbox – variator.
- Scooter dimensions, (L x W x H) – 1675 x 650 x 1005 mm.
- Ground clearance – 110 mm.
- Wheelbase – 1140 mm.
- Tire size – R10 90/90.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Bright design.
- High top speed.
- Good starting traction.
- Wide, stable wheels.
- Telescopic fork.
- Availability.
Flaws:
- Vulnerability of the piston group and oil pump.
- High fuel consumption.
- Inconvenient repair.
- Inconvenient passenger seating.
Price
Suzuki Lets'2 is a very affordable scooter. On the secondary market, the price for models with a decent mileage and defects in plastic starts from 16-18 thousand rubles, for average options you will have to pay 2 times more. A scooter without mileage in the Russian Federation will cost 50-60 thousand rubles.
How and with what to paint a scooter yourself at home?
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| Today, such a means of transportation as a scooter is gaining increasing popularity among teenagers, young people, and older people. A modern, economical and easy-to-drive moped, now called the fashionable and modern name SCOOTER, will allow you to get to work after spending only half a liter of gasoline, give rides to friends or girlfriends, go to the nearest store in the country and much more. At the same time, situations often arise when the surface of your scooter may be damaged - hitting a curb or a large stone, the scooter may fall, you may get caught in another scooter, or even get into a small accident, as a result of which the paintwork of your two-wheeled friend will be damaged. Don’t get upset, rush to the car painters and count your losses. |
You can repair most scratches and damage to the paintwork yourself. This guide will help you learn how to paint a scooter (moped) at home using an aerosol can. We will tell you about both repair and decorative painting of a scooter. Paint over scratches and abrasions, repaint the entire scooter in a different color, apply an emblem or design to the scooter’s gas tank - it’s all quite simple
What do you need to paint a scooter yourself?
Sandpaper , grit: 100 / 200 / 600 / 1200 (for wet/dry sanding) Primer – you can use either an acrylic primer or a metal primer Acrylic spray paints – choose the colors you want to paint your scooter in advance. Now there is a huge selection of colors and shades of paint, there are paints with special effects - metallic, pearlescent, fluorescent, hammer and others Acrylic transparent varnish - it will protect the paint from abrasion and damage, and will also add depth to the color and shine of the new coating of the scooter Respirator for protection from dust and paint fumes Solvent for degreasing the surface of the scooter before painting (you can use white spirit, kerosene or special degreasing compounds) Cloth napkins or just dry, clean cotton rags Masking tape and paper or covering film Putty with a mixing tablet Gloves to protect your hands from paint and putties Construction knife, screwdrivers and other tools for removing upholstery, plastic, etc. from the body before painting (in case of complete repainting of the scooter)
Preparing the scooter for painting
| It had a few scratches after a little fall and now we will make it new again so that no one can guess what happened to me. If you are not interested in repair painting, but in completely repainting the scooter or applying an image using a stencil, then the preparatory work will be almost the same, except that to work with the stencil you will not need to process the paint with sandpaper. Now that we have everything we need to paint the scooter, let's move on to preparing our unit for painting. As an example, I will tell you how I painted my Yamaha Vino YJ50 scooter. Step 1 Wash your scooter with warm water and soap Step 2 Degrease all surfaces of the scooter that will be painted |
Step 3 Cover the parts of the scooter that you will not be painting. This can be done using paper tape and paper or covering film.
Important Tip 1. Seal all the small cracks on the surface of the scooter in the parts that you are not painting. I accidentally missed a couple, and even though they were very small, the excess paint leaked through them and ended up in the wrong place, so I ended up having to remove the drips.
Important Tip 2: Do not use newspapers to cover the parts you are not painting. Ink from newsprint is printed onto the paint. Use clean printer paper, there is no such problem.
I covered all the emblems, serial number plates, etc., as well as all the parts that I couldn't remove from the scooter, but didn't want to paint.
Step 4 Sand all scratches and damaged surfaces with sandpaper. Start sanding with coarse sandpaper, then use finer sandpaper to finish the surface so that the surface is as smooth as possible.
Step 5 If the scratches are deep or there are dents on the surface of the scooter, use putty. Any automotive putty is best, because a scooter is almost a car
Step 6 If you used putty, go over the sandpaper again. The more thoroughly the sanding and smoother the surface, the better the paint will adhere.
Step 7 Wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth to remove dust and dirt
Scooter painting process
| Step 8 Next you need to prime the surface. One coat of primer is enough Step 9 If, after the primer has dried, there are streaks and uneven spots somewhere, lightly sand with the finest sandpaper. Wipe everything again and degrease the surface of the scooter Step 10 Before spray painting the scooter, shake the can thoroughly so that the contents have an even consistency. 20-30 seconds is enough. To avoid paint drips, paint the scooter from top to bottom, applying paint from a distance of 25-30 cm. Make sure that the paint applies evenly and all areas are painted equally well |
| Step 11 As a rule, a scooter is painted in 2-3 layers. Before applying the next coat of paint, let the previous layer dry, this should take 20-40 minutes (depending on whether you are painting the scooter indoors or outdoors and what time of year it is). We do not recommend painting your scooter outdoors at sub-zero temperatures or in the rain. After you have applied the final coat of paint to the scooter, let it dry for 1-2 hours Step 12 This is an optional step. If you want to further protect the painted surface of your scooter, as well as add more depth and shine to the color, you can apply an acrylic spray varnish to your scooter. Varnish drying time 1-2 hours |
After you have completely completed painting, varnishing and drying the scooter, remove the protective film and tape, and then install the accessories and decorative elements that were removed initially.
If you followed the proposed technology, then after completion of the work your scooter will look like new! I did the painting job on the scooter in the garage and it took me just over two days - just enough work for the weekend!
Suzuki Address V50G
The entire line of Suzuki Address scooters are presented as dynamic vehicles with small dimensions and weight. The 50 cc version is highly maneuverable and is used for driving in the city. The tubular steel frame with telescopic front suspension and swing arm at the rear ensures stable handling on paved roads. The brake system of the Suzuki Address 50G has drum brakes on both sides. The scooter holds high revs well, maintaining maximum speed, while it absorbs small bumps well.
It is worth noting the 4-stroke engine, which has an aluminum cylinder coating. The unit surpasses its competitors in terms of heat dissipation and durability of components. At the same time, manufacturers have kept the scooter environmentally friendly and low fuel consumption, which under normal conditions is 1.3 liters/100 km. As for the trunk: the lower one has a large enough volume to store everything you need. At the front of the Suzuki Address V50G there is an opening pocket that can accommodate 2 500 ml PET bottles.
The Suzuki Address V50G scooter is equipped with a 4-stroke A404 engine
The presented scooter was designed for driving in megacities at a speed of no more than 60 km/h; the model has an elongated seat. To protect against theft, the Suzuki Address V50G is equipped with a built-in alarm system.
Characteristics of Suzuki Address V50G
- Engine – 4 strokes.
- Engine model – A404
- The volume of the power unit is 49 cm3.
- Power supply system - injector.
- Engine power, (hp/rpm) – 5.2 /8500
- Torque, (H*m/rpm) – 4.5/ 6500
- Average fuel consumption is 1.3 liters/100 km.
- Maximum speed – 60 km/h.
- The volume of the gas tank is 4.5 liters.
- Dry weight – 66 kg.
- Front brake type: drum.
- Rear brake type: drum.
- Front suspension - telescopic fork.
- The rear suspension is pendulum.
- Scooter dimensions, (L x W x H) – 1670 x 605 x 1005 mm.
- Ground clearance – 105 mm.
- Wheelbase – 1150 mm.
- Tire size – 80/90-10 35J
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Comfortable fit.
- High maneuverability.
- Eco-friendly and economical engine.
- Compact and low dry weight.
Flaws:
- Oil supply design - “hungry” front brake.
- Fragile front brake mounts.
Price
Buying a new Suzuki Address V50G will cost approximately 100-150 thousand rubles. If we are talking about used equipment, then the lowest price is 10-12 thousand, and the average is 40-50 thousand rubles for a model with low mileage and satisfactory quality of plastic, as well as main components. A used Japanese scooter Address V50G without mileage in Russia in good condition costs about 60-70 thousand rubles.
Yamaha Jog Aprio
The most modest-sized scooter in the rating. Small dimensions provide the scooter with high maneuverability and comfort. The stock 3KJ 2-stroke engine (considered one of the most reliable) is capable of accelerating to 60 km/h, but is very well tuned. When installing the switch, the maximum speed increases to 70-75 km/h.
The scooter is designed for a quiet and comfortable city ride, but is also capable of driving on slight off-road conditions. The Yamaha manufacturer has provided an increase in ground clearance due to higher wheels to overcome small obstacles. The model features high-quality plastic that covers the frame and engine. When dropped, it does not break, but only cracks a little. Due to the smooth ride and predictable handling, the Yamaha Jog Aprio becomes an excellent scooter for the garden. It forgives errors well and has high reliability of its main components.
Yamaha Jog Aprio scooter with 2-stroke 3KJ engine
Technical specifications of Yamaha Jog Aprio
- Engine – 2 strokes.
- Engine model – 3KJ
- The volume of the power unit is 49 cm3.
- Engine power, (hp/rpm) – 6.4 /7000
- The power supply system is a carburetor.
- Cooling is forced air.
- Gearbox – variator.
- Average fuel consumption is 1.8 liters/100 km.
- Maximum speed – 60 km/h.
- The volume of the gas tank is 4 liters.
- Scooter weight – 61 kg.
- Front brake type: drum.
- Rear brake type: drum.
- The front suspension is telescopic.
- The rear suspension is pendulum.
- Scooter dimensions (L x W x H) – 1615 x 630 x 1000 mm.
- Seat height – 630 mm.
- Ground clearance – 100 mm.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Reliable engine.
- Large gas tank volume.
- Telescopic front suspension.
- Predictable control.
- Availability.
- High cross-country ability.
Flaws:
- Outdated design.
- Lack of engine protection on the rear wheel side.
Price
Starting prices on the secondary market are 14 thousand rubles, the average cost is 30-40 thousand. Without mileage in Russia, the Yamaha Jog Aprio will cost approximately 50-65 thousand rubles, depending on the region. Ideal, well-maintained models from a fresh year of manufacture reach a threshold of 130 thousand rubles.
Rare motorcycles
This is not to say that no one has made attempts to create a diesel motorcycle. There were quite a lot of attempts, but only some of them were successful, and the resulting samples were suitable for use. Only a few made it to production that could be called serial. For the most part diesel motorcycles are custom models created by the hands of enthusiasts. Large companies were also developing, and some of the models were successful enough to go into production.
Honda Dio AF 68
When the problem of choosing a 50cc scooter arises, first of all, most people remember the Honda Dio. This technique appeals to every beginner; it is loved by car drivers who are temporarily unable to drive four-wheeled vehicles. Honda Dio AF 68 managed to gain popularity thanks to its excellent technical characteristics, ease of use and reasonable price. It has a durable and lightweight frame, low weight and high maneuverability. It is well tuned and consumes a record low amount of fuel per 100 km - only 1.25 liters. The maximum speed of the scooter is 60 km/h, which is enough for comfortable driving around the city.
It is also one of the few two-seater scooters that features wide seats, one of which can accommodate a passenger. Underneath there is a convenient trunk, which can accommodate bags with necessary items and hand luggage. Otherwise, this is an excellent model for beginners, simple and inexpensive to maintain, and easy to operate. The Honda Dio AF 68 was loved for its maneuverability and the ability to go uphill due to the light weight of the frame.
The photo shows a Honda Dio AF 68 scooter with a 4-stroke AF 67E engine
Technical characteristics of Honda Dio AF 68
- Engine – 4-stroke.
- Engine model – AF 67E
- The volume of the power unit is 49 cm3.
- Power supply system - injector.
- Engine power, (hp/rpm) – 4.1 /8200
- Torque, (kg*m/rpm) – 0.38/7500
- Power supply system - injector.
- Cooling is air.
- Average fuel consumption is 1.25 liters/100 km.
- Maximum speed – 60 km/h.
- The volume of the gas tank is 4.6 liters.
- Front brake type: drum.
- Rear brake type: drum.
- The front suspension is telescopic.
- The rear suspension is pendulum.
- Gearbox – variator.
- Scooter dimensions, (L x W x H) – 1720 x 630 x 1020 mm.
- Seat height – 695 mm.
- Ground clearance – 110 mm.
- Wheelbase – 1180 mm.
- Scooter weight – 73 kg.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Good brakes.
- Maneuverability.
- Record low fuel consumption.
- Spacious fuel tank.
- Very high liquidity.
Flaws:
- Low landing.
- Small trunk.
Price
You can purchase a new Honda Dio AF 68 without mileage for a price of around 65-75 thousand rubles. Supported models will cost from 25 to 40 thousand rubles. This scooter is often ordered from Japanese motorcycle auctions, because in Japan and Russia the device is extremely liquid.
Government project
One of the models that was mass produced was the HDT M1030M1, an off-road motorcycle. It was designed for extreme off-road driving; it was created on the basis of the Kawasaki KLR650 enduro. The developer of the motorcycle is Hayes Diversified Technologies, which specializes in fulfilling orders from the US Department of Defense. Accordingly, the motorcycle was also intended for the military.
It was used for some time by the Marine Corps and NATO, so the developer had a real opportunity to evaluate its performance in "mass testing". Meanwhile, the results were disappointing. The diesel engine and the design solutions necessary for its operation greatly increased the weight of the motorcycle.
Its handling decreased, and the load on the suspension increased, accelerating its failure. It could even be fueled with diesel fuel, but fuel and oil consumption increased significantly. All this, coupled with an unreliable engine, forced us to abandon the use of a diesel motorcycle.
Honda Lead AF 48
Honda Lead AF 48 is a continuation of the series started by the Lead AF01 model, released in 1980. The presented scooter has the makings of good cross-country ability, while it feels confident in urban conditions. Compared to the previous model, the manufacturers made a completely different scooter.
The scooter has a horizontal engine with a high degree of environmental friendliness, which is achieved through a catalytic converter. Together with a passenger, the Honda Lead AF48 is capable of accelerating to 60 km/h, after which an electronic limit is set. The maximum speed can be increased using a switch.
Honda Lead AF 48 is equipped with a 2-stroke AF48E engine
Japanese scooters from Honda, and in particular the Lead AF 48, cope well with road irregularities thanks to a reinforced rear shock absorber and a hydraulic fork on the front suspension. If we compare its strength with competitors such as Honda Dio, Suzuki Lets, then it is easier to maintain. The presented model is equipped with a combined braking system, has a spacious underseat trunk and the ability to install trunks and baskets.
A person of any age, build and height will be comfortable behind the wheel. Honda Lead AF 48 is ideal for daily comfortable movement. Structurally, the motor is not without flaws: it literally begins to “crumble” if it is used to the maximum every day. Breakdowns often include chafing of the front brake hose due to the fact that it is not reinforced.
The average fuel consumption of the Honda Liad AF 48 is 2.17 liters per 100 km.
Technical characteristics of Honda Lead AF 48
- Engine – 2 strokes.
- Engine model – AF48E
- The volume of the power unit is 49 cm3.
- The power supply system is a carburetor.
- Engine power, (hp/rpm) – 5.8 /6750
- Torque, (H*m/ rpm) – 6.5/ 6000
- Cooling is air.
- Average fuel consumption is 2.17 liters/100 km.
- Maximum speed – 60 km/h.
- The volume of the gas tank is 7.5 liters.
- Front brake type: disc.
- Rear brake type: drum.
- The front suspension is telescopic.
- Rear suspension - shock absorber.
- Gearbox – variator.
- Scooter dimensions, (L x W x H) – 1795 x 680 x 1060 mm.
- Wheelbase – 1255 mm.
- Scooter weight – 84 kg.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Modern design.
- Good optics.
- High cross-country ability.
- Ergonomic fit, comfortable rear seat.
Flaws:
- Lack of top speed.
- Weak front brake hose.
Price
The price of a new scooter without mileage varies around 65-70 thousand rubles. On the used market, the lowest price starts from 20-25 thousand rubles for a scooter with a mileage of about 40,000 km. The average cost is 50 thousand rubles
The best Japanese 50cc scooters, according to user reviews, are the Honda Lead AF 48 and Honda Dio AF 68. It’s not for nothing that this Japanese manufacturer managed to capture a large part of the scooter market. Scooters from Honda have high reliability, low fuel consumption, and maneuverability. At the same time, they are very liquid and you can always find spare parts for them.
Do you need a license for a scooter up to 50cc?
In the Russian Federation, you must have a license for all motorcycles. Since 2014, this also applies to scooters with an engine capacity of up to 50 cc and a travel speed of up to 60 km/h. Persons over 16 years of age can obtain documents. To do this, you need to undergo training at a driving school and pass an exam consisting of a theoretical and practical part. The reason for the introduction of such measures was a sharp increase in the number of accidents involving teenagers on mopeds. All vehicles from the top scooters and mopeds up to 50cc require an “M” license.
