Choosing the Right Motorcycle - Part IV

Scooters, mopeds, Vespas - whatever you call them, these smaller motorcycles still deserve to share the name of their larger cousins.

Not everyone needs the size of a touring bike, nor the speed of a motocross racer. Some people just want to get out on two wheels in the open air and enjoy the sunshine. Going where you want to go around town, getting maximum gas mileage and avoiding parking hassles, makes the choice of a smaller bike ideal.

Mopeds and scooters typically have smaller wheel rims than standard sized motorcycles. Since that isn't compensated for by raising the frame, ground clearance is less. But what would be a disadvantage in off-road circumstances is just what the scooter owner is looking for.

The term 'moped' is often reserved for smaller bikes, while 'scooter' designates a slightly larger, two-wheeled vehicle. Also, 'moped' originally meant a motorcycle with pedals attached. But the conventions are violated as often as they are observed, nowadays.

Between the low ground clearance, and the 'girl's bicycle'-style frame, getting on and off is a breeze for anyone old enough to legally ride one.

Engines are smaller on the more traditional moped, in the range of 50-150cc. The newer generation of scooters can have between 250cc and 650cc, though they may be heavier than desired at the top of the scale. Some scooters will reach speeds of 60mph, but 40mph is more common, and mopeds may be even slower.

Even the smaller engines may well have more than enough horsepower to suit the owner's needs, though. Modern engine designs have squeezed as much out of 50cc as would have required 150cc thirty years ago. That's helpful in those hilly cities, like San Francisco where a little more power is the difference between having the bike pull you versus you pushing the bike.

The bike typically weighs no more than 220lbs (100kg) and often less, with mopeds on the lower end of the scale. That makes either of them easy to manoeuvre with the engine turned off. It also means that, combined with the smaller engines, gas mileage is great. In an age of ultra-high gas prices, 70 miles per gallon looks very attractive.

Designed for short trips around town, you won't want to do any long distance driving with these smaller bikes. But getting in and out of parking lots is a breeze and you can almost always find a parking spot in the city.

Even with the small size, comfort has been kept firmly in mind in the design. Between the wide, plush seats and the ample fairing on scooters you won't suffer from excessive road feel or wind.

And most mopeds or scooters have integrated accessories that are often extra on standard bikes. Good-sized containers in the rear, electric starters up front, and automatic gear boxes in the middle make these a joy to own. Some even have electric motors.

The price for a smaller bike is often correspondingly smaller. While a good touring bike can run $12,000 to $20,000 or more, even a fully decked-out scooter will only be around $2,000. Retro Vespas and other scooters are often higher, though, around $4,500. Mopeds are commonly less than $1,000.

So, if your need for speed is a little less than your desire to just get around town in comfort and style, a moped or scooter may be just what you want.