Differences Between A Moped And Scooter

By Author: drowsports
Total Articles: 13
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According to Yamaha Zuma parts designer, a scooter is a style of two-wheeled motorized vehicle defined by characteristics such as a step-through frame, wheels less than 16" in diameter, and an engine located below the rider and to the rear. Scooters usually have a small engine, from 50cc to 250cc, though there are 400cc and even 800cc scooters, so engine size doesn't define them. Scooters require a motorcycle license and are limited in speed. Scooters with a larger engine can go up to 100mph and cruise easily at freeway speeds, so speed isn't a defining characteristic. Most scooters can be customized with an upgraded engine, Ruckus handlebars, exhaust, lowered seat frame, Ruckus wheels and more.

A moped is a two-wheeled vehicle with an engine of less than 50cc capacity. It used to be that a moped was a motorized bicycle with a small engine but some jurisdictions don't require pedals.
Most mopeds can be ridden without requiring a motorcycle license (a car license is sufficient). They may be speed limited by design, but even if they aren't, the small engine size usually limits then to a top speed under 40mph (maybe ...
... 45mph downhill with a tail wind). In the United States the definition and regulation of mopeds differs from state to state. Legal terms and definitions of low-powered cycles vary from state to state and may or may not include "Moped," "Motorcycle," "Motorized Bicycle," "Motorscooter," "Goped," and etc. A moped's speed generally may not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) on level ground, even if it is capable of going faster. Mopeds can also be customized with parts for speed and aesthetics.

Mopeds can be many things and what's a moped in one state may not be a moped in another says Zuma parts designer. In most states, you cannot legally ride a moped on a freeway since they are not capable of operation at freeway speeds and would be an obstacle to traffic.

In some states a moped and a scooter may look identical, but the one with an engine of 49cc gets "moped" license plates while the one with a 150cc engine gets "motorcycle" plates and requires a motorcycle license to ride.