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StraightBa
I have decided to buy a moped (or electric scooter) to use casually around my neighborhood (not for extremely long hauls).
Since I don't know much about mopeds, the only place I went to was vespa.com. Most of their options are extremely expensive. I'm looking to spend no more than $1,000.
I'm looking for recommendations about obtaining one. Are their other good companies besides vespa? Are their moped/dealer shops that I could visit locally to actually see the different options.
Should I go and test drive one, like I do with cars? Or is this something I should simply buy online (and go that route).
Any other things I should be looking for?
Answer
Mopeds have pedals, scooters have floorboards.
Vespas are scooters, expensive scooters. You can get around just as well on other brands like Kymco, Genuine, Piaggio, Yamaha, Sym, and Honda but you aren't going to get any of those new for $1000.
You might be able to get a Chinese scooter new for that but even that is doubtful since scooter prices have gone up quite a bit. Also from what I hear many of shops are out of scooters these days so you might want to call around to see who has what.
I read a good review on a Velocity electric scooter but I don't know the cost.
As far as mopeds you might call some bicycle stores and see if they carry electric bikes. I have never seen one in a scooter or motorcycle dealer.
You might be able to find something used on Craigslist.
Other things....
Check into what your local laws are for licensing. In CA we have to have a M2 license even for mopeds. Some states don't require anything for up to 50cc scooters.
Figure out how fast you will need to go before you buy something. Don't get a scooter that top ends at 30 when you have to get on roads where traffic goes 45.
If you want to get more info on drop ship (online) scooters check out the scootdawg forum. A lot of the people there own Chinese scooters and might be able to point you towards better brands and dealers.
Mopeds have pedals, scooters have floorboards.
Vespas are scooters, expensive scooters. You can get around just as well on other brands like Kymco, Genuine, Piaggio, Yamaha, Sym, and Honda but you aren't going to get any of those new for $1000.
You might be able to get a Chinese scooter new for that but even that is doubtful since scooter prices have gone up quite a bit. Also from what I hear many of shops are out of scooters these days so you might want to call around to see who has what.
I read a good review on a Velocity electric scooter but I don't know the cost.
As far as mopeds you might call some bicycle stores and see if they carry electric bikes. I have never seen one in a scooter or motorcycle dealer.
You might be able to find something used on Craigslist.
Other things....
Check into what your local laws are for licensing. In CA we have to have a M2 license even for mopeds. Some states don't require anything for up to 50cc scooters.
Figure out how fast you will need to go before you buy something. Don't get a scooter that top ends at 30 when you have to get on roads where traffic goes 45.
If you want to get more info on drop ship (online) scooters check out the scootdawg forum. A lot of the people there own Chinese scooters and might be able to point you towards better brands and dealers.
Information on purchasing an electric bicycle?
Joyce Z
I'm thinking of getting an electric bicycle (to save on fuel costs)--does anyone have any personal information on electric bikes or recommendations on which brand?
Would also like to hear good/bad experiences any of you have had and especially what to avoid when purchasing one.
Thanks
Answer
Congratulations on considering your ebike purchase. It is one of the best transportation decisions you can make; you will be healthier and have more money in your pocket.
A recent case study:
An 8 mile commute to work, for a employee..desk job,. works out at the gym twice weekly.
has stoplights, hilly terrain. usually picks up odds and ends at store on way home from work.
fairly dry climate, 6 month fairly comfy riding season; mornings 45F or better, afternoons seldom above 90F, usually mid 80's.
married, 1 child, two car family. : Driving in town 9000 miles per year on car #2. Going to cut that in half --down by 4500 miles --- most trips under 10 miles each way.
Car averages about 15 mpg in town so that is an even 300 gallons of gas, figure 3.50/gal... $1050.
not taking the car to work much any more, will save about $100 for six months insurance.
that's $1150. plus an oil change or two,. for $1200.. maybe a little more. Also looses about 5 pounds per month.
what can one getfor that?
You can get a top rated ebike kit a Bionx 350 w 36v NIMH kit for $1200!
A Bionx NIMH 36v 350w Ebike kit, judged one of the Best in the USA, to go on Your bike for $100 labor, or do the work yourself and save the$100.
http://www.birdrv.com/bionx-p350-electric-bicycle-kit.php
Dealer in Denver with service, parts, test rides, outstanding support.
Ok another well rated Ebike is the EZEE brand, Try Seattle or Oceanside:
http://www.electricvehiclesnw.com/main/contact.htm Cost a little more, but comes on a bike.
I support both of these and they are great in all respects.
East coast-- another good guy:
http://nycewheels.com/
What are the horror stories I hear:
People that dont respect that these are Electric ASSIST bicyles and require you to pedal (but not hard), they treat them like mopeds, and they dont last. (however there are many people that understand that these are e-assist bikes and get 8 + years out of them)
People that overestimate their mechanical ability and try to install complicated kits themselve- yet they could not change a tire.
People that get scammed on ebay by trying to get a bargain on something they know little about.
So good luck. If you do your research, honest about your needs, get references about the bike and the dealer before you buy, you will be happy.
there will be an ebike race In Portland OR. at the end of May. Email me for more info.
Congratulations on considering your ebike purchase. It is one of the best transportation decisions you can make; you will be healthier and have more money in your pocket.
A recent case study:
An 8 mile commute to work, for a employee..desk job,. works out at the gym twice weekly.
has stoplights, hilly terrain. usually picks up odds and ends at store on way home from work.
fairly dry climate, 6 month fairly comfy riding season; mornings 45F or better, afternoons seldom above 90F, usually mid 80's.
married, 1 child, two car family. : Driving in town 9000 miles per year on car #2. Going to cut that in half --down by 4500 miles --- most trips under 10 miles each way.
Car averages about 15 mpg in town so that is an even 300 gallons of gas, figure 3.50/gal... $1050.
not taking the car to work much any more, will save about $100 for six months insurance.
that's $1150. plus an oil change or two,. for $1200.. maybe a little more. Also looses about 5 pounds per month.
what can one getfor that?
You can get a top rated ebike kit a Bionx 350 w 36v NIMH kit for $1200!
A Bionx NIMH 36v 350w Ebike kit, judged one of the Best in the USA, to go on Your bike for $100 labor, or do the work yourself and save the$100.
http://www.birdrv.com/bionx-p350-electric-bicycle-kit.php
Dealer in Denver with service, parts, test rides, outstanding support.
Ok another well rated Ebike is the EZEE brand, Try Seattle or Oceanside:
http://www.electricvehiclesnw.com/main/contact.htm Cost a little more, but comes on a bike.
I support both of these and they are great in all respects.
East coast-- another good guy:
http://nycewheels.com/
What are the horror stories I hear:
People that dont respect that these are Electric ASSIST bicyles and require you to pedal (but not hard), they treat them like mopeds, and they dont last. (however there are many people that understand that these are e-assist bikes and get 8 + years out of them)
People that overestimate their mechanical ability and try to install complicated kits themselve- yet they could not change a tire.
People that get scammed on ebay by trying to get a bargain on something they know little about.
So good luck. If you do your research, honest about your needs, get references about the bike and the dealer before you buy, you will be happy.
there will be an ebike race In Portland OR. at the end of May. Email me for more info.
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Title Post: What is the best way to purchase a moped / electric scooter?
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Rating: 83% based on 9498 ratings. 4 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming T0 My Blog
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