In the beginning, two-wheeled motorbikes with a capacity of one to three persons were termed as scooters. On the other hand, two-wheeled motorcycles were regarded as mopeds. Mopeds are commonly used for short distances while scooters are commonly used for longer distances. There are many types of scooters including, touring scooters, travel scooters, touring mopeds, utility scooters, sports scooters and lightweight scooters. Touring scooters are known to be heavier in weight than the other models.
The major difference between scooters and mopeds is that the former use a gasoline engine; the latter use a two-stroke motorcycle engine like the moped. Both use similar mechanism for riding; however, scooters provide more freedom of movement compared to the moped. For example, a moped usually has smaller tyres for better traction on smooth roads.
Scooters are categorized according to the type of engine they have, namely, there are front wheel drive (faired), two wheels drive (two-wheeled) and three wheels drive (four-wheeled). Scooters have a very distinct characteristic that they can be ridden even with one footboard mounted. This is the reason why, earlier than today when scooters are designed for two wheels only, there was the notion that it would not be possible to ride with one footboard mounted. Even today, there are manufacturers who are manufacturing scooters with two wheels and four wheels.
Scooters have their own advantages like they are light in weight, inexpensive in cost, provides maximum velocity when moving at high speeds, requires little maintenance and at the same time gives comfort to its rider. The gas powered scooter has the highest speed of all the three wheels, at least 120 kilometres per hour. However, when the rider is using one-wheel scooter, he/she need to give equal attention to both the speed and the direction of movement. A scooter will give you a good exercise with its smooth and easy to handle nature. It doesn’t require much strength to ride a scooter and as compared to the motor vehicle the rider experience less strain and injury.
Scooters and motorcycles are similar to each other in some points but differ in others too. Scooters are smaller in size in comparison to motor vehicles but its basic structure is quite similar to the motor vehicle. Unlike motorbikes, scooters don’t have foot operated pedals. Instead, the rider holds the handle bars with the help of his/her hands. The arms also hold the hands with the help of levers.
Scooters and mopeds should be registered as a single with all states before use. It’s important to note that even if the bike is registered, the driver still needs to have a valid motorcycle license in order to be able to operate the moped. ScooterMcGoo Mopeds can be driven on public roads but only a moped with a motorized engine can drive on private roads. Some states require mopeds to have at least one passenger while other states do not.
Mopeds and scooters differ largely in their price range and the different models available. The basic models that come with most states requires you to pay around $500. The scooters and mini bikes on the other hand can cost you almost half this much. You can choose a top speed moped or a step-by-step-through frame which will reduce the number of steps leading to top speed. The price of a scooter varies from about $30 all the way up to about three thousand dollars.
Mopeds and scooters come in various colors including black, blue, pink, red, silver, and yellow. Some states even allow you to customize the color of your moped by changing the paint. You may also have the option of a tank, seat, or no tank at all. Some mini bikes have the option of both a top speed and step-by-step frame. You should carefully research the laws in your state before buying or racing a moped or scooter.