Mopeds

[mudcat100]

Are Mopeds a problem in other states? It seems that the intelligent leaders at SCDOT allow anyone to operate these if they have a tag with the word MOPED on it.By the looks of the Moped drivers,I'm sure they are not concerned with a drivers license and certainly not insurance.

 

[brucev]

Not a problem in Ga.

 

[RichardWA]

In the town I work in there are businesses that rent them to tourists. Not too bad if they stay in town, a real pain when they take them out on the hiway. They can be fun to watch sometimes....

 

[quneur]

Also in Wa State, any engine that is 49cc or smaller does not need a motorcycle endorsement. Every one needs to wear a helment including bicycles.

 

[Captain Hornet]

Here in South Carolina we see them every day. The state DMV says that a licence is not required to operate these mopeds. So if a person looses his drivers licence because of a DUI then they ride the moped. For some people,it's the only way to get around. They are also called "liquorcycles" around here. David

 

[DeathGrip]

Mopeds are like.......

Fun to ride but don't let your neighbors see you.

 

[oldman45]

Does anyone here remember back in the 50's when Sears Roebuck sold an Allstate Moped?

I had one and thought it was hot. Got rid of it on a chain drive Cushman Eagle. Put a lot of miles on each.

 

[john3136]

I read years ago that somewhere in the USA, some state or county or town had a rule that before you could get a car license you had to spend 'x' time riding a moped.

As an (ex) motor cycle rider I thought it was a great idea.

Not sure that there is any truth to the story though...

 

[ThirtyAcres]

If the economy continues to tank and fuel prices continue to rise.........we may all be riding them soon.

 

[Goldstar225]

In these parts they aren't a real problem. Until last month a ten year old could ride them with an operators certificate. Now the minimum is 14. The operator has to have the certificate or a drivers license and insurance. No registration required. This only applies to 49cc or less with centrifugal clutch.

 

[old bear]

I have a terrible problem with mopeds they keep getting stuck in the grill of my car. I have an ever worse problem with moped riders; they keep scratching the paint on the hood of the car as they bounce off it

 

[JM4151]

Oldman45
I had one of the Allstate Bikes in the early 1960's. They were really made by Cushman, mine was a 1956. I drove it all over during my high school years. No helmits were required in those days. As I recall the early Cushmans broke down a lot!
J. Murphy

 

[Bert Man]

Does anyone here remember back in the 50's when Sears Roebuck sold an Allstate Moped?

I had one and thought it was hot. Got rid of it on a chain drive Cushman Eagle. Put a lot of miles on each.

Oldman, you brought back some good memories to back around 1960 when I was about 15. Had a close friend who had an Allstate moped. Used to tease him about how he had to pedal like crazy to start the thing. I had a Cushman Eagle with the megaphone exhaust and used to leave him in the dust every time. Loved that Eagle. Nearly rode the wheels off of it. Rode all week on 50 cents of gas!

 

[oldman45]

Oldman, you brought back some good memories to back around 1960 when I was about 15. Had a close friend who had an Allstate moped. Used to tease him about how he had to pedal like crazy to start the thing. I had a Cushman Eagle with the megaphone exhaust and used to leave him in the dust every time. Loved that Eagle. Nearly rode the wheels off of it. Rode all week on 50 cents of gas!

Best I recall, my Eagle was about 8 hp but they came in a 5 hp as well. Mine had the cushioned buddy seat and leather saddlebags and started really great if you jumped hard enough on the kick start. Longest one way trip I made with it was 40 miles Most trips were within 5 miles of home. I suppose I would still own it had it not been for a left turning Buick Electra 225. Have you ever seen the exhaust system on one of those Buicks while still half way on a hot Eagle?

 

[firestrat]

They are also called "liquorcycles" around here. David

That one made me laugh out loud. Thanks, I needed that.

 

[Moonman]

How about WHIZZER motor bikes of old. They had pedals too and used to long ago take a bicycle plate here in Ohio. They had a centrifugal clutch. I had a neighbor who had two of them and we would go riding around the neighborhood.

 

[Maximumbob54]

It still freaks me out to see people on them on the interstate. They ride just off the side of the road or in the breakdown lane. Just passing him suddenly made me jump a little. At 70 he wasn't there, I blinked, he was right there, I blinked, and he was gone. Hope no one is ever over just a little or he hits a rock or some trucker tire rubble.

 

[Tam 3]

The one from Sears with the pedals was made in Austria by Puch, IIRC>

Regards,

Tam 3

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'm all for modes of transportation that aren't taxed and don't need a drivers license to use .

Yes, I'm pro-horse.
I just don't want to own one.

I can see the need for mopeds inside urban areas, but for use on main highways at speed is a death sentence.

I almost bought a scooter years ago- one of those spaghetti burners, but it was no moped.

 

[CelticSire]

How about WHIZZER motor bikes of old. They had pedals too and used to long ago take a bicycle plate here in Ohio. They had a centrifugal clutch. I had a neighbor who had two of them and we would go riding around the neighborhood.

Whizzer Motorbikes

 

[rcnixon]

My daughter and I call the "DUI's" but I like the liquorcycles comment a lot!

Russ

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

They were very popular with the more affluent kids here in NJ in the 1980s-no license needed, etc, but then the insurance companies said they would not pay for any injuries incurred while operating one, so they quickly went out of fashion. Haven't seen one in years.

 

[Bert Man]

Best I recall, my Eagle was about 8 hp but they came in a 5 hp as well. Mine had the cushioned buddy seat and leather saddlebags and started really great if you jumped hard enough on the kick start. Longest one way trip I made with it was 40 miles Most trips were within 5 miles of home. I suppose I would still own it had it not been for a left turning Buick Electra 225. Have you ever seen the exhaust system on one of those Buicks while still half way on a hot Eagle?

No, but got up close and personal the rear winshield of a Chevy when I rearended my science teacher on the way to school one morning. No damage to me or either vehicle except a very shallow dent in the Eagle's front fender. Didn't help my grade much though.

 

[BillBingham2]

...... they keep scratching the paint on the hood of the car as they bounce off it

Go faster, they eject quicker and higher that way. While your mileage may vary, the fun is rated Seven Flags......more flags more fun!!!

B2

 

[BillBingham2]

On a more serious note I really like the idea of every one having to do six months on one before a car. Might teach people how to drive further ahead. Not to mention some respect.

B2