Modern Vespa

when u look at honda metropolitan, is it scooter?

of course it's not a moped! this scooter don't have pedals on sides!!!!

very funny, yesterday I bought 2003 honda metropolitan scooter for $350 off craigslist for Melissa my ex girlfriend... it's at her cousin's house and last night they got in argue because her cousin kept saying it's moped and Melissa said no it's scooter, so I googled for pics, saved and email few moped pics to Melissa to show her the pics and now cousin is shut up!!!

Boy, that's pretty darned sweet of you to give your ex-girlfriend a scooter!

oh thank you we dated for five years and she is hardcore rider on back on my scooters, so she wants one so bad... I am helping her to get on her own.. going to pay me some for some new plastic covers, new rear tire, paint... that's why I got only $350! running so good, 4040 miles, missing mirrors, ah need a new front rim and fork... other project for me over this winter yee haw!

Just point out to the cousin the obvious: that the word "moped" is a contraction of "motor" and "pedal", and ask where he or she sees pedals on a Honda Metropolitan.

It's a lot easier to define a Honda Metro / Ruckus locally (City and County) since these both require to be registered as a motorcycle...same as our GT200.

ah yeah but metro don't need a motorcycle lic bec it's only 49cc? But I told her to take a motorcycle class and get one anyway she should go and take class... she doesnt have a driver lic

Registration and licensing varies by state. In California, for instance, you need a MC license for any size scooter, even 49cc.

Heck, you even need an m2 motocycle license to ride a moped with operable pedals.

Interesting how the laws differ from state to state. In Indianer, one must have a driver's lic. with a MC endorsement to drive anything over 49cc and must successfully pass a course to get that endorsement put on your license, and of course you pay dearly for that endorsement every time you renew your license.
The persons with a DUI conviction can drive a small scooter less than 49cc without a license or endorsement, but in the past year or so some Repugnantcan legislator pushed through new laws that if they are caught on radar going over 25 mph on one of those smaller scooters then they will be ticketed and made to get a driver's license and MC endorsement. Of course, since they have lost their license due to a DUI, they can't get a license, so they are screwed and then have no way of getting to work. Weird.
I know this is a little off the topic but interesting, still.

the metro is a great little bike, she's gonna love it! i rode my gf's during the rally because my super was broken and the s hadn't arrived yet and it hung like a champ. i had to wait for some less experienced riders to catch up at the end of a nice windy stretch of road... they were all on 150+ bikes

the way the law works here in va is that anything under 50cc is legally a moped, meaning no license, plates, or insurance required. anything over 50cc is legally a motorcycle. i love telling people that my scooter is legally the same as a harley.

but when it comes to specifics of sub-50cc bikes, mopeds have pedals, hence the name moPED.

Even nicer of you that you'll be doing work on it to get it up and looking great.

You get popped for DWI you should have to walk, take public trans or get a ride with someone. Too many drunks out there running motorcycle over.

As far as I am concerned, you get popped for DWI, 1st offense you should loose your license for a year, 2nd offense you don't get it back.

Wayne B

Nicer? LOL I could think of a different word. just joking micbergsma. But I am wondering does Melissa's new bf like the metro too? ok sorry but i couldn't resist.

Some states originally defined "mopeds" by displacement, max speed and pedals. Then when 49cc scooters became more common, the pedal requirement was dropped for "mopeds" in some states to simplify licensing details.

Since the OP is in Texas, here's how that state sees it:

Texas specifically defines a "moped" as: A motor driven cycle whose speed attainable in one mile is not more than 30 miles per hour and that is equipped with a motor that produces not more than two-brake horsepower. If an internal combustion engine is used, the piston displacement may not exceed 50 cubic centimeters and the power drive system may not require the operator to shift gears.

Further, Texas issues, for people without a driver license of any sort, a "Moped Driver License" for which one only need take a written test. NO driving skill test is required for this restricted license. Our grandson received his "moped license" on his 15th birthday, the day he became eligible.

So, no matter what any of us may call a Honda Metropolitan or any other 49cc scooter, the Great State of Texas, as well as many others, legally define it as a "MOPED".

Al

UK definition of 'moped': http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/RidingMotorcyclesAndMopeds/DG_4022568

Now is it?