Scooters (thinking of getting one)

[dcb]

Originally Posted by roflwaffle

I was talking to Christopher Jordan about CA regs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws


California
Electric Bicycles are defined by the California Vehicle Code [24][25][26]. In Summary, Electric Bicycles are basically, by law, to be operated like conventional bicycles in California. There are several exceptions to this. A person must be at least 16 years old, and anyone riding an electric bicycle must wear a bicycle helmet. The e-bikes must have an electric motor that has a power output less than 1,000 watts, is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on level ground, is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour, operates in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or operates in a manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function.

Driver's licenses, registration, insurance and license plate requirements do not apply. A motorized bicycle is not a motor vehicle. A motorized bicycle shall only be operated by a person 16 years of age or older. Drinking and driving laws apply. Additional laws or ordinances may apply to the use of electric bicycles by each city or county.

[roflwaffle]

They are only motorized bicycles if...

Originally Posted by CA DMV

Motorized Bicycle

406. (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor which produces less than 2 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.

(b) A "motorized bicycle" is also a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts.

(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on ground level.

(3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour.

Almost any bicycle with decent gearing is capable of 20+mph under human power on flat ground, so unless there is something that prevents any additional power from the motor at that speed, be it gearing or a cut-out (as in what the bionx kit has) at 20mph, then a bicycle with an electric motor is considered a motorcycle by the CA DMV.

Since Christopher Jordan said their trikes were "below the legal radar" I'm assuming they probably can go over 20mph with electric power. Otherwise they would simply be motorized bicycles and wouldn't be going under the radar based on what I think the term describes.

Edited for errors.

[igo]

After I thought about it today. I think a 50cc vespa style scooter seems like a top pick for me. I will be searching craigslist for what comes up.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by roflwaffle

"I'm assuming".

Well, then, technically, he is innocent of your charges of improper vehicle registration until you can prove them.

[roflwaffle]

I wasn't charging that poster with anything...
Oh, and I never posted what you quoted either.

[SVOboy]

I would try to import a Honda Super Cub and be really fly about it,

[LostCause]

You can get them on craigslist/ebay since they used to be sold in the US back in the 60's/70's. You'll look like a middle-aged thai man bringing his chickens to market, but 50 million sold has to mean something.

#1 Motorcycle, eh...scooter of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLjnqkXNWJs

- LostCause

[elhigh]

Christopher Jordan's TerraTrike is a tadpole (that's two wheels in front) trike that is predominantly powered by pedaling. His has an add-on electric motor. No registration as a motor vehicle is necessary, same as if you were to add an engine to a conventional bicycle.

Which, by the way, is a perfectly good option for you, igo. How much distance are you trying to cover? What kind of speed are you trying to keep up with?

A bike w/ engine can do what no scooter can: turn the engine off and go on the greenway paths, up on the sidewalk, cut across the University Quad, whatever. It is completely below the radar when the engine is off.

If you want to be way stylin', go check out the reintroduced Whizzer. It evokes the style of the original engine, the displacement is, for a bike engine, gigantic, and whatever engine you choose, all the hills are yours to ascend with an engine to give you a push.

[MoeDeeB]

Have just bought Sachs MadAss 125, I would highly recommend. Does 80mpg, 60mph top speed, big wheels, very comfortable and looks cool! In my opinion.

[saunders1313]

If you are only using the scooter for under 30mph then they are fine, once you get above that then you should look into a motorcycle. There are some really nice 250cc motorcycles out there. Scooters are not as safe as motorcycles for a lot of reasons, besides they're automatics, motorcycles by definition are manual.