I need suggestions for an ultra cheap, yet durable scooter.

[Wiley50]

just for local grocery store runs, ect.

I recently lost my driver's license (long story)

but, I think you don't need one in this state (TN) for driving a scooter or moped
50 cc or under. I guess a moped would work too. Just need to carry a couple of bags of groceries.

I am 6 ft and 209 lbs

I do have severe degenerative disc disease (10 disks involved) and don't think
I could sit on a tiny bicycle seat due to pressure on my spine.
My normal posture when sitting is to lean forward which opens up my intervertebral space
so my disks don't weigh or rub on one another. So, that seems like it would work on a racing bike if it just had a more comfortable seat.

I live on $637/mo SSI disability so my funds are limited and doubt I could get financing.

I know I'm pushing it to try to get around on two wheels, but it's 3.8 miles each way to the nearest grocery store
and it's getting real old to have to bug my friend for a ride.

[guitar man]

1. I was just looking at scooters

Thinking about getting one for my wife.

this one looks really cool and it doesn't cost much :thumbsup:

don't know about this particular model, but I have a friend with a Roketa 150cc and he loves it


http://www.mxmotorsports.us/Roketa-p/mc-16-50.htm

[happyslug]

3. I see they claim it can go up a 15% grade

I been using a 80cc Honda for the last year. It can easily go up 12% grades (and do this for the 30-45 minutes it takes me to get over Allegheny Mountain) but if you start to go over 12% you will have problems. I have run across some side streets in Pittsburgh where I had to dismount so my Honda could make it up the street. Now these streets were in excess of 15% (I suspect 25% but I did NOT bother to use a tape measure to find out).

As to comparing it (50cc) with your friend's 150cc, that is a huge difference. 20 years ago I owned and used a 250cc motorcycle, and it took those same Pittsburgh hills with ease, but also did NOT get the gasoline mileage of my 80cc (Which gets 90mpg, not bad since I weigh almost 300 pounds and I load the bike down with about another 50 pounds of items). In the 250 I did about 60 mpg.

Second, the maker calls it an "Automatic" transmission. I would look into that. My Honda (and most other Motor Scooters) use "continuous" transmissions, which in theory are even more fuel efficient than manual transmissions (But at the cost of lost of most acceleration given the design of the Transmission). A continuous transmission has no "gears", its belt runs at a constant pitch, thus while it operates like an true "Automatic" transmission, it is NOT an "Automatic" Transmission. The Difference is in true "Automatic" transmission, the transmission has various gears that it shifts through, These can be as little as two (Mostly pre-1960 automatic transmissions), but I have seen as high as five gears (Through for decades most automatics only had three gears).

A Continuous transmission has no gears so it runs at its most efficient speed, this lack of gears is the difference between the two. I mention this is I suspect this has a continuous transmission NOT an automatic, but the maker is calling it an Automatic for, like in a true automatic, you only have an accelerator and a brake to operate, not clutch in either transmission (Manual Transmissions all have Clutches for the driver to use to help shift between the gears manually). Just an observation and a comment on the ad and to make sure you known what you are buying.

[happyslug]

2. Sorry, looks like Tennessee requires a license

55-8-101 Definitions:

(31) “Motor vehicle” means every vehicle, including a low speed vehicle as defined in this section, that is self-propelled excluding motorized bicycles and every vehicle, including a low speed vehicle as defined in this section, that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails;

(32) “Motorcycle” means every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, including a vehicle that is fully enclosed, has three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, weighs less than one thousand five hundred pounds (1,500 lbs.), and has the capacity to maintain posted highway speed limits, excluding a tractor or motorized bicycle;

(33) “Motor-driven cycle” means every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five (5) brake horsepower, or with a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding one hundred twenty-five cubic centimeters (125cc);

(34) “Motorized bicycle” means a vehicle with two (2) or three (3) wheels, an automatic transmission, and a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters (50cc) which produces no more than two (2) brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a maximum design speed of no more than thirty miles per hour (30 mph) on level ground. The operator of a motorized bicycle must be in possession of a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, and shall be subject to all applicable and practical rules of the road. A motorized bicycle may not be operated on a highway of the interstate and defense highway system, any similar limited access multilane divided highway, or upon sidewalks;

http://www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=tncode

The following is WHO must have a Motorcycle License:
50-50-102 (2):
(F) Class M. This license is valid for all motorcycles, including all motor-driven cycles. This license classification may be added to a license valid for any other class, or it may be issued as the only classification on a license if the applicant is not licensed for any other classification. A Class M-limited license may also be issued and is valid for all motor-driven cycles, including mopeds, but not for larger motorcycles;

http://www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=tncode

In short, Tennessee seems to be like Pennsylvania, you do NOT need a Motorcycle License to drive a Moped with an engine 50cc or smaller BUT YOU STILL NEED TO HAVE A REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE. Please note Tennessee seems to have a "limited" license for Mopeds, something Pennsylvania gave up on years ago.

[Wiley50]

4. Thanks for looking that up for me

I 've looked for that info but couldn't find it.

They've changed the law since I was a kid, I see.

Well, Shit!

Guess I'll have to get back to working to get my license back.

NOTE TO GTRMAN: Yep, that's just what I was thinking about
The retro styling would suit me better than other rocketships I've seen.

[HamstersFromHell]

5. I guess the laws have changed

Used to be no license for mopeds up to 50cc, but as far as I know, scooters always required a license.

The "limited" license was called a "motor driven cycle" license and you could get it at age 14. Back then, it was still 5hp and under, but a 100cc displacement limit. Any motorcycle of more than 50cc was more than 5hp even back then, so dealers would cut a little brass tube and insert it over the throttle cable in the top of the carburetor to limit the throttle slide's travel and "govern it down"...then sign you a little note to the state "certifying" it was 5hp or less. Of course, those were usually removed at the 500/600 mile service. :)

(Native Tennessean for 49 years.)

[smoochy]

6. Cheap and Reliable

If you're looking for dirt cheap and reasonably reliable, you might want to try scouring craigslist. Old Honda scooters, tend to go fairly cheap, and still offer decent reliability or cheap repairs. If you're looking at new, and want something a bit more reliable than a chinese scooter sold at a gas station, try looking at Kymco scooters

[bhikkhu]

7. How about an Electric Scooter for 399?

http://www.neoscooters.com/proddetail.asp?prod=X-Treme_X-560



I've been shopping too, and this one is tempting, just for the cost and the easier regulations they have on "electric bicycles". In most places bicycle laws apply - no license or insurance required, and you can take them on bike lanes. But then again a vehicle built to share space with cars might be better, depending on how you need to use it.

I will probably end up with one of these: http://www.neoscooters.com/retro_scooter.asp, as I can give my kids rides and also it is fast enough for short runs on any road in my town.