50CC Scooter - Safe to Ride on.....?

[conanld]

While I'm waiting for my first scooter to arrive, I am enjoying reading this forum and I'm learning a great deal.

I purchased a 50cc, (its a 4 stroke not a 2 stroke) because the 150cc is just outside of my financial reach at the present time.

The 150 would have been better given the situation with the roads allowing access outside of my local area. However, for the local area, the 50cc will work fine.

I live in a large neighborhood (called Snoqualmie Ridge) in Western Washington that is served by a number of small businesses in the local area.

For getting to and fro to these businesses the 50cc will be perfect. Everything is within about a 2 mile radius of my home.

However, the only easy route out to the city of Snoqualmie, or to North Bend, or Fall City, is a 4 lane road with a 40 MPH speed limit on it. The route is named "Snoqualmie Parkway", and parts of this road have a bit of an incline, although nothing very steep.

I figured that the 150 cc could have easily handled this route, but I'm guessing that the 50 cc is a NO go for it, even though the route has relatively little traffic on it, or at least the leg of the route leading into Snoqualmie itself has relatively little traffic. The other direction leading toward the freeway, does have a lot of traffic on it.

I'm curious what other people think about the possibility of my using my 50cc to ride on the uncrowded stretch of the parkway.

LD

[tortoise]

Unfortunately, you probably already know the answer . . purchasing a 50cc was a mistake (for your criteria) and you will probably regret the scooter limitations every time you drive it. At "5 over" most traffic will probably be traveling 45 mph and, depending on how steep the incline is, a 50cc 4-stroke may only get up to 20 mph. The situation greatly increases the odds of being rear-ended by an inattentive (texting) driver.

[harrywr2]

I've actually ridden on Snoqualmie Ridge.

Snoqualmie Pwky at least to the I-90 interchange isn't a limited access highway. As such you can ride a bicycle on it if you like. Since it's 4 lanes you can't be ticketed for 'impeding traffic' as everyone has an opportunity to pass you in the passing lane.

I've ridden the route in a 150 and 250cc...the traffic seemed to me to be in a bit of a hurry. I definitely wouldn't go North on 202 in a 50cc. A 150cc is kind of pushing it. I also seem to remember coasting at 40+ MPH down that bit of a hill you are describing.

I'm pretty sure you would be able to do a post '50MPH success on completely stock 50cc' with that hill. Of course getting past 20MPH on a 50cc going up that hill might be a bit of a challenge.

I forget what kind of shoulder it has...I think if I was going to attempt going down Sno Pkwy on a 50cc I would resign myself to needing to pull completely off the road onto the shoulder and letting everyone pass me every couple of hundred yards.

I know Lakemont Blvd in Issauquah is a similar situation, unfortunately it doesn't have a shoulder...so I wouldn't attempt it on a 50cc...just no safe way to 'get out of the way'.

On a 50cc your best safety defense is going to be 'getting out of the way'.

[conanld]

It would appear then, that at best riding down (or up) Snoqualmie Parkway on a 50cc would be a dicey nerve wracking experience, and at worst a downright dangerous situation in terms of a potential rear ender while heading up the hill.

I had hoped to be able to just go into the town of Snoqualmie with it, but I guess that will have to wait for my next upgrade.

Now lets see......should I get a 150cc or a 250cc.......decisions, decisions.... ;D

One more question for anyone who might know.

Can a 50cc scooter be parked on the sidewalk where the bicycle stands are set right into the pavement?

If the answer is yes, then that would be a great way for me to secure the scooter whenever visiting the local businesses.

LD

[harrywr2]

Unfortunately, you have to follow the rules of the road with a 50cc scooter. Of course most shopping centers are private property, so it should be up to the manager.

As far as next upgrade...having ridden where you are...a 150cc will be just barely enough for 202.

Speed limit on 203 is 60 MPH in sections...and I can tell you the locals on that road assume the speed limit is a suggestion so a 150 will be a bit undersized for 203.

[conanld]

harrywr2,

Thanks for the tips!

LD