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Post by akhnaten on Jun 10, 2008 14:08:01 GMT -5
I could not find a thread that discusses how the weight of the rider would dictate the size of the engine needed for safe driving. I figure that on a motorcycle/scooter, you are better off accelerating out of danger than trying to use the brake to avoid danger (in an emergency situation). That said, a 250 lb guy will obviously not get nearly the acceleration out of a 50cc scooter that a 110 lb woman would. What size of engine should be purchased for particular weight riders? I do not know enough about this subject to even know where to separate weight classes for riders. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Post by 90GTVert on Jun 10, 2008 15:43:01 GMT -5
You don't always accelerate to avoid things, but it is nice to know you could.
I'm 285lbs and ride a 50cc, that's now a 70cc. I use it as a scooter that in MD must travel on the shoulder of roads with speed limits of 36-50mph and can use the normal lane to travel if the speed limit is 35mph or less. 50cc is fine for someone my size at those speeds, and infact in MD a scooter or moped is not lawfully allowed to travel above 35mph at any time.
If you intend to use it on highways or even often on roads with a 50mph speed limit, I would suggest a 250 regardless of the rider's weight. I like to have some type of headroom on the top speed, meaning I don't want to drive something that tops out at 54 on a 50mph speed limit road. Most 150s just don't give the kind of cruise speed that I would like for daily use. Even if I weighed 100 pounds, I don't think I'd feel completely comfortable on a 150 for daily driven use on main roads with speed limits of 50mph or above. If I had to be on dual lane (or better) highways I would go 250 at least, again regardless of rider weight.
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Post by akhnaten on Jun 11, 2008 0:33:54 GMT -5
90GTVert,
Thank you for your reply. I will be riding on neighborhood streets only (all 35 mph or less). It is good to know that a 50cc will suffice. That will save me a lot of time and effort.
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Post by xmirage2kx on Jun 11, 2008 14:56:58 GMT -5
If a 50cc will work get a 150, if a 150 will work get a 250. You will get Better MPG going one size up if you will be driving WOT all the time with the lower model. Sure you can go 35mph on a 50, but you are giving it full throttle and hoping not to hit a hill. a 150 is a MUCH better choice for 35mpg roads... a 50 should Generally be used when you will go mostly 25mph and rarely 35mph. A 150 should be 35mph and rarely 50mph, and a 250 in 45mph and rarely 70mph.
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Post by 90GTVert on Jun 11, 2008 15:29:38 GMT -5
If a 50cc will work get a 150, if a 150 will work get a 250. You will get Better MPG going one size up if you will be driving WOT all the time with the lower model. Sure you can go 35mph on a 50, but you are giving it full throttle and hoping not to hit a hill. a 150 is a MUCH better choice for 35mpg roads... a 50 should Generally be used when you will go mostly 25mph and rarely 35mph. A 150 should be 35mph and rarely 50mph, and a 250 in 45mph and rarely 70mph. I put a 70cc kit on mine and it is similar in efficiency to the 150 I ride with. It would probably be better, but I run springs and rollers that make it stay at higher RPM longer. Even stock, I didnt have to go WOT for 35mph. I should note, a 4 stroke 50 is slower than a 2 stroke 50, some of them are about topped out at 35mph. Around here the debate for 50 to 150 would also include the price of insurance, registration, and getting your motorcycle license. |
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Post by bobp on Jun 21, 2008 20:31:22 GMT -5
I once owned a 50 and had to run in WOT around town. This time I came close to going with a 150 but finally settled on the 250. It was the wise choice. Longer wheel base and thus a better ride, power when you need it, not effected as much by wind, more comfortable seat, a larger more secure feel. I seldom drive above 45 but it is great to know I can. You will be unhappy if you buy a scoot with too little power, but if you get one with more than you need, you won't notice (until you need that power). By the way, with the 250 I average a rock solid 71mpg.
Good luck
Bob
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Post by miles4less on Jun 22, 2008 0:11:42 GMT -5
If a 50cc will work get a 150, if a 150 will work get a 250. You will get Better MPG going one size up if you will be driving WOT all the time with the lower model. Sure you can go 35mph on a 50, but you are giving it full throttle and hoping not to hit a hill. a 150 is a MUCH better choice for 35mpg roads... a 50 should Generally be used when you will go mostly 25mph and rarely 35mph. A 150 should be 35mph and rarely 50mph, and a 250 in 45mph and rarely 70mph. Around here the debate for 50 to 150 would also include the price of insurance, registration, and getting your motorcycle license. The same applies around here. The 150 doesn't make a lot of sense around here. I would go with a 250 if I didn't care about the plates, insurance and license. I got a 50cc for fun and cheap gas mileage, the insurance and plates would have thrown that out the window. |
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Post by griff10 on Jun 22, 2008 2:54:51 GMT -5
On any motorcycle less than perhaps a 350cc and then only with alot of shifting you're not going to outrun emergencies unless you're at a walking pace to start with. With these machines you have to stay out of these situations if at all possible and then braking and handling (assuming you've practiced these) will help you out.
Bill H.
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Post by isawhim on Jun 22, 2008 6:22:03 GMT -5
This has been my experience...
I weigh 170 lbs, all 50cc (Stock) scooters I have driven, take more than a few seconds to get up to traffic speed, on a flat. Up a hill, don't expect much. You will be lucky to get up to 30 MPH.
My sisters boyfriend rides those same scooters, and also has trouble getting up to speed, though, he can get 5 MPH more than me. He weighs 125 lbs.
Two-up, with a total weight of 250 lbs... You might as well be riding two separate bikes. Expect to push the thing up a hill.
150cc..
Same situation...
125 lbs, gain of 5 MPH over my 170 lbs. Pickup, not much of a gain, we both fly up to 65 MPH rather quick.
Riding two-up, total weight 295 (I won't let him ride this two-up, I ride with my sister.), I am about 7 miles slower, and there is a noticeable lag in acceleration. Noticeable, not significant. 0 - 45 is fine... it is 45 - 60 mph that takes a little longer. (The CVT reaches full-ratio at about 45, after that, it is all RPM speed.)
260cc, for me at 175, I fly all the way to 75 without effort. The bikes are more solid, and less sensitive to road-roughness, with all that momentum. Though, they can be a little more to handle, for comfort. (The china-scoots are a good 50-80 lbs lighter than the "Name Brands", in all scooters.)
The 260cc that I drove, had gears, but was automatic. Looked like a CVT case, but it was filled with gears, and a computer/manual push-button gear selection. Nice... but costs over $3,500, not including all the extra things you still needed to pay for after that!
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Post by madwolf on Jun 22, 2008 14:38:07 GMT -5
just my .02$ again....... I dont really think theres anywhere in america that a 50cc will work..... we just arnt built for anything less than a 150cc... and thats pushing it. In america even stuff thats close is still spread out.
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Post by griff10 on Jun 23, 2008 1:13:42 GMT -5
Heck years ago, ok many years ago <g>, I rode a sub 50cc moped 12 miles each way to work, just have to plan your route to minimize the amount of time spent on roads with high speed limits and ride like you're on a bicycle. Upside is it got 150 mpg, downside is it's SLOW.
For city use a 50cc scooter should work fine. For the burbs I'll agree a 150 is a much better and safer choice.
Bill H.
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