Mopeds scoot off lots as fast as they come in
Podcast Episode
Kyle Geissler talks with Janesville Gazette reporter Shelly Birkelo about the popularity of mopeds.
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Motor scooters for sale at Cars Plus on Center Ave.
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Cars Plus on Center Avenue in Janesville sells mopeds, but hasn’t been able to keep them in stock because they’re selling so fast. On Friday, Cars Plus owner Thomas Gustafson said his dealership had only two left from a recent shipment of eight mopeds.
JANESVILLE — Kristin Lucian used to spend $70 a month for gas to drive her Pontiac Grand Prix to and from work.
But since buying a moped at the end of May, she has spent no more than $25 a month for gas to get to work.
"I fill my moped on $3.68," the 26-year-old Janesville woman said.
With that, she can make the commute to Beloit two or three times "depending on how much I have to throttle."
She's not alone.
Mopeds are selling as fast as Cars Plus' owner Thomas Gustafson gets them in.
Gustafson tries to order 20 mopeds at a time. But when his order arrived two weeks ago, he received only eight. All but two quickly sold.
"By this weekend, they'll be gone," he said Friday morning.
"You just can't get 'em. It's all due to supply and demand," he said.
Traditionally, mopeds had both a motor and pedals. Modern mopeds usually are more like small motorcycles with an automatic transmission and no pedals, according to the state Department of Transportation.
A valid drivers license is all that is needed to drive a moped with an engine of 50cc or smaller. Mopeds with larger engines require an additional license.
Gustafson began selling mopeds in 2001, and sold more than 45 that year. Sales since have averaged about 60 a year. In August 2006 alone, Cars Plus, 1600 Center Ave., sold 40 mopeds to college students.
That doesn't surprise Lucian, who sees as many as four mopeds a day during her commute.
Lucian said her $2,100 investment—cost of the 50cc moped, title, tax and license—was well worth it.
"The money I'll save in gas will pay for it," she said.
That's why her boyfriend also bought a moped in March with his income tax rebate.
"We go all over the place and have a little cargo carrier. So whatever we buy at the store, we can put in there," Lucian said.
Dennis Turner, 58, Janesville, this year bought three mopeds—two with 50cc engines and one with a 150cc motor.
"All I wanted it for was to scoot around town—go to the grocery store, visit my mom plus to have friends come over and go for a ride," he said.
Turner and his youngest sister, who also has a moped, ride together a couple times a week.
"She gets around 80 miles to the gallon. I should be getting up to 100 miles to the gallon, but haven't gauged it," Turner said.
"It's very economical,” he said, in comparison to his 1996 four-wheel drive extended cab pickup that gets 14 miles per gallon.
"It's therapeutic,” Turner said.
He has enough strength to ride a moped, he said, but not a motorcycle after being severely injured a 2003 vehicle crash.
"If you drive cars that are gas hogs, it'll save ya money," Lucian said.
Although the majority of the Cars Plus moped customers are teens who take them to college, Gustafson said customers come in a variety of age groups
"We had a 78-year-old male who bought a pair of mopeds for himself and his 82-year-old wife.”
MOPED RULES
Licensed drivers only
Generally, anyone with a valid drivers license may operate a moped. However, it is not legal to operate a moped with only an instruction permit. Your nearest drivers license examination station can give you details.
Registration
You must register your moped and obtain a certificate of title. If you buy from a dealer, this will be taken care of as part of the purchase transaction. But if you buy from a private party, make sure you obtain a title from the seller signed by all owners and from which all loans have been cleared by the lending agency.
Traffic laws
Mopeds are subject to all traffic laws just like any other motor vehicle. You must obey traffic signals and stop signs, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and slow in school zones.
On roads where the speed limit is 25 mph or less, two mopeds may operate side-by-side if both riders agree. On roads where the speed limit is more than 25 mph, mopeds must ride single file. On roads with two or more lanes in each direction, mopeds must operate in the right lane except when turning left.
Restrictions and entitlements
You may ride your moped on any road except freeways or roads where mopeds are specifically prohibited. You may not operate a moped on sidewalks, along fence lines or off the traveled surface of the roadway.
Mopeds are entitled to a full traffic lane but may not impede traffic. Mopeds may use bike paths if signs permit them or where they are required by local law to use bike paths. Mopeds may park in spaces designated for other motor vehicles, in bicycle racks or on sidewalks, unless otherwise prohibited. Avoid riding on sidewalks or interfering with pedestrians.
Mopeds are designed for only one person. It is illegal to carry a passenger on a moped.
Safety and equipment
Mopeds must meet federal emission, safety and equipment standards in effect at the time of manufacture. Brakes, lights and turn signals must be maintained in safe working order.
Wisconsin does not require moped drivers to wear helmets, but be aware that a moped offers the rider almost no protection in case of a crash. Even at relatively slow moped speeds, head injuries in moped crashes are common.
Mopeds must use headlights when driving at night, but unlike motorcycles, there is no requirement for headlight use during the day. Headlights turned on during the day, however, can improve moped visibility to other motorists. So it is a good safety practice.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Aug 5, 2008 at 10:17 a.m.
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Displaced worker, we also bought a 50cc scooter from Hanksters Mororsports, great folks to deal with, very freindly. I think we are getting around 104 miles to the gallon! We love our scooter!
Aug 5, 2008 at 9:46 a.m.
Jul 15, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.
Jul 15, 2008 at 9:43 a.m.
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Having a moped is like having a geeky date, they can be a lot of fun until your friends see you with one.
Jul 15, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.
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TLGreen
Blue tooth and a CamelBak
Jul 15, 2008 at 8:57 a.m.
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lets see all you people on those mopeds with a cell at your ear and coffee in hand
Jul 15, 2008 at 8:24 a.m.
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Zoom
As I said, unless your current car is worth less than $2500 the car will pay for itself.
FREE FREE FREE. and if gas prices go up even more than the car will pay YOU.
But I already said that.
Jul 15, 2008 at 8:19 a.m.
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I'd say I was sorry for misreading your comment, but I won't. Thank you for the insult.
You have simplified getting rid of a 20mpg car and buying a 30mpg car. That also makes no economic sense, unless you can somehow buy that 30mpg car for the same price as what your current 20mpg car is worth. Good luck.
Jul 15, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.
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Reminds me of the 80's when all a lot of high school kids drove these around.
Jul 15, 2008 at 8:11 a.m.
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Zoom
Read my entire post before making ignorant comments.
Jul 15, 2008 at 7:54 a.m.
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nowind,
You can't drive a moped 15,000 miles a year in Wisconsin, or even anywhere else, unless it never rains, or never threatens rain. You also can't drive it on a highway, so forget about a long commute. I'm sure they're fun for driving around town though.
Jul 15, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.
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mark707
Not to pick on you but I’m just using you as an example. A lot of folks can use this equation.
According to your posts you drive a 20mpg vehicle 50 miles a day @ $4.10 =$2665.
@ say 30 Miles per gallon you would be saving $889 per year on your commute alone. Add into that your every day driving and price increases in gas and that number goes up. Usually the price of a car that gets 30 mpg is less than a van or truck that gets about 20 mpg so you are saving on payments
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To put it another way if you average 15000 miles per year the difference in gas cost between a 20 mpg and a 30 mpg car is $1025 per year. Extend that over 10 year’s life and you will have saved $10,250 assuming current gas prices. Now that $15,000 car is only costing you about $5,000. Put gas @ $5 in this equation and that new car will only cost you $2,500. If you still have that in trade in value then your car is now FREE.
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I know a moped is not for everyone but you can see the savings can add up just by getting rid of a less efficient car and get one that truly meets your Needs, not wants. For most people the times a moped would be useful they could be riding a bike in Janesville. The Bike trails are great and you would also keep in better shape.
With tough times ahead we all need to be thinking like this. What are my requirements and what are my wants. It will save money and help keep us from sending our money to the Middle East. You can see where that has gotten us.
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:20 p.m.
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Yep, Hanksters Repair..
goood guy good business.. good scooters!
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:18 p.m.
Jul 14, 2008 at 11 p.m.
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My question is why is this whole topic being based on $2100? I recently bought a 50cc scooter, and paid quite less than the $2000 dollar range. I thing after taxes and everything it came to around $1450, I mean come on $1450 bucks, you can't go wrong, as far as maintenance goes we got a one year warranty parts and labor, from the new place on HWY 51 in Janesville. My wife and I are saving money and having fun at the same time!
Jul 14, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.
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zoom - You understood what I was getting at. Good thoughts and comments on the economics and the social context.
craigholmes - Thanks for the insult. I wasn't telling you what to do, I said it's "not for me". I have a 50 mile a day round trip commute, on the highway, all year around, and a scooter would make no sense FOR ME.
Jul 14, 2008 at 5:20 p.m.
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Craigholmes,
How many miles do you ride your moped a year, instead of you car? Just curious. Let's say it's 3,000 miles, assuming you live in Wisconsin, and you don't ride in the winter or the rain. Your car is still aging, still depreciating, and will still require about the same amount of maintanance (maybe one less oil change per year?). You aren't saving much depreciation by reducing you car miles by 3,000 miles per year.
I have nothing against scooters. Maybe with more of them on the road, along with motorcycles, people in cars and ginormous SUV's will pay better attention to them. I just disagree with the economics of buying one solely to save on fuel costs. They can't really replace cars.
Jul 14, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.
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Mark:
Based on your math and reasoning skills, society does not need you on a moped anyway. When calculating your savings, you also need to account for the depreciation of your other vehicle, and regular maintenance. I have owned my moped for over 5 years and have not had any major maintenance issues, try that with your car.
Also, consider the life that using a moped would add to your other vehicle.
With regards to safety, mopeds can be very safe providing you are alert and riding smart. Also, state law also allows you to park on sidewalks, so if you work somewhere without parking near the door, now you will!
Jul 14, 2008 at 4:15 p.m.
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Assuming exactly 4:1 mileage improvement, you'd need to have a commute of 26.6 miles one way to have a one-year payoff. (The story's figures are based on "per tank" rather than per mile, so it's hard to know what's being measured, but the math is pretty straightforward on a MPG basis.)
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If gas goes up to $5/gallon, it would take just 10 months to pay for itself.
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Most people have a shorter commute, though, and wouldn't want to moped on the highway even if they were fast enough. At $5/gallon (assuming gas rises in the next few years, but not by much), and with a commute of 4 miles one way, you will still pay it off in four years. That's very decent.
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With all the SUVs, RVs, boats, ATVs, and sports cars I see for sale, there's gotta be people who can afford the scooter!
Jul 14, 2008 at 3:56 p.m.
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I had a moped when I went to college...then let my brother use it for a semester. Some SUV pulled out in front of him, smashed up his face a bit, totaled the moped. Now I have no moped, and I didn't see any $$ from his settlement so I can get a new one. Bummer fo sho.
Jul 14, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
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Let's do the math. (average prices and mileage used)
$2100 (for a scooter) divided by $4 (gas price per gallon) equals = 535 gallons. If I get 20 miles per gallon (20 X 535) I can drive 10,700 miles in my current vehicle, in any weather and at highway speeds. No scooter for me!
Jul 14, 2008 at 3:03 p.m.
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id fo sho buy one if they could mass market the 'hairmet' to protect my shag....:)
Jul 14, 2008 at 2:51 p.m.
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Well consider that I work out of town. I would have to get a motorcycle. I dont see how they could save that much money when the people are just driving around Janesville.
Jul 14, 2008 at 2:29 p.m.
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There are good reasons to buy a moped, or a motorcycle, for that matter; fun to drive, easy to park, etc. In our climate, don't think you are going to save a bunch of money though, if you still have to keep a car.
Jul 14, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.
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I think using it 8 months out of the year is being overly generous around here. Personally I wouldn't be riding it in rain or winter, so I just don't think it would be worth it for me. I'd rather wait and save up for an electric car, enclosed (even if it is just a 1-seater). I've seen low-speed models equivalent to these little mopeds in the $10K range, $20K for a highway capable model available now (maybe less if you're willing to wait a few years for some current prototypes to come to market). The gas savings just depends on what your current car is. If you've got a 14mpg truck, then yeah it might be worth it... if you've got a 30-40mpg car like I do, then not so much.
Jul 14, 2008 at 1:05 p.m.
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Mopeds are the best! I had one in college and it sure does save on gas! I wouldn't recommend taking it on the interstate or highway -- but it will get you from A to B in town!
Jul 14, 2008 at 12:20 p.m.
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What folks forget when thinking of getting an alternate transportation option like a moped in adition to there regular car or minivan or SUV is the extended life on there other cars.
If you get the moped and use it most days that will be milage off your other cars thus extending there usefull life. You should add this into your calculations, not just gas savings.
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:54 a.m.
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The article says that passengers are not allowed on them, only the operator. I see a lot of adults with a child passenger on the back of a 50cc moped. There is a couple in my neighborhood that has two. Mom on one with one kid and dad on the other with the other kid. I was considering getting one so I could run my son around town to different things but if it's illegal than I probably shouldn't.
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
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What's your max speed? 45 mph on Highway 26 would make me think twice. Same way on 51 to Beloit. In Janesville I feel comfortable on Milton Avenue. I get creative when going to Wal*Mart area - I use back streets (Wright Road and then into the subdivision).
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:33 a.m.
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If I got a moped under 50cc can I take it to Beloit and Whitewater, or do I have to stay in town??
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:29 a.m.
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I have a moped and it is so much fun to ride! Yes you could say that they aren't too safe but as long as you don't drive them on roads where you can't go the speed limit you are almost always fine! I have had mine for 4 years and have never had any trouble with other drivers besides them asking me where they can get one!
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:28 a.m.
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I have been riding my moped for years and love it. I'm getting about 75 miles to the gallon. I can get anywhere in Janesville. I don't want to try to get to Beloit (max speed is about 45 - if downhill and the wind at your back.)I most likely will let my daughter ride when she goes to college. Ultimately, I'd like to get a bigger on (more that 50 cc). With the bigger one I could then ventrue outside of Janesville. Last thought, please treat the moped rider the same as you would a motorcycle or auto. We are entitled to a full lane. Don't pass me and give the finger telling me to get out the way.
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:16 a.m.
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I have one and I pay about 4.00 every two weeks in gas. It is worth the money. Compared to what I pay when driving my mini van the 2000.00 was well spent. Yes you have to buy insurance for them.
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
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I'm thinking I might have to purchase one and keep the minivan for the family and winter..
Jul 14, 2008 at 11:10 a.m.
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The justification for buying a moped because it will "pay for itself" is a stretch. Using Ms. Lucian's $45/month gas savings, it will take over 46 months to pay for it. If you can actually drive it 8 months out of a year, that's almost 6 years. Maybe a little less as gas continues to rise.
Do you have to buy insurance for these?
Jul 14, 2008 at 10:43 a.m.
Jul 14, 2008 at 10:20 a.m.
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Yes they save on gas, but you just look so goofy riding on one... Plus they just are not safe, I mean thier so little, you get hit by one of those gas guzzling SUV's your more than likely done for. Furthermore I just cant justify spending 2K for something so basic. I'll stick with my Jetta.
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