Scooter vs Moped
Difference between scooter and moped may be a puzzle for you. That must be because they both look alike. Imagine that you are going to buy a scooter. When you go out to a showroom selling scooters, you find not just scooters, but also some thinner looking two wheelers that are considerably low priced than the scooter you are desirous of buying. These are mopeds, a crossover between a cycle and a motorcycle. Expensive than a cycle, but far cheaper than a motorcycle or a scooter, these mopeds are popular among teenagers and the elderly. But before you make a final decision, here is a brief guide explaining the differences between a scooter and a moped.
If you are a teenager and ask your dad for a motorcycle, he will surely decline saying you are not old enough to ride a motorbike. Actually, your lean built makes him worry about your ability to control the fast moving motorcycle. But he gladly lets you ride a moped that is lighter, moves at a slow speed, and looks like ideal for your body built. But, we are here to find out the differences between scooters and mopeds, aren’t we?
What is a Scooter?
Basically, a scooter is heavier, has a higher engine capacity, and differs from a moped in design and styling. A scooter has smaller wheels and has a fuel tank below the seat. Scooters begin with an engine capacity of 100 c.c. Scooters have a frame that allows riders to plant feet in front comfortably. Most of the scooters today are self-start though there is also the provision of a kick in case the self-start does not work. Self-start means you simply have to press a button to start the engine. Scooters are not just more expensive, you also pay more in terms of road tax and registration because of higher engine capacity. There was a time when mopeds were more popular because of their less price and better fuel efficiency. But now scooters have once again gained ascendancy because of advanced engines that give high mileage. Scooters are also able to carry more weight allowing a person to ride with a companion like wife or kids.
What is a Moped?
A moped is a hybrid vehicle. It is a hybrid between a bicycle and a motorbike. That means you can use the engine and ride like a motorbike or you can pedal like a bicycle. A moped has larger wheels, fuel tank below the handle, and paddles that are conspicuous by their absence in a scooter. A moped may be about 50 c.c in engine capacity. A moped rider has to sit like he sits on a motorcycle with feet on either side of the seat. Sometimes one has to peddle in standing position to start the engine of the moped.
What is the difference between Scooter and Moped?
• Scooters are a form of motorbikes with a frame that allows riders to plant feet comfortably on the frame as against keeping legs sideways in motorbikes.
• Mopeds are hybrid vehicle that are a cross between a motorbike and a bicycle. That way it allows you to use the engine and ride or pedal like a bicycle.
• Scooters are heavier than mopeds.
• Scooters have different designing because of a different frame.
• Scooters have higher engine capacities (more than 100 cc) than mopeds (around 50 cc).
• Scooters have smaller wheels than mopeds.
• Mopeds are more fuel efficient than scooters.
• Maximum speed of mopeds is considerably less than scooters.
• Mopeds are cheaper than scooters.
• When it comes to license age, scooters need a general license. That means to be able to ride a scooter you have to wait for the legal age limit in which you become an adult in your country. That age is 16 years or higher. To drive a moped, you do not have to wait till you become a legal adult as a moped is known as a ‘limited motorcycle.’ The driving age of a moped is generally around 15 in most countries.
• A scooter is known as a scooter in every country. However, moped is known by different names around the globe. A type of mopeds that were prohibited by Australia was known as monkey bikes. A moped in Malaysia is known as a Kapchai. In Poland, a moped is known as a motorower or a motor bicycle (motor bicycle is used for scooters by them too).
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