newbie question

[sterski]

Hi all - nice board!

I'm fresh off the boat from London (living in NYC) and am interested in purchasing a moped/scooter. I have done some reading up - but still have the following questions:

- whats better - the Honda Metro 49cc or the Yamaha Vino 49cc ?
- do i need a license to ride these mopeds (will only use in NYC)?
- what can I expect to pay for registration & insurance (both against theft and against causing damage)?
- NYC is pretty flat and I will very rarely take a passenger - is 49cc enough (I am 6ft and weigh 175lb)

thanks to everyone who responds!!!

[speedy_scooter]

HAHAHAHA, the 2005 or before Vino is the way to go. A Metro is a SLOW 4stroke bike. The Vino is a nice and quick 2stroke. As for the actual laws of NYC I dont know but when I was in upstate NY you only needed to have a regular driver's license as long as it was a 49cc motor. I'd say get a stage 1 from provoscooter.com and that will give you a bit more of a boost of power for when needed.

[maxjlone]

HAHAHAHA, the 2005 or before Vino is the way to go. A Metro is a SLOW 4stroke bike. The Vino is a nice and quick 2stroke. As for the actual laws of NYC I dont know but when I was in upstate NY you only needed to have a regular driver's license as long as it was a 49cc motor. I'd say get a stage 1 from provoscooter.com and that will give you a bit more of a boost of power for when needed.

I am agree with speedy..I also think so..

[FreakyBeanie]

It all depends on how fast you want to go 4 strokes 49cc are slower than the 2 strokes 49cc a well made 4 stroke would be more maintenance free but i would rather do a bit of maintenance than going slower.

[harry]

more maintenance free? perhaps but that maintenance costs you more
when you have service or repairs.
hands down a 2smoker is the way to go.

oliyhans

[Beerfish13]

On the law side do your homework. NY state has a web site. Look up scooter registration rules. Each scooter is rated by its possible top speed alone. CC's do not matter.

They have a Class B (<30 MPH) and Class C (<20MPH) that requires just a drivers license but the scoot must be below those speeds as established by paperwork that the manufacturer submits to NY State.

Class A (over 30 MPH) requires a full MC license.

I have a 49 cc stock 1990 zuma II but it is registered as a full motorcycle and requires reg, ins, inspection and a MC license because of the speed Yamaha told NY it was capable of. I have spoken to the special license coordinator and he has a listing for the speed of that year and model which sets the class registration.
Nothing I could do about it.

Be very careful of what you are told and check with NY DMV PRIOR to purchase. They were very cooperative on the phone and looked a few up for me to compare to.

[Beerfish13]

Sorry I had the NY classes in the wrong order in the post above which I just corrected. Only Class A, above 30 MPH requires MC endorsement.

Class A is any two wheeler that goes over 30 miles an hour - MC License required
Class B is any two wheeler that goes over 20 but less than 30 MPH - Driver license required
Class C must go less than 20 MPH - Driver license required

Below is quoted from NY DMV web site and has the phone number for special licenses.

"
Are there any special requirements to operate a limited use motorcycle (moped) in NYS?

The Vehicle and Traffic Law defines a limited use motorcycle as "a low-speed vehicle with two or three wheels." Terms frequently used for limited use motorcycles are "mopeds" and "motor scooters."

The requirements to operate a moped are like those for motorcycles. You must have a driver license and you must register a moped to drive it on streets and highways. The exceptions to these requirements are listed in the table below. You can never operate a moped on a sidewalk.

The DMV certifies a moped as a Class A, Class B or Class C limited use motorcycle according to top speed. The manufacturer requests the certification through the DMV Technical Services Bureau. Only a DMV-certified model of limited-use motorcycle can get a registration in NYS. The phone number for the Technical Services Bureau is (518) 474-5282. "

The table followed but would not copy properly. NY also restricts where you can ride based on the class of registration.

Make sure you can ride whatever you buy in NYC.