Moped Anyone?

[AggieLife]

So a buddy of mine traded in his big truck for a cute, little moped this past week. With how much money it can save I would be really tempted to try this out...

Does anyone have a moped or have experience with the savings of it? Right now I'm leaning towards getting one...

[skip17py]

In the winter months I drive an SUV getting roughly 13ish mpg. On nice days in the summer I use our moped which gets roughly 100ish mpg. It saves our household around $60-100 a month in fuel costs. I bought it new last year for $1500 cash and pay $10 month to insure it. You can definitely save money by driving a moped, but depending on the climate you live in it may not be a huge savings after the initial outlay of cash.

[ua_guy]

I'm a former motorcycle rider. Endorsed and safety-certified, many miles under me, but I've since sold my bikes.

This isn't a dig at anyone, but it always amazes me that personal safety is never factored into the cost equation of fuel savings, cheaper insurance, or even startup costs to own a motorized 2-wheeled vehicle. Statistically, according to the NHTSA, you are twenty six times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than in a passenger car, and five times more likely to experience injuries in an accident on a bike than in a car. (Data from NHTSA)

I would never, ever not in a million years recommend that anyone buy a motorcycle/moped/scooter as a way to save money. To have fun as a hobby? Maybe. But to save money, no.

[skip17py]

ua-guy, I would agree. We bought ours as a toy to zip around town. Fuel savings was only an added bonus.

[EmzieAtInfinity]

Funny but AWESOME story.

I used to work a job in a restaurant when I was 17, about 8 months into my job there was a new employee in the kitchen, he was new to America, starting from nothing. He rode a bicycle to and from work until he saved up $600, he went and bought a BRAND NEW 49cc moped, street legal, no papers required, the day I quit (4 months later) he was still driving his moped to and from work, I asked him if he would ever upgrade and get him a little 4 cylinder car, he said no, because he was a immigrant and that he could never argue with 100 MPG.

One day after I got off my shift, he was still working. He told me to take his moped across the road to pump the tire up on it, I took it across the road, used my own 50 cent and pumped the tire up. Brought it back to him and told him that thing is sweet. He was a cool dude, always liked to joke around about anything. Since I rode that moped, I have always wanted to get a 49cc moped and put a big bore kit on it (increases it to a 80cc moped) and modify it a little bit, because it would still be street legal and classified as a 49cc moped, although with a few cheap mods you could still get 90+ MPG and make them hit 50-60 MPH.

[EmzieAtInfinity]

I'm a former motorcycle rider. Endorsed and safety-certified, many miles under me, but I've since sold my bikes.

This isn't a dig at anyone, but it always amazes me that personal safety is never factored into the cost equation of fuel savings, cheaper insurance, or even startup costs to own a motorized 2-wheeled vehicle. Statistically, according to the NHTSA, you are twenty six times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than in a passenger car, and five times more likely to experience injuries in an accident on a bike than in a car. (Data from NHTSA)

I would never, ever not in a million years recommend that anyone buy a motorcycle/moped/scooter as a way to save money. To have fun as a hobby? Maybe. But to save money, no.

Just seen your post, and I have to ask why not?

Compare a $600 moped that gets 100 MPG to a car (Lets use a Civic) that is $5000 and gets 25-30 MPG. You get 70 more MPG, and it's less cost. Obviously you wouldn't want to ride it in the winter unless you live in a warm area, but why wouldn't you invest in a moped to save money? Even if you have a car that already gets 30 MPG, a $600 investment would turn around and save your cash in the long run depending on how many miles you drive it. For what you can do on 4-5 gallons in a car, you can do on 1 gallon on a moped.

[skip17py]

I'm speaking for myself here, but he may agree with me. The savings in fuel are great, but the increased risk in getting injured, incurring medical bills, suffering a long term or short term disability are much greater on a scooter. These risks shouldn’t be ignored when looking at the minimal dollars per month you may save.