Mopeds in Detroit?

**gleeadnauseam** · February-01-11, 11:57 PM

I heard that there are a couple mechanics looking to open a moped/scooter shop in Midtown. Is this crazy? I can't say I've seen anyone riding around where I live in Corktown... Either way, any business is good business, and I wish them success. But does it sound viable to even think about mopeds in Detroit?

**CLAUDE G** · February-02-11, 04:36 AM

I remember when I was 15 I wanted a moped so bad, and my dad told me to wait till I was 16. I waited and ended up getting a car instead.

I haven't seen any mopeds around Detroit. I think its just too dangerous, and then you got to watch where you park it so someone doesn't steal it.

**tompage** · February-02-11, 06:34 AM

I am an active bicyclist, motorcyclist, and scooterist [[Vespa GTS 250 and Symba - Honda cub replica- currently). For years, I've been trying to convince scooter and moped dealers that their natural constituency are the folks in midtown/new center/downtown, and adjacent area. I relieve believe that a moped / scooter shop in Midtown is a no-brainer. Fellow scooterists will rally around a new shop in the City!!!

Toolbox · February-02-11, 08:23 AM

Any scooter shop to open would have to be an independant shop selling used and Indian and Chinese scooters. Piaggio/Vespa and Aprillia already have East and West side dealers and were not interested in opening a Detoir dealer.

All of the scooter people I know have been around since the early 80's from the CanAm SC days. They thought I was crazy for dailying my 52 Lammy.

**stasu1213** · February-02-11, 09:41 AM

I missed the moped. The only scooter that could be used as a bicycle when the gas is running low. I think the moped was much safer than these little crouch rockets and miniature motor bikes that the kids are riding

**Zacha341** · February-03-11, 06:12 AM

I am concerned about the safety of these things... they really are not fast enough [[are they?) for the freeway like the stupid crotch-rockets are. Soooo, will they be tooling around in the far right lane of the surface streets along with the people in wheel chairs and non-chalant pedestrians [[who blatantly refuse to use the side walks)? That will be great... just great! Are mopeds compatible with today's mania driving in the city and suburbs??

Originally Posted by stasu1213

I missed the moped. The only scooter that could be used as a bicycle when the gas is running low. I think the moped was much safer than these little crouch rockets and miniature motor bikes that the kids are riding

**douglasm** · February-03-11, 08:04 AM

Mopeds and little scooters aren't designed for freeway travel. But the theory that you need a "stupid crotch rocket" to commute is bunk, also. I think the ideal commuter bike would be something between 250 and 400 cc. They'll travel freeway speeds and still get you good gas milage.

**Huggybear** · February-04-11, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by douglasm

Mopeds and little scooters aren't designed for freeway travel. But the theory that you need a "stupid crotch rocket" to commute is bunk, also. I think the ideal commuter bike would be something between 250 and 400 cc. They'll travel freeway speeds and still get you good gas milage.

True. It's either 50cc [[ahem... 49) or 250cc. In a flat place like Detroit, the monkey in the middle is the 125-150cc scooter, which has the disadvantages of requiring motorcycle licensure, insurance, and a helmet without being able to hit the freeway [[safely). Though a 250cc Piaggio Vespa GT is more of a lifestyle statement due to its massive cost.

With a 125-150cc, you could compete better than a 50cc on Woodward or Jefferson, but those streets are arguably suicidal for any two-wheeled vehicle [[Lafayette and Brush are good bypasses for small bikes). People do use 125s-150s in places like San Francisco, but you need a lot more power to start up hills.

Gas mileage is one thing but overall efficiency is something to look at. A 300 lb scooter that gets 70-80 mpg [[making 12 hp) is a lot less efficient than a 3,400 lb car making 200+ hp and getting 25 mpg city.

**Hermod** · February-02-11, 09:51 AM

Back in the fifties, a lot of 16 and 17 yr olds had the Cushman motor scooters [[with the engine under the seat and the gearshift lever sticking out of the rear fender sheetmetal.

**stasu1213** · February-02-11, 09:55 AM

I love the scooter that was out in the 80s. It was in a commercial being promoted by Grace Jones and Adam Ant or whatever his name was. It came in different colors

**Lowell** · February-02-11, 09:56 AM

This is a somewhat ironic subject in view of today's weather but maybe a moped would work today in some situations where cars wouldn't.

One thing that appeals to me about mopeds is the ability to go where 4-wheelers or larger 2-wheelers can't go. In my Peace Corps days in Swaziland I had a 50cc Suzuki which, while not technically a moped, was about the size of one. It allowed me to go off-road and follow the countless cattle paths to discover places of immense beauty and solitude. For example: http://bhere.com/swazi

**stasu1213** · February-02-11, 10:00 AM

I love the obtion of using it as a bicycle eventhough a rider would get tired trying to pedal it a long distance.

**Hermod** · February-02-11, 10:43 AM

The Cushman scooter. They also used the rear end of the scooter to power icecream trucks in a tricycle configuration

muskie1 · February-02-11, 10:45 AM

i think mopeds are ideal urban transport. The problems I see using them downtown would be drivers who do not even bother stopping for some of the traffic lights and signs down there and secure parking. Does any one know if the Dodge dealer that closed on Mich. ave in Dearborn is still making a go of selling them at his old location?

**preserve** · February-02-11, 10:57 AM

On the eastside of Michigan, across from the dealership, there is a Vespa showroom.

**Cushkid** · February-02-11, 12:00 PM

Hermod is right, Cushman is where its at, as a Cushman owner I can be seen tooling around downriver as often as possible. This is from my ride to Indianapolis.

**fryar** · February-02-11, 12:04 PM

I knew a guy who lived in my building [[downtown) who rode a scooter around. It made a lot of sense - he could keep it in his apartment, like others did with their bike.

He must have been the only Detroiter without a driverś license.

But aside from that snark, it made sense. Youŕe just exposed to the weather is all. But itś very low-cost, low overhead. Well, no overhead, har har.

**mbshan** · February-02-11, 03:39 PM

i have a 500cc piaggo and currently take it to ypsilanti to Scoot around town for any maintenence. i live downtown and would love for someone reputable to open a shop. i would take my business there.

**Whitehouse** · February-02-11, 04:09 PM

They are so common over here, they are almost a nuisance...

Some souped up scooters are used for racing.

I'm sure I've never seen a Cushman in the Netherlands. That thing would turn heads around here.

**buzzman0077** · February-02-11, 07:28 PM

My wife and I ride or 125cc Genuine Buddy around downtown. It's great for quick trips to Honey Bee, Eastern Market, and Belle Isle. We don't use it over the winter though doesn't handle all that great in the snow

**douglasm** · February-02-11, 07:37 PM

Back in the early 80's, Suzuki made a "full sized" 50cc motorcycle that was licensed as a moped out here. The thing would do about 50, got 90 mpg, and was the ideal urban vheicle. My wife and I rode ours nearly everywhere. I've graduated to a CB900C and my wife has a 250 Rebel [[wish Honda still made the 400cc version), but out here we're seeing a lot of Kymco scooters and small bikes.

http://www.kymco.com/

Due to some health issues over the past couple of years, the 900 has gotten a little big [[top heavy) for me, and there's a good chance I'll get a scooter next year, that is if you can call a Suzuki Burgman 400 a "scooter".

http://moto.suzuki.ca/Product%20Line...egory=scooters

I like the idea of a scooter my wife and I can double up on that has enough luggage space for an overnighter.

**Islandman** · February-03-11, 04:53 AM

In the early to mid 80s a lot of kids had the red Honda Elite scooters. The "ballers" rode the Honda Helix.

**night-timer** · February-08-11, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by douglasm

Back in the early 80's, Suzuki made a "full sized" 50cc motorcycle that was licensed as a moped out here. The thing would do about 50, got 90 mpg, and was the ideal urban vheicle. My wife and I rode ours nearly everywhere. I've graduated to a CB900C and my wife has a 250 Rebel [[wish Honda still made the 400cc version), but out here we're seeing a lot of Kymco scooters and small bikes.

http://www.kymco.com/

Due to some health issues over the past couple of years, the 900 has gotten a little big [[top heavy) for me, and there's a good chance I'll get a scooter next year, that is if you can call a Suzuki Burgman 400 a "scooter".

http://moto.suzuki.ca/Product%20Line...egory=scooters

I like the idea of a scooter my wife and I can double up on that has enough luggage space for an overnighter.

I have a Suzuki Burgman 650, but I'm not in Detroit. If you're willing to store the bike during the winter and the snow and replace the dead battery once the bikes' been idle for twelve weeks, you'll be happy. Park them anywhere ) if it's safe), full tank of petrol for cheap [[although big Burgmans cost more), parking station levies are minimal or free compared to cars, and stacks of storage space under the seat and room fore a second person. The Burgman 650 is pretty big for a step-through design.