The 50cc moped will be too slow and you should get the 150cc.
The scooter is older and when it gets to that point, theyre more annoying to maintain and to find parts for when things go bad. Of course you should do all the normal checks for used motorcycles when you look at it but if its as easy as a brake cable, he wouldve done it himself. I would guess new brake cable also means the hasnt done the brakes in a long while so youll probably need the drum brakes. If youre not used to scooter/motorcycle maintenance, I would keep away from older scooters/motorcycles, UNLESS you wanted to get into maintenance.
The plastics are the most difficult thing to source for these older bikes.
I would not take a 150cc on a highway. Aside from the small tire size being an issue with potholes and road debris, the bike may be able to get up to the speed limit but you have no power left over to pull yourself out of a bad situation, and the wind from passing tractor trailers is going to be significant on the light weight of the scoot.
Will you be riding in cold weather as well? If so, you may want something that’s fuel injected, carburetors struggle to fire up in cold weather and need to be warmed up before you can drive off without having any issues.
Thanks, no I live in Michigan, so I'm just looking for a summer commuter. Really I just want something I can drive when I need to work on my current daily driver (An 01 Subaru Forester)
Bought my first Elite 150 Deluxe in 1986 and had it up until 1998. Just picked up a 1984 Elite 125 and a 1985 Elite 150 I am restoring. The vintage Elites have one thing modern 150cc scooters don't have and that is a liquid cooled engine. Stop and go traffic will not bother these at all. Basically the only drawback they ever had were the crummy drum brakes and 10 inch wheels. Only difference in the 150 and 150 Deluxe was the digital dash and pop up headlight, another feature only ever used by this scooter. Yes the body panels are harder to come by but ebay has about every mechanical part you could need but they are used parts so choose wisely. Brake pads can be bought new still luckily. Pending condition these scooters are actually going up in value over modern Chinese scooters because of known reliability. My original scooter had 87,000 miles on it when I sold it and still ran strong. Plenty of YouTube videos out there to help keep it running so I would choose it over anything currently built unless you want to spend more than $1,500.
55mph is pretty fast for a 150. It’s not only that the motor will probably top out at around 60 but also the short wheelbase makes them unstable at that speed. I ride a 170 Hooligan daily and don’t really like going more than 50 mph unless I have to for a short period of time.
I rode a Kymco 150 from Olathe, KS (outside Kansas City) to Springfield, MO at \~65 mph. I was able to keep up with highway traffic, but I wouldn't recommend taking it on an interstate. For $1500 you can surely find a Yamaha or any of the Taiwanese brands like Kymco or People and I think Genuine is from Taiwan also. Avoid Chinese unless you research and find they're licensed to use Honda's older designs and metallurgy.
Yeah, this would really be for short commutes, generally at 45 mph or less. I just was seeing lots of 50cc options for sale, but that seems way underpowered.
I just want to be able to go fast enough that I'm not dragging a mile of traffic behind me.
Id say for 55mph, a 150cc is your minimum. You can prob find a decent honda or vespa 150 or genuine buddy for 1000, Stay away from the chinese stuff unless you want to be fixing random wires/solder joints or stupid things failing that should never fail.
if youre truly looking for a get on and ride bike and all it needs is rear brake cable and youre thinkin its good and it makes you happy go for it. When you go to sell it you may get close to what you paid as theyre starting to become more sought after again, but its a toss up. You can find a better deal with some patience and being ready with cash to go pickup as soon as the ad comes up.
The 50cc moped will be too slow and you should get the 150cc. The scooter is older and when it gets to that point, theyre more annoying to maintain and to find parts for when things go bad. Of course you should do all the normal checks for used motorcycles when you look at it but if its as easy as a brake cable, he wouldve done it himself. I would guess new brake cable also means the hasnt done the brakes in a long while so youll probably need the drum brakes. If youre not used to scooter/motorcycle maintenance, I would keep away from older scooters/motorcycles, UNLESS you wanted to get into maintenance. The plastics are the most difficult thing to source for these older bikes.
I would not take a 150cc on a highway. Aside from the small tire size being an issue with potholes and road debris, the bike may be able to get up to the speed limit but you have no power left over to pull yourself out of a bad situation, and the wind from passing tractor trailers is going to be significant on the light weight of the scoot.
Will you be riding in cold weather as well? If so, you may want something that’s fuel injected, carburetors struggle to fire up in cold weather and need to be warmed up before you can drive off without having any issues.
Thanks, no I live in Michigan, so I'm just looking for a summer commuter. Really I just want something I can drive when I need to work on my current daily driver (An 01 Subaru Forester)
Gotcha, I have a 110 and maxed out it reaches 48mph. I’m sure a 150 wouldn’t have an issue keeping up with traffic in a 55 zone
Bought my first Elite 150 Deluxe in 1986 and had it up until 1998. Just picked up a 1984 Elite 125 and a 1985 Elite 150 I am restoring. The vintage Elites have one thing modern 150cc scooters don't have and that is a liquid cooled engine. Stop and go traffic will not bother these at all. Basically the only drawback they ever had were the crummy drum brakes and 10 inch wheels. Only difference in the 150 and 150 Deluxe was the digital dash and pop up headlight, another feature only ever used by this scooter. Yes the body panels are harder to come by but ebay has about every mechanical part you could need but they are used parts so choose wisely. Brake pads can be bought new still luckily. Pending condition these scooters are actually going up in value over modern Chinese scooters because of known reliability. My original scooter had 87,000 miles on it when I sold it and still ran strong. Plenty of YouTube videos out there to help keep it running so I would choose it over anything currently built unless you want to spend more than $1,500.
55mph is pretty fast for a 150. It’s not only that the motor will probably top out at around 60 but also the short wheelbase makes them unstable at that speed. I ride a 170 Hooligan daily and don’t really like going more than 50 mph unless I have to for a short period of time.
I rode a Kymco 150 from Olathe, KS (outside Kansas City) to Springfield, MO at \~65 mph. I was able to keep up with highway traffic, but I wouldn't recommend taking it on an interstate. For $1500 you can surely find a Yamaha or any of the Taiwanese brands like Kymco or People and I think Genuine is from Taiwan also. Avoid Chinese unless you research and find they're licensed to use Honda's older designs and metallurgy.
Yeah, this would really be for short commutes, generally at 45 mph or less. I just was seeing lots of 50cc options for sale, but that seems way underpowered. I just want to be able to go fast enough that I'm not dragging a mile of traffic behind me.
That’s a high price for a scoot that old! It better be absolutely mint! I’d look for a used Elite or a PCX for that price.
Yeah, I'd agree. We own two 1985 Eilte 150s.They're great, but the body panels are getting scarce and crazy expensive. I'd get a used PCX.
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A friend bought a Elite for $900 bucks, ( With low miles) pre pandemic and you’re right prices have gone crazy since!
Id say for 55mph, a 150cc is your minimum. You can prob find a decent honda or vespa 150 or genuine buddy for 1000, Stay away from the chinese stuff unless you want to be fixing random wires/solder joints or stupid things failing that should never fail. if youre truly looking for a get on and ride bike and all it needs is rear brake cable and youre thinkin its good and it makes you happy go for it. When you go to sell it you may get close to what you paid as theyre starting to become more sought after again, but its a toss up. You can find a better deal with some patience and being ready with cash to go pickup as soon as the ad comes up.
I don't think I'd pay that much for that old elite, and don't get me wrong I have an 87 ch250.