Motor Scooters: The Minimalist Scooter

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Inexpensive Minimalist Motorscooters -- Best Prices on the Net -- from $699

See also: Stand-up/Sit-down, Classic, Basic, High-performance, Luxury, and Electric Motorscooters, California Legal Motorscooters, and mobility scooters.

Aside from the foldable carryable stand-up scooters, the minimalist scooter is clearly the least expensive way to acquire a first vehicle (with the possible exception of some Electric Scooters) and is the easiest way for a teen to unlock the world (See Motorscooter Freedom.) All of these scooters use four-stroke engines and automatic transmissions making them very easy to drive (See Driving a motorscooter). Our goal is to put you on a scooter. If you have parents or a spouse (or even children) who need persuading that you should have a scooter, see our Motorscooter Economy page -- we have all of the arguments prepared for you.

The Minimalist Scooter

The 50cc Minimalist Scooter

All of the following motorscooters, use the 50cc four-stroke engine. It is important to understand that these engines have undergone massive improvement since the little 50cc engines of the 50s and 60s. These are powerful little beasts. Their maximum speed is limited however, to 35-40 MPH and this renders them exempt from licensing, and insurance requirements in many states (See State Regulations). Mileage is superb. Unfortunately, the speed restriction mechanism used to limit top speed for legality, does reduce accelleration and mileage. It is possible (though not necessarily legal everywhere) to derestrict 50cc scooters so that they can achieve 40-50 mph. See de-restricting a 50cc scooter.

The 50cc 4 Stroke Speedster Scooter $899.00

The 50cc 4 Stroke Speedster Scooter $899.00

The 50cc 4 Stroke Speedster Scooter is essentially identical to its 150cc sibling, the TANK Urban Sporty but with its 50cc engine, smaller frame and wheels. It gets an amazing 100 MPG plus. These are extremely difficult to keep in stock with gas prices soaring, so they may be manufactured by either TANK, Peace, or Roketa. The products are virtually identical but at this point, it's impossible to know which one will receive.

Like the other 50cc scooters, the Speedster Scooter has only a top speed of about 35-40 MPH (not highway legal). It has Hydraulic front disk brakes. The gas tank capacity is given as 2 gallons which would give it a much larger tank than the 150cc Urban Sporty. Electric and kick starters are standard, and, of course, an automatic stepless transmission, lockable under-seat and steering column storage as well. Available in Blue, Red, Yellow, Green and Black.

$899.00

SUNL model 50cc Moped scooter (SL50QT-6) $899.00

The SUNL model 50cc Moped scooter (SL50QT-6) is a true minimalist scooter. It is simply a highly economical one-person scooter with a maximum speed of about 40 MPH. No extras are included such as remote alarm, trunk, cover, sound system, etc., but you can't beat the price. Also, no sales tax is charged outside of Texas. Comes in red, green, yellow, blue, and pink.

The scooter is fully assembled, tested, and passes a rigorous point inspection before shipment. Then tires and bumper are removed and the handle bar rotated for shipping. Assembly time is also given conservatively as 1 to 2 hours and involves rplacing tires, and bumper and rotating the handle bars.

A 90 day warrany is included. An additional 6 months parts warranty is available for $49, and 12 months for $99. Delivery is free and tush delivery (on its way in 24 hrs.) is available for $59.

The Fuel Efficient Economy Moped $859.00 On Sale

Fuel Efficient Economy Moped $859.00 On Sale

Fuel Efficient Economy Moped $859.00 On Sale

The Economy Moped, an I-scooter is a reasonable scooter for a very reasonable price. It has a maximum speed of 40 MPH and can carry two persons (Maximum weight: 300lbs.) Mileage is given as an astounding 102 MPG. However, this presupposes proper break in procedures which can be a bit onerous -- riding at less than 15 MPH for the first 100 miles, then not exceeding 20 MPH until 300 miles, and not over 30 MPH until 500 miles. If done properly, however, the Economy Moped will run faster and better. Of course, fuel efficiency varies with load and incline, but with its 5.8 liter fuel tank, this scooter has a formidable range.

The Economy Moped has front disk ABS brake (a first for 50cc scooters) and rear drum brakes. Shipping is free in the contiguous 48 states. Comes in silver, red, pink, black, and blue. Rear trunk (not pictured) and 12 month power train parts warranty are included.

Comes fully assembled. Estimated time to unpack and set up: 20 minutes.

The Classic 50cc $899

Note: TANK Motorscooters are legal in all states including California.

Classic 50cc Motorscooter

The Classic 50cc Motorscooter $899 is the California legal classic design scooter.

Requires some assembly: uncrate, mirrors, battery, front wheel and plastic. Estimated time: 45 minutes. Maximum load is 300 lbs and it has adjustable rear suspension -- clearly a two-person scooter. Gas tank capacity is a very respectable 1.6 gallons (unlike the Urban Sporty which holds less than 1 gallon).

The The XB-508 Electric Moped Sale Price: $899.95 plus $114.95 door-to-door shipping

The XB-508 Electric Moped" Sale Price: $899.95 plus $114.95 door-to-door shipping

The XB-508 Electric Moped"

Nearly identical in appearance to the TANK Urban Sporty (See TANK Motorscooters), The DB-508 requires no insurance nor registration, though a helmet is recommended. Not all law enforcement personnel may be aware of the bicycle status of the electric moped, so it might be wise to be prepared to provide documentation in the form of Federal Regulation HR727.

The XB-508 electric bicycle comes standard with a large 550 watt brushless motor installed in the center of the rear wheel that is powered by 4 large high power batteries with an estimated life span of at least 3 years and more than 300 recharges. Pedals are included to keep the classification but do not need to be installed. It will go 20 to 25 miles on a single charge. As a bicycle, it is legal to drive wherever bicycles are legal, including parks and college campuses.

The $114.95 Shipping price includes shipping to your door on a lift gate truck so you will not have to lift it off the truck.

The Maui Dreamer 50cc $774.95 (plus $30 delivery charge: $804.95) On Sale

Maui Dreamer 50cc $774.95

The Maui Dreamer from Global Trailer is one of the most affordable scooters to buy and a most economical scooter to drive, with one of the best quality/price quotients we've seen -- even with the $30 residential delivery charge.

This is a 5 HP 50cc four-stroke minimalist scooter with a top speed of 32 MPH (less than many 50cc scooters). Unfortunately, the maximum load is given as 165 lbs! This scooter is for one person only, and in some cases, not even a whole person. Extended warranty is available. Gas tank capacity is 5.5 liters (almost 1.5 gallons). Drum brakes fore and aft.

Fully assembled. Residential delivery is an added $30. Comes in Red, Black, Silver and Blue.

Other Available 50cc Motorscooters

• The Nemesis 50cc Motorscooter
• The Phoenix 50cc Motorscooter
• The 49cc Striker 4 Stroke Moped
• The 50cc Italia Touring Moped
• The New XM-50 50cc Moped

Shipping is included in above prices.