Advice re a starter moped....

[Sp!ke]

Isnt that illegal?

I think it would be if by doing so you exceeded the maximum design speed of 31mph. The restrictor removal just allows full throttle but top speed is electronically governed so no, its not illegal.

With the brass restrictor remaining in the carb, on an incline, the bike would slow to just over 20mph, with it removed, it allows you to maintain 30mph.

Removal of the electronic restriction, (simply disconnecting a cable) would be considered illegal as it boosts top speed to over 40mph. This is however the first thing a 16 year old will research how to do and after a 10 minute search he/she will know exactly what is required.

 

[verytalldave]

Its always amazed me that these machines can be de-restricted so easily and quickly. In most cases you dont even need to buy anything.
I have lost count the number of times I have been overtaken by a youth on an obviously derestricted 'ped screaming its engine to pieces at 38mph totally oblivious to the dangers that he is putting himself through. And sometimes its not just one, you can get a line of 4 or more of these all trying to outdo each other in one way or another.
And often sporting no accident protection other than a crash helmet.
Short sleeves, jogging bottoms and trainers offer no protection against tarmac, gravel and metal car bodies with sharp edges.
I thank God my son has passed that stage by.

 

[fredT]

dont know much about the current crop of peds but if you wanna buy something that cheap, chances are you will end up with a pile and you should be prepared/able to make sure its safe/reliable.

knowing what i know from when i had one myself i would definately try and persuade him not too. not that you will be able to if hes anything like i was..

good luck, you'll need it in either case

 

[Sp!ke]

Its always amazed me that these machines can be de-restricted so easily and quickly.

It sells more units I guess. A 16 year old will chose one that can be derestricted over one that can't.

I agree about the lunatic 16 year olds... but way back when, I was one of those hooligans and I too came out the other end in one piece and so did all of my mates.

It was only later once armed with a full motorcycle license, more money and bigger faster bikes that some of us really came unstuck.

 

[gaz_l]

Me to !! I went through piston rings almost weekly on my SS50, I had to commute from Liverpool to Wallasey through the tunnel and it killed it - should have got a FS1E or a fantic

[NOSTALGIA] Aah, my old SS50 [/NOSTALGIA] . I got really good at taking that engine apart..

I've still got a piston from all those years ago, not quite sure why I've kept it.. but the rings let go in a particularly spectacular fashion on that occasion. I think the valves were bouncing at the time..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[BlackC55]

Bouncing valves! On a two stroke?

 

[gaz_l]

Bouncing valves! On a two stroke?

Honda SS50.. the only 4 stroke moped on the block when I was an irresponsible 16 year old

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[SSBB]

Look for a Peugeot Speedfight 50. They are very 'street credible' with the young and come in some fantastic race replica colour schemes. yes they get abused, but thats youth for you, we were all immortal once, I certainly was!
They are easily repaired and like their four wheel counterparts, spares are cheap and readily available. Look one up on Google Images, you may want one yourself?
Like other posters have said, top quality kit is far more important, I speak from experience, a good crash helmet protected me when a car driver decided not to stop at a red traffic light. My head hit a kerb at about 20-30mph and two minutes later we were exchanging details. On a more positive note, motorcycling will make your son a better car driver.

 

[Aoraki]

Having a 'ped for a year before taking to the roads in a car is always going to be a good idea. The amount of "road sense" I gained was invaluable. You read the road, you look for more than the average car driver could possibly see (including idiotic car drivers with blinkers!).
As a side note, why are we bikers legislated against so much? By that I mean you can only have a 'ped for the first year, there's the CBT, a 33bhp limit etc. At 17 you can pass the car test, jump in daddy's 500bhp motor and go out killing bikers! Lets restict newly qualified drivers as well.
Come on the sun, lets have some biking weather for a change.....

Oh, by the way... saftey equipment is THE priority

 

[Frank O' Phile]

Look for a Peugeot Speedfight 50.

Dont buy one that just 'needs a new Key'. These models have the immobiliser as part of the ignition module and so needs the original key which is only available with the aforementioned box. Very expensive.

That aside, cracking little 'ped.

 

[Bill_33]

My advice - for what its worth is this.


And as a rather sobering PS to this tale. He lost 3 good friends who died on peds many years ago.
They are dangerous, underpowered killing machines and in the hands of 16 year old youths full of testosterone they are nothing more than accidents waiting to happen.


Just my 2 bobs worth.

I can really appreciate what you are saying, as i have ridden Bikes for quite a while.......but that's a bit harsh......most of us have "been there and done that" with something or other......the guy only wants to have fun and get around.......we would have felt capable at his age to look after ourselves.

France is full of "young" kids on mopeds........it is a "way of life" over there and, especially in rural France, it is the only way that they can get about.

"dangerous, underpowered killing machines" - we could debate long and hard who is responsible for accidents on our roads..................but unfortunately that is the way we have chosen to live.

Cheers

 

[Bill_33]

Sorry Bill, the Honda C90 is not a moped. A moped is under 50cc any thing else is classed as a motorcycle. You have to be a minimum of 17 to ride a C90.

Thanks for the correction.....pity

 

[GRAV888]

Honda SS50.. the only 4 stroke moped on the block when I was an irresponsible 16 year old

Cheers,

Gaz

What about the CB50? That was a 4 stroke piece of c**p too.

When I was 16, I had a Suzuki TS50ER.
Had fizzies and AP50's when I was younger as hand-me-downs for use up the woods and in the fields. Wish I'd kept them now

 

[GRAV888]

Steve, before you even think about any sort of ped, go and book him on a CBT course.
It is a legal requirement and I know of a few 'yoofs' round my way that are really mouthy on the street, but are still trying to pass the CBT.

 

[jpskiller]

takes me back I used to have a honda plonk (c90) and the famous fizie, but we had ours rebored and could easily get 65+ out the thing (mad).. but steve follow the advice get him on a CBT course first, these days for safty you should be looking at least £350+

 

[Frank O' Phile]

My first was a Cimatti Sagittario. Moto Minarelli engine (same as Fantic GT) but with 6 speed box with a neutral between every gear.
It would do 60 on the over-optimistic clock.


After only a couple of weeks ownership I took it from Manchester to the Trossachs being only allowed on A-roads, while the rest of the family went in the camper van and took the motorways. A great adventure for a 16 y.o.

 

[kwakdonut]

takes me back I used to have a honda plonk (c90) and the famous fizie, but we had ours rebored and could easily get 65+ out the thing (mad).. but steve follow the advice get him on a CBT course first, these days for safty you should be looking at least £350+

£350 for the bike not the CBT course!!

 

[jpskiller]

£350 for the bike not the CBT course!!

Thats what I ment

 

[kwakdonut]

thats what i ment

:d