Zuma 50cc
 

I'm starting to consider getting a moped. I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with the 50cc Zuma(2 stroke). I need to go at least 35mph(maybe 30 at the VERY lowest, but would have to easily sustain it), or it will be pretty much useless. I've read the zuma will go 40ish. Also, will I need a motorcycle license since it goes over 30? I checked the dmv website, but it was very vague. It says engine displacement can't be over 50cc, but says nothing about max speed. If i would have to get a motorcycle license, i will probably go for a 125/150. Thanks for any input.

P.S. Yamaha claims 123mpg. Is that realistic? Seems inflated.

PPS. Damn, just checked dmv website again. Guess it can't go over 30. Input would still be appreciated though.

We've used Zuma's for years in the pits. So, they beaten, crashed, jumped...then used to trek down a smaller road to get dinner or drinks at a gas station.

They will do 45 no problem. Give it a big hill with two people on board? No. It's an old Yamaha design that I think they first came out with in Europe around 1986 or so.

Licensing? State to state. But you certainly won't be able to take it on the interstate.

As long as you stay at 50cc or less, you probably don't need a MC license. Now, technically if you go over 30 mph you could get a ticket....but that likelyhood is almost nil. Depending on your weight and the terrain, a 2T 50cc will go about 32-36 consistently...but...the time to get to speed can take a while sometimes. Your mileage will not be like a 4T 50cc (4 stroke) but your performance will be better.

Here is the rub...you will most likely wish you had spent a bit more and stepped up to a 150cc 4T. You will be able to flow with traffic better and have the ability to go faster down the road. Here is my thinking:

If you keep your speeds at 40mph or less, you will get 82-85mpg on a 150cc...that will equal or better a 2T 50cc and be a bit less than a 4T 50cc.

Having that extra speed available actually adds to the safety factor in my opinion...you can flow with traffic much better and hold 50-55mph if needed.

The 150cc 4T will allow you to take better routes...ie faster roads...to save time and mileage.

Getting the MC License is a GOOD THING IMO. Take the MC Safety Class in your area and the written DMV Test and you are done.

I had a 2T 50cc (brand new) and traded it back for a 4T 150cc in 30 days. I could not tell you how many times I needed to pull off the road to let traffic go by on the 2T 50cc. The top speed of 36 or so took forever to get to and any wind/incline would drop the speed quickly.

Now, there are some 2T 50cc scoots that are quicker than others. The Kymco Super 9...either the older WC (water cooled-which is pretty fast) and the newer AC (air cooled-which is a bit slower) seems to hold 45 mph in most situations. If you really have to get the 50cc 2T, test ride as many as possible to get the best performance scoot you can. Also, don't trust the Speedos...they are typically 10-15% optimistic.

hey i have the zuma (BWs in canada) if you get a new one (2008-2009) they come restricted from the factory, but the 2002-2005 come unrestricted (for 2006-2007 they were not availible in the usa) also mine did 65km/h (40mph) for 20 hours straight!! twice!! the gas milage depnds a LOT on how you ride my personal best was 102.7mpg (43km/l) i still think i can get a little better but not much. the 120mpg that yamaha claims is probably achievable but very unlikely. if i drive hard (which i usually do) i can get as little as 70-75mpg this translates to about 160-170km (100-105miles) to a tank which fills for about 4.8-5.2l (1.26-1.37 gallons) i think they are great bikes and highly recommend them mine currently has 20100kms (12500miles) on the odometer
Joe

40 mph for 20 hours straight, that indicates you travelled 800 miles in 20 hours on a 50cc scooter.. that seems very unlikely to me... that also mean you would have refueled at least 5 times during that 20 hours.

In my state anything above 50cc displacement engine would require a motorcycle license.

I bought my 250cc Chinese scooter from eBay for $1699 back in late March this year, now I have over 5800 miles on it. The longest sustained single day trip, I've taken on it was little over 260 miles in about 7 hours. 90% of that trip was between 35-55 mph on two-lane roads or 4-lane highways, with short sections of Interstate at speed below 70 mph... some bumper to bumper traffic when I got close to northern NJ.

I've used 87 octane fuel since 200 mile on the odometer, I'm regularly getting over 85 mpg, mainly due to my operation, over 90% of my engine operation is below 4500 rpm, and I weigh under 150 lb., the fuel economy is highly dependent on the weight you carry and how you operate your vehicle.

I can't say that all Chinese scooter are decent, but I have been more than happy with my purchase and I know others who are happy with theirs, too:

https://scootdawg.proboards59.com/ind...?board=newbies

There are some good resources if you are looking to get a scooter.

when i say 20 hours straight i mean obviously i have to stop for gas and food and what not but i still mean the bike was runned hard the whole day with a few good 1 hour WOT stretches and i didnt do 800 miles i put about 1000km which is about 650miles that day it was for the mad bastard endurance rally hosted by cmg which is about 800kms in a 24 hour time limit but due to getting lost a couple times and milage error i put about 1000kms on the bike and obviouslly i wouldnt get that 102.7mpg i stated before during that ralley the second time i did a run from toronto to detroit and back and it took about 19 hours plus 4 hours running around in detroit and i covered about 1200kms that time all im saying is that these are good bikes and i would recommend them its up to you to decide if you want a 50 or bigger but in my opinion the whole point to a scooter is to go small if you want bigger get a motorcycle
Joe

I would imagine most people would consider 65km/h for 20 hours straight means 20 hours of actual riding time not including stops for fuel or food.

65km/h for 20 hours straight should calculate to 1300 km after 20 hours of riding.. not 1000 km.

1000 km = 621 miles, not 650 miles... 28 mile (48 km) difference could take up to hour to cover on a 50cc scooter.

Maybe you should go back and edit your original post.

Personally, I love scooters, 50cc is just too small for safety when traveling with traffic that flow above 45 mph.

I have a smurf infestation. Whats the best way to get rid of them?