My Honda Cub is too a real motorcycle >:(

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 05/22/2020 at 10:38 • Filed to: two wheels good, Project super cubby

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And I’ll tell you why. It has nothing to do with top speed or wheel size or any other way that most jurisdictions define the scooter/motorcycle distinction.

Look closely at the engine. See where it’s mounted? It’s rigidly bolted to the frame. That’s a motorcycle thing. The cub also has foot pegs and foot operated controls rather than a simple footrest platform, but this is just a general motorcycle trait rather than a hard-and-fast rule.

Vehicles we recognize as scooters, like this Vespa, have their engine mounted either to the wheel or swing arm. The engine is part of the sprung weight and is rigid in relation to the wheel, not the frame.

There are naturally plenty of genre-bending two wheeled conveyances, but most are easily sortable into either category. The Cub, of course, is a step through design despite otherwise being built like a motorcycle. Meanwhile, this Dong Feng here is styled like a sport bike yet has the aforementioned swing arm mounted engine.

Then there’s the Suzuki Bergman, which has what appears to be a swing arm mounted to the engine, which is in turn mounted rigidly to the frame. I think that still falls squarely under “scooter” though.

In conclusion, stop calling my Super Cub a scooter. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

WilliamsSW > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:44

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Ok, but do you really meet the nicest people on  it?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > WilliamsSW 05/22/2020 at 10:45

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I'm not the nicest person and I'm on it so 

Mane > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:45

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As a professional scooter person (really) , I can confirm that TECHNICALLY the C ub is referred to as an “Underbone motorcycle”.

This being said, nice scooter.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Mane 05/22/2020 at 10:46

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farscythe - makin da cawfee! > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:46

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looks like a moped to me.......

Chuckles > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:46

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The Cub is definitely a motorcycle, and a Burgman is definitely a scooter. But also, both are fun motor vehicles on two wheels. Scooter isn't a dirty word.

HoustonRunner > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:46

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All of the “two wheels goo d” talk on Oppo has me ALMOST wanting to run out and get something to “scoot” around on. Both of my sisters and my parents live within 2.5 miles of me, and sometimes it seems a bit much to take one of the cars for a quick trip over to grab something or help out.

But as we get into full on summer here in Houston (90+ degrees and 75% humidity) , I’m just not sure I’d ride it enough to justify the insurance.

That Cub looks like a lot of fun though!

facw > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:47

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It’s a nice scooter though...

Does Massachusetts require you to have motorcycle license/endorsement?

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:48

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I reject your hypothesis.  

You’re forgetting that most (all?) harleys use soft engine mounts. Before a lot of the modern schemes that use the engine as a stressed frame member, many motorcycles used standard engine mounts with rubber or urethane isolators.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 05/22/2020 at 10:49

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Mopeds have pedals and can be used as a bike

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > HoustonRunner 05/22/2020 at 10:50

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Insurance isn't bad, the Cub is $80 for a whole year for me and I'm in a state with higher premiums

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > facw 05/22/2020 at 10:52

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MA classifies it as a motorcycle because it goes more than 30mph. A permit or endorsement is needed. Permits are easy though. You just take a written test and it’s good for two years, and can indefinitely be renewed. Only restrictions are daylight hours only and no passengers. Many people just never even get a full license.

Future next gen S2000 owner > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:53

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My vote goes to the engine placement not meaning anything when it comes to scooter versus motorcycle. It has to pass the eye test. The Cub is a scooter, not a motorcycle.

Mane > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:54

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Once again speaking as a professional scooter person (really), I just want you to know that we accept you (hate flowing through you and all) , and want you to ride with us.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/22/2020 at 10:55

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Does the engine move in relation to the frame, aside from normal vibrations? No.

Mane > HoustonRunner 05/22/2020 at 10:56

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Do it.  You’ll have a blast, and you’ll start finding excuses to ride it everywhere.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:57

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huh...is that a rule?

tbh i just went with moped coz thats the english word....

its called a brommer over here...and thats a fun word

Mane > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:57

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colloquially: noped

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 05/22/2020 at 10:58

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That’s how they’re officially classified  in the US, but most people use scooter and moped interchangeably

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 10:58

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Some  states consider the anything with a manual clutch to be a motorcycle regardless of displacement. So it’s got that going for it.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/22/2020 at 11:00

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Cub has a (pretty ingenious) automatic clutch but you still shift it with the click pedal

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 11:02

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here anything under 50cc is either a scooter or a moped

over that its a motorbike,,,regardless of it looking like a moped

you need a bike license to ride anything over 50cc... moped license for anything under

Sovande > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 11:05

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I’m on your side with this one. I used to have one and it’s a motorcycle in all the ways it can be.

It's also more fun if you swap in a Lifan 125cc engine.... 

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > HoustonRunner 05/22/2020 at 11:08

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If you can find one for a good price, the SUzuki TU250X is such a classy looking bike, but also super easy to learn on and can scoot around at 45-55 all day, with some capability to do highway speeds (barely)

You will enjoy the breeze, even in a jacket. Honestly, 80-90F is fine riding weather so long as you wear light colored gear and open the breathing vents on them. I;ve got riding pants that allow a nice breeze around my calves and thighs so I don’t bake like a potato on hot days.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 11:15

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Oh weird. I wich the Tomos was like that. Some times I’ll go to hit the throttle coming out of a turn, but it’s still in 2nd gear so it bogs. 

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 11:21

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If you took it for testing where I live they won’t give you the full motorcycle license. You’d have a clutch restriction limiting you only to twist and go. Also because it’s under 200cc you have a can’t carry a passenger restriction.

Basically we have people on the 49cc scoots you can ride with a car license and nearly everyone else opts to buy a 250 or 300cc motorcycle to finish the licensing road tests for unrestricted. Larger scoots (and riders with restriction licenses) are rare as most people just stick with motorcycles anyways.

Respect though that it has a transmission, just need that left hand lever!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/22/2020 at 11:24

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It’s a neat bit of engineering. Honda wanted the bik e to be be able to be ridden one-ha nded, as they were expecting couriers to be a big market. They came up with a centrifugal design that applies itself with throttle but disengages when comi ng to a stop or clicking the gear lever

Chuckles > Future next gen S2000 owner 05/22/2020 at 11:27

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This is a scooter (specifically mine):

Pass through for your legs, a nice big floorboard instead of pegs. It has a CVT so you don't have to shift. There's a glove compartment. And the engine moves with the wheel. When you compare that to the Cub with its foot pegs, gears, and a frame mounted engine, the Cub looks more like a motorcycle to me.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2020 at 11:28

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My state has seperate registrations for scooters and motorcycles, and they make me register this as a motorcycle. They have to let me use it for the test since they themselves insist it’s a motorcycle.

Besides, while clutch control is part of the road test there are plenty of cruisers like the goldwing that have automatic transmissions. Those can be used for the test so I don't see why mine couldn't.

I can also take a certified class that waives the road test and grants me a full license upon completion.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Chuckles 05/22/2020 at 11:49

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Meh, the original Vespa’s hand hand and foot mounted controls.

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 11:49

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I f it doesn’t have a clutch lever at the test, we get the restriction. Doesn’t matter if it’s centrifugal clutch like a small scoot, a DCT m oto or an electric moto. They judge throttle and clutch control in both tests.

We get no luxury like that . I had my full car license for over 10 years. Had to do the written for the learners permit . Take the 3 day course (which includes the parking lot test that bumps you up the license level so you don’t have to be supervised ) and then take a full road test again on a +200cc moto .

However, after that there’s zero restriction. An yone stupid enough could sell their 250, go buy a Kawasaki H2,  and take pillion to dance with the reaper.

What a strange world.

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 13:13

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Ah, but if you’re going to play the semantics game, you have to watch your wording. I submit your statement for consideration: “It’s rigidly bolted to the frame. That’s a motorcycle thing.”

Rigidly bolted? Most bikes have soft mounts so the engine can move relative to the frame. Ergo, your argument is null and void.

:)  

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/22/2020 at 13:20

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Oh yeah? Well

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/22/2020 at 13:43

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M aybe so. Never measured. Still happily married with two kids!

S o, there!