Scooters and their laws in Indianapolis?

Since gas is so expensive, and being a college student, I have limited funds. I was thinking of buying a scooter with a 50cc or 150cc engine. But I'd like to know the laws in Indiana for both of them. How fast can a 50cc engine go when the rider is heavy? Is a 150cc worth it? or a 50cc?

Most states allow bikes under 50cc to be licensed as a moped. To operate a moped all you will need is a moped tag on the bike and a regular drivers license.

Most mopeds get about 90-100mpg, but have a limited range due to the small one gallon fuel tank. Top speed is limited by restrictions on the bike, but the restrictions are easily removed to allow the bike to perform properly. A restricted bike will have a top speed of about 25-30mph, but an unrestricted bike may top out around 40-45mph. I have gone this fast on my Honda Elite SA50-regularly.

You asked about heavier riders but did not state a weight. Since weight is a variable, I can only make a guess that an unrestricted moped will top out around 35-40mph. If this variable is a large variable, then a 150cc scooter would be a better choice.

With a 150cc bike you will need a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license, insurance, and a motorcycle plate on the scooter. It is also wise to take a motorcycle safty class (even though it's only a scooter) just to be safe. Top speed of a 150cc scooter is around 55-60mph. Again these bikes are limited in range by small fuel tanks, but the 150cc scooters can still get 70-80mpg(maybe more depending on who you listen to).

If you plan on just scooting around town and short hops to school/work on back roads a 50cc scooter/moped will do just fine, but if you will be traveling on larger roads for long distances and have to deal with traffic, a 150cc or larger scooter is your best bet.

Contact an Indiana DMV, they're right there in town, btw. I believe you need a motorcycle endorsement.

If you're close to or over the reccommended maximum load of your scooter choice, acceleration will be sluggish.

Budd

Indiana BMV . .
http://www.in.gov/bmv/3464.htm

"New To Scooters" thread . .
http://scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.c...