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Getting around a crowded big city in a car has never been easy. But parking these days has become a downright nightmare for many city dwellers. In response, commuters have adopted all kinds of motorized two-wheel people-movers that have taken over bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The cool kids call it a “micro-mobility” revolution.
Mopeds and scooters are an excellent transportation solution for many reasons. For starters, you don’t need an inheritance to buy one. Motorized two-wheelers are affordable, easy to park, and wicked fun to ride. The best of the bunch are stylish, too. It’s all about attitude.
eBay can help you join the fun with a wide selection of new and vintage mopeds and scooters.
Shop now for scooters and mopeds
Moped History 101
This fully restored Puch moped offered on eBay has a max speed of 45 mph.
The first mass-market motorized bicycles hit the streets of New York early in the last century when the Thomas Motor Company released the Auto-Bi.
Thomas bolted a 200cc internal combustion engine on a conventional pedal bicycle frame. That produced a two-wheeled contraption with dual-propulsion technology. Modern mopeds use much smaller engines, but the premise remains the same. If the tank runs out of fuel, you can apply human power. If the tank still has gas, but you ran out of get-up-and-go, just twist the throttle. For big hills, use a hybrid of gas and human propulsion.
The term “moped” didn’t appear until the early 1950s: Mo for motor and Ped for pedals. Never mind that these little beasts typically used tiny 50cc gasoline engines rather than electric motors.
While most vintage mopeds are step-through bikes, there are some very desirable exceptions, like the Puch Magnum. A vintage moped in excellent condition can sell for five times its original cost.
When Did Mopeds Become Popular?
The term “moped” fell out of favor with the rise of e-bikes, like this one from Juiced Bikes.
Moped popularity skyrocketed in the United States during the 1970s energy crisis. With gasoline in tight supply, folks parked their gas guzzlers and hopped onto thrifty mopeds to get from A to B while making ends meet.
As a result, the moped industry kicked into high gear, with innovative offerings from Honda, Jawa, Motobecane, Puch, Sachs, and Suzuki.
The lines between different two-wheelers blurred as folks began to refer to sit-down scooters as “scooter mopeds,” even though they lacked pedals. This shift in vernacular is partly due to the overwhelming popularity of standup scooters, like the Razor.
As a standalone term, the use of “moped” diminished with the advent of the e-bike.
The Scooter Option: No Pedals
An Autoped in use, 1920. This vintage photo is for sale on eBay.
Scooters are all the rage now, but they have a long history. The Autoped, a standup motorized scooter made from 1915 to 1922, foreshadowed the scooter revolution a century later. Sit-down scooters followed with a more civilized alternative to bigger conventional motorcycles.
Motorized scooters feature downsized wheels and a step-through design that provides a flat floor to place your feet. Unlike most mopeds, they don’t have pedals.
A vintage 1982 Vespa 150
After the Second World War, scooters became popular in Europe when Vespa and Lambretta delivered personal transportation for the masses. A classic Vespa has tons of Italian street swag. With a bigger structure and more mass, scooters need more power. So, they often carry more capable engines than a typical moped. But take note: Sit-down scooters are more expensive than mopeds.
Which Companies Make the Best Scooters?
Vintage 1954 Vespa Advertising Poster
The scooters and mopeds listings on eBay Motors include a wide array of new and used two-wheelers. Choosing a name-brand scooter ensures serviceability, as well as parts availability. Used models are a fraction of the price for 2021 models noted below.
- Vespa offers the most robust lineup of scooters. The company actively markets seven models with a dizzying array of options, from the entry-level Primavera 50 ($3,999) to the innovative 946 Red 150 ($10,499). The Electtrica ($7,499) is Vespa’s only electric scooter at present.
- Honda offers a quartet of scooters, with eclectic style and extensive dealer support: the Metropolitan ($2,499), Ruckus ($2,799), PCX ($3,799), and ADV150 ($4,299).
- Yamaha has a trio of modern scooters: the Zuma 125 ($3,699), SMAX ($3,799), and XMAX ($5,699).
The Future is Electric, and That Future is Now
Times have changed. While highly functional and economical to operate, traditional gasoline-powered mopeds are noisy and can be a bit smelly. The same goes for scooters that spew pollutants. Electrification changes all of that. Unfortunately, conventional scooter manufacturers have been slow to adapt.
Electric bikes have become extremely popular these days. We’ll offer more about e-bikes in a future post.
Do I Need a License and Insurance to Ride a Scooter or Moped?
Scooter and Moped regulations vary state-by-state. So, if you’re considering a purchase, please do your due diligence and check the local laws. Riding a scooter or moped is tons of fun, but it brings its risks. Be sure to wear a helmet and proper shoes.
This 1960 MF1 Yamaha scooter is ready for restoration.
Restoring a vintage scooter or moped can be a rewarding endeavor. eBay has a vast selection emerging from barns and garages. Best of all, you can tackle a two-wheel restoration project from a corner of the basement, garage, or even out in the shed. And eBay has abundant parts and accessories to help you get on the road.
