Question:
Is my vehicle a scooter or a motorcycle?
I like the body of a scooter but the speed of a motorcycle. Assuming I put a motorcycle engine in a scooter (no need to address the mechanical issues involved) would it be classified as a scooter or motorcycle?
Answer:
Federal law says under 150cc is a motor driven cycle and not allowed on interstate system- the subset of 'moped' is in this class usually and that locally means the 49cc scooters restricted to top speed of 30mph. The federal law says above 150cc you have a 'motorcycle'-- and that includes scooter style body work and drivetrains- and you can ride on the interstate system. SO, what size engine do you have determines legal class under federal highway laws and states have to use that as a start. A under 150cc scooter or motorcycle styled vehicle wouldn't be allowed on the interstate system or a state road getting fair amount of federal money. Scooter under some states license plate issue protocol goes to the under 150cc engine models and may be put on the under 150cc engine motorcycle styles as well as the open leg framed scooters as commonly called. The old Lambrettas sometimes got a 250cc motorcycle engine and tranny- look at a Triumph cub site for the example, might still be there. The Cushman site has the old Eagle with the larger than 150cc engines- but the 15hp extra requirement like in Ohio gets it back into the not legal for the interstates system light motordriven cycle license plate. Harley topper with 10 hp also in this class for some states. Get a more than 15 hp , over 150cc engine from whatever source and federally and most states you have a legal motorcycle. Would be real helpful to know the actual engines and frame/body you're posting about.
There is NO Federal law that says a under 150cc bike is not allowed on the Interstate system. What vehicles that are allowed on the roads, including the Interstates, depends on State Law. Depending on State laws a scooter will be limited by minimum speed, 5 bhp, or 150cc to be on the Interstates. And even at that, it is limited *only* it has a sign saying you cannot be on the Interstates. Whatever! Question: Is my vehicle a scooter or a motorcycle? Answer: If the scooter is 50cc or bigger, or has more than 2.7 bhp, or has a manual transmission -- it is a motorcycle. I ride a Vespa LX150, something many idiots call a moped scooter. It has a 150.46cc motor, can do 65 mph, is legally a motorcycle in any State, it is legal on any Freeway or Interstate in any State.
Federal law says under 150cc is a motor driven cycle and not allowed on interstate system- the subset of 'moped' is in this class usually and that locally means the 49cc scooters restricted to top speed of 30mph. The federal law says above 150cc you have a 'motorcycle'-- and that includes scooter style body work and drivetrains- and you can ride on the interstate system. SO, what size engine do you have determines legal class under federal highway laws and states have to use that as a start. A under 150cc scooter or motorcycle styled vehicle wouldn't be allowed on the interstate system or a state road getting fair amount of federal money. Scooter under some states license plate issue protocol goes to the under 150cc engine models and may be put on the under 150cc engine motorcycle styles as well as the open leg framed scooters as commonly called. The old Lambrettas sometimes got a 250cc motorcycle engine and tranny- look at a Triumph cub site for the example, might still be there. The Cushman site has the old Eagle with the larger than 150cc engines- but the 15hp extra requirement like in Ohio gets it back into the not legal for the interstates system light motordriven cycle license plate. Harley topper with 10 hp also in this class for some states. Get a more than 15 hp , over 150cc engine from whatever source and federally and most states you have a legal motorcycle. Would be real helpful to know the actual engines and frame/body you're posting about.
Per the Maryland Department of Transportation Laws, a motor scooter is classified as: - Has a seat for the operator - Has two wheels, one of which is 10in or more in diameter - Has a step-through chassis - Has a motor with a rating 2.7 brake horse power (bhp) or less, or 50cc or less - Is equipped with automatic transmission So to answer your question, I believe the moment you put a bigger engine on it, it will be classified as a motorcycle. Keep in mind though, if it is classified as a motorcycle, all of the laws of motorcycles then apply to you. Do you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license? Riding a 50cc scooter, you can usually get by without a special license, motorcycles require it. Also, insurance is higher on a motorcycle than it is on a scooter. Registration is higher, etc. So using those requirements, I would say a majority of real scooters in Maryland are classified as motorcycles. The 250-650cc scooters that allow for highway travel, and arent just little neighbor hood toys, are motorcycles.
Per the Maryland Department of Transportation Laws, a motor scooter is classified as: - Has a seat for the operator - Has two wheels, one of which is 10in or more in diameter - Has a step-through chassis - Has a motor with a rating 2.7 brake horse power (bhp) or less, or 50cc or less - Is equipped with automatic transmission So to answer your question, I believe the moment you put a bigger engine on it, it will be classified as a motorcycle. Keep in mind though, if it is classified as a motorcycle, all of the laws of motorcycles then apply to you. Do you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license? Riding a 50cc scooter, you can usually get by without a special license, motorcycles require it. Also, insurance is higher on a motorcycle than it is on a scooter. Registration is higher, etc. So using those requirements, I would say a majority of real scooters in Maryland are classified as motorcycles. The 250-650cc scooters that allow for highway travel, and arent just little neighbor hood toys, are motorcycles.
There is NO Federal law that says a under 150cc bike is not allowed on the Interstate system. What vehicles that are allowed on the roads, including the Interstates, depends on State Law. Depending on State laws a scooter will be limited by minimum speed, 5 bhp, or 150cc to be on the Interstates. And even at that, it is limited *only* it has a sign saying you cannot be on the Interstates. Whatever! Question: Is my vehicle a scooter or a motorcycle? Answer: If the scooter is 50cc or bigger, or has more than 2.7 bhp, or has a manual transmission -- it is a motorcycle. I ride a Vespa LX150, something many idiots call a moped scooter. It has a 150.46cc motor, can do 65 mph, is legally a motorcycle in any State, it is legal on any Freeway or Interstate in any State.
