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Difference between revisions of "Moped"
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[[Image:Honda Hobbit.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Honda]] Hobbit PA 50/Camino moped ''(European market)'']] | [[Image:Honda Hobbit.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Honda]] Hobbit PA 50/Camino moped ''(European market)'']] | ||
'''Mopeds''' are a type of low-powered [[motorcycle]] designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements. Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals (the source of the term, motor-pedal), but ''moped'' has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their restricted [[engine displacement]], speed, and/or power output. Mopeds occasionally resemble powered bicycles, but most are now step-through designs (of both kinds, having either large or small wheels) and step-over designs similar to a regular motorcycle. Although mopeds usually have two wheels, in some jurisdictions low-powered | '''Mopeds''' are a type of low-powered [[motorcycle]] designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements. Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals (the source of the term, motor-pedal), but ''moped'' has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their restricted [[engine displacement]], speed, and/or power output. Mopeds occasionally resemble powered bicycles, but most are now step-through designs (of both kinds, having either large or small wheels) and step-over designs similar to a regular motorcycle. Although mopeds usually have two wheels, in some jurisdictions low-powered three or four wheeled vehicles are also classified as mopeds. | ||
In most countries, the legal driving age for a moped is lower than for regular motorcycles and cars. Mopeds are typically restricted to {{convert|50|km/h|-1|lk=on}} from a maximum [[engine displacement]] of {{convert|49|cc|1|lk=on}}, though there are a few variations. | In most countries, the legal driving age for a moped is lower than for regular motorcycles and cars. Mopeds are typically restricted to {{convert|50|km/h|-1|lk=on}} from a maximum [[engine displacement]] of {{convert|49|cc|1|lk=on}}, though there are a few variations. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[Image:Flat twin Douglas 1912 N 3.jpg|thumb|This 1912 Douglas has modern chain-drive but still benefits from pedals]] | [[Image:Flat twin Douglas 1912 N 3.jpg|thumb|This 1912 Douglas has modern chain-drive but still benefits from pedals]] | ||
The term "moped" now only applies to low power (often super-economy) vehicles, but pedals were a sign of sophistication when first fitted to the early motorcycles, such as the 1912 Douglas in the photograph. | The term "moped" now only applies to low power (often super-economy) vehicles, but pedals were a sign of sophistication when first fitted to the early motorcycles, such as the 1912 Douglas in the photograph. Pedaling away from stationary was a great improvement over "run and jump" and LPA (light pedal assistance) was valuable for climbing hills. Better transmissions with wider ranges, better clutches and much better engine performance made pedals obsolete on all serious motorcycles by 1918 but the pedals on mopeds remained valuable for their original purposes as late as the 1960s. | ||
The earliest mopeds were [[bicycle]]s with a helper motor in various locations, for example on top of the front wheel; they were also called cyclemotors. An example of that type is the [[VéloSoleX]] brand, which simply has a roller driving the front tire. (See picture, below left.)[[Image:Woman on Velosolex.jpg|thumb|left|A [[France|French]] [[VéloSoleX]] moped]] | The earliest mopeds were [[bicycle]]s with a helper motor in various locations, for example on top of the front wheel; they were also called cyclemotors. An example of that type is the [[VéloSoleX]] brand, which simply has a roller driving the front tire. (See picture, below left.)[[Image:Woman on Velosolex.jpg|thumb|left|A [[France|French]] [[VéloSoleX]] moped]] | ||
A more innovative design was known in the UK as the [[Cyclemaster]]. This had a complete powered rear wheel which was simply substituted for the bicycle rear wheel, which originated from a design by two [[Dampf-Kraft-Wagen|DKW]] engineers in Germany. Slightly larger machines, commonly with a {{convert|98|cc|1}} engine were known as | A more innovative design was known in the UK as the [[Cyclemaster]]. This had a complete powered rear wheel which was simply substituted for the bicycle rear wheel, which originated from a design by two [[Dampf-Kraft-Wagen|DKW]] engineers in Germany. Slightly larger machines, commonly with a {{convert|98|cc|1}} engine were known as autocycles. On the other hand some mopeds, such as the Czech-made [[Jawa Motors|Jawa]], were derived from motorcycles. | ||
A further category of low-powered two-wheelers exists today in some jurisdictions for bicycles with helper motors – these are often defined as power-assisted bicycles or [[motorized bicycles]]; see full article there. Other jurisdictions may categorize the same machines as mopeds, creating a certain amount of confusion. In many countries | A further category of low-powered two-wheelers exists today in some jurisdictions for bicycles with helper motors – these are often defined as power-assisted bicycles or [[motorized bicycles]]; see full article there. Other jurisdictions may categorize the same machines as mopeds, creating a certain amount of confusion. In many countries three wheelers and microcars are classified as mopeds or variations thereof. This practise is not restricted to the third-world, France and Belgium classify microcars such as the [[Aixam]] similarily or as "light quadricycles".<ref>{{Cite web|work=[http://www.aixam.com Aixam.com]|title=Legislation|url=http://www.aixam.com/legislation.php|accessdate=2009-03-31}}</ref> | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[[Image:Moped old.jpg|thumb|The original moped – a bike equipped with a motor]] | [[Image:Moped old.jpg|thumb|The original moped – a bike equipped with a motor]] | ||
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==Moped racing== | ==Moped racing== | ||
The wide availability of previously-used but still functional small motorcycles in western societies enables and encourages cheap forms of racing, wrongly called moped racing. Dirt-racing forms of this sport is sometimes staged in the stadiums of [[agricultural show]]s, where, unlike football and athletic grounds, the surface is not too important. One popular series uses chicanes consisting of stacked large-diameter tractor tyres and requires a team of riders, each doing ten laps and then pulling into the middle of the ring for change-over. Two heats and a final, each lasting 25 minutes, can be held in one day interspersed with speedway racing and other displays. Another series once held on full-size race-tracks, including [[Le Mans]], ran for 25 hours (typically 3.00pm one day until 4.00pm the next) and was billed as "the longest race in the world". | The wide availability of previously-used but still functional small motorcycles in western societies enables and encourages cheap forms of racing, wrongly called moped racing. Dirt-racing forms of this sport is sometimes staged in the stadiums of [[agricultural show]]s, where, unlike football and athletic grounds, the surface is not too important. One popular series uses chicanes consisting of stacked large-diameter tractor tyres and requires a team of riders, each doing ten laps and then pulling into the middle of the ring for change-over. Two heats and a final, each lasting 25 minutes, can be held in one day interspersed with speedway racing and other displays. Another series once held on full-size race-tracks, including [[Le Mans]], ran for 25 hours (typically 3.00pm one day until 4.00pm the next) and was billed as "the longest race in the world". | ||
also the | also the polini cup | ||
==Moped collecting== | ==Moped collecting== | ||
Even as mopeds themselves have become scarcer in the West, a certain | Even as mopeds themselves have become scarcer in the West, a certain nostalgia has grown around them (as with classic [[scooter (motorcycle)|scooters]]). Enthusiasts have formed a considerable number of organizations {{Which?|date=January 2010}} devoted to moped collecting, repair, and lifestyle. | ||