GS MotorWorks
Many customers ask us the difference between a moped and a scooter. We hope this page will help explain some of the differences and similarities of the two.
Mopeds are a class of low powered motorized vehicles normally defined by limits on engine displacement, speed, power output, or the requirement of pedals. Moped classification is designed to allow the use of small motorized vehicles on streets, without some of the restrictions and licensing requirements of larger displacement motorcycles. Motorized bicycles, small scooters and small motorcycles generally fit the definition of a moped.
Typically, mopeds are restricted to 30–35 mph. Some localities require pedals, thus making them hybrid transport, using both human power and machine power. Many jurisdictions consider them as "limited speed motorcycles." The earliest mopeds, introduced in the early 1950s, were nothing but bicycles with a helper motor in various locations, for example on top of the front wheel. These were commonly called cyclemotors. An example of this early type is the Velosolex brand. A more innovative design was known as the Cyclemaster in the UK. This had a complete powered rear wheel which was simply substituted for the bicycle rear wheel. It originated from a design by two DKW engineers in Germany. Slightly larger machines, commonly with a 98cc engine were known as autocycles. However, some mopeds, such as the Czech-made Jawa, were derived from motorcycles.
Scooters are similar to mopeds in that they normally have smaller displacements that a motorcycle. This is not always true, as maxi-scooters can have displacements of 650ccs or more, rivaling mid-sized motorcycles.
In a traditional sense, mopeds were simply scooters with pedals, or bicycles with motors. For many states, however, the word “moped” has come to mean a motorized vehicle with a displacement of 50ccs or less. When GS Motorworks advertises that we sell mopeds, we are referring to our 49cc scooters, since none of our models are equipped with pedals.
