125 Moped

For anyone who is considering buying a moped, the term ‘moped’ can be interchanged with scooter. This is because it is often used (and misused) by bike fanatics all across the world. Mistakes are made, and bikes which are often actually bikes are noted down as a scooter. After all, isn’t a moped only capable of being run with a 50cc engine?

At Direct Bikes, well sell both moped and scooter models. We have both 50 moped and 125c moped vehicles to pick from. So, what’s the main difference?

The term scooter and moped can often be swapped in/out for one another, with no shortage of confusion for bike riders. If you are in this position, you might want to take a look at what is a moped, and what is not. However, you can be comfortable that buying either a 50cc or 125cc moped from Direct Bikes means buying a top quality vehicle that is 100% brand new.

What is a moped, exactly?

So, a moped itself is a vehicle that has a long history. In the past, mopeds were equipped with a set of pedals. The name itself was actually a happy mixture between the word motor and the word pedal. Since it was motor-driven but with pedals, moped became the obvious word to use for them.

However, today? You don’t see any moped with pedals unless you go to a transport museum!

So, you should keep that in mind. Today, a moped is actually defined by the engine size, the speed that it is capable of, and its overall output. Typically, a moped is anything that has an engine either 50cc in size or less. Their top speed often maxes out at 28mph, though Direct Bikes models can hit 30mph.

Another factor to take into account, too, is that our mopeds are often powered automatically. Unlike other models, like some scooters, 50cc mopeds are almost always powered using a Twist & Go system. You can easily check the transmission and specification of all of our models online on their respective page.

With Twist & Go, you will be driving using an automatic transmission. This means that you quite literally just twist on the handlebars and take off.

How old do I need to be to drive a moped?

To drive a moped that you buy from Direct Bikes, you have to be the age of 16. You also need to be able to go and take what is known as your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) examination. This means that you have to go and spend roughly one day learning, prior to taking a theory and practical examination. Once you have passed your CBT, you will be given the chance to get an AM Moped License.

This means you could drive any vehicle which is of an engine capacity of 50cc, and a top speed of around 28mpkh. That’s why you need your license first and foremost. So, that’s a moped. What’s a scooter?

What’s the main difference to think about when buying from our store?

What is a scooter, then?

While both terms are often used alongside one another, they are not exactly the same thing. Yes, you can get a 125 moped. Yes, some people will call it a scooter. A scooter has, just like a moped, a small step-through frame. They tend to look very similar – though scooters naturally a big bulkier and bigger – but they do share one major difference. And that difference, of course, is the engine. The engine is the single most important part of any vehicle – and it’s what separates scooters from mopeds.

A scooter won’t have a set engine size, though you can buy scooters that range from 50cc to a whopping 750cc. These are often known as maxi-scooters and are more powerful than many bikes that you get on the road. For that reason, you should absolutely look to work out what kind of scooter size you are looking for.

The vast majority of scooters, though, are going to range from 50cc to 125cc.When buying from Direct Bikes, we sell both 50cc and 125cc models. This should help you to define whether or not you want a smaller moped, or a more powerful scooter.

So long as there is a platform for you to put your feet as you ride, though, it’s “technically” a scooter. Anything at 50cc or under, though, is more than often going to be classed as a moped. So, the main things that will change from scooter to moped include:

• Typically, a scooter is going to be smaller in terms of wheel diameter when you pair it up alongside a moped.
• The wheels are not the only change: the moped tends to be a bit smaller if you pair it up with the scooter in terms of body size and shape.
• They are also more expensive to buy – a scooter is almost always going to cost you more. This comes down to their increased power.
• Normally, they will be driven by using a manual transmission. However, many 125 scooters are also powered with an automatic transmission, so keep that in mind!

Not sure what to buy? Then contact Direct Bikes. Our team can give you all of the information that you need to make sure you buy the right model in terms of size and engine strength.

Driving a 125 moped from Direct Bikes

To make sure that you can legally drive something like a 125 moped, you need more than just the basic AM Moped License we spoke about before. For this, you need something called an A1 Motorcycle License. The A1 can be taken at 17 years of age, and you would be given the opportunity to ride any model that has an engine capacity of up to 125cc. To gain this license, you would have to first go and pass your CBT, and then pass your Motorcycle Theory test.

That will take you some time to master, so it will give you time to work out what you want to do next. At the age of 19, you could take your A2 license instead. This would allow you to get the chance to ditch your learning plates, get on the motorway, and pick up a passenger.

The main thing you have to work out then is what you wish to do with your moped. For those who are looking for something in the light range, go for a 50cc model. If you want something more powerful, though, you should wait and take your A1 license. Alternatively, you could wait until you are 19 and do the A2 instead. Just remember that anything 50cc or under is likely a moped, and anything in the 50-750cc range could be a scooter!

At Direct Bikes, we can help you to pick out the best moped or scooter to suit your needs. Simply tell us what you are looking for, and we can help you to pick out a model quickly and easily. With prices starting at just £959 and delivery within three working days, we can get you on the road in no time at all!