Moped Riders Association

[Rollk]

I am a college student in Seattle and am looking for a cheaper alternative to a car. Scooters/Mopeds (I think I'd want a scooter... still not exactly sure of the difference though) seem to be a great alternative, however I've never driven a motor bike, so am looking for some help in buying a used scooter/moped.
Seattle is full of hills, so being able to go 30mph up hill is very important. Decent MPG is also important. My daily commute wouldn't be more than 3 miles total, but on the weekends I would travel 20 miles or so.
I wouldn't be driving on the freeway, but it needs to be fast enough to go down arterial roads without holding up traffic, so around 40mph.
Being able to carry a passenger & room for groceries is also important.
I also don't want to spend more than roughly $1,500 (less than $1,000 would be ideal).
I've found some 125-150cc bikes, which I THINK is the type I want, considering 49/50cc wouldn't be able to handle hills or distant very well.

Of the long list of bikes I've found, I think this is roughly what I would want, but wondering if it's good, or if there's a better alternative for my needs:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/1710220266.html

anything helps, thanks!

[Keredstg]

well Moped have pedals by rule but local law will dictate what is or isn't a moped or scooter or motorcycle. Check your local laws as with higher displacement(in most places higher than 50cc) require a motorcycle license. With what you've said so far I'd look in the scooter section after you figure out what the laws are cause mopeds are generally single passenger and less reliable for a non mechanically inclined person(if that's what you are).

Hope I'm not making any assumptions that i shouldn't but good luck!

[RebelMob]

Going by what you need I would suggest you probably would be better suited with a scooter then a moped. 30 uphill and 40 on open roads plus city stuff and wanting to carry a passenger or groceries or have a tag along behind with groceries and a passenger... you need more then 50cc (or up to 80cc kitted). Something like the Malaguti Ciak in the CL you posted would probably be worth getting. Even though there is some damage on the bike they ad seems honest and that would be a fair price for the bike otherwise.

[supercub]

I would have to dissuade anyone from a moped, they are the coolest. But a plastic scooter to me would be like the equivalent of driving a K car or some other horrible vehicle.
For the amount of money that you have to spend, a good small displacement older used street bike, like a Honda Rebel, CB400, or Suzuki GS500 will get you anywhere, through high mountain passes and across country if you want an awesome summer vacation trip. These bikes are solid and dependable and require minimal maintenance.

[76puch]

Mopeds and scooters on the other hand break every 1 to 1000 miles and cost you minimal money and maximum time and frustration. But the plus is you get the satisfaction of being able to fix something that you depend on and riding it hard until the next breakage... Ride hard, screw hard and die hard.

And never wear a helmet!