The difference between Mopeds and Nopeds according to Canada’s theglobeandmail.com:
The Globe and Mail: The low-down on ‘nopeds’: “But first, a few official words about scooters. According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, small-displacement motorcycles — also sometimes referred to as ‘nopeds’ — are those that have a top speed of 70 km/h or less, engine displacement of 50-cc and under, and require the operator to wear a helmet, obtain insurance and display a licence plate. The rider must also hold an M, M1, or M2 licence and ‘comply with the operating requirements of a motorcycle under provincial regulations.’
Nopeds are not to be confused with mopeds, which feature ‘pedals that can operate at all times to propel the bicycle’ and have a top speed of less than 50 km/h. No plate is required in this case, nor is an M licence, but the moped must be registered and insured, apparently. Obviously, neither vehicle can be operated on a freeway; specifically, all 400-series highways are off-limits.”
I think that jives with the poll we had taken previously which breaks out like this:
What does this mean? For a Moped to be classified as a MOPED, it MUST have pedals and pretty much have to be 49-50ccs. They need to go less than 35mph and should look like a bike. You’d expect them to be automatic’s with less than 2 horsepowered motors. You wouldn’t be suprised to see a crazed moped jockey on the seat and don’t really give a damn if it’s chain driven, belt driven or direct drive. So there you have it… a Moped, defined. Later we’ll help people figure out the difference between a Noped and a Scooter.
19. January 2006 at 10:08 pm
A lot of these things are “looks” and “design” rather than anything technical or mechanical. For example, the new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration definition for scooter is: intergrated floorboards and step thru design. Thus, Honda’s E4-01 is a scooter because it looks like a scooter [despite the larger wheels and 903cc engine].
ALSO: I really do think I have a *scoop* for you. I suspect that Honda’s “automatic motorcycle” has a faux-gas-tank. If you look closely – ignition, four buttons, speakers, and a little silver latch that looks like it opens a lid – but no fuel intake. Front storage ala the Griffon? Didn’t the Goldwing have a faux gas-tank?
LINK [Special Gallery - 2ndRow/4thColumn]:
http://www.honda.co.jp/motorshow/2005/motor/conceptmodel/DN-01/special/index.html
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20. January 2006 at 3:38 pm
So… the E4-01 will be the most powerful scooter on the road, eh? Do you know if that project is a “go”, or still a concept?
I think Honda’s got something exciting to show end of this year. I don’t have anything more than a hunch… a feeling in my gut. Time will tell, eh?
20. January 2006 at 7:56 pm
If the DN-01 has a faux gas tank it will be the most powerful scooter on the road at 680cc – because it will be placed squarely in the scooter camp. The auto-tranny will cause the purists to debate but a faux gas tank would be a death sentence (scooter not automatic motorcycle).
At the recent Milan show Honda displayed the DN-01, E4-01, and GRF-1:
* The DN-01 will be built (per the CEO) and I expect to see it as a 2007 model.
* The E4-01 might be built, maybe. I’m inclined to think they will make it a show-concept-only like the Griffon. As in, “If Piaggio or BMW come out with 850cc scoots that sell well we’ll put this into production.”
* The GRF-1 appears to be an exercise in irritating people and won’t be built. I love the Griffon. I love the exposed flat-four engine and the azz-in-the-air look similar to the Speed Triple. I’m indifferent to the high-tech garbage and oversized front storage. I like seeing the engine; I don’t like the way scooters cover them in plastic.
Dispite all the cycle/scoot concepts over the years only Honda appears to be putting anything into production.
20. January 2006 at 7:59 pm
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MY PREDICTION FOR THE FUTURE
Looking three or four years out I believe Polaris will build street-legal auto-tranny two-wheel “fun machines” that share engines from their ATV line.
This bike [Polaris-Victory "Vision 800"]…
http://www.naturecoastmotorsports.com/news_article.asp?id=2402
…with this front end [Polaris Revolver]:
http://www.atvriders.com/atvnews/polaris/revolver_2_large.jpg
…that’s my prediction.
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