Dear Acmetack, I am in college and I am considering buying a scooter or moped get to class and back.  I live about a mile away from school and  want to save money on gas.  Should I get an electric or gas model, and where can I find one for less than $900?

To really save money you can buy a bicycle, but if you are set on buying a scooter or moped, some of the cheaper brands include Wildfire Scooters.

Dear Acmetack, what is the difference between mopeds and motorcycles?

Technically, the difference between mopeds and motorcycles is that a moped has pedals and an engine to help.  Legally licensed ‘mopeds’ vary by state- a common rule of thumb is that if it has an engine under under 50cc, it is a moped.  However, some states like Wisconsin allow pedal mopeds to go with even bigger engines, as long it is one speed (up to 130cc).

Scooters and motorcycles are usually classified above 150cc, and have multiple gear transmissions.  Mopeds are a class of vehicle under 50cc, typically with two wheels.  Moped classification is intended to allow the use of small motorized vehicles, while also avoiding the safety restrictions and license requirements of bigger motorcycles.  Legally, mopeds are normally classified by their engine size, speed, and transmission.  It really depends, as in some countries, the legal driving age for a moped is lower than for larger motorcycles, and consequently mopeds are popular among the youth.