Engine Size. Does it really matter?

[cheeseman]

Hi,

I have a couple questions on engine size. If you were pulled over riding down the street with a motorized bike and the cop saw that you had a larger engine than allowed either by markings or it just looks huge than could you be cited for riding a motorcycle without the proper license? Since, it it no longer a motorized bike that is generally defined as under 50cc or a moped that is also generally under 50cc.

Also, I have another question. I live in mass and was looking around at laws. Aparently, motorized bikes have engine size limits but a motorized scooter does not. I have looked everywhere, the dmv manual, online law library and even mass cops fourm but could find anything regarding maximum engine size. Motorized bicycles have a maximum of 50ccs and "mopeds" are defined as "motorized bicycles" so it applies to them too. In the definitions it says that a motorized scooter shall not include the terms "motorized bicycle" or "moped" so the laws don't criss-cross with each other? Anyone know anything about this?

Links:

Definitions: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-1.htm

Motorized scooter: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-1e.htm

Moped (motorized bike): http://www.mass.gov/rmv/license/7moped.htm

Motorized Bike: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-1b.htm

Mas cops link: http://www.masscops.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1933&highlight=motorized+scooter

 

[thatsdax]

no.. and yes..

No..A moped is not a motor assisted bicycle. Yes..Size matters. Since 40cc up to around 70cc, those engines are pretty close in size and with no markings, you can get away with it unless your engine is confiscated and then displacement measured. In which case, you must have really made the cops mad in order for them to take your engine. Good job. But point is..Yes Size does matter. That is why the law defines a bicycle with a motor assist not to exceed 49cc. Most call it 50cc. But here where I am, it is actually 49cc or less. That is why you see 48.8cc motors. Bottom line.. Size matters to her and the letter of the law. It does not matter to me. It does not matter to me at all. Enjoy the ride..

 

[thatsdax]

and also

also.. A Bicycle with motor assist is still a bicycle. That is..If the motor is less than 49cc here in Colorado and many other states as well. That is also the Fed Reg. . Check the Legal section. That means..It is still a bicycle. So, if you check into laws, it would make sense to check into the local bicycle laws and what is applicable to bicycles. Not sure why anyone would want to check into moped laws, scooter laws, motorized bicycle laws, motorcycle laws, ect ect ect. I am always confounded at those that check into all these laws, but never what are the bicycle laws. It may be that a lot of the in frame bicycle assist engine kits then make a bicycle look like a motor cycle now so these folks feel they should check into motor cycle laws. IT may be that some places have laws added to generate revenue and class anything with a motor as a motorized bicycle. If the latter is the case, then the law would state motor assisted bicycle = motorized bicycle. Anyway. I am long here. I just get frustrated with those that first thing, what are the scooter laws in my area?. What are the motorcycle laws in my area? Why ? why ? why? Why ask this? You should be asking..What are the bicycle laws ? Since these are still bicycles . and.. Remember.. Bicycles must abide by traffic rules same as everyone else. It usually comes down to registration and such. At any rate. I am no lawyer, but you can check into the legal section. Thanks..

 

[cheeseman]

Right off the Massachusetts DMV Webpage

According to Massachusetts law, a moped is a "motorized bicycle."

I understand the laws may be different in your area but you obviously didn't look at the links I provided.

The only reason I ask is because I have a motorized scooter as well as a motorized bike and I would like to put a bigger engine on the scooter. Other than that I was just interested if anyone has ever been busted for having a bigger engine than legally acceptable on a morotized bike.

 

[adamtheha]

Here's what I want to know...Does the size of the engine (past 50cc) make a big difference to the top speed of the bike? Or does it simply add more mid range torque to get to your max speed a bit sooner? I agree with the statement about not making the cops mad, but I would also caution that speeding WILL attract attention, and a bigger engine that helps you speed will by nature attract attention.