MOPED ARMY

OH also for #2, you can secure a bike in a truck bed upright with a single tie down run through the forks and tensioned down. just look up "motorcycle truck bed" on google and there will probably be multiple articles showing how to do it. add a second one for extra peace of mind.

OH also, you don't need a garage or shop space to rebuild a moped. you could rebuild one in your bathtub. One nice thing to consider is you can take it up the stairs and store in your apartment for security. can't do that with a motorcycle.

I’ve been working bicycles for about 3 years now, have about a years experience at a shop, and a little experience with cars and motorcycles. I guess part of my interest is in being able to eventually fix it & upgrade it when needed, but really I’d just like to get riding first which is why I’d prefer something running. Trying to build a mini bike in a nyc apartment left a bad taste in my mouth, so I want to avoid any MAJOR work, and I’m not sure I’m willing to take a 4-6 hundred dollar risk.

1.) Should I be looking for bikes with or without a title? I know about the M51 and M51B, but is that not ideal?

Mv51 and Mv51b are for non-titled vehicles which mopeds apply under if you don't have one. It's a common practice to need to submit these.

2.) Will a standardish sized moped fit upright in a minivan? If not, what's a good way to secure it to a pickup (never transported a cycle before);.

Depends on the van, but you can fit a moped in most moderately sized vehicles by only needing to take the front wheel off, I've managed to cram my derbi into a ford fiesta.

4.) Does it make sense to just bite the bullet and get something not running? My fear is that while I'll think it's just a carb that needscleaning, it'll actually be a different issue, i.e with electricals or more in depth engine stuff, and I'll be f*cked,

Depends on how skilled mechanically you are, cheap non runners tend to be filled with goblins if you are unfamiliar with common issues

5.) I've been somewhat frantic as none of the mopeds I've seen have had signals, presumably because they don't have a battery, so therefore I probably couldn't even add them if needed. Does it really matter for a class C? Or in your experience are hand signals okay? Note I live in a pretty dense city, and I want to prioritize my safety to spare my sweet mother a heart attack.

Signals can be added, but for class B/C they are not required, hand signals do just fine

Thanks again all, hope to be back with some cool moped pics!

Dont talk to me or my son ever again

It’s not that I don’t really want it, it’s just impractical for my situation. I love working on things, and would be disappointed if I never had to do any work on my future moped, but I’d like to at least have a little bit of fun riding, and repairing as I go, piece by piece, rather than being stuck with a bedrooms worth broken moped. Thanks for your advice, I think I’m pretty set on running right now, but I’m comfortable with a little TLC.

Personally, I prefer a titled bike, but your laws out there are a lot more complicated than those in my state. I would get a runner, don't just listen to it idle a minute, RIDE it for 10-15 minutes. Shut it down and start it a few times. If you are in a low speed area, I would recommend a Yamaha QT-50, a no-ped, and again not sure what that qualifies as in your state, but it is a simple rugged design, small enough to fit in most cars, shaft drive and directional signals, also CDI ignition, keep a battery in it so you don't burn up your charge coil. Easy parts availability, performance parts are avail as well. Easy to carry up stairs. Oil injected, but many take it off so make sure you know if they did, one downside, small fuel tank. Another favorite of mine is the Honda Hobbit, I've owned a stock one since '98 and never any major issues. My 2cents. (edited)

Lots of goodly answers to the legal and transportation questions so I am not going to guess on the legal stuff and add to the transportation part.

One thing about the turn signals though - if you have them, even if they are add ons, you have to use them and they have to be 100% serviceable - cops fave reason to stop and issue tickets in many jurisdictions is failure to signal lane changes and turns.

Do you have the facilities to wrench your own bike is something to consider. You can save yourself a lot of future troubles if you have the time and mechanical inclination to work on your own ride.

ALSO do some research here on MA in the Repair and Performance sections, look at the troubles people have with Puch or Honda or Tomos or Moby or Peugeot (etc) and see what sort of troubles folks have and compare that to mechanical and electrical aptitude. It might be a bit obvious which bike I favour, but that might not be your first choice or even a good fit.

KEEP IN MIND. while you do a bit of research, there is a ton of help already posted here on MA and a bunch of really goodly folk who can help you figure out snags before they become frustrating or a nightmare.