First moped

Your First Moped

So you've started checking out different mopeds; you're looking at pictures, reading forum posts, but it's still all so confusing. There are so many brands and models to choose from, and now you may find yourself asking, what should I look to get? And where?

This guide will outline the Moped Army general consensus on which brands and models of moped are the best for first-time owners in North America.

This guide works under the assumption that you, the first-time buyer, are probably not that experienced with small engines. It also assumes a budget of around $400, although this figure tends to vary depending on local market conditions, the time of year, and the method by which you are acquiring your first moped.

Note: Technical advice for first-timers and mechanical issues to watch out for is covered in other articles.

The Rules for a First-Time Buyer

Before you even begin looking for a vintage moped, commit yourself to three simple rules.

  • I will not buy an exotic, rare, or no-name brand of moped.
  • I will not buy a non-running moped.
  • I will not pay more than about $700 (unless you're buying a brand-new or nearly-new Tomos, or a very well-maintained moped in a bigger city)

1. Buying an exotic or no-name brand of moped can be a problem unless you are highly experienced. Although most mopeds are very similar in design, owning a rare moped and keeping it running frequently demands that you acquire parts that are simply no longer available; if your moped is rare enough, there may be few or no parts bikes available, and you may have to fabricate parts yourself or adapt parts designed for other mopeds, and other local moped riders may not be able to help you very much with repairs.

2. Buying a non-running moped may seem appealing at first if the price is right and the seller claims that 'it was running last fall' or 'it should be a simple fix.' However, attempting to identify even a basic problem can prove difficult for a new rider and often leads to frustration and eventually giving up before the moped is running again. Avoid this, suck it up, and pay an extra couple hundred for a running one.

3. The vast majority of vintage mopeds are simply not worth more than about $600. They have dents, dings, scratches, and rust. They could be missing sidecovers, fenders, decals, reflectors, fairings or luggage racks. The tires might be worn out. Seats could be torn. Lights could be burnt out. Seals may leak. All of these things lower a moped's value and most vintage mopeds have at least some of these minor problems. In some markets, especially New York City and the Bay Area, $700-1200 is a more typical price.

Recommended Brands and Models

There are well over a hundred brands of mopeds available in North America, but a few stand out as particularly reliable, simple to work on, inexpensive to maintain, and easy to find outside help for. These brands are also notable for having a wealth of aftermarket performance parts available. If you're unhappy with going 30 mph, then you've got options.

  • Puch (or in Canada, Bombardier) mopeds equipped with the E50 engine, especially most models of Maxi (and Newport), and close cousins, such as the JCPenney Pinto (and Swinger), the Sears Free Spirit, and the Murray.
  • Tomos mopeds equipped with the A3, A35 (A5) or A55 engine, such as the Silver Bullet, Targa, ST, or LX. Tomos mopeds were also available brand new from Tomos USA dealerships (for a price premium) until 2019.
  • Minarelli engine mopeds, particularly those with the V1, such as the Cimatti City Bike, General, Motron, some models by Intramotor Gloria, and many other generic Italian mopeds. Very simple bikes with high parts availability. Note that some models, like the City Bike, have their engines mounted in a way that prevents many Minarelli intakes from being used. The 'A' version of the AMF Roadmaster also has a V1 (the mechanically-unrelated McCulloch 'C' version should be avoided at all costs).
  • Honda PA50II (also known as the Hobbit in America, and the Camino in Britain). Avoid the PA50I. Many performance parts for the PA50 will also fit Honda nopeds like the NC50 (Express), NA50 (Express II), NU50 (Urban Express), and NX50 (Express SR) while the exhausts might need modification to fit

Models with Performance Options

Along with the mopeds identified above, these models below have many good performance parts available, but tend to be somewhat less common and slightly more complex to work on, as many are variated or have other oddities such as rubber clutches or have low parts crossover with other brands. These models make a good second moped!

Models With Few or No Performance Parts

These models are pretty reliable, but are somewhat less common and have some parts (especially performance parts) that are difficult or impossible to find anymore.

  • Batavus and their close cousins, Trac, that are equipped with the Laura M48 or M56 engines. Some Trac mopeds use an uncommon two-speed engine called the DM50 and DP50.
  • Solo mopeds, such as the Odyssey, and other mopeds with Solo engines like certain models of Columbia.
  • Jawa, also known as Babetta. Common models are the 207 and 210.
  • Honda four-stroke mopeds, such as the P50, PC50/P25, etc.
  • Nopeds such as the Suzuki FA50 Shuttle and Yamaha QT50 Yamahopper. Honda's nopeds are a bit easier to make fast because of a fair amount of parts crossover with the PA50.
  • Yumbo, Hero Majestic, and most other mopeds from India (except Avanti and Kinetic)

Models for Beginners to Avoid

These mopeds are more rare in North America, tend to not share parts with other mopeds, and are generally impractical for a novice to keep running due to very low availability of parts.

Know What You're Getting

  • Some brands of moped used different engines in different models. For instance, Intramotor Gloria used Minarelli, Sachs, Morini, and Verona engines on different models. Some moped models even switch engines for certain years.
  • Some models come in different configurations that are nearly identical in external appearance, like the Puch Maxi or the Honda PA50.
  • Some mopeds known for their stock reliability may have been upgraded with exotic parts and can be hard for a beginner to keep running well. Avoid a water-cooled 90cc Simonini for your first moped. At this point, most vintage mopeds are modified in some way, so be careful.

Where to Buy

  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Offerup/Letgo
  • Craigslist
  • eBay
  • Garage sale / swap meet
  • Junkyard
  • Estate sales and auctions
  • Moped Army Buy/Sell Forum
  • Various moped Facebook groups
  • The /r/moped subreddit
  • Rallies
  • Your local moped shop (such as MOPED in Chicago, or Second Stroke Mopeds in New York City)
  • Brand new from a Tomos dealership (discontinued 2012 , Now being imported into the US again as of 2016 and discontinued again since 2019(?)

Note that private party sales carry the risk of not obtaining the proper paperwork, leaving you unable to get it titled or registered.

I've got my first moped, now what?

Check all fluids, lights, tire pressure, wear a helmet, read Fred's Guide, and go have fun! Abide by your local moped laws.

For a Puch Maxi or Newport, also refer to the Puch Maxi Maintenance and Tools Guide in addition to Fred's Guide.

See Also

Moped reviews

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