Commuting - Does this count as a commuter?

Does it count as a commuter?
* Hydroform Steel Tank Frame
* Double Clamp Fork
* Drop-Ten Ahead Stem
* Super-Wide Felt 50mm Aluminum Rims
* Heavy Duty 12g Stainless Spokes
* 3-Speed Shimano Nexus Coaster Brake Hub
* Oversized Alum. Double 5-Star Design Front Hub
* 26 x 2.125 Quick Brick Tires Front & Rear
* Front & Rear Full Coverage Fenders
* Powered Coated Headlight
* Leather Saddle Bag
And here's the kicker:
*49cc or 70cc Engine
* Rubber Isolated Engine Mounts
* Aluminum Fuel Cap

Awesome. Yes? http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com////Motorbike/desert.htm

I'm considering getting one in lieu of a new commuter bike. Your thoughts?

What benefit do you see in using this over a scooter?

Well, if you're looking in that direction, you'll also want to check out Spooky Tooth Cycles and Whizzer.

What benefit do you see in using this over a scooter?

Pedal-ability. The same argument I was making for justifying an electric conversion kit for my bike (I didn't do it but that was the justification at the time). With a scooter, if I run out of gas (or electricity), I'm stuck pushing. With this, I could pedal. You can also get some exercise with these, if that's a concern, and you don't have to use the gas all the time.

Doesn't anyone make a plain-old moped anymore?

Remember on that one that it's a two-stroke. Likely you'll have to be mixing oil in with the gas. Not a big deal but kinda a pain to carry oil around with you.

33mph and a single coaster brake... clearly putting style ahead of function here.

33mph and a single coaster brake... clearly putting style ahead of function here.

That was my thought exactly.

Remember on that one that it's a two-stroke. Likely you'll have to be mixing oil in with the gas. Not a big deal but kinda a pain to carry oil around with you.

Not to mention that your carbon footprint gets larger when
spewing 2-stroke fumes everywhere. If that's a concern.

Looks totally cool and kinda Indiana Jones retro.

It's a "commuter" by definition if you ride it to and from work.
Beyond that...

I wouldn't call it a commuter as that's a person who commutes. I would call it a complete pile of junk that will be near impossible to pedal without the motor and woefully underbraked. I think you'd be better off getting something well designed and maybe restricting the use of retro kit to stuff which isn't going to kill you.

"Motorbike are shipped 90% complete. Engines must be purchased separately. Some assembly required.
Not all motorized bicycles are allowed for on road use. Ridley makes not guarantee as to the road legality of these motorbikes.
Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles for information about road use requirements.
"
Hey you could always try it sans engine to see just how well it pedals first :thumb:
Note: They both are two strokers
I see:
OMG what do I do if I get a flat
How loud is it going to be?
Am I going to burn my calves on the motor or the muffler (http://shop.ridleymotorcycle.com/shop/images/uploads/mp-3b.jpg) sticking out there to the left side. Interesting most of their pics don't show the second chain or muffler but the buy a motor one does.
Not sure just how well it would ride without the motor however I might opt to carry a cup of gasoline premixed with oil or such around rather then pedal.

It does look neat though. Reminds me more of those old war films where they had the motorcycles out front of a line of jeeps though.

That makes a brakeless track bike look downright safe in comparison.

Cute, but for that money I could buy a decent, real, used motorcycle, or a nice, new commuter rig plus loads of accessories, or a very decent road bike, or a beater sports car for weekend autocrossing, or, or, or, or...

It's whatever you value, I guess.

Pretty sweet looking. Of course, with the whole coaster brake issue... sans motor this is a pretty sweet looking cruiser and one wouldn't likely to be able to get up to speeds where the coaster brake is a safety hazard. If only the fuel tank was Stainless... "Why?" you ask? Because then one could fill said tank with one's beverage of choice and dispense it through the tap in the bottom where the fuel normally comes out. *dreams* Man, that'd be the most kick-@$$ cruiser, ever.

If you're serious, check your state's laws. Really, check the actual title/tag/operator's license/insurance/inspection/emission laws in your state. Don't ask your buddy or your neighbor or the local policeman or the company's web site or the salesperson or your preacher/priest/rabbi/imam. Even if a neighbor is already operating one in some fashion, you could find out the law requires otherwise - after you get into an accident, to your financial peril. The local laws for small displacement motorbikes/mopeds/motorscooters/bicycles-with-engines are typically obscure and vary wildly, plus there are federal laws that also apply and chances are even folks who should know the requirements don't. In the USA a great many of such machines are sold illegally for street use and operated outside the law.

HTH,
tcs

PS - If you really needed/want power, the laws governing the operation of electric asist bicycles are generally far less onerous than those covering small displacement motorbikes/mopeds/motorscooters/bicycles-with-engines.

Since it has pedals it's a commuter in my book.

Well, will you commute on it? If so, it is.

33mph and a single coaster brake... clearly putting style ahead of function here.

I agree as well. I wouldn't ride that thing without a secondary brake, period.

Does it count as a commuter?
* Hydroform Steel Tank Frame
* Double Clamp Fork
* Drop-Ten Ahead Stem
* Super-Wide Felt 50mm Aluminum Rims
* Heavy Duty 12g Stainless Spokes
* 3-Speed Shimano Nexus Coaster Brake Hub
* Oversized Alum. Double 5-Star Design Front Hub
* 26 x 2.125 Quick Brick Tires Front & Rear
* Front & Rear Full Coverage Fenders
* Powered Coated Headlight
* Leather Saddle Bag
And here's the kicker:
*49cc or 70cc Engine
* Rubber Isolated Engine Mounts
* Aluminum Fuel Cap

Awesome. Yes? http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com////Motorbike/desert.htm

I'm considering getting one in lieu of a new commuter bike. Your thoughts?

Commuter yes, bicycle (human powered vehicle), No.

Need to check the laws on your state about the max speed allowed. Most are 20mph and others allow 30 mph, but you may need to register the bike and/or get a special operating license. It varies by state.

For that the price, I would buy a 250cc scooter...50cc scooters run about $700:
http://www.happyscooters.com/150cc-4-Stroke-Gas-Moped-p-200.html