Originally Posted by
twinquad
Really? So all this time I've been pedaling along at 15-20 MPH, I could have been going 30-40 MPH with just a little less lollygagging?
Power is roughly proportional to the square of velocity. So to go twice as fast, you need 4 times the power. This is why a 50cc scooter is fine for neighborhood or downtown riding, but if you want to go on the highway, you should be looking at the 250cc models.
You seem to be forgeting how weak humans are compared to small light weight motors.
One of those puny little 50cc motors will pump out a few hp all day long. A very strong cyclist might get over 1 hp for a very short sprint.
So, comparatively speaking, it really doesn't take that much more power. As speed gets much above 45 mph, it really does start taking considerable power.
I suspect the 25 mph speed limit has more to do with safety regs than it does with physics.
So, it is yet another case of government over regulation screwing us.
VW has a euro market 3 cylinder turbo diesel that will beat the pants off the prius in the fuel economy area. Trouble is, the safety weenies make it to difficult to import.
Yet, I can go down to the suzuki dealer and buy a 400 lb, 150 hp 2 wheeled rocketship.
Somebody 'splain how this makes sense to me.