The TW200 is a completely different experience from the Motoped. I’ll post something as soon as I have some free time.

The Motoped looks cool but riding one is entirely different. I have to admire serious moped riders like your friend. Hard to imagine that you won’t fit on almost any motorcycle but fit on a moped. Go figure.

The small displacement machine theory. I like the sounds of that. With your permission I may borrow that line of thinking.

My first Vespa was 149cc — the LX150. The current model is the GTS 250ie. It’s fuel injected with a 249cc engine. Much quicker and responsive. The LX150 wasn’t bad but the GTS is sweet.

I’ve ridden a couple 49cc scooters and they are reasonably peppy at the start but the top speed is limiting. And going up hills you find gravity a challenge.

I”m hoping to take one for a ride. We’ll see if the visual coolness translates into a cool ride.

I thought the Survival was for battling zombies!

A long time friend has returned home to Canada after a two year teaching assignment
in South Vietnam. He brought with him two 49cc step=through motorcycles, one labelled Honda the other can’t recall the name. The Honda has not changed much in fifty years.
He did ride it here last evening (December 1) as there is no snow and it was not cold. He is my size physically, and like me the length of his shin bone is very long. longer than mine. Suggested iIsit on the Vietnam Honda machine, I fit! My knees cleared the handlebars. However my weight flattened the shocks. Seems these small machines often are customized to the nith degree. He suggested if I really want to do the small two wheel transport bit that we find a 49cc or equivalent machine and modify it to fit, me.

Told him I’d think about the project. He cited the numerous small mopeds in use in
lesser countries for all forms of tasks, and often well-overloaded.

It is something to contemplate. My friend returns to teaching secondary school after the change of semesters end of this coming January. He has retieved (if that be the word) his leased house and is in the process of cleaning up after the tenant left in October.
His
significant other returned to Canada during the summer and is working in Toronto
taking the commuter train into downtown. His significant other also does not own a motor vehicle using the other moped to take him to and from home.

They both want to see if they can survive without a four-wheeled device, at least forthis winter (which may prove to be mild) using the mopeds and public transit and taxis.
Seems the now-married couple have discovered an automobile is a burden; and having walked just about everywhere in Vietnam or taken public transit they have no desire to have a such a device.

I need to think the small displacement machine theory.

Steve, your first Vespa was of what cc? compared to the current model?
Am thnking 49cc is not enough oomph to move big ole me when needed; i’d have to paddle my feet to get moving perhaps.

I can see these becoming really popular in Portland. There is a large hipster population there and I think you hit it right when you said it would be popular among them.

I’m surprised URAL doesn’t sell some sort of emergency moped to go with the rig. Would give you a lot more range! *grin*

You’re right about the Motoped Survival having a Mad Max vibe. Or something out of Star Wars. Either way, it definitely is not your daddy’s moped.