How fast do mopeds go?
The speed of your moped is directly proportional to the size of your engine. The larger the engine, the faster the moped will go. By legal standards, mopeds are usually defined by their engine size, usually under 50cc (cubic centimeters).
Other determinant factors are the maker and brand of a moped. Some mopeds that are 50cc will usually top out at 35 miles per hour. However, there are models at 50cc who can go over 60 miles per hour. 125cc models can reach 60mph or higher without any modifications. However laws are in the books to prevent mopeds from going so fast. 150cc models (which in most law books no longer classify as a moped) have been clocked at 70 miles per hour.
Rider size and weight are also factored into the equation. A larger rider obviously will give the motor more to contend with and will lower the speed. A taller rider who doesn’t stoop will cause more wind resistance and slow the moped down.
Electric mopeds are able to go faster than one might think. Some higher end models are able to breach 70 miles per hour. These models also cost thousands of dollars. Most of the lower cost models run about 20 miles per hour or so.
To make a moped faster, a few things you can do are adding a new exhaust pipe, change the gearing and get a new air filter. The more air you can get to your engine the better it will run, especially if your moped is running on internal combustion. If your goal is street racing a bore kit for a higher cc engine may help your speed considerably.
What someone has to consider when purchasing their moped is if they want to go over the speed limit set by the state they live in. It can be exhilarating to speed down the road at 60 miles per hour in your modified 150cc moped, but it can also be dangerous and if you are pulled over the money you end up spending on court costs and impoundment fees can outnumber the benefits of exhilaration. Traffic laws are put into place for the safety of all of those on the road. They may seem restrictive, but it is more beneficial it seems to be in a restrictive environment than to be lying injured or worse on the side of the road. Always remember to ride responsibly.
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