Mopeds: Taking the Nation by Storm | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Mopeds: Taking the Nation by Storm

Who needs a car when you have the most fun possible on two wheels?

9
Mopeds: Taking the Nation by Storm
Jalbert Lacrosse Films

With the July 4th weekend at an end and some of the best weather imaginable settling in, it only makes sense to bust out the most fun you can have on two wheels. What I’m referring to, of course, is a moped. These 49cc bad boys get you where you need to go at a relatively above average pace all while allowing you to look like the true badass you are. With some reaching 40 MPH on a flat road, I wouldn’t dare underestimate a rider with a need for speed.

I myself recently picked up Yamaha Zuma and, boy, I haven’t been the same since. The sheer amount of freedom you experience on such a machine is tough to find anywhere else. Convince a friend to hop on and hold on tight and you’re off on your next big adventure. What’s even better is when you have the opportunity to cruise with other fellow moped riders. Between constantly blasting your horns and intimidating local neighborhood moms the combined shenaniganry makes you seem unstoppable. The frequency of moped gangs seems to be increasing sharply or at least in my home town. I’ve been riding with a group of four over the past month, but suddenly I’ve seen two other groups of four or larger. At this rate, mopeds will be outnumbering motorcycles in no time.

Being a Badger, having a moped in Madison can be one of the greatest things to happen to you. Whether you’re a veterinarian major who lives on Langdon or an agriculture major stuck in southeast, a moped is a dream come true. Granted, even if you live three blocks away from where you need to be it makes life just a bit easier. Some don’t recommend it, but even in winter the faster you get to your destination the faster you can get out of the blistering cold. Sure it’s not a car, but it’s the next best thing with ample parking, a smaller profile, and being easier to take care of. Speaking of care, as long as you don’t purchase a garbage brand or a sketchy used moped, you won’t ever have to do much. Sure, some have to winterized, but most basic 2-cylinders just need fuel and oil to run year round.

One of the most important factors that I have yet to mention is as long as your moped is under 50cc you don’t need a motorcycle license to operate it. Although, you do need a regular driver’s license. This helps tremendously considering the motorcycle course and license in Wisconsin can run you upwards of $300. This is in comparison to an overall purchase price of $600-$3000 depending if you buy new or used. If you take good care of your moped, the resale value isn’t too shabby either. With all the money you save be sure cop some aviators, a comfy helmet, and an American flag tank top and you’ll be set to ride for life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
ross geller
YouTube

As college students, we are all familiar with the horror show that is course registration week. Whether you are an incoming freshman or selecting classes for your last semester, I am certain that you can relate to how traumatic this can be.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

Bonus points if it is more than two.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

12 Things I Learned my Freshmen Year of College

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

2540
friends

Whether you're commuting or dorming, your first year of college is a huge adjustment. The transition from living with parents to being on my own was an experience I couldn't have even imagined- both a good and a bad thing. Here's a personal archive of a few of the things I learned after going away for the first time.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Economic Benefits of Higher Wages

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

301734
Illistrated image of people crowded with banners to support a cause
StableDiffusion

Raising the minimum wage to a livable wage would not only benefit workers and their families, it would also have positive impacts on the economy and society. Studies have shown that by increasing the minimum wage, poverty and inequality can be reduced by enabling workers to meet their basic needs and reducing income disparities.

I come from a low-income family. A family, like many others in the United States, which has lived paycheck to paycheck. My family and other families in my community have been trying to make ends meet by living on the minimum wage. We are proof that it doesn't work.

Keep Reading...Show less
blank paper
Allena Tapia

As an English Major in college, I have a lot of writing and especially creative writing pieces that I work on throughout the semester and sometimes, I'll find it hard to get the motivation to type a few pages and the thought process that goes behind it. These are eleven thoughts that I have as a writer while writing my stories.

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate

Every college student knows and understands the struggle of forcing themselves to continue to care about school. Between the piles of homework, the hours of studying and the painfully long lectures, the desire to dropout is something that is constantly weighing on each and every one of us, but the glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel helps to keep us motivated. While we are somehow managing to stay enrolled and (semi) alert, that does not mean that our inner-demons aren't telling us otherwise, and who is better to explain inner-demons than the beloved April Ludgate herself? Because of her dark-spirit and lack of filter, April has successfully been able to describe the emotional roller-coaster that is college on at least 13 different occasions and here they are.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments