6 Best Street Legal Mopeds Reviews 2020 [Updated]

What are the best street-legal mopeds around in 2020 is a frequently asked question these days. If you are wondering about this too, you have come to the right place. Let us introduce our buyer’s guide to street-legal mopeds and what knowledge you require to make an informed buying decision.

A good starting place is a definition of what a moped is. And what makes it street legal to drive?

Typically, a moped will have an engine no larger than 50cc though many today are electric rather than gasoline-powered. Mopeds are ideal for driving in town and zipping around the city. Due to their relative lack of power, they are not suitable for long journeys or grand tours in the countryside. They are quite rightly regarded as a tool for the city as they are fast, agile, easy to ride, cheap, and easy to park.

Starting at around $700 for a gasoline-powered moped, street-legal machines are significantly cheaper than a car. Furthermore, mopeds are practical for city driving, cause less congestion, and take up less space in the parking garage. For short journeys or daily commutes, a moped is the vehicle of choice, unless there’s a downpour of rain or snow. In these weather conditions, you will be glad of four wheels, rather than two wheels, and all the creature comforts of driving a modern car. 

Inclement weather aside, the street-legal moped is the ideal urban vehicle. This versatility is because the moped is nippy in traffic and can scythe its way through traffic jams in a way car drivers can only envy. 

But before we get too carried away, do you need a driver’s license for a moped?

Yes, and no. The proverbial rule of thumb holds that you have a driver’s license for a moped up to 50cc. At 150cc and above, you will need to hold both a driver’s license and a motorcycle license.

This is a generalization as the law differs in the US from state to state. It is a little bit of a minefield, so please, before you buy, check with your local DMV to get chapter and verse on the local regulations. There are too many variations to list here exhaustively. With regards to registration of your moped, you may not need to do this if you solely plan to stay within private land. But to drive on the public highway, again check with your DMV for details.  

But don’t let the paperwork put you off and check the list with the best 6 SL moped selection below: 

Street legal mopeds are the best for fun and saving money:

Most mopeds will come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which is good for at least six months or more, so that is a significant headache taken care of for you. However, the devil is in the detail, so please be sure to carefully read the warranty when you buy your moped. There are likely to be several exclusions in the warranty, for consumables like the battery, tires, and bulbs, and damage to bodywork. So always be sure you know where you stand to avoid any nasty and expensive surprises later on.

Next, you should think about whether you want a gasoline moped or an electric moped. Both are equally effective as nifty road warriors; there are pros and cons with each. But on balance, electrics tend to be on the lighter side, making them more portable and easier to use. The big bonus point is that they do not burn gas. Their fuel source is a primary consideration as electric vehicles are offered preferential treatment. On paper, the street-legal moped that plugs into the mains electricity wins on points for most people. It is the eco-friendly reality we will all need to embrace sooner or later.

However, the killer question with electric mopeds, though, is the range.
-How many miles can you cover on a single charge (range)?
-And how long does it take to charge an electric moped?

The answer to the first question is anywhere between 15 and 40 miles depending on the battery size. Charging, unlike filling up at the gas station in minutes, takes anything from three to eight hours depending on the battery. Ultimately, it is determined by how you plan to use your street legal moped. Is it exclusively for short journeys of a couple of miles, which may be typical for many people, or is it for long daily commutes in heavy traffic? You may wish to take a note of your daily and weekly mileage, and then you can work out if an electric moped is going to work for you and your specific needs.

What, then, makes for the best street-legal moped?

Like anything you would buy, always go with the build quality. Does it look sturdy and stable? Better still, ask for a test drive on a demonstrator, and you can see for yourself. If the build quality is not there, you are only never going to feel safe and confident on the open road.

Check out the seat. Is it comfy? Are you going to be happy to sit on it for extended periods? You don’t want to be shuffling around on the seat because you are uncomfortable.

While you are at it, check the driving position. Does it feel natural? Is everything within easy reach, or are you cramped? This will depend entirely on your height and the frame size of the moped you intend to buy. And don’t forget to check the passenger seat too and the footrests. Sometimes taller passengers can feel overly restricted if the footrests are too high, leading to hip pain.

After determining that you and your passenger are going to be comfortable, what else is on the checklist? Please enquire about the storage space and ensure it is lockable. Some under the seat compartments can accommodate two crash helmets, so you may wish to clarify this with your dealer. Alternatively, some models are supplied with lockable boxes at the rear to keep your helmet and other items safe when you wish to park up. Carrying a crash helmet around everywhere you go is a real pain, especially if you need to carry bags.

When you eventually zero in on an electric moped that suits your circumstances, check online reviews from owners. These can be quite enlightening, if occasionally contradictory. If there are several reviews about a particular model, you will quickly get a consensus. If you know someone who owns the model you are interested in, do not be shy in asking them for a frank opinion.

Pro tip here is to monitor the location of those leaving feedback and bear this in mind when drawing your conclusions. For instance, if the reviewer lives on a hilly part of the country with steep inclines everywhere, their review will be somewhat different from a reviewer who lives in a landscape that’s as flat as a pancake. The extra grunt required for tackling steep inclines may not be necessary if, for example, you live on the great plains of Kansas, a territory that is widely regarded as one of the flattest states in the United States.

In short, then, the best street-legal moped is the one that is the closest match to your needs and your budget. Doing your homework will ensure you are not disappointed. Take the time to get it right, and be sure to shop around for the best deal possible.