Riding Genuine mopeds or motor scooters from Hawaiian Style Rentals & Sales are one of the best forms of personal transportation on O’ahu and on our neighboring islands. Parking can be quite the issue when you live on an island, but with a moped or scooter parking will never be a problem. Also, they are fuel-efficient and rarely need to be filled more than once a week (a tank of gas costs about $4.50). Another advantage of mopeds and scooters is the low cost of ownership. In addition to a low purchase price, cost of services, maintenance, and insurance are also very reasonable.
Once you’ve realized that Hawai’i’s better on two wheels, the tough question is: Genuine Moped or Genuine Motor Scooter?
They may seem very similar upon first glance, but many of their differences can be quite elusive. First, we should cover the legal differences in Hawaii. Our Buddy and Roughhouse 50 mopeds have only a 50cc (cubic centimeters) cylinder and has less than or equal to 2 horsepower.
Our scooter classed vehicles like our Buddy and Hooligan 170s do not have a maximum CC or horsepower.
The next main difference will be the top speed. Buddy and Roughhouse 50s and other mopeds are legally allowed to reach a top speed of only 30mph while on flat ground, while the scooter class is unrestricted once again. Our Buddy and Hooligan 170s can cruise easily at 55mph on flat ground.
The last major difference is the ability to carry a passenger. In the state of Hawaii, you are unable to carry a passenger on a moped. Even though Buddy and Roughhouse 50s can physically fit a second person, we strongly advise against it (you run the risk of a hefty $200 ticket). The Buddy and Hooligan 170s and other scooters are legally allowed a passenger and are powerful enough to handle the extra weight.
Let’s go over the requirements to ride Buddy and Roughhouse Mopeds on the roads of Hawaii!
- Licensing: Both the Buddy and Roughhouse 50s and Buddy and Hooligan 170s require licenses to drive! Buddy 50s only requires a standard Class 3 (automobile) driver’s license, whereas Buddy and Hooligan 170s requires a motorcycle license or motorcycle endorsements. Do not fear: Motorcycle licenses are not impossible to obtain! We already have a write up on our website if you would like to learn more (link below):
Obtain Hawaii Motorcycle License: Know Rules and Regulations
- Safety Checks & Registration: Buddy 50s and Buddy 125s are required to have up to date registration and safety checks. The registration and safety checks must be renewed every year. Buddy and Roughhouse’s 50s are cheaper to register at only $37.50. Buddy and Hooligan 125s registration rolls in at $123. Safety checks for both vehicles are $13.24.
- Insurance: Buddy and Roughhouse 50s are not required to have insurance in Hawaii, but it is recommended, in case you ever get into an accident. Buddy and Hooligan 170s must be insured to operate in Hawaii.
Usage:
Now that you know what’s required, let’s talk about what they are made for.
Buddy and Roughhouse 50s are built for short and slow rides with no passengers. They’re perfect for commuting in town with many stops to allow the engine to cool. They are great for the inexperienced and for people that are looking to learn the fundamentals of riding on the street! The majority of our staff at HSR has owned a Genuine moped, and some of our staff members exclusively use mopeds as their daily rides. Something to keep in mind: Buddy and Roguhhouse 50s can be used for longer rides and more intense use, but this will result in more costly maintenance repairs.
If you are looking for cheap transportation that doesn’t require a special license and are only commuting short distances, go with a moped. You will sacrifice the freedom of taking a passenger and being able to easily climb hills, but mopeds are very easy and inexpensive to maintain. Our Buddy and Roguhhouse 50s will give you many smiles and worry-free miles!
If you have a motorcycle license and have a larger budget, I would definitely recommend a Buddy 170i or Hooligan 170i. Buddy and Hooligna 170is are built for long-distance and high-speed riding. They are able to climb hills easily and carry a passenger without wearing out prematurely. A few of our staff members own Buddy 170is and use them exclusively as their daily rides. The scooters are able to keep up with traffic on all roads (including highways) in Hawaii, and they destroy steep hills! On average, service charges will be higher because the parts are manufactured to endure their more powerful motors, but the consumable transmission parts will last longer. The power and freedom of the larger engine makes the extra cost worth it.
Whether you choose to purchase a moped or a motor scooter we have you covered. All our new Genuine Mopeds and Motor Scooters come with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty We also sell used mopeds and motor scooters with a one year unlimited warranty. Please visit our new sales page to see all our available new Genuine Scooter inventory.