The Complete Guide to Gas Scooters & Mopeds
A scooter solves a surprising number of everyday problems at once. It turns a ten-minute drive to the coffee shop into a five-minute ride. It parks almost anywhere. It sips fuel instead of gulping it. And for a lot of riders, it's simply more fun than sitting in traffic in a car.
But unlike everything else in our powersports lineup, a scooter is a road vehicle, and that raises questions a go kart or dirt bike never does: which license you need, whether it has to be registered and insured, and which roads you're allowed to ride on. This guide covers those questions, how to choose between 50cc, 150cc, and 175cc, and what to look for in our lineup of 15 scooters from Tao Motor and TrailMaster, all in stock from $1,099 to about $1,976. If you'd rather talk it through, contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234.
Scooter, Moped, or Motorcycle?
These words get used interchangeably, but the distinctions matter, especially legally.
Scooter describes a design: a step-through frame, a flat floorboard for your feet, smaller wheels, and usually an automatic transmission. You sit upright, as if in a chair, rather than straddling a tank.
Moped traditionally meant a small motorized bike with pedals. Today it's most often used for 50cc scooters, and many states use "moped" as a legal category with its own licensing and equipment rules. Tao Motor's Pony 50, New Speed 50, and Blade 50 are listed as mopeds for this reason.
Motorcycle, in legal terms, typically covers anything with a larger engine. In most states, a 150cc scooter is treated as a motorcycle for licensing and registration purposes, even though it looks nothing like one. The Tao Motor Valiant 200 and TANK 200 blur the line further: they're 175cc sport mopeds styled like small motorcycles.
The practical takeaway is that the engine size you choose often decides which rules apply to you — which is why it's worth understanding the licensing question before you pick a model.
Licensing, Registration, and Insurance
This is the most important section in this guide, and also the one that depends most on where you live.
50cc scooters are classified as mopeds in many states, which often means lighter requirements — in some places a standard driver's license or a moped permit is enough. Other states require a motorcycle license or endorsement regardless of engine size.
150cc and larger scooters are generally treated as motorcycles, which usually means a motorcycle license or endorsement, registration and plates, and insurance.
Minimum ages for mopeds and motorcycles vary by state.
Helmet laws vary by state and sometimes by age.
Road access varies too. Mopeds are commonly restricted from highways, and some states limit where lower-powered scooters can ride.
Rules change, and they differ enough from state to state that no general guide can give you a reliable answer. Check with your state DMV before you buy, and plan your purchase around what's required where you live. For many buyers, the licensing answer settles the 50cc-versus-150cc decision on its own.
Choosing an Engine Size
50cc: around town. 50cc scooters are built for short trips on slower neighborhood and city streets. They're light, easy to handle, and very fuel-efficient, and they're often the least demanding option from a licensing standpoint. They typically top out somewhere in the 30s mph, which is plenty for errands, campus riding, and short commutes, but they'll struggle on steep hills or with heavier riders. Choose 50cc if your trips are short, your roads are slow, and simplicity is the priority.
150cc: more roads, more range. Stepping up to 150cc gives you enough power to keep pace on faster local roads, climb hills comfortably, and carry more weight. It's the better choice for longer commutes and for riders who don't want to feel like the slowest vehicle on the road. It generally means motorcycle licensing, and even 150cc scooters aren't meant for interstates.
175cc: sporty and fuel-injected. The Valiant 200 and TANK 200 add a bit more displacement, electronic fuel injection, and a sport-moped style for riders who want something that looks and feels closer to a small motorcycle.
A simple rule: pick the smallest engine that handles your actual roads comfortably. More power means more capability, but also more licensing, cost, and weight.
The Lineup
TrailMaster 50cc street scooters. Five distinct styles at accessible prices. The Milano ($1,099) is the most affordable scooter in the collection. The Flash adds LED lights and a CVT automatic, the Trophy and Sorrento offer classic scooter styling, and the Turino rides on 12-inch wheels, which roll more smoothly over bumps and cracks than the smaller wheels common on budget scooters.
Tao Motor 50cc mopeds. The Pony 50, New Speed 50, and Blade 50 give 50cc buyers more style options, with the Pony 50 the most affordable of the three.
150cc scooters. Tao Motor's Pilot 150, Phoenix 150, and Galaxy 150 offer a range of styles, alongside TrailMaster's Trophy 150cc and Sorrento 150cc. The Sorrento 150cc stands out for shipping fully assembled — it's ready to ride when it arrives.
175cc sport mopeds. The Tao Motor Valiant 200 and TANK 200, both fuel-injected and styled like small motorcycles. If you're drawn to these, it's also worth browsing our motorcycles collection.
What to Look For
Transmission. Most of our scooters use a CVT automatic — no clutch, no shifting, just twist and go. It's the main reason scooters are so easy to learn.
Wheel size. Larger wheels, like the 12-inch wheels on the TrailMaster Turino, handle potholes, cracks, and rough pavement better and feel more stable.
Lighting. Good lights help you see and, more importantly, help drivers see you. The TrailMaster Flash includes LED lighting.
Fuel system. Electronic fuel injection, on the Valiant 200 and TANK 200, starts more reliably in cold weather and avoids carburetor problems from stored fuel.
Brakes. Check the brake setup on the product page — disc brakes offer stronger, more consistent stopping than drum brakes, particularly in the wet.
Seating and capacity. If you plan to carry a passenger, confirm the scooter is designed and rated for two riders, check the weight capacity, and make sure your state allows passengers. A second rider noticeably affects acceleration and braking, especially on a 50cc.
Assembly. The Sorrento 150cc ships fully assembled. For other models, check the product page for setup details.
What It Costs to Own
The purchase price is only part of the picture, and it's where scooters shine compared to a car.
Fuel. Small engines use very little gas, which makes scooters one of the cheapest ways to get around.
Insurance and registration. Often required, especially at 150cc and above. Costs vary by state and rider, so get a quote before buying.
Maintenance. Oil changes, tires, brakes, and periodic belt and spark plug service — far cheaper than maintaining a car.
Gear. Budget for a DOT-approved helmet, gloves, and a jacket.
For short-range commuting and errands, the running costs of a scooter are a fraction of a car's.
Riding Safely
Wear a helmet every ride, whether or not your state requires one. DOT-approved, properly fitted.
Protect the rest of you. Eye protection, gloves, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a jacket.
Be visible. Scooters are small and easy for drivers to miss. Ride with your lights on, wear bright or reflective clothing, and position yourself where drivers can see you.
Ride your roads, not the highway. Keep to roads with speed limits your scooter can comfortably match.
Watch the weather. Wet pavement, gravel, and leaves reduce traction dramatically on small wheels.
Consider a training course. Motorcycle and moped safety courses are widely available, and in some states completing one can simplify licensing.
Maintenance and Winter Storage
Oil. Change on the manufacturer's schedule.
Air filter. Clean or replace regularly.
Tires. Check pressure often — small wheels are sensitive to underinflation.
Brakes. Inspect pads and fluid.
CVT belt and spark plug. Check at the intervals in your manual.
Battery. Keep it charged, especially if the scooter sits for weeks.
Winter storage. In a Nebraska winter, most scooters spend a few months parked. Add fuel stabilizer or drain the fuel system, keep the battery on a maintainer, clean the scooter, and store it somewhere dry. Carbureted engines especially benefit, since stale fuel is the most common cause of spring starting problems.
Your owner's manual is the final word on service intervals.
Gas or Electric?
Gas scooters offer longer range, five-minute refueling, and more power, particularly at 150cc and up. They suit longer commutes, hilly routes, and riders who don't want to plan around charging.
Electric scooters are quieter, need almost no maintenance, and cost very little to charge. They suit short trips and riders who'd rather never visit a gas station. Compare our electric scooters and electric bikes.
Price Tiers
$1,099 to about $1,630: 50cc scooters and mopeds. The TrailMaster Milano, Flash, Trophy, Sorrento, and Turino, and Tao Motor's Pony 50, New Speed 50, and Blade 50.
About $1,400 to $1,800: 150cc scooters. The TrailMaster Trophy 150cc and Sorrento 150cc, and Tao Motor's Pilot 150, Phoenix 150, and Galaxy 150.
About $1,940 to $1,976: 175cc sport mopeds. The Tao Motor TANK 200 and Valiant 200.
Every scooter in the collection is currently in stock.
Explore More
Not sure which scooter fits your commute? Contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234 with how far you ride and what kinds of roads you'll use, and we'll help you choose.
