Scooter on freeway in California

[Rollin668]

Anyone know the smallest size of a motor that can be ridden on a freeway in California? Rumor has it 180cc or 7bhp...

I've got a Riva 180 I was wanting to run around on for fun, but was wondering about taking it on the freeway for short runs.


Thanks.


Rolly

[scratch]

200cc's is the minimum dispacement for a highway legal (capable?) motorcycle (I don't know why, I wouldn't ride anything less than a 250).
I know it states 'motorcycle', but I don't remember if that also included scooters or mopeds. Better safe (250), than sorry.

[Rollin668]

The CA dmv is pretty vague about this one - they say the absolute min is 150cc, but I guess the issue is whether or not the thing can travel safely (i.e. not get run over...) on the freeway.  Freeway speeds here are 65, so as long as I can get it to 65 I should be good.  I did find that I would need at least 7hp.  

I plan to only run around on this for fun on the weekends.  But here in Escondido, it's hard to make it anywhere south of here without spending a few miles on the freeway, so I just wanted to make sure it's legal... don't plan to commute on it or anything...


Thanks.


Rolly

[TheGoodGuy]

actually its 11.5HP or 175cc...

[Rollin668]

AHA! - those are the magic numbers... 11.5hp!!!  
Thanks.

Now just to hunt down the stat sheet for the little Riva 180...

I'm going to take the scooter up through Palomar Mountain on Saturday morning for fun.  Should be funny seeing the ricky racers gawking at a 180 scooter in their territory...   :lol:


Rolly

[TheGoodGuy]

well you got 180cc you should be fine...

I know that the Vespa ET4 is freeway legal at 12hp... its got a 150cc 4stroke..

however the Bajaj Legend / Chetak isnt freeway legal. They are planning on a freeway legal version soon. The Bajaj produces 9hp from 150cc.

175cc is the cut off for engine size to get on to the freeway or you got to have 11.5hp.