Alpha 72cc mopeds: description, characteristics, photos and videos

The scooter is one of the most common and popular types of vehicles in the domestic market. This is a motorcycle with a simplified design, designed for comfortable movement on city streets. It also performs well when driving on rural roads, the quality of which, as you know, is far from the best. The basis of control is the mechanism located on the steering wheel. The steering handles are responsible for braking (front and rear brakes), as well as for gaining speed (throttle handle). To start moving, just turn on the ignition and turn the throttle a little. As an alternative, when the starter is out of order or is not provided in the basic configuration, a kick starter is offered - an ignition foot.

Attractive appearance, ease of operation, no need for registration - these are only a small part of the advantages of this vehicle for the population over 16 years of age. This technique confidently copes with driving on city and country roads. Practice shows that 50 cc models are very popular. The reason for this is the wide range of products and their affordable prices. However, many potential buyers often wonder how much a 50cc scooter weighs. There are no exact frames, since each model has its own design features. As a rule, the more components provided in the basic configuration, the greater the final weight will be. The best models belong to the middle and light class.

Weight of common scooter models

Here is the weight of the most common scooter models in Russia:

• Honda Dio (Honda Dio), volume 49 cm3. – weight 63-70 kg (depending on the year of manufacture);
• Stels Vortex (Stealth Vortex), volume 150 cc. – weight 106 kg;
• Suzuki (Suzuki), volume 49 cc. – weight 79 kg;
• Suzuki Skywave 400, 125 cc. – weight 150 kg;
• Yamaha Jog (Yamaha Jog), volume 49 cc. – weight 70 kg;
• Stels Skif (Stels Skif), volume 49.9 cc. – weight 82 kg;
• Tornado (Tornado), volume 49 cc. – weight 90 kg.

Exterior

The Alpha moped (110 cubic meters) does not look like low-power scooters with plastic body kits. It has a large wheel diameter, a larger front fork, and some parts are made of chromed metal. The resemblance to a motorcycle is added by the original seat and mirrors.

For its category, the equipment in question has respectable dimensions. For convenience, wide footrests are provided, and the unique shape of the muffler has become one of the distinctive elements. You can also note the informative dashboard and side metal arches that provide additional safety.

What does the weight of the scooter affect?

The overall weight of the vehicle affects many things:

1. Controllability. Heavy scooters are difficult to turn, but on the other hand, they will feel much more confident in the process of negotiating a turn. The fact is that in this case, the tires experience greater downforce, and the tread receives an increased contact area with the road. Accordingly, it becomes possible to enter a turn more smoothly. Light models operate on the opposite principle - starting a turn is quite simple, but due to their low weight they lose the force of contact with the road that is inherent in heavy equipment.
2. Strength. If the scooter is initially heavy, this means that it is built on a stronger frame that can withstand increased load. Thus, not only the driver, but also the passenger sitting behind him can ride it. More weight makes the suspension work more stable. Many owners note that as the weight load on the scooter increases, shock absorbers handle small irregularities more effectively, including cracks in the asphalt.
3. Fuel consumption. Naturally, as weight increases, the load on the engine increases. For full consumption you have to spend more fuel than in the case of alternative models. Therefore, do not be surprised if, for example, a middle-class scooter consumes 3 liters of fuel per hundred, and light-class products - no more than two and a half.
4. Acceleration. Having the same cubic capacity, representatives of the light class will accelerate much faster. Indeed, for such an engine, a difference of 15-20 kilograms is of great importance.
5. Braking distances. Using virtually identical hydraulic brakes, the lightweight scooter will have shorter stopping distances than the heavier 90kg model. The laws of physics do not allow heavy equipment to brake quickly, since the braking system is subject to increased load.

Technical specifications

The moped embodies the reliability and high technology required for everyday driving and travel. The design of the moped fully meets all current standards and environmental regulations.

Life time

The manufacturer indicates that the service life of the Alpha 50cc moped is three years. But in practice, if you monitor the equipment in accordance with the instructions, it can be used for much longer without major repairs.

Alpha 50 cc is, first of all, a vehicle for traveling and everyday driving for work or other errands . This is a real workhorse with big wheels, impressive front forks and a lot of components. The dimensions of the moped themselves are also impressive - two meters long and half a meter wide!

Design and driving performance

The design of the moped also has no flaws. A solid design that Alpha’s competitor in the same price range is unlikely to boast of. It is suitable for both city driving and off-road driving. The high ground clearance and manual transmission are clear evidence of this.

How to choose the right scooter by weight?

If you want to purchase a scooter, but are concerned about its weight, you should pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. Compare your own weight. If you are thin, you can opt for a representative of the light class. This way you can accelerate much faster, stop quickly and turn into corners without much difficulty. People with average weight should pay attention to models whose weight is 85-95 kilograms. Choosing this option will also allow you to take advantage of the benefits provided for light owners.
2. Think about the roads you will have to travel on. Practice shows that when choosing a heavier scooter, it will be easier for the owner to cope with potholes on the road. A frame with an increased number of stiffening elements will make it possible to more effectively cope with increased load caused, for example, by transporting a passenger or heavy cargo (a bag of potatoes or cement).
3. Fuel consumption. Despite the fact that the average fuel consumption does not exceed three liters for every hundred kilometers, many still focus on gasoline consumption, while checking the weight of the scooter. Of course, to spend less money on refueling, you should choose a lighter model. But you need to remember that reduced weight will not always allow you to accelerate quickly.

What affects the final weight?

The question of choosing in favor of one model or another is purely individual. Remember - there are a number of reasons why the weight of a scooter can be high or low:

1. Frame design. If the manufacturer relies in advance on the possibility of transporting two people, then a standard frame will not work here. The double seater is equipped with additional stiffening elements to increase the vehicle's carrying capacity. If you have a one-person model in front of you, it will always be lighter than a two-seater model.
2. Wheel diameter. The larger the wheel diameter, the higher the final weight will be. The reason for this is the use of more raw materials for production. Accordingly, to maintain optimal structural rigidity, weight must be sacrificed. The difference can range from several hundred grams to several kilograms.
3. Engine design. Despite the presence of a small cubic capacity power unit, the lack of an auxiliary cooling system obliges manufacturers to create large transverse fins for effective heat removal. Depending on their size, the weight may vary.
4. Dimensions. Scooters can be either compact or large. The more plastic is spent, the greater the final weight will be. In some cases, a windshield is added to increase aerodynamic properties. Its weight is usually one kilogram. But this is also enough to affect the acceleration and braking characteristics under the influence of additional weight.

Types of rollers

• Cast rollers are characterized as easy to use and very reliable during operation. They are equipped with a friction layer around the circle.
• Composite rollers will last a long time only if they are supported inside the structure. This type of roller consists of a clip that contains a weight.
• Composite rollers without stop. They are characterized as unreliable rollers that destroy the scooter's variator from the inside. Cargo placement is very tight inside. But, despite this, it is deformed and has a negative impact on the partitions and the variator as a whole.
• Polygonal rollers are new. Sold in cast and composite form. The belt is pushed out over a large radius. If installed incorrectly, they will not function.

Alpha moped engine (110 cc)

This modification has a four-stroke power unit with a volume of 110 cubic centimeters. The motor is cooled by air. Thanks to its design features, the power plant has a high dynamics rating.

(110 cc) using an electric starter that is powered by the engine. There is a backup option to switch the starting mode to kickstarter. The volume of the fuel tank is enough for 200 kilometers without refueling; AI-95 grade is used as fuel.

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Three-wheeled scooter Ant - review

The Ant scooter was produced at the Tula Machine-Building Plant from 1959 to 1995. Its modification, or as they say now, restyling, was carried out in 1983 and the updated version received the designation Ant 2M 01. The longevity of this unusual three-wheeled vehicle was brought, first of all, by positive qualities, among which it is necessary to highlight:

• versatility;
• affordable price;
• simple repair;
• compactness;
• maneuverability.

The TMZ Ant scooter was the first cargo model of motorcycle equipment mass-produced in the USSR. The presence of a cargo platform allowing it to transport 250 kg of cargo at a speed of 60 km/h made the Ant very popular. It is enough to note the areas in which it was used:

1. Transportation within the city, including small batches of products for restaurants, cafes and canteens.
2. In-plant transportation, when small batches of certain components were moved between production departments.
3. Transportation of small volumes of building materials, especially in urban environments.
4. Carrying out transportation inside enclosed spaces, primarily for agricultural purposes (greenhouses, poultry farms, livestock farms).

For various modifications of the TMZ Ant scooter, four body options were used:

• open;
• open reduced (installed on the cargo-passenger version);
• awning;
• van.

The most significant drawback is the lack of any comfort for the driver, who was forced to spend almost the entire working day behind the wheel of a scooter. It was especially difficult to work in winter, since, unlike two-wheeled mopeds, scooters and motorcycles, the Ant cargo scooter was used at state-owned enterprises even in winter.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Ant scooter, whose technical characteristics are not the only feature of the moped, has a number of advantages:

1. The moped is equipped with reverse gear, which allows you to better maneuver in difficult situations, such as tight parking. In addition, by moving in reverse, you can choose a convenient loading position.
2. The Ant engine can be turned on using a starter, due to the built-in dyna-starter and kick-starter systems. The principle is the same as for motor vehicles.
3. The turning radius of the moped is 3.5 meters. This is a fairly small value, ideal for both urban conditions and narrow rural roads surrounded by ditches.
4. The lightness of a moped is undoubtedly an advantage compared to motorcycles equipped with a sidecar.
5. It is also worth noting how much the Ant scooter costs. At that time, the price of 775 rubles was quite humane, but now it will not hit the budget at all. However, at the moment, purchasing is only possible by hand . Ant's production ended long ago.

In addition to the positive qualities, the scooter also has disadvantages, which were mentioned earlier. Here are the main ones:

• Significant fuel consumption. Today, a consumption of 8-10 liters scares even some car owners, and for motorcyclists this is far from an acceptable option. Therefore, the interest of the moped arises mainly among collectors of rare equipment.
• Frequent breakdowns can prevent the Ant from doing the job it was designed to do. Moreover, some types of breakdowns require solid mechanical knowledge.
• Low cross-country ability on soft ground. Sometimes, if the moped is sufficiently loaded, you can get stuck in loose soil or wet ground.