Fifty cc scooter engine. Four or two stroke?

Scooters are very popular due to their economical fuel consumption, the ability to ride without a license on certain models, and excellent maneuverability in urban conditions. You can easily get to your place of study, work or recreation on it, it’s nice to just ride with friends, or go fishing. Thanks to their narrow dimensions, scooter drivers never get stuck in traffic jams. Servicing a small “iron horse” is much cheaper than a motorcycle or car. But how not to get confused in the various characteristics of this equipment and choose a device that suits the user’s weight, height and terrain preferences? A detailed answer to this question is provided here.

The best scooter manufacturers - which company to choose

There are several best companies in the world that produce proven motorcycle equipment. If you are too lazy to delve into the details, then you should choose a good model from the following manufacturers:

• Stels;
• SYM;
• Suzuki;
• Irbis;
• Honda.

But their model range is so wide that it is better to read the rating of the best scooters. The material here will help you understand the confusing characteristics of scooters and determine the range of parameters for a specific user and operating conditions.

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Other useful tips for choosing and operating a scooter:

1. Please note that to drive a scooter with an engine capacity of up to 50 cm3 in Russia, since November 2013, you need a driver's license of category M, over 50 cm3 - category A1. At the same time, the minimum age at which a driver is allowed to drive is 16 years. Accordingly, the person driving the scooter is subject to all traffic rules, including the need to drive sober.
2. When choosing a scooter, make sure that it is the right size for you. Some compact models may be inconvenient for riding, because it will be very difficult to adjust the chair to your anatomical parameters.
3. The volume of the gas tank is very important: scooter drivers often forget to refuel their vehicles, so the tank must be spacious.
4. Among European manufacturers, the products of such brands as Aprilia (racing models), Piaggio, Gilera, Benelli (good off-road scooters), Peugeot deserve special praise.

Types of scooters

Mini scooters or with a volume of up to 50 cm3

These models come in small sizes, ideal for children, or standard ones. Wheel diameter can vary from 8 to 14 inches. It is not difficult to choose a device for both children and adults.

The main difference between this category is the ability to drive around the city and on the highway without a license. Of course, no one is exempt from following the rules. This is a good option for a teenage child or an elderly person to go shopping and visit.

Advantages:

• various types of design, from classic to aggressive;
• there is a built-in alarm system;
• models for 1.5-2 people;
• reinforced suspension;
• fast acceleration;
• low cost;
• There are low models for children;
• also available with 14-inch wheels;
• quiet engine operation;
• low fuel consumption.

Flaws:

• maximum speed 50-60 km/h;
• Depending on the country of assembly, minor damage may occur;
• small fuel tank reserve;
• the passenger practically hangs on the edge of the seat.

Medium scooters or with a volume from 50 to 250 cm3

This is the most popular class of equipment due to its good combination of speed, power and cost.

Such devices have an engine capacity from 50 to 250 cm3 and their operation requires a driver's license. Their wheel sizes vary from 12 to 14 inches, and the maximum speed ranges from 80 to 120 km/h.

The reinforced suspension allows them to be used not only in the city, but also when traveling to the countryside and fishing. It is easy to get on it to the neighboring city within a radius of 100-200 km. This is an option for young and old people to commute to work every day, perhaps even from the suburbs, or to get to a fishing spot.

Advantages:

• beautiful alloy wheels;
• interesting streamlined design;
• good headlights;
• hydraulic disc brakes;
• acceptable speed;
• average cost;
• the ability to travel far beyond the city limits;
• moderate fuel consumption.

Flaws:

• a license is required, which excludes driving by teenagers (14-15 years old);
• The suspension is not well assembled everywhere.

Maxi scooters or with a volume over 250 cm3

These models resemble modern motorcycles in appearance. They have wide upholstery, two full seats, comfortable foot rests, and a taller windshield. The models have more power and are capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h.

The devices are liquid cooled and can travel long distances without overheating. Such scooters are suitable for those who like to travel long distances or active young people.

Advantages:

• aerodynamic fairings;
• durable frame;
• powerful engine;
• good management;
• hydraulic brakes;
• spacious fuel tank;
• full seats for two people;
• high speed.

Flaws:

• high fuel consumption;
• very high cost.

Engine markings for Chinese scooters! Let's sort it out piece by piece.

Each motor of “rice” scooters has its own marking, which encodes the features of a particular unit. During scheduled scooter repairs (or unscheduled ones), many owners encounter some difficulties in finding spare parts, because they search for the main parts by the model name and not the engine marking. To do this, I recommend that you carefully examine the scooter’s engine, and after washing it of oil and dirt, find engraved numbers and Latin letters there. Most often, the location of these inscriptions is in two places:

• on the crankcase, underneath the cover, in the area of ​​the front variator
• engraving in the gearbox area, also located on the engine crankcase.

Quite often I see how on forums and thematic groups on social networks, fans of the Chinese motorcycle industry argue that, for example, 152QMI and 157QMJ are different engines in principle. Let's figure out what all these numbers and letters mean. The first digit “ 1 ” ( 1 39QMB) in the marking will indicate that the engine has 1 cylinder. If you suddenly see the number “2” - go nuts, the scooter’s engine is two-cylinder. The letter “P” (1P39QMB) indicates that the cylinder is in a horizontal position. If the letter “P” is missing, then the cylinder on the scooter is not necessarily horizontal. So 139QMB and 1P39QMB, whatever one may say, are the same engines. The next two digits in the designation are “39”, “ 52 ”, etc. (1 52 QMI) denote the internal diameter of the cylinder liner, and accordingly the diameter of the piston and rings in the piston group. The first letter speaks about the scooter’s cooling system: “F” (139FMB, 1P39FMB) - air cooling of the motor occurs by free flow;

“Q” (139QMB, 152QMI, 157QMJ) - forced air cooling, there is a blower casing on the cylinder. If the letter is missing, the engine is most likely water-cooled (172MM - CH250). The second letter is the engine type: “M” (139QMA, 139FMA) - motorcycle engine. The third letter in the marking corresponds to the working volume of the cylinder-piston group of the scooter: “A” - up to 50 cubic meters (139QMA) - “honest” fifty dollars); “B” - up to 70 cubic meters (139QMB) - the most common, “almost honest” half-shock, which according to the rules should be labeled as 147QMB or even 150QMB;

"G" - up to 100 cubes; “H” - from 100 to 125 cubes (a rare variety of the GY6 family);

“I” - from 120 to 130 cubic meters (152OMI);

“J” - from 150 to 155 cubic meters (157QMJ);

“L” - up to 200 cm3;

“M” - up to 250 cc (172MM) - Chinese dropsy clone of Honda Spacy / Freeway with CH 250 engine. Engines of the ARN family are also often found, with markings such as 153QMI, 157QMJ-H, 158QMI. Such engines are installed on Keeway and Stels scooters. They are often confused with the GY6 152QMI and 157QMJ family, both in the cylinder-piston group and in the cylinder head and all other parts of the engine. Although they are visually similar (152qmi-153qmi and 157qmj-158qmj), when purchasing spare parts it is worth checking these details with the seller. Concluding the “debriefing” on the dispute about 152QMI and 157QMJ, I would like to add on my own behalf that the engine data differs only in the cylinder displacement (52.4 mm and 57.4 mm). And such engines can also be called 1P52QM and 1P57QMJ.

Scooter selection options

Engine capacity

The internal size of the power unit chamber is called its volume. It comes from 49 to 550 cm3. The larger this parameter, the more impressive the force from the combustion of the air-fuel mixture inside, and the more powerful the device will be.

This is important to consider when choosing transport for teenagers or people who do not have a driver's license. By law, you are allowed to drive a vehicle with a power unit volume of no more than 49.9 cm3. There is no point in purchasing other models here, and this option is optimal for children aged 14-15 years, who cannot have a license in any case.

1. For frequent use with a passenger or cargo, a volume of 100-150 cm3 is required. The same parameters apply to unpaved roads.

2. If you plan to travel only by yourself and lightly, then you can choose the minimum value.

3. To travel between cities at sufficient speed alone or with a heavy bag, purchase scooters with an engine capacity of 250 to 500 cm3. They cope with such loads without any problems.

Engine stroke

Scooter power units can have a 2-stroke or 4-stroke device.

1. In the case of 2-stroke engines, the internal combustion chamber receives air from a special channel, mixes it with fuel, burns it and releases it on the other side. This gives simple maintenance, high power and cheap components. Such models are suitable for traveling on dirt roads, fishing or in the countryside.

2. 4-stroke engines are equipped with a valve system and the combustion process is divided into four parts. This results in smoother operation, quieter sound and more consistent traction. 4-stroke models are better suited for use in the city and on the highway.

Power

Another factor in endurance under load is the power of the scooter, measured in horsepower. The parameter ranges from 3 to 50 hp. The higher it is, the easier it will be for a vehicle to drive uphill with two passengers, the faster it will overtake other vehicles, or the faster it will pick up the required speed.

1. For children to ride or to go shopping for an elderly person, a 3 hp scooter is enough.

2. For everyday trips to work in the city, a vehicle with 4-14 hp is useful.

3. Traveling between cities over long distances will be easy with a power of 40-50 hp.

Maximum speed

From the combination of engine volume and horsepower, the maximum speed of the device is formed, which is selected taking into account the user. It ranges from 50 to 180 km/h.

1. For teenagers, it is not recommended to purchase devices exceeding 50 km/h for safety reasons.

2. It’s easier to go to work around the city on a scooter at 80-90 km/h. This option is also suitable for out-of-town trips.

3. If you often have to travel from a suburb or town to a large city and back, then you need a universal model with an indicator of 120 km/h.

4. Travelers over long distances use motor vehicles with the ability to accelerate to 160-180 km/h.

Number of seats

When choosing a modern moped, you should pay attention to the size of the seat. The possibility of boarding a passenger depends on this.

1. Single-seat models are suitable for children or single pensioners.

2. Transport for commuting can be purchased for 1.5 seats. This will allow you to sit comfortably on your own every day, and on the weekends you can take the same transport to the market with your wife.

3. For intercity trips, you always need a supply of things for which there may not be enough space on a small trunk, so it requires two full seats used for a bag or a passenger.

Device weight

Motor vehicles weigh from 80 to 300 kg. While driving, this may not affect the user, but when rolling the vehicle into the garage, over the threshold, it will be more difficult to place a heavy model. Therefore, where you store your moped plays an important role. It is also necessary to take into account installation on the running board so that the driver can do this independently.

1. For teenagers and girls, it is better to choose a scooter weighing 80-100 kg.

2. It will be easy for adults to handle 120-150 kg technicians.

3. Heavy models should be chosen by strong male representatives.

Fuel consumption

The fuel consumption of a scooter depends on the power of the power unit and the type of injection.

1. The ideal option for children to ride is a scooter with a fuel consumption of 0.8 liters per 100 km. Such entertainment will have almost no impact on the family budget.

2. To prevent everyday trips to work from being too expensive, it is better to purchase a scooter with a consumption of 1.3-2 liters per 100 km.

3. Fishing trips and trips outside the city require more powerful models, so the consumption here will be 3-4 liters.

4. Touring maxi scooters consume up to 6 liters to cover long distances quickly.

Suspension

To smooth out road unevenness, there are several suspension options, differing in internal structure and operating principle:

1. Telescopic - operates on hydraulic cylinders and has two tubes that fit into one another. This is a very soft suspension, well suited for city roads.

2. Pendulum - has a larger range of motion and allows you to better tolerate falling into holes or overcoming other obstacles. It is worth choosing in case of frequent trips to the village or fishing.

3. Lever - stabilizes road disturbances well and is a middle option between those described above, which is better for the elderly or children.

Cooling system

The power unit becomes very hot during fuel combustion. To ensure its long-term operation, a cooling system is used. It comes in two types: air and liquid.

1. Air - suitable for short rides, trips to work and back, forays into nature or fishing.

2. Liquid - necessary to overcome long distances between cities, without consequences for the engine.

Fuel supply

Gasoline is delivered to the combustion chamber of the engine by a carburetor or injector.

1. Scooters with a carburetor system operate by sucking fuel from a small block. Its operation depends on the quality of the fuel and atmospheric pressure, and is therefore unstable. But they also cost less. Carburetor models are suitable for children and older people. Short trips around the city are quite acceptable on them.

2. The injector injects finely dispersed fuel mass, which provides stability in the amount of fuel, even speed and good traction. With such a scooter you can more confidently overtake other vehicles in a short time or cover significant distances. This is the optimal type of transport for intercity travel or using a scooter throughout the day within the city.

Volume of the tank

The weak point of this technology is the small size of the gas tank. It can be from 5 to 10 liters, and in rare cases up to 15 liters. If you forget to fill up on time, you may end up in the middle of the road.

1. In urban areas, where there are many gas stations, pushing your vehicle to the nearest one is not difficult and you can choose models with a 5-6 liter tank.

2. Outside the city, pushing a vehicle to a gas station is not so easy, so it is recommended to buy scooters with a fuel tank capacity of 6-8 liters.

3. Traveling requires a sufficient reserve so as not to constantly look at the gas gauge and models with 12-15 liters are used here.

Transmission

Scooters are easy to control. CVTs or a semi-automatic gearbox are installed on them.

1. CVT - has a cone-shaped clutch, rearrangement of the belt on which regulates the speed of rotation of the rear wheel. When the belt rotates on the wide part, the speed is slower. When reaching the narrow section, the rotation increases significantly. This mechanism will be easy for girls and the elderly to handle.

2. Semi-automatic transmission - changing to a smaller sprocket and increasing wheel speed is achieved by pushing a special pedal with your foot. The speed capabilities of such models are much higher, but they require certain driving skills and are suitable for those who know how not to get lost and, in parallel with controlling the steering wheel, perform actions with their feet.

Wheel diameter

Scooters are equipped with different diameter wheels. Their size can range from 8 to 16 inches. When driving on smooth asphalt, there is no difference in the size of the tires, but on a road with defects this will play a key role. Small wheels easily fly into holes and are more difficult to get out of them.

1. An 8-inch diameter is plenty for kids to enjoy and ride around the block.

2. Traveling to work and to the store on asphalt is easier to do on models with 12-14-inch wheels. The same indicators are chosen when traveling to the village.

3. The track requires 15-16 inches.

Brake type

Brakes are responsible for driving safety. The higher the vehicle speed, the more reliably they should work.

There are several types of brakes:

1. Mechanical discs - they are clamped by hand and transmit force along a steel cable to the pads, which block the rotation of the disc on the wheel. The action is performed as long as the trigger on the steering wheel is held by hand. This is enough for driving around the yard or to the nearest supermarket.

2. Drum - have an internal device with curved pads inside a special drum. Their divorce slows down the rotation. The system is reliable due to its protection from precipitation, but requires careful monitoring in order to change the pads on time, the erasure of which is invisible to the user. This option is suitable for men who are tech-savvy. Such brakes are practical on steep slopes when going fishing.

3. Hydraulic - they work on the disk principle, but the clamping force is carried out by a special cylinder, and not just by a human hand. This is the most reliable type of brakes, suitable for girls, children and adults. Optimal on the highway.

Saddle height

The comfort of sitting on a scooter is determined by the shape of the seat and its height.

1. For children, in order not to reach with their toes to the ground, mopeds with an indicator of 650-700 mm from the ground are suitable.

2. People of average height can comfortably ride with a saddle height of 780 mm.

3. For tall drivers, it is better to find a model with a value of 850 mm.

Scooter comparison table

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Which scooter to choose

1. Motorcycles for riding for a teenager, for a girl, for an elderly person need a power of 3 hp, a 2-stroke engine, a maximum speed of 50 km/h, a power unit volume of 49 cm3, seats x 1.5 people, weight 90 kg, telescopic or lever fork, disc brakes and carburetor injection. Wheel size is 8-12 inches and saddle height is 650-700 mm.

2. For everyday commuting you will need a 4-stroke engine, 49 cm3, CVT, 4 hp, air-cooled, carburetor injection, front disc and rear drum brake, with R12-13 wheels. Tank volume is 6 liters and consumption is 1.5 liters per 100 km. The weight of the equipment is within 125 kg, two full seats and a case on the trunk for personal belongings.

3. To go fishing and to the village, you need an air-cooled moped with a power unit volume of 72 cm3, a power of 4-5 hp, a fuel supply in the tank of 9 liters, drum brakes on both wheels, the size of which is 14-15 inches. , pendulum suspension, and a maximum speed of 70-80 km. Fuel consumption will be within 2 liters per 100 km.

4. To travel long distances, you need a scooter with a 4-stroke engine, volume 530 cm3, power 46 hp, liquid cooling, fuel injection, tank capacity of 15 liters, semi-automatic or CVT with reverse, two full seats , 15-inch discs, saddle height 800 mm and weighing 220 kg. The maximum speed of such a device will be 180 km/h.

Types of scooters by engine size:

1. Up to 50 cm3. These scooters are very easy to operate, but the maximum speed, as a rule, does not exceed 50 km/h. This problem can be solved by boosting the engine, but this is not an easy task, and even dangerous for the engine. Moreover, it is easier to “pump up” popular models: there are step-by-step recommendations, as well as repair kits that can improve the characteristics of the unit. However, the acceleration speed leaves much to be desired even after boosting the engine.
2. 51-125 cm3. Classic city scooters of this type are good for their maneuverability and affordable price. Such solutions are available from all manufacturers and are highly popular in Russia.
3. 126-250 cm3. Sports scooters will appeal to young fans of speed. They have good driving performance, are easy to maintain and durable.
4. Over 251 m3. Maxi-scooters can compete with motorcycles and are of interest to fans of racing vehicles. They demonstrate rapid acceleration to the required speed, good handling and stability.

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Features of choosing a Chinese scooter

Practice shows that the country of origin of a particular scooter model plays a secondary role. Attention must be paid to the overall quality of the build and the materials used, as well as technical solutions and their implementation, comparing the information received and the cost of the device. For example, if a scooter has a powerful engine of 30-40 horsepower, as well as mechanical brakes, it is better to refuse to purchase such a model due to the high risk of not stopping on time.

When choosing a Chinese scooter in the mid-price range, you should pay attention to the following options:

1. Engine 20-25 horsepower;
2. Four-stroke design and fuel injection;
3. Variable transmission;
4. Drum or hydraulic disc brakes;
5. Excellent light from head optics;
6. Comfortable fit;
7. Tank with a volume of 10-15 liters;