Bella R 154 with 5.1kW and 75km/h top speed. Not much time for a rest, traffic jam and failures.
...and, as I recall from the past; an awfull resonance where much of the bodywork acts as a true sound box. The first impression when you heard one was never "motorcycle". It was more like "moving sawmill" and "where can I hide?"
Yes, this ride IS a challenge. This is why we have upped it to Gold status, and only accept entries from registred members who at least have done their first 24-hour ride.
...and, an old two stroke can be tuned!
There is plenty of metal to be shaved off inside the intake, inside the cylinder, off the pistons. There are modern carburettors on Ebay and Electronic ignitions as well. There are some really angry classic Lambrettas roaming the cities these days, with stinger-like pipes sticking out at the back.
Reliability? Well, that's the fine part: tuning for sustained and steady speed, along with reliabilty. Where can one read about that...? Who can you ask? Unchartered waters, as almost every tuner hunts down maximum power, rather than reliabilty.
Still, should be possible to finish the ride on a Bella scooter - if one chooses to go down that path...
Is a 50cc Moped street legal for Swedish highways? Denmark?
(Germany not, unfortunately. And with the small insurance plate everyone can see it.)
No, not mopeds.
Sweden actually has 3 kinds of mopeds floating around:
Classic 1ps 30km/h
Mopeds that has been around since the dawn if time. No plates. Nowadays a quick test is needed. Just in writing, no riding.
Mopeds class 1
Modern quick bikes and scooters. 4,5 ps max 45 km/h. Still not allowed on the motorways, eventhough they actually reach the formal demand of "miniumum 40 km/h" to be granted access.
Wise decision in one way, but also an inconsistency typical of Swedish legislation. (Decide first, think later, try to patch over much much later)
But, also not allowed on the bicycle paths in the cities - which sends the poor sods who tries to commute on a moped in impossible situations at the two "large" cities of Sweden; Stockholm and Gothenburg - along with many other places:
"Which law should I break to get to work?"
Requires license class AM. Simplified procedure, but still some practice involved.
Mopeds class 2
1kW max 25 km/h
Requires the simple dummy test to get the cardbord "license" and earlier need a licensplate too, but the authorities ran out of numbers for the cars, and decided to revoke all licenseplates issued for mopeds class 2 just to close the gap.
...for like 14 months, until still being out of numbers and having no way to turn but to add an extra letter.
Result? Total anarchy. At first in the suburbs, and later on just about everywhere when both kids and grown ups ripped the plates of the faster class 1 scooters as well, claiming them to be "class 2". Who could check...?
Some did it to be able to use the bicycle paths where more convenient or safer.
Safer to them...
Some did it to easier get away with criminal activities and selling stolen stuff.
Anyway: total chaos.
Who could have guessed?
Well, just about anyone with their head in the right place.
Which leaves the deciding few out of the equation...
Sorry by the rant, I'm just so disappointed over the way things have turned out. Our politicians seems unable to see any further into the future than to like lunchtime or so, and lacks all abilty to add one thought to another. "Consequenses? Me, worry...?"
If I understand it right, they have now also decided to include electric aided bicycles into the category "mopeds class 2" meaning that the police should now be raiding the bicycle paths to check for drivers licences.
I don't care anymore. Noone seems to care anymore. That is really, really serious. The situation is totally fu... ...frustrating.
But, topic: the sweet little sixteen-racer, the Reiju.
According to Swedish legislation, this is a motorcycle. Never mind the 50cc.
It stomps out more than 4,5 ps, so it is no moped. The manufacturer has issued a CoC-document that it is street legal according to EU-laws - so, it's a motorcycle. There is no other way to see it.
And, being sub 125cc / 11kW, it's actually a motorcycle allowed from 16 years, as long as the rider carries A1-license.
No restrictions for motorways or so, just cruise on by.
So yes, the Reiju is legit. All bikes we accept for this ride is legit.
Someone has to stand up for law and order when the authorities lose their grip.
Funny thing that it is us, "The Crazy Cannonballers" who stick to the rules, when everyone else seem to just dont care anymore...