The Resurrection of Mopeds: A Look at the Manet Korado Euro 5 Model in the Czech Basin

Mopeds, i.e. hybrids of a motorcycle with a wheel driven by an engine with pedals (hence the abbreviation moped), have a long and rich past in the Czech basin. Just think of Jawetta, Stadion or Babetta. Traveling on them was perhaps a little less romantic than the advertising of the time suggests, but still their contribution to the development of citizens’ mobility cannot be doubted – “for a few crowns” you had a means of transport that was faster than a bicycle (plus without tiresome pedaling) and less demanding (on driving and maintenance) than a motorcycle.

But times have changed and cheap Chinese scooters, used motorcycles and cars, and recently also electric bikes and scooters, have killed the moped market. Almost! We recently informed you about the Mopedix electric machine, the design of which was inspired by the legendary Babetta, which would be great if it didn’t cost over 130 thousand crowns. Its manufacturer also promises a more affordable version with an internal combustion engine (volume 110 cm3 and power of 5 kW), but we do not yet know when it will be on sale and especially for how much.

There is already one moped with an internal combustion engine on the market, which is simple, yet durable, affordable and economical to operate. The history of the Manet Korado moped dates back to 1994, when production was still taking place in Slovakia – at one time it was the best-selling motorcycle on the Czech market. In 2006, however, the original manufacturer went bankrupt, and the subsequent period of inactivity ended only in 2020, when the legendary machine returned in a completely new form.

The original Supermaxi 50 EFI model met the Euro 4 emission standard, but now its evolution is already on the market, bringing, in addition to a long series of minor technical improvements, mainly a modified four-stroke engine meeting the current Euro 5. Petrol single-cylinder fifty (exactly 49 cm3) has a power of 2 kW, which is enough for a maximum speed of 45 km/h, which is just enough for moving short distances. At the same time, it is satisfied with 1.9 liters of Natural 95 every 100 kilometers, so you can drive almost 200 kilos with the 3.5-liter tank.

The starting is electric (or foot) and the transmission is automatic, so the control is completely intuitive and simple. At the same time, the moped weighs a modest 68 kilos (so you won’t have to struggle with it when maneuvering or driving) and is produced in a single-seater and a two-seater version with a maximum load capacity of 170 kg.

In addition to small fuel bills, it also has the advantage of low insurance (up to 200 CZK/year) and cheap parts (the service network is throughout the Czech Republic and SK), you can drive it with a normal group B driver’s license and the machine is not subject to MOT inspection, so you only need to register it once to a small RZ and you are free from bureaucracy.

You can buy the mpKorado Supermaxi 50 EFI Euro5 moped in the single-seater version for 36,990 CZK (including VAT), for the two-seater version you will pay an additional two thousand. Compared to electric scooters, this is not much, but the moped has a more robust construction, you can sit comfortably while riding and there is no risk of “running out of juice” – you can always step on the pedals. In short, a moped is a handy means of transport even in the 21st century!