:help:
Ok, planning to take a ride on highway 7 between Taoyuan and Ilan. My question is, are the conditions pertinent for taking a 50cc scooter? As in road grades, obstacles, etc. Can I expect any hazards due to the limitations of a 50cc scooter? Also, is this the area called the “Chilan Rainforest?” Thanks. 
The Beiheng on a 50cc? I’m sure plenty of people have done it. Some might even have enjoyed it.
IMO, it would not be too much fun on a 50cc – UNLESS – you are planning to really take your time, like spending the night at Shangbalin, taking a walk up to the giant cypresses, maybe stopping at some of the hotsprings up there. Some parts are pretty steep and the fruit farmers who use the road drive like crazed people. There are some really beautiful sections, though, so its definitely a trip worth making.
You’d need to be somewhat hardcore to enjoy it on a 50 though – can’t you swap for a weekend with a friend who rides something a bit bigger?
There was an area that had been closed by a lanslide for quite a while at km marker 32.5k. That’s about 1/2 way to Shan baling from the entrance.
I’m sure it’s been reopened by now, but landslides are frequent there and it won’t hurt to check before you start up…
Also, There are areas (many) where the big buses need the ENTIRE road to navigate some of the narrower corners…Give them WIDE berth. On a 50 you won’t have the power to do the inside squeeze, so don’t even try.
Right after the cop shop at the bottom is one of the narrower sections so be careful there. Also, watch for a huge dip in the road about 300yards past the mountain damn…You hit that at any speed on a scooter and it’s your ass. I made the mistake once of forgetting about it and launched into the air for what seemed an enternity before hitting the ground. We marked it off afterword…I’d flown almost 30 feet. USE THE ROAD MIRRORS. Expect lots of loose rock and gravel on some sections.
On other thing…About 10K before baling the road splits…It looks like it should go right but it’s left and down…You’ll see what I mean when you get there. The reason I mention this is that most people take the wrong turn, go up about 50 yards, realize they’ve goofed, drive back and try to make a totally blind turn onto the right route…It’s dangerous as hell, and a good place to be Very careful.
And yes, I’ve known friends who have done it on a 50cc. But why? It’s a slow struggle and not much fun for you or the bike…Borrow a 125 from someone if you can. I concur with Sandman on this one.
Lastly I would not recommend riding highway 7 at night…At least not on a scooter.
Have a good time and be careful. Oh, and stop every 40 minutes or so and give that little thing a breather…You don’t want to seize the motor up there!
Awesome stuff, guys. Thanks a lot for the prompt responses. Thankfully, Sandman, I am hardcore and will enjoy the trip in all likelihood on a 50. I actually took a trip last Sunday from Taoyuan to Hsinchu on the 50, and loved it. Though I do realize it is nothing compared to the Taoyuan to Ilan trip. 
Once again, thank you so very much for the 411. 
I rode just to Fuxing and back to Taoyuan on a 50cc years ago and my scooter never worked properly again. Mind you it was pretty old at the time but you’re really pushing a small engine if you want to do the whole highway.
i did chungli to suao on a fifty cc. cruising out to yingge was no problem. the highway going down into ilan was scarier than hell with all the zigs and zags and loose gravel and cars doin their "i’m in the mountains so i drive on the wrong side away from the overhanging rocks bit. can be done. the return home is a major pain.
Do it during the weekdays - weekends are traffic hell, with me damn near having my car compressed by a passing bus - less than 1 cm, and it took him 15 minutes to pass us.
I have seen 50cc’s on the road.
Definitely possible on a 50. I took the 125cc and my wife the 50. Slow at times yeah, but the views are good enough to take it slow anyway. And even if yo are too slow to do the whole route right into Ilan it is beautiful enough even before the real steep sections start and there are many parks and scenic areas you can visit. Stop at Tsuhu Visitor’s Centre just before the tunnel (know the spelling is wrong :-0), where CKS is buried and get some maps and info from the ladies behind the desk. Then you are on your way.