True cost of running a 50cc scooter?

**Bytor** · 10th March 2011, 09:59

So what is the true cost today of running a 50cc scooter per year?

Rego cost per year
Insurance for 45 year old with clean licence
Fuel for 30km round commute
Servicing?

Cheers

**CrazyFrog** · 10th March 2011, 17:25

Annual rego: $92 (at last count)
No WOF required.
Insurance with clean record should be not much more than $100 depending on your insurer.
Expect to get around 25km per litre fuel from most modern Japanese 2 stroke scoots, Yamaha Jog, Suzuki SJ50 etc.
Four stroke have similar economy, but not sure about service intervals.
I don’t trust the Chinese scoots enough to rate their performance or longiviety.
Most 2T scoots use around 1 litre 2 stroke oil ($15) per 1000 km, on the standard injector system, unless it’s running a richer premix oil ratio.
The 2 stroke might need new spark plug every 5000km ($10) and check drive belt at 10,000 km (but will prob do 15K).

My Suzuki AY50 has now done 11,000 km, drive belt is still sweet and all I have had to do was replace 1 new spark plug. Most of it’s use is around town with throttle pinned to the stops, and have done a couple of 250km highway sojourns for a laugh. Average speed was 56kmph, LOL.
I’ve replaced the rear tyre with a Michelin Pilot City at 8500 km for $90 fitted. There are cheaper tyres around, try Maxxis or Kenda for example. Front tyre is still sweet, will prob do 13-15k.

These things run on the smell of a oily rag, literally, and because they have next to no horsepower, stuff just doesn’t seem to flog out, so long as you do very basic maintenance.
Lube throttle cable, check spark plug, brake fluids, steering bearings etc.
Don’t crash it, plastics are expensive.
Never had any bulbs blow.
Brake pads will last for ages.

My advice is to derestrict the scoot first, they run so much better, don’t foul plugs, and cruise around 65kmph rather than 50kmph, so you don’t get monstered by traffic.

**DangerMice** · 10th March 2011, 18:32

My last rego cost was $110 for 15 months before the increase last July.

I get 145km on a tank ($11 last fill), which lasts me 3 days but my rollers are worn. I used to get 160km when everything was new.

Service costs around $100-$120, but I do it myself these days. Last service cost $90, but that included a new drive belt, new front brake pads, new spark plug and new rollers (haven't put them in yet). That would normally all be extra.

On my Jog, you're meant to replace the rollers & drive belt every 6000km. I let my belt go to 15,000km (

) and while the belt was ok, I had lost about 8kph off my top speed.

I buy oil in 4l packs, works out way cheaper than buying 1l bottles, and I top it off every month or so.

My insurance is about $100 as well (State)

I've had to replace the rear tyre as it got a nail through the sidewall, but at about 10,000km, it was about due for replacement anyway. Got a Pirelli Ceat Rio from Scootling for $40, plus $45 for fitting. Front tyre is still pretty good.

Only other expense has been a blown headlight, but that was cheap to replace.

All in all, it's the cheapest form of motorised transport I've ever had. The running costs are a joke, and parts are all ridiculously cheap.

**DangerMice** · 10th March 2011, 18:36

Originally Posted by CrazyFrog

I’ve replaced the rear tyre (Michelin Pilot City) at 8500 km for $90.

What's your opinion of that tyre CrazyFrog?

**marty** · 10th March 2011, 19:13

if you need to know how much it costs to run a 50cc scooter, then riding any sort of motorbike is probably not for you.

**CrazyFrog** · 10th March 2011, 19:26

Originally Posted by DangerMice

What's your opinion of that tyre CrazyFrog?

Sticks like dog poo to a picnic blanket (at a whopping 65kmph, ROFL)
Same tyre works much better in all weather on my Gilera 180SP.

Scoot was originally shod with Michelin Dexter, fine in dry, but loose in the wet.
I've also used Pirelli Ceat Rio on the Gilera, good but wear out fast.

**DangerMice** · 11th March 2011, 09:47

Originally Posted by CrazyFrog

I've also used Pirelli Ceat Rio on the Gilera, good but wear out fast.

That's what I'm starting to think too, it does look to be wearing faster than I expected. Might try the Michelin next time. Thanks

**nodrog:Me** · 11th March 2011, 10:23

$2789.69

Fanny.

**Bytor** · 11th March 2011, 16:07

Originally Posted by CrazyFrog

Annual rego: $92 (at last count)
No WOF required.
Insurance with clean record should be not much more than $100 depending on your insurer.
Expect to get around 25km per litre fuel from most modern Japanese 2 stroke scoots, Yamaha Jog, Suzuki SJ50 etc.
Four stroke have similar economy, but not sure about service intervals.
I don’t trust the Chinese scoots enough to rate their performance or longiviety.
Most 2T scoots use around 1 litre 2 stroke oil ($15) per 1000 km, on the standard injector system, unless it’s running a richer premix oil ratio.
The 2 stroke might need new spark plug every 5000km ($10) and check drive belt at 10,000 km (but will prob do 15K).

My Suzuki AY50 has now done 11,000 km, drive belt is still sweet and all I have had to do was replace 1 new spark plug. Most of it’s use is around town with throttle pinned to the stops, and have done a couple of 250km highway sojourns for a laugh. Average speed was 56kmph, LOL.
I’ve replaced the rear tyre with a Michelin Pilot City at 8500 km for $90 fitted. There are cheaper tyres around, try Maxxis or Kenda for example. Front tyre is still sweet, will prob do 13-15k.

These things run on the smell of a oily rag, literally, and because they have next to no horsepower, stuff just doesn’t seem to flog out, so long as you do very basic maintenance.
Lube throttle cable, check spark plug, brake fluids, steering bearings etc.
Don’t crash it, plastics are expensive.
Never had any bulbs blow.
Brake pads will last for ages.

My advice is to derestrict the scoot first, they run so much better, don’t foul plugs, and cruise around 65kmph rather than 50kmph, so you don’t get monstered by traffic.

25km per litre? Somehow I was expecting better than that

**Bytor** · 11th March 2011, 16:09

Originally Posted by DangerMice

My last rego cost was $110 for 15 months before the increase last July.

I get 145km on a tank ($11 last fill), which lasts me 3 days but my rollers are worn. I used to get 160km when everything was new.

Service costs around $100-$120, but I do it myself these days. Last service cost $90, but that included a new drive belt, new front brake pads, new spark plug and new rollers (haven't put them in yet). That would normally all be extra.

On my Jog, you're meant to replace the rollers & drive belt every 6000km. I let my belt go to 15,000km (

) and while the belt was ok, I had lost about 8kph off my top speed.

I buy oil in 4l packs, works out way cheaper than buying 1l bottles, and I top it off every month or so.

My insurance is about $100 as well (State)

I've had to replace the rear tyre as it got a nail through the sidewall, but at about 10,000km, it was about due for replacement anyway. Got a Pirelli Ceat Rio from Scootling for $40, plus $45 for fitting. Front tyre is still pretty good.

Only other expense has been a blown headlight, but that was cheap to replace.

All in all, it's the cheapest form of motorised transport I've ever had. The running costs are a joke, and parts are all ridiculously cheap.

Cheers just what I was looking for, esp rego costs seeing as the Transport site doesn't show moped costs