First Scooter - help? TGB Ergon vs SYM vs Yamaha

[nmalcolm]

Hey,

Looking at buying my first scooter after riding my girlfriend's Honda Tact around for ages. In particular I'm looking at a


TGB Ergon for ~$850 <5000 km, good nick (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=330656624)

or a

Sym DD50 <11000 km, also good nick (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=312191951)


I've read great reviews about the DD50, but it seems a little pricey for the amount of km's it has done. My budget is around the $1000 mark, max.

I haven't heard anything about the TGB Ergon.

Also on the cards are a SYM Orbit (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=330550118) and a good ole Yamaha Jog (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=330167572)

Can I get your thoughts? I realise you get these kind of questions all the time, but I really value you opinions. Cheers!

[Spazman727]

If I were you, I would get a bike rather than a scooter. I now you have to par for the initial bhs test and learner licence, but since you have been riding a scooter for a while the BHS test will be easy as, and the scratch test is even easier if (as I assume you have) you have a car licence (its pretty much common sence). You can get a very cheap 250 off Trademe, many under your $1k budget (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&mcat=0001-0026-1255-&sidebar=1&39=&40=&153=gn&9=0&9=250&24=0&24=0&51=0&51=1000&sidebarSearch_keypresses=2&sidebarSearch_suggested=0). I now people badmouth the mighty GN but they cant be worse then a scooter.
Im sorry this doesn't answer your question about which scooter would be best, but you will thank me in the long run :P

[nmalcolm]

Cheers,

The reason for getting a scooter is I'll only be commuting around the suburbs and town anyway (Wellington), so I don't see a need to get something more powerful. Also it means I have storage under the seat, and don't have to pay for BHS and other tests.

If I were to move further away and have to use motorways in the future I might upgrade, but the total cost and benefits outweigh getting a motorbike right now.

[Spazman727]

Cheers,

The reason for getting a scooter is I'll only be commuting around the suburbs and town anyway (Wellington), so I don't see a need to get something more powerful. Also it means I have storage under the seat, and don't have to pay for BHS and other tests.

If I were to move further away and have to use motorways in the future I might upgrade, but the total cost and benefits outweigh getting a motorbike right now.

Fair enough. Im afraid I know SFA about scooters. I probably would've opted for a scooter if I was still in Welly too. Sorry I'm of no help to you.

[DMNTD]

The CV50...by far

[danchop]

and think about parts,servicing and resale,a jap brand wins hands down

[nadroj]

The CV50...by far

What that man (boy) said......

[nmalcolm]

Cheers for the responses!

I've narrowed it down to the Sym DD50, which has almost as favourable reviews as a Jog, the Sym Orbit and the Jog.

The Orbit and Jog have done similar kms, but the Orbit seems in better condition. The jog has scratches - perhaps superficial so don't matter?

Do Syms not have as many parts out there/ are more expensive to service? I thought Sym was quite a popular brand (for scooters anyway).

Thanks

[nmalcolm]

Oh I should also mention that the Syms seem like they can take two people better (they have foot holds and such). The Jog seems like a one person beast :P

Being able to carry two people is an advantage for any scooter I look at. (We're both skinny people though)

[DMNTD]

Oh I should also mention that the Syms seem like they can take two people better (they have foot holds and such). The Jog seems like a one person beast :P

Being able to carry two people is an advantage for any scooter I look at. (We're both skinny people though)

Every tried to double someone on a 50cc scooter? :blink:
As I mentioned earlier....the Jog by far

[nmalcolm]

No I haven't, why? And why would you go for the jog over the Syms?

[EJK]

No I haven't, why? And why would you go for the jog over the Syms?

He owns R1, ZX14 and Z1000. He knows the definition of "power".

Nuff said ;-)


RE: Double on 50cc - Unless you two weigh 30kgs each, it'll be hard to do 50kph.

[nmalcolm]

Haha awesome, cheers I'll keep that in mind! TBH though, i'm not goong to be in a hurry to get anywhere. I'm only zipping from the suburbs into town (Welly), and apparently the DD50 does 0-50 in just a little longer than a jog. Plus the particular jog I'm looking at has mods, so insurance would go up.

It must seem like I'm really pushing the Syms, but I guess what I'm looking for are reasons a Sym is better than a jog and reasons why a jog is better than a

Here's what I've got, looking at the specific scoots on TradeMe:

Sym Orbit:
+ Low kms
+ Looks cool (as far as cheap scooters go)
+ No surface scratches
+ Comfortably takes two people
+ Disk front brake
+ Newest model out of the three

Jog
+ Fast
+ Low kms too
+ Highest rated scooter on scooter review website

-Has scratches and chip in indicator
-Has mods

DD50
+reviews say it's almost as fast as jog, as well as being a good bike in general
+good condition
+seems to take 2 people easily

-has done 10000km

There's also a Sym Jet Euro which seems in good nick.

Anyway, what do you guys think of and/or think should be added to this list of pros and cons

[nmalcolm]

Oh just saw the bit about dubbing. That sucks, didn't realise that! Scratch that off the pro list for the Syms :P

[Spearfish]

Its illegal to double on any bike or scooter, even mopeds that need just a car licence, unless the rider has a FULL class six licence.

Go for a jog or Yamaha/minarelli based engine, the go faster parts are cheaper than the standard ones.
I'm at around 15,000k's now since new at the end of 2008, the last 5.500k's its been heavily modded and still does some long runs 250+ks a trip.

[nmalcolm]

Didn't realise that Spearfish - thanks for pointing that out! Isn't modding a scooter illegal too though? So if I bought one which was modded I'd be breaking the law (even though they don't really check anyway)? And does it cost more for insurance? I know they ask you, when you apply, if it has been modified.

[Spearfish]

Depends on what the mods are.
With the cv50 most will have removed the washer in the exhaust (dealer will do it normally), just that alone will give you more puff but not speed also the plug lasts a bit longer.
The second is upgrading the front variator pulley to an after-market one with lite weights to get a more linear acceleration with a bit more top speed for the same revs.
All the above is ok with standard insurance and doesn't affect the warranty.
Some tyre changes can net a few more k's when replacing a worn tyre.

Remember mopeds are restricted to 2kw and physically to 50kph but ask yourself how many speeding tickets have you seen for under 60kph?

Just a bit of Tuimato sauce on the side:

jog speedometer's are within 2 kph
A tank goes 165km until dry
1 Ltr synth 2t oil will go 1000kms or so
belt lasts 6-7000 kms
tyres about the same as the belt.

If is loosing power a clean filter and new gapped plug is usually all it needs.
Dont bother with high octane fuel.
Use the best oil
Dont bounce off the rev limiter for extended periods the plug fowls up.
Insurance companies take the key operated rear wheel lock as an immobilizer for slightly cheaper insurance.
Lock the thing to something rather than using a disk-lock (they are popular to pinch)

[nmalcolm]

Cheers, but unfortunately someone bet me to buying the Jog =c

So it's either the Syms or wait for another Jog, but I'm wanting one pretty soonish aye.

[DangerMice]

+1 for the Jog, I'm up to 13,500km since May last year (although there was a 5 month period of no riding) and it's performing very well. Mine is still stock, expect for a Stebel lol

It also crashes (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/130505-Well-shit-dropped-the-scoot)very well. I know you don't expect to crash, but then, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition either....

[nadroj]

Cheers, but unfortunately someone bet me to buying the Jog =c

So it's either the Syms or wait for another Jog, but I'm wanting one pretty soonish aye.

When I was in the market for a scooter for my son I spoke to a reputable dealership owner who was both a Suzuki & yamaha agent. He confirmed my feeling the Jog was superior.
After taking over ownership of the jog from my son I used it to haul my ass around & was impressed, especially after swapping around with friends with other makes & models. Running costs & simplicity as well as build quality set the Jog well above the others.

I sold my jog recently, reluctantly to a friend in need.
Don't procrastinate next time a reasonably priced Jog comes up!

[danchop]

and if you can find a suzuki az50,they are superior to a jog,mostly in the suspension