Which 50cc scooter is the best?

[mc5]

just wondering whether people with 50cc scooter experience might share their perceptions regarding the 50s available in NZ? i've got some good info trawling through posts and responses on this forum, as well as general googling. it seems that 4 strokes with drum brakes are out (that accounts for Honda, Suzuki etc), leaving 2 strokes with front disk brakes as the only really viable options (particularly as i'm average build, and my commute would involve traffic and some hills). so, it appears that the Piaggio Zip - a stylish little machine, and well reviewed - or a 2nd hand Yamaha Jog - given they are no longer imported :-( - are the leading candidates. comments??

[XRVrider]

Understand why you want a 50, but if you can go for a 125 or bigger, you wont regret it. More power to keep up with traffic and get up hills. Its safer safer that way too.

[DangerMice]

Jog wins over the Zip in my opinion. I've ridden both, and the Zip is sooooooo much slower.

http://www.thescooterreview.com/component/content/article/289-yamaha-jog-cv50?showall=1
http://www.thescooterreview.com/component/content/article/263-piaggio-zip-50?showall=1

[mc5]

to clarify: the 2 stroke Zip - not the 4 stroke (as reviewed). from googling, the 2T Zip is pretty zappy (in a relative sense...)

[DangerMice]

fair enough

[speedpro]

JOGs are tough little critters. Our shop hack used to transport the owner and 2 doz steinlagers easily. No mods and 60Kmh wasn't a problem. If you want to get silly there is lots of stuff for them as well. The comment about going 125 is good, much safer, though the JOG does get up and go. Can't speak for the other option.

[BMWST?]

50cc and hills does not compute

[disenfranchised]

I tried out a Gilera DNA-50 once. It seemed pretty spritely for a scooter, even with my heavy bulk on it. And it definitely handled hills with ease.
Don't know where you'd find one though

[GingerMidget]

TGB 101s will handle hills happily, and seemed good enough on gas too. Or maybe I'm just more brutal than the manufacturers intended? :laugh:

[mc5]

ok, i asked the guy with the Jog (2010 4,440 ks) on trademe about its service history, he replied:

I bought it new from the dealer and it had its 500km service after the run in period and I think one other but I cant remember the details. Its done less than 5000km so not needed much.

what do you think? how often should such a scooter be serviced? btw, the asking price is down to 1400.

[spinnanz]

Can I ask why a 50cc scooter? Seriously go get your learners bike lisence and then get something bigger, the test is piss easy.

I own a Gilera DNA180 and I love it but would never get the 50cc version, yeah sure its a 2 stroke and you can mod them to get 100kph+ and nail most other scooters off the line (including the 180cc 4 stroke version), but in that state the engine has a live of 5 minutes!

$1400 would get you a decent 100cc+ scoot or small bike. If your all out for the twist and go thing, what about this? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-436129510.htm

it ticks all the boxes, disk brake/s, 2 stoke, looks good, decent brand, low km, around 100kph top speed and I think, a good price!

[DangerMice]

how often should such a scooter be serviced?

500km, 1000km then every 6000km or so iirc

[DangerMice]

why a 50cc

Fair question but the extra rego & wof costs alone add up to near enough to 30 tanks of petrol for a 50cc, (about 5 - 6 months travel for me). If a 50 will do the job, why lump on the extra costs. I've done 30,000km on my Jog and it hasn't missed a beat.

[davereid]

Fair question but the extra rego & wof costs alone add to near enough to 30 tanks of petrol for a 50cc, (about 5 - 6 months travel for me). If a 50 will do the job, why lump on the extra costs. I've done 30,000km on my Jog and it hasn't missed a beat.

I agree, and with GingerMidget too.

I have a TGB 50cc moped. Its done 44,000km now after 10 years of hard abuse. Its developing a few minor issues, a fork seal leak, and a few other old bike things, but its lived most of its like parked in the rain and abused.

I cant fault it, and it rocks up hills no problem at all.

edit : went and read speedo.. 49535km ....

[Sable]

Yamaha Aerox 50. Proper suspension disc brakes all round liquid cooled engine and suitably modified will do motorway speeds :yes:

[DangerMice]

And happily, mods aren't expensive either....

[mc5]

so noone knows much about the Piaggio Zip (2T)?

[ktm84mxc]

Yamaha Jog by far the best and most reliable 50cc Scooter, wins all the comparos with other makes.
You can even get a 70cc big bore kit with expansion chamber and carb mods for the Jog to make them go. Only down fall is there cost wen new.

[mc5]

the Jog is no longer avail here new - Yamaha stopped supplying them...

[DangerMice]

so noone knows much about the Piaggio Zip (2T)?

As I said, ridden them both, my friend has a 2T one, slow slow slow compared to Jog. As least it was until he dropped a 70cc kit into it....

[ktm84mxc]

Just had a look on www.yamaha-motor.co.nz CV50 Jog is still available and is their only 50cc Scooter, it appears the 4 stroke retro model is gone.
The Jog has been Yamahas top selling road model in NZ for many a year.

[mc5]

yes, it features on the website, but in fact is not available (i rang them).

[ktm84mxc]

I'd get on to their dealer list and email them as there may be some on the shop floor plan[consignment] , this would explain why Yamaha has lost market share not supplying models the public want.

[Zipper2T]

so noone knows much about the Piaggio Zip (2T)?

I've got a Zip 2T. Similar performance to all the other two stroke 50cc scooters and much better than the four stroke version. Top speed about 65 km/h once derestricted (washer in the variator taken out) . It has now done almost 13000 km with no problems. Stylish design, excellent handling and a medium full face helmet will fit under the seat.
Drawbacks include no luggage rack as standard equipment for a top box and it's a pain to fit one, only average fuel consumption for 50cc scooter and no fuel gauge, just a light. Made in China by Zongshen Piaggio.

Uses the same engine/transmission as the Vespa LX50 which costs more than double. Is that scooter overpriced or what ?

[jamface10]

This is the exact trouble I'm having, whether I want to muck around finding a good Jog online, or just getting the Zip 2T from a dealer? Does anyone know if there are dealers still selling the Jog, new or second-hand?

Acceleration wise is the Jog a lot better?

Thanks

[hardhats]

I had a 2-stroke 1999 PGO Comet a few years back. Great scooter, very reliable, did about 80kph on the flat and coped with my 80kg up hills at 50-60kph no problem. Only modification was cutting off the small extra blind-ending pipe on the exhaust and getting the hole welded closed (local exhaust shop did it for $20).

After I was hit by a car for the 2nd time I decided that a small scooter with tiny wheels on wet roads (with Auckland drivers) is not a safe combination...
Bought a large silver bike with very bright headlights and a loud exhaust. No problems since (touch wood). A few hundred dollars of savings in petrol money is not worth any injury from a potentially avoidable accident.

[DangerMice]

Yeah cause no-one ever got knocked off anything larger than 50cc right?

[mc5]

yes, second-hand Jog or new P Zip? Woottons in New Lynn Ak also have Taiwanese scooters - Sym and Keeway. again, hard to know how these all stack up...

[mc5]

oh, and yesterday's email from Yamaha:

At this stage there are no plans, to re-introduce the Jog CV50.
This may change in the future or an alternative model may be released.

Regards,
Duilio Pianca
Customer Relations Department
Yamaha Motor Australia

btw re jamface10, overseas reviews of P Zip 2T are v good, but no fuel guage is a bummer as is limited under-seat space for helmet.

[DangerMice]

but no fuel guage is a bummer

You'd quickly get to know how far you can go though.


Have you taken any for a spin? After you ride both it'll probably be pretty obvious which one you prefer.

[mc5]

re lack of fuel guage - true, you'd just note the odometer reading. could test-ride P Zip, but how to get hands on a Jog for comparison?

[DangerMice]

but how to get hands on a Jog for comparison?

Check dealers for demo or trade ins, check trademe for one for sale that will allow a test ride

[TrentNz]

nah mate trust me, even the 50cc 4 strokes will get up steep hills, just be really slow. could get up one of the steepest hills in wellington

[DangerMice]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-446351012.htm


(http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-446351012.htm)1000cc, awesome

[mc5]

ok, any comments: nice 2008 Jog on trademe with only 123ks on the clock!! asking 2000 ono - what would be a fair sum to offer? keeping in mind 3-4 years old, and no warranty. oh, in Te Awamutu too...

[jamface10]

I've ended up getting a Piaggio Zip, they had a good deal on them at TMG. Heres hoping all goes well when it arrives and I can get it de restricted fairly quickly!

Good luck finding a scooter :)

[mc5]

that's cool, hope it goes well for you. what's TMG?

[DangerMice]

ok, any comments: nice 2008 Jog on trademe with only 123ks on the clock!! asking 2000 ono - what would be a fair sum to offer? keeping in mind 3-4 years old, and no warranty. oh, in Te Awamutu too...

That seems steep, almost (what was) new price. Seems to be a few around the 5,000km mark for around $1300 - $1500. That's where I'd be looking. You'd need to replace the rollers & belt at 6000km, but that costs bugger all

[jamface10]

Team motor group, had to bus all the way out to takanini to see them. $1600 drive away, although I think I got the last 2 stroke. I was disappointed the yellow was a 4 ;-)

[spinnanz]

ok, any comments: nice 2008 Jog on trademe with only 123ks on the clock!! asking 2000 ono - what would be a fair sum to offer? keeping in mind 3-4 years old, and no warranty. oh, in Te Awamutu too...
seems high to me a bit too, id be going for $1200-$1500 if i was trying to get it. I know your not wanting bigger than a 50cc but my workmate got an an125 with 2000km on it for $1200, looked like new.

[mc5]

shit that's a good price for a brand new Zip - nice one :-) have made a tentative offer of 1600 for Jog.

[hardhats]

shit that's a good price for a brand new Zip - nice one :-) have made a tentative offer of 1600 for Jog.

19ZJP
You gotta ask why has it only travelled 123km in 3 and a half years. A scooter that has been sitting for that long will have a carb full of fuel deposits and the transmission belt will likely have got stiff and started to perish from sitting stretched in one position...

What's wrong with the one in Auckland with a new battery and free helmet? Asking $1249
Seems like a much better deal to me, and you can go test ride it without driving to Te Awamutu...

[mc5]

ok, good advice re 123 ks Jog - i don't know that stuff. one you've mentioned states it's '08 but doesn't look like '08 models - appears older.

[DangerMice]

....doesn't look like '08 models - appears older.

yeah, must admit I thought the same thing. I have an '08, it don't look like that.. Gotta wonder about the plastic on the seat & sticker on the tyres too

[jamface10]

Yea I think they are imported and have been refitted overseas. Seems like you could be getting anything to me :eek:

[jamface10]

That face looks too happy for the worry i was aiming for :P

[jamface10]

I cannot find a helmet to fit under the seat :( I'm sure in the info I read it said storage to fit a full face helmet, lies...

Any advice on the best way to secure a helmet to the bike when out?

[Zipper2T]

[QUOTE=jamface10;1130254323]I cannot find a helmet to fit under the seat :( I'm sure in the info I read it said storage to fit a full face helmet, lies...


You can raise the seat height by adjusting the hinge ratchet = more space underneath. I can fit a medium full face helmet under the seat with a bit of a shove.

Alternatively there is a loop on the LHS of the scooter under the floor. Lock your helmet to this directly with a padlock or using a chain. The helmet can sit on the floor.

[jamface10]

Thanks, I didnt think about moving the seat up. Will have to see if I can reach the ground :msn-wink:

[mc5]

yes, the Zip's inability to store a full face helmet is one of the reasons i'm keen to pick up a Jog - along with no fuel guage and lack of rear rack thingy. but, oh, the Zip is such a looker; in red like a very thin slice of Ferrari... classic Italian vs Jap ;-)

btw 2010 Jog on tm - nearly 3000ks but no services :-(

[mc5]

so, jamface, how's Zip ownership? apparently - from my endless research - Oz's number 1 50 scooter!! let me know how you go re raising the seat and storing your helmet - could be the clincher for me :-) - given how the 2nd hand Jog location mission is going... also, what colour is yours?

[DangerMice]

btw 2010 Jog on tm - nearly 3000ks but no services :-(

I wouldn't worry about that personally. Just give it a comprehensive service should you buy it.

[jamface10]

Don't get it til next week, I've been back home for the weekend :)

I'm thinking i'll shell out some cash and get the top box installed, hopefully then I will have enough room for all my stuff.

Hopefully I can get the restrictions taken out straight away. I had to get the black one, am thinking of getting some reflective decals to make it a bit more visible.

[jamface10]

Does anyone know the exact restrictions on the zip? Looking to get some quotes for removal and should probably know what I need done.

[geoffm]

Does anyone know the exact restrictions on the zip? Looking to get some quotes for removal and should probably know what I need done.

General concensus seems to eb a simle exhaust mod and remove the variator spacer
http://www.twistngo.com/userforum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3035

There are step by step pics online if you look or them - I found them when I was trying to find how to derestrict the Keeway (short answer - buy another bike)

[Zipper2T]

[QUOTE=geoffm;1130257992]General concensus seems to eb a simle exhaust mod and remove the variator spacer
http://www.twistngo.com/userforum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3035

Just removing the variator spacer is enough to get 65 km/h top speed. Easy and cheap. Unless you're really keen, there's no need to touch the exhaust or the carburettor jet.

Piaggio speedos always seem to be 10% optimisitic so don't be surprised to see 70 km/h.

[jamface10]

Got dropped of this evening, took it out for a little spin :) It's pretty good, got up to about 50kmh not at full throttle. Hopefully will be better once its derestricted and broken in a bit.

Now I just need some reflective decals to counteract the black colour of the bike. Will be interesting the first time I ride it in real traffic, any tips?

I can get my helmet in, although its a bit of a squeeze so not sure how good that is :P I may still look at a top box, once I have my jacket and pants.

[DangerMice]

Will be interesting the first time I ride it in real traffic, any tips?

Keep up with traffic and own your lane. Don't try lane splitting yet.

And read through the Survival Skills threads, esp. ones like this one http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/52318-50-survival-tips-Read-em-now!

[mc5]

cool, good for you jamface. i took a '11 Zip for a little test spin yest aft - it was awesome!! felt quicker off the mark and more solid than i expected, plus the brakes felt nice and sure. watching an '09 Jog with low ks on tm at the mo...

[jamface10]

My friend has a Jog which she loves and does up to about 60 restricted. I like my zip, but it really only wants to do 45, hopefully will loosen up a bit. I'm tossing up whether to derestrict or not, as much as I want to go faster I'm a chicken when it comes to insurance and warranty if something goes wrong :P MC5, had any luck yet?

[mc5]

i have a bunch of Jogs on my tm watchlist, + a couple of zips. nothing seems to be selling except for an '09 Jog with only 2200ks that sold for 1600 (i gather) - (blatantly) dodgy tm guy who sold before auction finished. keeping an eye on a nice looking silver '09 Jog with 5000ks - 1600 ono. might offer 14 for it... i imagine your Zip will speed up with use :-)

[jamface10]

Yea, i think I'll just bite the bullet and get it derestricted as well. Had my first close call today with a bus lane, they seem dangerous but are hard to resist with a long line of traffic :P

[DangerMice]

Had my first close call today with a bus lane

What happened?

[jamface10]

Guy swerved into my lane to try cut the traffic, i had enough time to brake but sure got my heart pumping. Need to learn how to use my horn, had to suffice with throwing him dirty looks.

[DangerMice]

Yeah you'll get used to crap like that. As you get more experienced you'll become much more aware of that kind of situation developing.

[mc5]

haha - throwing dirty looks through your dark visor!! very effective ;-) wow, first thing then - learn how to apply the horn while taking evasive action!! i think i would have found my middle finger rising too :-)

[DangerMice]

get a Stebel, they're great (bloody loud). I've stopped more than a few cars from crashing my lane with it, but you need to hit them early. Of course some don't care and cut you up anyway lol

http://www.stebel.it/stebel2009/products.asp?IDserie=2&uso=1&IDprodotto=8&tipologia=moto