Recommend a good honest scooter for postie work

[Oakie]

My daughter (Oakie ver b~ii) is looking for a scooter which will stand the rigours of postie work. She's contracting to do a flat run and after a day playing on a scooter yesterday has decided a scooter (but not necessarily the standard CT 110 'postie bike') is the way to go.

Doesn't have to be too grunty so I guess a 50cc would do (car licence only?). The important thing is that it would need to be fairly robust as it will be carrying a bit of weight on panniers on the back in addition to the fruit of my loins on the front. (Perhaps extra weight of a load of mail means something bigger than a 50? I dunno.). I guess a sturdy frame is what I'm on about.

Anyway Scooteratti ... what suggestions have ye for a good honest work-scoot?

[Edbear]

My daughter (Oakie ver b~ii) is looking for a scooter which will stand the rigours of postie work. She's contracting to do a flat run and after a day playing on a scooter yesterday has decided a scooter (but not necessarily the standard CT 110 'postie bike') is the way to go.

Doesn't have to be too grunty so I guess a 50cc would do (car licence only?). The important thing is that it would need to be fairly robust as it will be carrying a bit of weight on panniers on the back in addition to the fruit of my loins on the front. (Perhaps extra weight of a load of mail means something bigger than a 50? I dunno.). I guess a sturdy frame is what I'm on about.

Anyway Scooteratti ... what suggestions have ye for a good honest work-scoot?

Budget? I'd probably recommend a 125 though, for reliability longer term. Steer clear of the cheap Chinese one's for that sort of use.

[Oakie]

Budget? I'd probably recommend a 125 though, for reliability longer term. Steer clear of the cheap Chinese one's for that sort of use.

Budget would stretch to a CT110 if needed and is probably not a real issue. She's looking at different options.

[awa355]

In 2006, I did a 'Petes Postie' run in Tauranga. Most of the delivery riders, were retired men who did the job because it gave them something constructive to do with their time. They used mostly, Taiwanese or Japanese built 50cc scooters. This was because the returns did not justify the extra cost of rego, insurance, and purchase price of the larger scooters. You could buy 2 TGB, PGO Suzuki Honda 50s for the cost of one CT110 postie bike. The second half of the month would see the amount of mail drop to half it was at the start. Bills, subscribed mags etc, would all go out in the first 10 days.

You actually need something that is reasonably light. The weight of the mail when starting the day, adds a lot anyway. A lot of mailboxes are just back off the footpath or in the driveways and you will be pushing your scooter backwards with your feet after feeding mail into the box. Some of these will be uphill, some downhill. When you drive around, you see the 'easy to get at' letterboxes. Not all can be ridden past, whilst on the footpath.

Small physical dimensions of the scooter make a big difference to being able to reach the boxes. If you have to get off the scooter to access a letterbox, having a scooter that idles with the side stand down is a big plus. Using the side stand is quicker and easier than the center stand. Some A4 size items have to go into the back of the boxes and you cant always reach the rear of the box while on the scooter.

Check under any scooter that you look at. If the exhaust hangs down, then at some stage you risk rippin it off as you ride off a grassed footpath onto a raised concrete driveway apron. Cost me $600 to learn that one.

A scooter with exposed handle bars is easier to adapt a top mounted holder for the mail to, your mail may be broken down into individual lots for each street. and may be 10cm thick, these I would have on a spring loaded clip above the instrements. Will saddle bags sit over the rear without touching the muffler? Have you got room to hang a wide backpack or simillar, inside the front leg shield. We delivered a lot of poster sized x rays, posters etc which couldn't be folded. I had a wide shoulder bag that looped around the mirror mounts and hung in front of my knees.

For your southern winter, I would suggest fitting handlebar mitts. you cant handle envelopes with gloved hands. Contary to what you will be told, engine size is not the only criteria to look at. The ease and speed of getting mail from your scooter into the letterbox means the difference of heading home at 2 pm on a miserable day, or still being out there at 3.30pm.

[Oakie]

In 2006, I did a 'Petes Postie' run in Tauranga ... etc

Thanks for that dude. Some really good info in there and stuff that I wouldn't have considered ... well, the mitts I would have.

Anyone ... would a scooter have grunty enough electrics to run heated handgrips?

[awa355]

A couple of after thoughts, A suzuki UZ125 is a small framed scooter with a decent motor, If your daughter will have some mileage to cover, then the bigger motor will be a bonus. A lot off 'life style' blocks are spread out and she will be covering some distance between letterboxes.

In Tga , I delivered to Welcome bay, Gates Pa and Pyes Pa. A lot of ground there, the last fortnight of each month, I was earning less than the unemployment benefit, so operating costs are paramount. When travelling 2ks to deliver a 15c envelope, you need to be doing that as cheaply as you can.

Another issue is insurance, will you be covered if using your scooter for an income? Third party would be essential. A lot of times I would be concentrating on looking at the next address on the top envelope or for the next letterbox and not thinking about cars coming up behind me when pulling off the footpath or crossing driveways.

I loved the job, but then I didn't do it through the winter.

[AllanB]

CT110, it will still be running in 20 years. NZ Post will not be though!

[willytheekid]

Anyone* ... would a scooter have grunty enough electrics to run heated handgrips?

*THATS ME!...ahem

Yes, you can get some Oxford "light" hot grips...made just for smaller bikes :niceone:
http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/images/products/21.7030.jpg
http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/1557-oxford_heated_grips/4969-oxford_light_hot_grips_for_50_.aspx

I just scored some of these for $40 off trademe for the VFR...will work on any bike, just has less current draw (perfect for a 90's honda charging system lol)

[Oakie]

*THATS ME!...ahem

Yes, you can get some Oxford "light" hot grips...made just for smaller bikes :niceone:

I just scored some of these for $40 off trademe for the VFR...will work on any bike, just has less current draw (perfect for a 90's honda charging system lol)

Good to know. Thanks for that.

[Rhys]

If you are looking at 125 I would be looking at something like http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-556284002.htm
can run up and down curbs all day will handle the weight well with its low gearing cheap to run and much more comfortable to ride

[Oakie]

A step-thru with lower seat height is more the thing because she may need to get off it many times a day. Lower centre of gravity is probably good too.

[awa355]

If you are looking at 125 I would be looking at something like http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-556284002.htm
can run up and down curbs all day will handle the weight well with its low gearing cheap to run and much more comfortable to ride

For stop / start delivering, you need a twist and go transmission. or a semi auto like the CT110. The left hand is usually holding mail or thumbing through the stack of letters between mail boxes. The bikes needs to be operated with one hand. The 110 would be the perfect first choice. If you look outside any mail sorting shop in any city, you wont see a manual clutch operated bike anywhere. Courier riders have different needs. They have fewer stops and further between stops.

Curbs aren't really a problem, as you use the driveway aprons to get on and off the footpaths. Also that space between your knees and the legshield is essential for storing stuff that you need to reach quickly.

[Oakie]

For stop / start delivering, you need a twist and go transmission. or a semi auto like the CT110. The left hand is usually holding mail or thumbing through the stack of letters between mail boxes.

Hard to beat the knowledge of someone who has been there, done that. Thanks again.

[Oakie]

Well she's been and gone and done it. Got herself a brand new one of these in red http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-591050934.htm

Reviews of it sound pretty reasonable too. Anyway, she's as happy as a pig in shit riding around on her baby all day.

Spending good money on safety gear too so I'm a happy and proud Dad today.

Oh, she's also bought a CT110 for the guy who is working for her. She'll work her way onto that in due course as she gets through the licence rigmarole. (imagine working UP to a CT110)

[awa355]

They are good scooters. Some of the postie crowd have gotten 12,000ks doing this work from the TGB's. , I hope it all works out for her.

[Oakie]

They are good scooters. Some of the postie crowd have gotten 12,000ks doing this work from the TGB's. , I hope it all works out for her.

She'll be pleased to hear that. Didn't know others had used them. Thanks for your help. I wouldn't be surprised if you see her on these pages pretty soon.

[awa355]

I should've put in 25,000 instead of 12,000k. Postie work is about as harder work as you can put a scooter through.

[Moi]

...imagine working UP to a CT110...

could be worse - imagining working down to one :bleh:

[nzspokes]

NZpost sell off there ct's off at not a bad price through there recycle center in Kapiti.

[danchop]

ive used the suzuki uz125 for courier work,cant fault the maintainence side of these(my first got 86000kms before just the drive belt broke,and two others ive got are in the 60-70000km mark atm)but you cant buy them new anymore,above 50cc id go for the fuel injected yamaha 125 at $2995.
and its easy to bypass the switch that cuts the motor when the side stand is down

[GDOBSSOR]

My daughter (Oakie ver b~ii) is looking for a scooter which will stand the rigours of postie work. She's contracting to do a flat run and after a day playing on a scooter yesterday has decided a scooter (but not necessarily the standard CT 110 'postie bike') is the way to go.

Doesn't have to be too grunty so I guess a 50cc would do (car licence only?). The important thing is that it would need to be fairly robust as it will be carrying a bit of weight on panniers on the back in addition to the fruit of my loins on the front. (Perhaps extra weight of a load of mail means something bigger than a 50? I dunno.). I guess a sturdy frame is what I'm on about.

Anyway Scooteratti ... what suggestions have ye for a good honest work-scoot?

If it's a 50cc... A Yamaha Jog would be excellent. They're 2 stroke, not 4 stroke, so it'll have far more grunt getting uphill than a Honda Today. There's also the Suzuki SJ50 or SJ125 model. What Edbear said re the Chinese ones - If you are happy to fix it up, Chinese models are ok to keep as a runaround only.

[Oakie]

So here's my girl on her much loved TGB. Been riding it for work now for three weeks including the obligatory (for posties) rain, hail and snow with no whoopsies (but apparently the odd skiddy-mark on the odd bits of grass).

[awa355]

That's a neat set up. I like the front basket. Useful for holding the next 50 envelopes.

I hope it goes well for her and I hope the delivery rate is better than 7 years ago.

[Road kill]

She needs to be more visible from the side.

Those bags could take a big hi vis panel.

[unstuck]

One of the paper deliverers down here uses the same bike as your daughter, and she is a fairly big lassie and carries a fair few papers. The thing must love the work, because it keeps on scooting past @ 5am.:2thumbsup

[Oakie]

That's a neat set up. I like the front basket. Useful for holding the next 50 envelopes.
I hope it goes well for her and I hope the delivery rate is better than 7 years ago.

The basket was off a golf cart I believe. The shop that sells the bikes did the fabrication to get it connected.


She needs to be more visible from the side. Those bags could take a big hi vis panel.
Good point. I'll pass that on. Perhaps on the side of the box at the back too. I suggested reflective stuff on the back of the right hand one to make it more visible from behind and make it seem wider.


One of the paper deliverers down here uses the same bike as your daughter, and she is a fairly big lassie and carries a fair few papers. The thing must love the work, because it keeps on scooting past @ 5am.:2thumbsup
This is the only 50cc scooter they sell in the shop at Queenstown as it's the only one that will handle the hills. It will, I believe, comfortably negotiate a Queenstown hill, two up.

[unstuck]

Heard you the first time ,sheesh. Or is that the Altzimers kicking in?:whistle:

[Oakie]

Heard you the first time ,sheesh. Or is that the Altzimers kicking in?:whistle:

Fixed that ... thanks (post went up twice)

[awa355]

How is the pony express service going?

[Oakie]

How is the pony express service going?

Good thanks. A couple of teething problems getting it set up right and then having the realisation that all other road users are out to kill her ... but she's going really well. Had her first off last week but that was at a virtual standstill wuith her bike top-heavy with the 'SkyWatch' magazine. She knew what was happening so just lay down with it and no damage done to bike or rider (apart from a bruised knee).

[BMWST?]

So here's my girl on her much loved TGB. Been riding it for work now for three weeks including the obligatory (for posties) rain, hail and snow with no whoopsies (but apparently the odd skiddy-mark on the odd bits of grass).

what a remarkable view!

[Oakie]

what a remarkable view!

Dead right. The little tart sent me pxts of 'her office' on Friday. 2 glorious vistas of the lake and the mountains.