What 125cc + scooter?

[Slicksta]

I am looking to buy a 125cc ish scooter
Budget is around 3.6k
Wanting to be able to pull 100kph as my commute includes 100k roads.
I don't mind buying second hand.
Quality is important.

[awa355]

If you want a 100kph machine use the 3g to buy a reasonable used 250+ motorbike. Same rego costs, better performance, better ride, better handling.

Any 125 scooter is going to be close to max speed at 100kph, and a new UZ125 eg, will need about 3-4000 k's up before the engine will run freely enough to reach the speed limit.

I've owned scooters and bikes for over 45 years. I ride a 100cc scoot at the moment, believe me, a bike is better, unless you can afford a 250 scooter, or just want cheap basic town transport.

[Slicksta]

If you want a 100kph machine use the 3g to buy a reasonable used 250+ motorbike. Same rego costs, better performance, better ride, better handling.

Any 125 scooter is going to be close to max speed at 100kph, and a new UZ125 eg, will need about 3-4000 k's up before the engine will run freely enough to reach the speed limit.

I've owned scooters and bikes for over 45 years. I ride a 100cc scoot at the moment, believe me, a bike is better, unless you can afford a 250 scooter, or just want cheap basic town transport.

I have ridden and owned many motorcycles and scooters
Looking to go down the scooter route this time around. Storage and weather protection spring to mind.
My commute is from ngaruawahia to Hamilton via river road/horitu

Was looking at the fly 150 v3 if they sell them in NZ. The uz is nice but a tad pricey for what it is

[awa355]

The Fly gets some good reviews, I would look at one if I replace my current scooter. From Ngaruawahia to Hamilton wouldn't show much difference time wise, between sitting on 90 and 100k.

The scooter bar in Hammy lists as an agent. I've heard they can be fairly pricy tho.

[Moi]

You said "My commute is from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton via River Road/Horotiu"
Do you presently drive that way? What speed is comfortable - for road and traffic conditions?

If you presently drive that way at 90 to 100km/h then you need a scooter that will do that speed comfortably and with something to spare. You might find a 125cc is at its absolute limit at that speed. You don't want to be a possible hindrance to other traffic on that road.

I would suggest you look at the 250cc range as well, even consider a used 250cc scooter with low mileage. But do remember the servicing costs that go with a CVT transmission and are you able to do that servicing yourself. Oil and filter changes are easy.

[awa355]

For 3 grand, this is what I'd be buying.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-719551053.htm

It might struggle to do 100k untill run in but the 14 l tank and looking like a bike has to be a plus.

[haydes55]

With that new bypass for through traffic, I'm guessing your commute us a lot less busy? For out of towners, the road he commutes on used to be a main highway between Hamilton and Auckland. Now the road bypasses before Ngaruawahia. So the roads are wide and well maintained, but probably a third of the traffic it is built to handle.

The roads are wide enough for a scoot to cruise on the shoulder at 80ish km/h so I reckon a 125cc will be fine. Cheaper anyway. Could you also be looking at a gn125 or similar with a screen and top box?

As for weather protection, I think a scooter will block some wind and protect your legs from the elements, but a decent set of gear will do better.

[Moi]

...For out of towners, the road he commutes on used to be a main highway between Hamilton and Auckland...

I think not...

The OP stated "My commute is from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton via River Road/Horotiu" - I am reading that as the road that leaves what used to SH1 on the north side of the Waikato River bridge and follows the Waikato River on the eastern bank to Hamilton - the old SH1 was on the western bank almost paralleling the NIMT. Before it was State Highway 1, the road was known as Great South Road - the military road built during the New Zealand Wars to supply the British troops who were engaged in the Waikato Campaign.

I am guessing he crosses the Waikato River on the Horotiu Bridge- states "via ... Horotiu" and then follows the old SH1 for a short distance...

[craisin]

I think not...

The OP stated "My commute is from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton via River Road/Horotiu" - I am reading that as the road that leaves what used to SH1 on the north side of the Waikato River bridge and follows the Waikato River on the eastern bank to Hamilton - the old SH1 was on the western bank almost paralleling the NIMT. Before it was State Highway 1, the road was known as Great South Road - the military road built during the New Zealand Wars to supply the British troops who were engaged in the Waikato Campaign.

I am guessing he crosses the Waikato River on the Horotiu Bridge- states "via ... Horotiu" and then follows the old SH1 for a short distance...
hey dont be to hard on him i was taken by how polite he was

[haydes55]

I think not...



The OP stated "My commute is from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton via River Road/Horotiu" - I am reading that as the road that leaves what used to SH1 on the north side of the Waikato River bridge and follows the Waikato River on the eastern bank to Hamilton - the old SH1 was on the western bank almost paralleling the NIMT. Before it was State Highway 1, the road was known as Great South Road - the military road built during the New Zealand Wars to supply the British troops who were engaged in the Waikato Campaign.



I am guessing he crosses the Waikato River on the Horotiu Bridge- states "via ... Horotiu" and then follows the old SH1 for a short distance...


Yea, so half way there is to Horotiu, then cross the river and the rest of the way through river road. River road traffic and old SH1 traffic both take the bypass now. We didn't need a history lesson, just saying, the commute he takes now has less traffic. Therefore a 125 scoot won't be too big of a hindrance to traffic flow. River road goes to 80km/h a few minutes towards Hamilton on River Rd anyway, then 50km/h.

[Slicksta]

Yea, so half way there is to Horotiu, then cross the river and the rest of the way through river road. River road traffic and old SH1 traffic both take the bypass now. We didn't need a history lesson, just saying, the commute he takes now has less traffic. Therefore a 125 scoot won't be too big of a hindrance to traffic flow. River road goes to 80km/h a few minutes towards Hamilton on River Rd anyway, then 50km/h.

Yeah thats basically it.

I was actually looking at 150cc scooters to see if I could get something that would do 110kph but I guess judging by the comments here that is not possible

And no I don't want a chinese made 125cc honda I would rather buy a GN for less

[Zipper2T]

Go with the Fly 150, you won't regret it. I don't know about the Scooterbar though, they seem to add $200-300 to the usual retail price of all their 50cc scooters. Maybe look at some of the Auckland dealers.

[Ender EnZed]

Budget is around 3.6k

Shouldn't be too hard to get a near new Scorpio and a top box for that kind of money. That'd eliminate any issues around managing traffic speed and then some.

[awa355]

Yeah thats basically it.

I was actually looking at 150cc scooters to see if I could get something that would do 110kph but I guess judging by the comments here that is not possible

And no I don't want a chinese made 125cc honda I would rather buy a GN for less

The Honda Dylan is a 150cc scooter that goes damn well on the open road. I've ridden a lot of miles on one. Will do more than 110kph easy.

You'll find your GN is made in china also and not to the same standard that a Chinese made Honda or Yamaha is made to.

[Moi]

I'd suggest that the OP should go and try a few scooters and see how he goes... then he can make an informed decision.

Nothing like seat-of-the-pants stuff to help with the "which one do I buy?"

[craisin]

after owning 3 chinese scooter one being new.
It appears as if the parts selected by their cheapness.
And certain things need to be replaced to get reliability.

I read that some Americans like to buy ex-rental Scooter cause they have been well maintained and the bugs have been removed.
Kevlar belt is a must in my books

[Dave Lobster]

This one:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-720669198.htm

[craisin]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-721793595.htmwhat about this

[Zipper2T]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/auction-721793595.htmwhat about this.

That is not a Honda!

[craisin]

.

That is not a Honda!
i am well aware of that

[Slicksta]

So i ended up with one of these for 3200 with 5000kms on the clock.

http://images-2.drive.com.au/2010/09/16/1931517/Yamaha_YZF_R125_420-420x0.jpg

[Silly Old Man]

I found an UC125 Suzuki (SJ epicuro) in a bin at the scrap metal place and got it for $70 and they'd said it wasn't worth fixing and I took a chance... seems the only thing wrong with it was broken plastic and bent handlebars, oh, and the seat underframe was a little twisted but the chassis itself was fine.

I'm not suggesting that you go this way but as I pulled it to bit's to get it all into the back of my Mira before the boys went home there was one good pile of actual moped and another pile of useless plastic and even then the pile of useable moped stuff could be lightened considerably to make it go faster easier. I'm looking at building a whole new frame for a super low stream liner, which is a completely silly idea for everyday commuting (in today's be seen or die climate), but if I wanted a cheap fast commuter it's all there. I actually saw one of these on trademe, ready to go for $500.00... lower seating position and lot's of little work to unrestrict the gas energy... and an eventual full frontal fairing you'd not only have a bunch of cash in your pocket but you'd be keeping the whole Kiwi do-it-yourself ethic alive and confronting the silliness that is import and buy new or die mentality... actually, that's a bit strong, but theres a point there I reckon worth making.