Moving from moped to 250cc motorcycle. Too expensive?

[flaviosa]

Hi guys,

I have been riding moped for the past 5 years and I was planning to move to a bigger bike (250cc).

The reason I was planning to move was because I feel a bigger bike is safer, bigger wheels, better brakes (maybe one with ABS), stronger engine etc..

But then I started to putting together the costs.

Rego: $409
Insurance: from 400- to 600.
Service: around $420 each 5k. Is this correct??

Plus all the time to keep the bike chain clean, tight and lubricate.

Is it correct? How much do you guys spend with your bikes? Have anyone of you moved from a moped to a bigger bike and could share the experience.

One thing is that for my current 50cc I do my own maintenance/service and I buy parts from overseas.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[Akzle]

What do you guys think?

nigga, you trollin.


Get a busa.

[flaviosa]

nigga, you trollin.


Get a busa.

Why? What is the joke? I thought forums were to share experiences.

maybe you are too good to help people out.

Very mature of you.

[MarkH]

Rego: $409
Insurance: from 400- to 600.
Service: around $420 each 5k. Is this correct??


Rego is expensive on bikes, that much is true.
Insurance varies a lot, get a quote from kiwibike insurance before you buy insurance, I pay under $500 per year to insure a 1300cc bike for $12k
Service - no, that doesn't sound right. Most 250cc bikes will only need 1/2 of a 4l bottle of oil and a filter is what - twenty bucks?


Plus all the time to keep the bike chain clean, tight and lubricate.

Chains should be cleaned and lubed, but it isn't all that much work - maybe 5 minutes a week?
You don't want the chain to be tight (nor too loose) but you only really need to check the chain once a week and adjust if necessary, probably less than once a month typically.

Overall the yearly cost of running a 250cc bike isn't all that bad, but will never be as cheap as a moped.
On the other hand I'd rather not ride for over 100km on the open road on a moped, so yeah there are some limitations to what a moped is good for.
In general a moped is only really OK for commuting through 50kph zones and costing approximately fuck all (that's rounded to the nearest all).

I ride 35km twice a day with over 30km being open road - a moped wouldn't cut it for my needs.
When I was in Auckland I was riding a 400cc scooter, it was a really good commuter that was capable of handling the motorway at full open road speeds.
Where do you ride? where do you want to ride?
If you want to ride at open road speeds then clearly you need to move up from a moped, higher costs are what you have to pay to step up.

[Akzle]

Why? What is the joke? I thought forums were to share experiences.

maybe you are too good to help people out.

Very mature of you.

oh i can see this going well...

[Maha]

Why? What is the joke? I thought forums were to share experiences.

maybe you are too good to help people out.

Very mature of you.

If you're not covered in hair and between the ages of 15-18 you have nothing to fear from that looser.

What is your budget for a 250?

[WristTwister]

But for the extra cost of running a motorcycle, you get a lot of benefits. You can get lessons on how to service your own bike, which should save you some $$$ and you can save on registration by doing it online.

I know it's a cliché but a moped may move your body, but a motorcycle will move your soul.

[Oakie]

Mopeds / scooters are just cheap motorbkes. You buy a bike, it costs you more for the priviledge ... it's just a fact of life.

Mine costs me about $20 a week gas, $250 / $300 for a service every 6k and about $500 for tyres every couple of years. Insurance $600 p.a.
I don't spend much time cleaning mine but do attend to chain lubes every couple of weeks.

I just stash $20 each week away into my sock draw and that pretty much pays for my servicing and oil changes. I've got about $300 there at present for next month's service.

[Duncan74]

You could always go for a 250cc scooter. Mine was comfy on the open road and easily did 100kph. Maintenance was easy as - oil changes a doddle and shaft drive. Plenty of space to carry stuff too under seat and in the top box. Same rego as a 250 bike though.

By was, I mean is, although hopefully I won't own it anymore after the auction closes at 8pm tonight....

[Scubbo]

...
When I was in Auckland I was riding a 400cc scooter, it was a really good commuter that was capable of handling the motorway at full open road speeds.
...

was it an AN400 with a custom exhaust? if so I've met you before :eek:

yes the cost of rego on a motorbike is total SHIT, especially in Auckland where more bikes would save millions of man hours a year and save on road repair/expansion costs and city parking.... all would offset the ACC payout for crashes IMO....

actual servicing a motorbike is cheap / you should really DIY and learn about the machine you own, a lot of fun and satisfaction to be had there :niceone:

[Maha]

Burgman's are perfect two up and they can hold a crate of piss under the seat. Add a decent can and there you have it, insane but true.

[Oakie]

Burgman's are perfect two up and they can hold a crate of piss under the seat. Add a decent can and there you have it, insane but true.

I would consider one when I can no longer throw a leg over a 'normal' bike for fear of dislocating a hip (or having the leg fly off completely.)

[awa355]

Poster 1 could always get one of those 250cc Yamaha 3 wheel scooters which can be legally ridden with a car registration which I think now are around $100 or less.
I have only ever seen 1 in ChCh so despite the cheap reg they have not taken off sales wise.

10 sold in NZ, as of a month ago. If you're talking about the Tricity 125 3 wheeler scooter.

[PistonBlown]

Poster 1 could always get one of those 250cc Yamaha 3 wheel scooters which can be legally ridden with a car registration which I think now are around $100 or less.
I have only ever seen 1 in ChCh so despite the cheap reg they have not taken off sales wise.

Don't really like to admit it but my Spyder only costs $88 a year for the same reason - though strangely I have to insure it as a motorbike, and because I've got a motorbike license the insurance is cheaper.

[caspernz]

Rego is expensive on bikes, that much is true.
Insurance varies a lot, get a quote from kiwibike insurance before you buy insurance, I pay under $500 per year to insure a 1300cc bike for $12k
Service - no, that doesn't sound right. Most 250cc bikes will only need 1/2 of a 4l bottle of oil and a filter is what - twenty bucks?

Chains should be cleaned and lubed, but it isn't all that much work - maybe 5 minutes a week?
You don't want the chain to be tight (nor too loose) but you only really need to check the chain once a week and adjust if necessary, probably less than once a month typically.

Overall the yearly cost of running a 250cc bike isn't all that bad, but will never be as cheap as a moped.
On the other hand I'd rather not ride for over 100km on the open road on a moped, so yeah there are some limitations to what a moped is good for.
In general a moped is only really OK for commuting through 50kph zones and costing approximately fuck all (that's rounded to the nearest all).

I ride 35km twice a day with over 30km being open road - a moped wouldn't cut it for my needs.
When I was in Auckland I was riding a 400cc scooter, it was a really good commuter that was capable of handling the motorway at full open road speeds.
Where do you ride? where do you want to ride?
If you want to ride at open road speeds then clearly you need to move up from a moped, higher costs are what you have to pay to step up.

Good advice :niceone:

[flaviosa]

If you're not covered in hair and between the ages of 15-18 you have nothing to fear from that looser.

What is your budget for a 250?

Up to 6k. I was even considering the yamaha mt-03. 321cc and ABS brakes.

[flaviosa]

R
Where do you ride? where do you want to ride?


Thanks.

I ride about 37km a day from west of auckland to cbd. I can cover my trip fine with a scooter.

The main problem with my scooter is awareness. Its like drivers don't see you there like you don't exist.

Also I almost got involved in accidents twice because my scooter slipped when I pressed my brake too hard. Maybe with a proper it would be safer? Better brakes etc...

[flaviosa]

10 sold in NZ, as of a month ago. If you're talking about the Tricity 125 3 wheeler scooter.

I was looking at one of those but I when for a test ride and honestly my 50cc 2t (with bbk + sport parts) was stronger than that one. There will be a new 155cc version coming up soon so I will keep an eye on it.

If register these tricycle as cars can I still ride it on the bus lane? I wonder what happens if those guys record me riding there since they have a front plate.


BTW: How do you know only 10 sold in NZ?

[awa355]

I was looking at one of those but I when for a test ride and honestly my 50cc 2t (with bbk + sport parts) was stronger than that one. There will be a new 155cc version coming up soon so I will keep an eye on it.

If register these tricycle as cars can I still ride it on the bus lane? I wonder what happens if those guys record me riding there since they have a front plate.


BTW: How do you know only 10 sold in NZ?

Sale figures are from Yamaha Australia. They control the NZ market. I emailed them when this bike was being discussed in another thread.

[Maha]

Up to 6k. I was even considering the yamaha mt-03. 321cc and ABS brakes.

Flag the so called upgraded Scooter idea then.. MT-03 = good choice. CBR 300? Ninja 300? for around the same money.

[OddDuck]

Thanks.

I ride about 37km a day from west of auckland to cbd. I can cover my trip fine with a scooter.

The main problem with my scooter is awareness. Its like drivers don't see you there like you don't exist.

Also I almost got involved in accidents twice because my scooter slipped when I pressed my brake too hard. Maybe with a proper it would be safer? Better brakes etc...

Awareness from drivers has gotten better as my bikes got bigger. Presence counts.

As for tyres slipping... rubber goes off; it gets old and goes hard. Then it doesn't grip any more. So first thing, check how old your current tyres are and how hard the compound seems to be. You should be able to make a mark in it with a fingernail. If it doesn't seem to be wearing down any more (ie tread depth readings) then it's definitely stuffed.

You mentioned economy as being important, so I understand not wanting to change apparently fine tyres. My own position on tyres is that they're pricey but they're a lot cheaper than crash repairs or lost income.

Motorcycles have a lot of options for tyres - economy, touring, ultra grippy sport performance etc - I don't know how scooter tyres compare though. Bigger wheels also means a bigger contact patch, plus a lot of current bikes have ABS. ABS is gold in an emergency situation, I've had far too many panic lockups to doubt the system's value any more.

[EJK]

The reason I was planning to move was because I feel a bigger bike is safer, bigger wheels, better brakes (maybe one with ABS), stronger engine etc..

Totally support this idea. I ride a BMW S1000RR, probably one of the fastest bike ever made (and has 193 horsepower! Bow down peasants!). Sounds dangerous? Yeah. But one time I took the bike in for a service I had a 100cc moped scooter as a loan bike. Boy, did I have a "Oh shit! So this is how I die!" moment while riding back home. Weak brakes, untrustworthy cheap Chinese tyres and twitchy super sensitive short-wheelbase handling. Felt much safer on my 300kph+ superbike.

[Maha]

Totally support this idea. I ride a BMW S1000RR, probably one of the fastest bike ever made (and has 193 horsepower! Bow down peasants!). Sounds dangerous? Yeah. But one time I took the bike in for a service I had a 100cc moped scooter as a loan bike. Boy, did I have a "Oh shit! So this is how I die!" moment while riding back home. Weak brakes, untrustworthy cheap Chinese tyres and twitchy super sensitive short-wheelbase handling. Felt much safer on my 300kph+ superbike.

When Pizza's turn up cold at your house you know they were not delivered on Superbike. When they are delivered on a Superbike the pizza maker dude is still cutting it up.

[Erelyes]

How much do you guys spend with your bikes?

More than I should and less than I'd like.


Poster 1

'Poster 1'... the right term is 'Original Poster' or OP, dork. I think those three wheel things are mainly used by Parking officers nowadays, so if you wanna be mistaken for one of them...

Ahem.

OP: Bikes are meant to be fun. So much fun that you'll find a way to afford one regardless. If they're not that fun for you... stick to the mupped.

[250r-king]

Get yourself a car, for someone that has been riding for years you are still amateur. No offense but if your truly keen you can buy my bike for 4k.

[flaviosa]

Get yourself a car, for someone that has been riding for years you are still amateur. No offense but if your truly keen you can buy my bike for 4k.

Of course I am an amateur. and I will always be one regardless the years I have been riding.

[Akzle]

Get yourself a car, for someone that has been riding for years you are still amateur. No offense but if your truly keen you can buy my bike for 4k.


Of course I am an amateur. and I will always be one regardless the years I have been riding.

you two should get together for a cuddle.

[flaviosa]

you two should get together for a cuddle.

:hug: :banana: :tugger: :motu:

[EJK]

Of course I am an amateur. and I will always be one regardless the years I have been riding.

Don't listen to 250 <strike>peasant</strike> king's bullshit posts. If you've been on moped for over 5 years, you should find yourself reasonably comfortable on a 250.

Also don't buy his 20-y old POS 250R junk. It's a poor man's CBR, not even a proper MC22. Probably "tuned" with household blow dryer duc taped to airbox and some bullshit unicorn urine added to engine oil to make extra horsepower.

[pritch]

These days you aren't restricted to a 250, if you look around you may seem something suitable for your intended purpose.

Re an earlier comment: the year of manufacture is written on the sidewall of a tyre.
http://www.michelin.ca/tires-101/tire-basics/about-tires/reading-your-sidewall.page

The tyres in that item were dated 2008. I hope none of us are using tyres made in 2008.

[Akzle]

unicorn urine added to engine oil to make extra horsepower.

shit works yo

[250r-king]

Don't listen to 250 <strike>peasant</strike> king's bullshit posts. If you've been on moped for over 5 years, you should find yourself reasonably comfortable on a 250.

Also don't buy his 20-y old POS 250R junk. It's a poor man's CBR, not even a proper MC22. Probably "tuned" with household blow dryer duc taped to airbox and some bullshit unicorn urine added to engine oil to make extra horsepower.
On second thought buy a 1100 zzr, as for that little bitch EJK must be that time of the month.(his assholes been recently jackhammered slight bleed)
I have nothing against homos, you two have fun.

[Scubbo]

mt-03 would be a great option if you're primarily wanting a commuter but with the ability to do trips and have fun -- great price at the moment, the best 300cc bike in it's class for what they sell it for new!

[EJK]

On second thought buy a 1100 zzr, as for that little bitch EJK must be that time of the month.(his assholes been recently jackhammered slight bleed)
I have nothing against homos, you two have fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9XW6P0tiVc&feature=youtu.be&t=2m20s

:p

[MarkH]

was it an AN400 with a custom exhaust? if so I've met you before :eek:

It was a red AN400, with stock exhaust though.
It wasn't the best on the open road but I was able to tick along at 109kph without complaining so it wasn't like it couldn't do a decent trip.
The longest ride I did in one day on it was Auckland to Christchurch - long day though.

There are some nice bikes out there that are LAMS compliant, for more open road riding I'd probably go with a bike, for more city commuting a bigger scooter could be worth considering.
You can get some good 400cc, 500cc or even 650cc bikes that are LAMS compliant - it all depends on what you want in a bike.

[Luckylegs]

These days you aren't restricted to a 250, if you look around you may seem something suitable for your intended purpose.

Re an earlier comment: the year of manufacture is written on the sidewall of a tyre.
http://www.michelin.ca/tires-101/tire-basics/about-tires/reading-your-sidewall.page

The tyres in that item were dated 2008. I hope none of us are using tyres made in 2008.

:shutup: i may or may not have, but 1/12th of year ago, replaced a set where an acute triangle shaped front had that very year on it. Dangerous? Maybe - was a lot of hard work keeping it turned thats for sure. :shutup:

[mrchips]

Hey flav. Have you thought of a bigger scoot ?. I use a burgman 650 executive for my work commutes. It's a scoot on steroids.. no maintenance cept oil changes...+ it's lams approved & goes like the clappers at half throttle

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[flaviosa]

Hey flav. Have you thought of a bigger scoot ?. I use a burgman 650 executive for my work commutes. It's a scoot on steroids.. no maintenance cept oil changes...+ it's lams approved & goes like the clappers at half throttle

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

I have. But those big scooters are ridiculous expensive. But I was look the kawasaki J300 with ABS which is not that expensive but still more expensive that the MT03.

[rambaldi]

If you want to have a look at the costs incurred I have had my bike for about a year now and I have tracked most costs here: http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/honda/vtr250/2006/rambaldi/379624

It isn't showing insuarance and rego but starts with a nice set of new boots. The main set of stats only tracks petrol costs but I have listed others if you go through the logs. I just had a service today and it came to $120 odd, of which $52 was for labour (doing it yourself would save you that). I replaced the chain as well based upon the stores suggestion so that was a bit more, but they didn't charge for fitting it.

If I was to buy a new bike, for learning on, and I didn't want one of the biggies (like the Versys which sounds great) I would look at the MT03. I love my VTR250 but they aren't coming in anymore and they are missing some of the features that the new bikes offer (namely ABS).

[Tazz]

You can't go to something with bigger engine, tyres, brakes , plastics and not expect it to cost you more. If the cost isn't worth it to you stick with your scooter.

If you service your scooter you can service a two fifty.