What are the engine maintenance costs of a 50cc scooter?

[quattrocchi]

I'm thinking of, say, a new Yamaha cv50 jog on a daily 10min commute in Auckland. What maintenance schedule would we expect? Like, plugs, how often clean and how often replace? Is there a choice of spark plugs for these scooters depending on riding style? And when and how often would you do a de-coke on these? And would piston rings replacement and bore inspection be part of an early engine preventative maintenance job? At what mileage? And what would we expect these sort of jobs to cost at a dealer?

Thanks

[UberRhys]

Bugger all I imagine, bit if it is new then it will need to be serviced at various intervals to validate the warranty. Best see if you can do a deal with the salesman upon purchase.

If you only do what you say with it then I guess the plug would last basically forever and need a 'check-up' every 6-9 months...

If you haven't bought yet, go have a look at a Honda Dio or even a European scoot like a Peugeot, TGB or Vespa if you have the budget.

[quattrocchi]

Bugger all I imagine, bit if it is new then it will need to be serviced at various intervals to validate the warranty. Best see if you can do a deal with the salesman upon purchase.

If you only do what you say with it then I guess the plug would last basically forever and need a 'check-up' every 6-9 months...

If you haven't bought yet, go have a look at a Honda Dio or even a European scoot like a Peugeot, TGB or Vespa if you have the budget.

Do you mean the dealer services for the warrantee are not really required, or is it better use of time doing them yourself?

Is the Dio a better buy? How?

[UberRhys]

No - what I mean is that in order to claim on the warranty (in case the unfortunate happens) you need to have it serviced by an "authorised workshop/mechanic". What I am saying is when you make a purchase of a new scoot to negotiate with the salesman about getting the customary services worked into the purchase price.

[UberRhys]

Is the Dio a better buy? How?

This is my own opinion as I have never had an issue with a Honda after owning a mulitude of them over the years (bikes, quads and scoots). The performance, reliability, economy and spares available can't be beat.

[quattrocchi]

No - what I mean is that in order to claim on the warranty (in case the unfortunate happens) you need to have it serviced by an "authorised workshop/mechanic". What I am saying is when you make a purchase of a new scoot to negotiate with the salesman about getting the customary services worked into the purchase price.

Thanks. So none of the new bike service costs are free? Am I getting old or something ;)

[davereid]

Most well made scooters give no trouble, and need very little spent to keep them running really well.

- replace final drive gear oil at 500-1000km and every 10000 after that. ($20)
- clean air filter and re-oil every 1000 - 5000 km ($5)
- replace transmission belt every 20,000 km ($80)
- Change oil every 1000km 4 strokes ($20)
- replenish two stroke every 1000 - 2000 km 2strokes ($20)
- replace spark plug every 5000 km ($8)
- Valve clearances set every 5000 km on 4 strokes.

If you use a good oil (I like Total 2T synthetic at $17 litre) de-cokes really seem to be a thing of the past. I've done thousands of km on my TGB and I pulled the head off to decoke it - just wasted my time, it was perfect.

These figures are ok for euro scooters + good asians eg TGB.

Most chinese scooters are dead by 5000km. I've got one in the shop now that has done 6000km and has had valve clearances done 5 times, new coil, new cdi, endless rewiring, blown fork seals, and is in the shop today with a cracked frame, so it may well die here.

Cheap scooters are not cheap if they are dead at 5000km !

[mbazza]

Good info Davereid, thanks. Cheers. :scooter:

[sKilled]

There is also a difference between 2 and 4 stroke mopeds too - 4 stroke are usually less care intensive. Although a 4 stroke 50cc may give you trouble on hills. At least that is what I have been told - I'm in the market for a scooter too.

[Pancakes]

I've been on and know people who have owned quite a few 50's. Jog's etc and they were normally traded to clear a $40 debt or the like, all the boys thrash the bejesus out of it and they don't stop! They were mainly Honda's and a few Suzuki ones. Why don't you buy one for $200, spray paint it black and don't do anything to it unless it stops going?