First scooter - discussing my options

[ZK-Awesome]

Hi There
I'm from Nelson and on a learner license, I've decided that a scooter will be the cheapest way to get around in the long run. I'll be using it mainly for trips across town, sometimes on roads with an 80kph speed limit, and also around the city centre.

So in Nelson there's no a huge amount of places to buy scooters compared to Auckland or Christchurch, but I'm going down to Chch soon, so I can have a look round there on my free days down there.

One is a Chinese :argh: scooter that I could buy new. It's a Powerchief Aero. There's some info here:http://1stopscooter.stores.yahoo.net/aemosc.html
It will cost me $1750 + onroad costs. While this is expensive for me (I'm earning about $110 a week (I'm nearly 16..)), the place I'm buy it from is very willing to offer a 12 month warranty, and derestrict it if I wanted to. It also has a large helmet space under the seat, and a lockbox on the back. It's a 4-stroke engine. I had a ride around on a similar model and it was very easy to ride. My parents would loan me the money for it (I've got about $500 saved so far). The research that I've done on the internet on it suggests that it is a high-quality scooter (even though it's chinese).

Second option is a $700 Yamaha Razz, used, from a Motorbike workshop. One crack in the from bodywork, 2 stroke engine, it was quite smoky to start up, like all 2-strokes I suppose. It'd go through their workshop before I got it though. It didn't have any storage, which is the big downside.

Third option is a used $950 Suzuki from ScooterKing in Chch. They have an AZ50 or an SJ50. I haven't seen these in person, but by reading these forums they seem pretty popular, but some people have talked about performance problems after owning them for a while. I'm going for a ride on another company's SJ50 tomorrow to see what they're like.

Fourth option - any suggestions???

Discuss.

[Slicksta]

Hi There
I'm from Nelson and on a learner license, I've decided that a scooter will be the cheapest way to get around in the long run. I'll be using it mainly for trips across town, sometimes on roads with an 80kph speed limit, and also around the city centre.

So in Nelson there's no a huge amount of places to buy scooters compared to Auckland or Christchurch, but I'm going down to Chch soon, so I can have a look round there on my free days down there.

One is a Chinese :argh: scooter that I could buy new. It's a Powerchief Aero. There's some info here:http://1stopscooter.stores.yahoo.net/aemosc.html
It will cost me $1750 + onroad costs. While this is very expensive for me (I'm earning about $110 a week (I'm nearly 16..)), the place I'm buy it from is very willing to offer a 12 month warranty, and derestrict it if I wanted to. It also has a large helmet space under the seat, and a lockbox on the back. It's a 4-stroke engine. I had a ride around on a similar model and it was very easy to ride. My parents would loan me the money for it (I've got about $500 saved so far). The research that I've done on the internet on it suggests that it is a high-quality scooter (even though it's chinese).

Second option is a $700 Yamaha Razz, used, from a Motorbike workshop. One crack in the from bodywork, 2 stroke engine, it was quite smoky to start up, like all 2-strokes I suppose. It'd go through their workshop before I got it though. It didn't have any storage, which is the big downside.

Third option is a used $950 Suzuki from ScooterKing in Chch. They have an AZ50 or an SJ50. I haven't seen these in person, but by reading these forums they seem pretty popular, but some people have talked about performance problems after owning them for a while. I'm going for a ride on another company's SJ50 tomorrow to see what they're like.

Fourth option - any suggestions???

Discuss.



I would have to say go with the Suzuki on this one just keep it under cover cause they rust if you dont oh and welcome to KB :)

[ZK-Awesome]

Okay, if I were to go for the Suzuki, do you have any recommendation about getting the AZ50 or the SJ50?

Perhaps it's also relevant that I'd probably also go cruising around the place, exploring streets and stuff, once I got a scooter, so it'd be used most likely every day.

[Slicksta]

Okay, if I were to go for the Suzuki, do you have any recommendation about getting the AZ50 or the SJ50?

Perhaps it's also relevant that I'd probably also go cruising around the place, exploring streets and stuff, once I got a scooter, so it'd be used most likely every day.

Yeah i loved doing that when i had my 50cc i owned a 1992 razz until a cager wrote it off then i got a Yamaha Jog loved it if you can get one as cheap buy it they are a fantastic all rounder ... ride both the AZ and the SJ see what you what year are they?

[ZK-Awesome]

Scooterking didn't say what year they are. Does this have much bearing on the quality of these Suzukis?

I feellike the Powerchief (the chinese one) could either be a roaring success because of the backing up the outfit selling it would give and the supposed good reputation of this brand (even though barelyanyone has heard of it), or a miss, if it turns out to be a crappy chinese one where all the tubes and pipes fall to pieces.

From reading KB it seems like the Suzuki street magic might be the best machine for the job, anyone know where these are available in the South island, either new or used?

[dave_a]

ive never seen a good quality chinese bike, and Ive had a few ,pitbikes pocketbikes etc there all crap

sure they might look good at the start but trust me stay away from chinese stuff

get the suzuki or a yamaha jog or honda pal etc

[Badjelly]

...sometimes on roads with an 80kph speed limit...

I've done the "slow scooter in fast traffic" thing. Trust me, it isn't much fun.

You're referring to the "motorway" between Nelson and Richmond? As I recall, it has a very narrow shoulder. Please, please don't go on that road on a vehicle that won't keep up with the traffic.

[vifferman]

Go for a reputable brand/model, and go as cheap as you can. I know this is a big deal for you now, but eventually you're going to want to trade up, and the less you have 'invested', the less you're going to lose on depreciation, and the more money you'll have available for your next set of wheels. ANY motor vehicle (apart from classics, perhaps) is basically a money sink, and loses the biggest chunk of its value the first time it is purchased then resold, so if you buy something that's already depreciated, you should lose less on it.

I wouldn't buy Chinese; the prices look attractive, but I'm not sure the quality is there yet.

[ZK-Awesome]

I had a ride around on an SJ50 just then, seemed cool, probably go with the $950 one from Chch.

If I did that though, what'd be the best way of getting it up to Nelson? I'd have to lie it down in Dad's car, would that be bad for the bodywork? Or would some of the fuel or oil leak out? The other option would be to bring it up in the back of a truck. So far I've been quoted $100 to bring it from Chch to Nelson, can someone think of any company who'd do it cheaper? (Not wanting to ride it up obviously!)

[Pogo2]

Would definately go with a japanese brand over the chinese stuff as many people have had trouble with their 'trusty' chinese bikes.

Last week when I had my bike serviced I was given a loaner for the day. It was a Suzuki UZ(?)125. I could not believe how grunty this little bike was. Seemed to have more power that my previously owned taiwanese 150. Was fun to ride.

BTW - does your ZK handle reflect an aviation interest. If it does, welcome to KB fellow aviator! If it doesn't welcome anyway!!

[Subike]

If you could find A Vespa for the same money, then I would recomend one of them.
May be older, but relabilty proven, ease of maintenence, good resale
And will hold its own in 80kph traffic
just an Idea for you

[ZK-Awesome]

BTW - does your ZK handle reflect an aviation interest. If it does, welcome to KB fellow aviator! If it doesn't welcome anyway!!

Yip sure does, first solo in a couple of days :)

[davereid]

Hi ya, welcome to the nut house. First a disclaimer - I sell scooters. euros, taiwanese and chinese.

The bottom line ?

A tank of gas on a modern car is worth $100. What ever you do, don't make your decision based on a few hundred $$.

Chinese Bikes.
I sell them. But I don't like them, and I wont recommend them. They WILL let you down. They may come right in time, but sorry, not yet.

Taiwanese bikes.
Pretty good bikes. We don't have much trouble with them. They don't seem to perform as well as the Europeans. But they don't break down, and they are well priced.

Dunno Bikes.
Chinese made jappas. Dunno. Don't sell em.

European bikes.
Expensive by comparison, but well made and nice to ride.

For what its worth, I run a scooter shop, and ride a TGB Moped 50cc from Taiwan. But, I'm a doddled old prick.

Just DONT BUY CHINESE..

[Pogo2]

Yip sure does, first solo in a couple of days in fact :)

Thunderbike (I think its called) on the way to the airport in Nelson. When ever I drive past I have a very quick look. They seen to have a reasonable selection but not too sure how they stack up with scooters. The do have a very nice Gilera Nexus 500, but I'm sure that would be out of your price range at $8k plus I think.

Ah, first solo I remember it as if it was just yesterday. Actually it was 1982 from memory. Best of luck anyways!

[ZK-Awesome]

Cheers, thanks. I had a look out at Thunderbike, they only had these retro-style PINK ones for about $1500.

[Cruisin' Craig]

I had a ride around on an SJ50 just then, seemed cool, probably go with the $950 one from Chch.

If I did that though, what'd be the best way of getting it up to Nelson? I'd have to lie it down in Dad's car, would that be bad for the bodywork? Or would some of the fuel or oil leak out? The other option would be to bring it up in the back of a truck. So far I've been quoted $100 to bring it from Chch to Nelson, can someone think of any company who'd do it cheaper? (Not wanting to ride it up obviously!)

Yeah, I think things would leak and it could be bad for bodywork. I'd say Christchurch to Nelson for $100 isn't a bad deal. May I ask which company gave you that quote?

[ZK-Awesome]

Paul Russ Contractors, they mainly do furniture and car moving apparently, they moved some stuff for my parents once for something.

[duanef]

So Davereid (or others) is Hyosung scooter like the SF50 considered cheap Chinese stay away bike or pretty good Taiwanese category?

[davereid]

I haven't had much to do with Hyosung, but the Koreans are way ahead of the chinese. May be look in the other forums and ask someone who rides a bigger hyosung what he or she thinks.

Hyosung certainly have a great dealer network, so you won't be left in the cold for service or spares.

[georgie]

Hyosung gear tends to be fairly well put together and reliable, the other cheaper brands to look out for are Bug and PGO. and if you want something really cheap the lifan metro 50 is not a bad buy and goes pretty well have a look at a few of the reviews at www.thescooterreview.com have tested the hyosung rally 50 and the lifan among some other 50's (vmoto etc)

[bounce]

I would recommend the honda dio. pretty cheap 2nd hand and I recon one of the quicker 50cc scoots about. room under seat for a full face lid as well. get the model that had disc brake on the front.
good luck

[Del Fuego]

Yeah plenty of parts available to squeeze a bit more power outta the Dio too. they are a wicked little machine

[bounce]

Yeah plenty of parts available to squeeze a bit more power outta the Dio too. they are a wicked little machine


haha had one years back. 72cc kit, expansion chamber, pod filter etc. got 85kph on the flat then piston melted because I was running it too lean :violin:

[leeangus]

hi i would highly advise you not to use scooterking, i have just had a nightmare with this guy, i put a deposit down to get a suzuki let he told me it would take a week max to get ready, 2 weeks later it was still nowhere near ready, he totally messed me around i have just bought a kymco zx50 from scooter city i was very happy with the bike, i have also heard from other bike shops, the bikes he does up and sells are worn into the ground before they reach nz and full of rust, do yourself a favour and do not purchase a bike from this man it will save you a lot of hassle.

[woodybee]

Mateypoos,

I own a Vespa Piaggio 125, in Sage Green and its an absolute stunner. I friggin love my vespa as much as my Triumph and thats going some.

You can burn folk off at traffic lights, even if they catch you quick, the acceleration is like a mini rocket!

They are gorgeous, look well flash, ooze european sexiness, are cheap, so reliable, and everybody thats sees my bike loves it, unlike those yucky normal scooters that normally makes peoples noses turn up, people turn round and look at mine, and stop to talk to me about it, its like having a gorgeous beautiful dog with you everyone wants to stop and chat.

VESPA VESPA VESPA............so ultimately :cool: :banana:

[danchop]

just be done and buy an az50 from your local dealer,az50 are jap made suzukis and sj50 are chinese made suzukis,the az is far superior in build quality especially the plastic as its less brittle,why bugger around with second hand and why bugger off to christchurch for the hassle cause no matter what warranty is offered the chances are you will have to trundle it back there if something goes wrong

[ZK-Awesome]

I bought a 2006 SJ50QT about six weeks ago, thanks for the responses though :)

[Fred50]

Hi, I have a kymco from City Scooters - 2yrs old and great BUT I'm an old fart and I'm sure if I was younger I'd be upgrading so the buy cheap advice given earlier is probably good advice for you.

[EFFBEE]

Well done- you just have to jump in and see how it goes. I personally have experience of chinese built Jap scoots and Taiwanese scoots - both are OK. However I believe you should get the most powerful machine (of a reasonable make) that you can afford - you will soon conquer the art ofriding a 50 and want to move onto something faster.

[HungusMaximist]

Sweet brother, good on yah on jumping onboard.

Throughout the next year or so I recommend you get your move your way up in the in motorcycle licence chain and try a plently of scooters.

When you feel the urge to move to motorbikes, which you'll probably do, just do it!

[insane1]

when you move up in size try a an125 suzuki or even a second hand an250 .