First scooter - any advice?

[adam228]

Hi

Im looking at getting my first scooter just to go to uni and back. I don't wanna go spending thousands on something just for that, so looking at spending between $1000 and $1500.

I've been looking on TradeMe and been to a few shops to have a look. There seems to be a lot of unheard of Chinese brands going pretty cheap but I've been told to steer clear of them??

From what I've read and heard, sticking to the trusted Japanese brands or maybe Taiwanese is the way to go. So Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, SYM, PGO are the brands I've read/heard about. In particular I've been looking at a 2006 SYM Jet Euro X, for about $1200, looks pretty tidy, but isn't a brand that I'd heard of before doing a bit of research. Any thoughts on these? Or does anyone own one??

Any other thoughts or advise!? Any other brands that can be trusted?

Please no one telling me to get a bike, I don't want a bike just a bit of advise on scooters!

Cheers
Adam

[Del Fuego]

I would suggest you are pretty much on the money with the brands you are looking at. I havn't tested the SYM jet models but the mio 50 and 100 are bloody good kit. For that sort of money you should be able to get something reasonable. A fairly oldish jap 2 stroke or something like the SYM. I would advise you ride a few and do some homework. Make sure it goes fast enough to flow with traffic, that may mean deristricting on newer models if it hasn't already been done. the older Honda's etc go pretty good as they come. do however look for something with a front disc brake as the old drum front models tend to not stop... pretty much at all.

[UberRhys]

do however look for something with a front disc brake as the old drum front models tend to not stop... pretty much at all.

The difference between slowing down and stopping... :whistle:

[EFFBEE]

Hi
Whatever you do don't get a Honda Today - it will take untiltomorrow to get there and you will feel like all the other vehicles on the road are going to run you down.
Better to get a good second hand Jap or Taiwanese scoot (Sym, PGO, TGB, Kymco) that is NOT restricted and ride it on a learners. E.G.Try a PGO PMX 110 - fairly quick and good initial acceleration.:done:

[carver]

yamaha jog-no contest, i have ridden most of the ones on the market, the suzukis have a shit finish on em

[taxico]

you are right not to go for chinese scooters. they are horrible. a local courier man i met at their depot bought a 6 month old chinese scooter second hand that just died on him (totally unrepairable and can't start and everything) a few weeks after shelling out 950 bucks for it.

SYM's taiwanese and at the same plant, they also assemble yamahas - this was what i was told at a local dealer who does both brands (i ended up buying a yamaha cos despite being the same price the yamaha didn't require a baseplate to mount a topbox).

i would skip buying a brand new scooter if this is your first. you will probably end up selling it for something else later, or modifying it (voiding the warranty) . look around trademe - as winter draws near, the price begins to fall a little.

good luck and ride safe!

[kevfromcoro]

got a 2003 PGO for sale....
3000 ks...PM me if inyterested.

[Farmer Ted]

Hey there. I have 2007 SYM Jet Euro X which I am happy with. I scoot round Wellington which has a few hills :laugh: and the bike is sweet. I guess that the previous owner had the restrictors removed as it does 60-65km on the flat easy enough (no wind). The quality is fine and my helmet fits under the lockable seat. All in all a good little first scoot. If you can find one for the price you are looking at I don't think you will be unhappy. Hope this helps.

Mark.

[mattian]

just make sure you buy a pair of high heels, skirt and handbag to match your scooter.

Scooters are made for ladies my friend.

[allycatz]

I find my Honda Today goes fine....guy in shop insisted it could never go over 50kms and it does quite easily

[Farmer Ted]

I joined Kiwibiker to try and get some advice but instead I see it is full of clowns who have the 'I'm so much better than you because I have a bigger bike attitude'. Well my guess is these people are trying to compensate for something else...my friend.

[Dave Lobster]

I joined Kiwibiker to try and get some advice but instead I see it is full of clowns who have the 'I'm so much better than you because I have a bigger bike attitude'.

What is a bike attitude??


Well my guess is these people are trying to compensate for something else...my friend.

Too many girlfriends hanging around?? Would you like one or two of the sloppier ones sending your way?

[carver]

I joined Kiwibiker to try and get some advice but instead I see it is full of clowns who have the 'I'm so much better than you because I have a bigger bike attitude'. Well my guess is these people are trying to compensate for something else...my friend.

thats KB...
lots a shit talking.
not much action

[DangerMice]

I second the Yamaha Jog, quick for a 50cc, and reliable. Big under seat storage for all your shit as well.

[skidMark]

thats HAMILTON lots a shit talking.
not much action


Really?..................

[FJRider]

I find my Honda Today goes fine....guy in shop insisted it could never go over 50kms and it does quite easily

There are the strong (tail) winds that your area is well known for ... :innocent:
Some steep down hills too ... :whistle:

[SMOKEU]

Look into a CG125 or an AX100, a tidy one is in your price range.

[YellowDog]

Adam mate,

Of the recognised brands, they are all much of a muchness. I had a Malaguti 50cc jobbie to get to town a few years back. It was like an armchair on wheels and could take my 90Kg to and keep it at 80Kph very easily.

I do miss having a runabout for short trips and I am currently looking at getting a CT110 for the same purpose.

Good luck with your search.

[MisterD]

I find my Honda Today goes fine....guy in shop insisted it could never go over 50kms and it does quite easily

Scooter speedos are designed to be hoplessly optimistic - much like Hurricanes supporters...:doh:

[chasio]

Ignore the trolls, they just want feeding :)

Vespa are good IMHO but you'd need to spend more than you've got.

Are you dead set on a moped i.e. 50cc or can you get a learner license and go for a 125cc plus? Sure the rego and WOF will cost you more, but the extra oomph might save you from a world of frustration.

Mind you the 80kph Malaguti must have been doing about 70kph, so that was obviously well modded (and therefore should not have been rego'd as a moped!)



Please no one telling me to get a bike, I don't want a bike just a bit of advise on scooters!


BTW - I have a 200cc scooter and rode for over a year and 10,000km, got a full license and now she sits in my drive while I ride my 650cc bike instead. Not that I'm telling you to get one... the Vespa is actually better suited for commuting but the bike is just so much more engaging to ride :)

Cheers - Chasio

[carver]

Really?..................

Hamilton is pretty shit for rider turnout.

only the few are out there


Ignore the trolls, they just want feeding :)

Vespa are good IMHO but you'd need to spend more than you've got.


Cheers - Chasio

The piaggo zip is shit

[YellowDog]

Ignore the trolls, they just want feeding :)

Vespa are good IMHO but you'd need to spend more than you've got.

Are you dead set on a moped i.e. 50cc or can you get a learner license and go for a 125cc plus? Sure the rego and WOF will cost you more, but the extra oomph might save you from a world of frustration.

Mind you the 80kph Malaguti must have been doing about 70kph, so that was obviously well modded (and therefore should not have been rego'd as a moped!)



BTW - I have a 200cc scooter and rode for over a year and 10,000km, got a full license and now she sits in my drive while I ride my 650cc bike instead. Not that I'm telling you to get one... the Vespa is actually better suited for commuting but the bike is just so much more engaging to ride :)

Cheers - Chasio
Fair comment. My cousin owned the scooter shop and asked the mechanic to de-restrict it during the PDI.

It was very quick off the mark and was fine until you hit a bit of open road. You then feel quite vulnerable as you cannot keep up with the cars.

IMO 50cc scooter = OK for urban riding only.

[YellowDog]

BTW: A de-restricted Gilera 125 = Faaarking quick.

140Kph = no problem.

[allycatz]

Hills???? I live in Kapiti....

[allycatz]

Scooter speedos are designed to be hoplessly optimistic - much like Hurricanes supporters...:doh:

and I watch soccer so ner ner ner.....to the thread writer my son (17) uses scooter all the time to college and work....he loves it. Ive offered to get him a bike he says no, rides his dirt bike when he wants to go faster....Honda 50 doesnt take pillions so if you were planning on wanting anyone on board with ya then go for one of the other longer scooters that do and then Id say get ya licence and go for a 100 or 150cc with a bit more guts.

[chasio]

The piaggo zip is shit

No contest, your honour. That must be why it's not a Vespa. :)

Also it has to be said that the Vespa 50's look good but are shockingly expensive and slower than others. But a second hand GT200 is a good choice, if you're after a classically styled scooter. They're also a hell of a lot better than something like my XF650 in a cross-wind.

The Gilera mentioned above sounds interesting... or maybe one of the Suzuki 125's (can't remember which one is better of AN or UZ) for the intended use.

Cheers - Chasio

[carver]

No contest, your honour. That must be why it's not a Vespa. :)

Also it has to be said that the Vespa 50's look good but are shockingly expensive and slower than others. But a second hand GT200 is a good choice, if you're after a classically styled scooter. They're also a hell of a lot better than something like my XF650 in a cross-wind.

The Gilera mentioned above sounds interesting... or maybe one of the Suzuki 125's (can't remember which one is better of AN or UZ) for the intended use.

Cheers - Chasio

the UZ is the better one (still has Fi unlike the AN)

I got a BWS100 which is currently being a bit temperamental.

[Danae]

I've heard that the Yamaha Jog is the best one out there. I currently ride a Yamaha Vino, it's hilarious. The speedo goes up to sixty and (although I'm sure it's a tad optimistic) on the flats/downhill the needle hits sixty but I'm still accelerating :laugh:
However it's awful going up hills (as you should expect from a 50cc), it goes about 30k lol.
Oh, I opened mine up for the lulz and found that hardly any of the screws matched and the spark plug was in terrible shape. There was also a hole in the air filter foam. So even though the outside may be nice and shiny the inside is probably shit.

Anyways, if you're just commuting it should be sweet as, just avoid any steep hills, hahaha

[carver]

I've heard that the Yamaha Jog is the best one out there. I currently ride a Yamaha Vino, it's hilarious. The speedo goes up to sixty and (although I'm sure it's a tad optimistic) on the flats/downhill the needle hits sixty but I'm still accelerating :laugh:
However it's awful going up hills (as you should expect from a 50cc), it goes about 30k lol.
Oh, I opened mine up for the lulz and found that hardly any of the screws matched and the spark plug was in terrible shape. There was also a hole in the air filter foam. So even though the outside may be nice and shiny the inside is probably shit.

Anyways, if you're just commuting it should be sweet as, just avoid any steep hills, hahaha

yamaha jog

as tested by me

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[DangerMice]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1129187740&postcount=13

I have my Jog regularly pinned between 60 and 70kph (IAS), that is if they had bothered to put a 70 on the speedo :doh:

Seriously, its a great little scoot.

[Danae]

@carver: Saw that a while ago, fukken awesome :laugh:

[carver]

@carver: Saw that a while ago, fukken awesome :laugh:

25,000km when i started the trip!

i even binned it down 90 mile beach