Looking at getting a scooter

[skyla82]

I am looking at getting a 50cc scooter.Just got my learners yay. Just wondering what brands to stay away from and brands that are good. also any bit and pieces of advice you may have to offer.

Thanks

[Dave Lobster]

What do you want it for? Commuting, or something else?

[skyla82]

Just want a scooter to Commute around hamilton in

[vinnieh]

I got a cheap 1986 honda nifty fifty off trademe for $500, seemed to be the going rate. Couple of days later, it seized, and the engine guy said it had been "patched up".

In short, don't buy something old, even if it's a good brand, unless you have the time and money to fix it when it breaks down.

How much do you have to spend? Don't go for cheap and nasty chinese built scooters, I can almost guarantee that if you need parts at any stage it will cost you an arm and a leg.

If you have the money, go with a known brand, maybe a Honda Today? They look pretty mint, they look to be selling for about $2000 on trademe.

If that's WAY out of your price range and are only looking to spend maybe 5 or 6 hundred or something, you won't get much for your money. My nifty fifty runs MINT after a full rebuild... and about $400 worth of screwing around with it.

Mopeds are fuckin worth it though - just got it re-registered for 6 months and it only cost me $40. cant complain with that, and the fact that $5 of gas gets me the same distance as $30 in my cage.

I am by no means an expert on scooters or engines, I am just relaying what bike guys who ARE in the know told me (i didnt listen to them<_<) if you do find one online or something, post the link here and ill tell you what i think personally, but again I am by no means an expert on scooters OR engines. One thing though that I do thank my seized nifty fifty for - it's taught me all about how to repair a 2 stroke engine! :D

Oh yeah one more thing - if you think you've found something good, do a search on google for reviews, e.g. google "1986 nifty fifty review" and read away!

[vinnieh]

Just want a scooter to Commute around hamilton in

Oh yeah saw this on trademe the other day, might be of interest to you

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-184355384.htm

It's always risky buying second hand. You don't know what life the scooter has had, if it's been abused or loved or anything like that. My recommendation is to buy new but if you really can't I highly recommend yamaha or honda, those two brands I trust alot. There is also plenty of support for these little scoots on the net if you ever run into trouble. If you do buy second hand, get a garage you trust to check it out for you if you don't know anyone who can have a look for you. I would if I knew about engines but yeah, I dont :weep:

[Macros]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-184355384.htm


I have one of these, seems to go ok for what it is. It's in the shop at the moment getting the final drive changed so it can go over 50k. Once thing I did notice was how small it is compared to new mopeds.

[davereid]

Buy the best you can afford.

Scootering is addictive - I have the choice of a Kawasaki 650, a Jaguar, a Crewman ute and a scooter... and most mornings I go to work on my scooter.

If you buy a good brand, you will get tens-of-thousands of fun kms out of it.

Stick with the better Jappas, Euros or the good Taiwanese bikes, and you won't look back.

[UberRhys]

I am by no means an expert on scooters or engines, I am just relaying what bike guys who ARE in the know told me (i didnt listen to them<_<) if you do find one online or something, post the link here and ill tell you what i think personally, but again I am by no means an expert on scooters OR engines.

Hmmm... <_< So your not an expert and you don't want to listen to those in the know, how much can I value your opinion?


Buy the best you can afford.

This is great advice, if you can buy new, buy it from a dealer. It then comes with a warranty and dealer back-up service.


If you buy a good brand, you will get tens-of-thousands of fun kms out of it.

Stick with the better Jappas, Euros or the good Taiwanese bikes, and you won't look back.

More helpful information here. :scooter: :scooter: :scooter: Big brands are always a good choice (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, TGB, Vespa, Gilera etc...)

There is plenty of quality scooters available out in the second hand market. Just be prepared to ask questions and find out as much about it before making an informed decision.

Just before closing the deal, always get someone 'in the know' to look it over, test ride it. Most scooter shops would be happy to tell you it's all good, or it's a heap of shite. (Amazing what a friendly couple of beers can do to your local bike mechanic...)

[Del Fuego]

Do yourself a favour, go to your local Yamaha and buy a JOG! failing that have a look at something like a Daelim Cordi or a SYM DD50 perhaps. Make the Jog your first choice though.. assuming you are buying new

[madboy]

No advice on brands from me. I buy on emotion, I don't care if it spits the dummy cos I can afford to fix it. If you can't, then my suggestion (not advice) would be to buy a name brand.

My (limited) experience of 50cc scooters is that they are fast enough to get you into trouble, but not fast enough to get you out of trouble. i.e. car coming at you, you can't accelerate out of the way.

My 2c FWIW.

[vinnieh]

Hmmm... <_< So your not an expert and you don't want to listen to those in the know, how much can I value your opinion?


I guess I should clarify - I DO listen to the experts now - previously I didn't and just bought a cheapy off trademe and paid the price - I wasnt actually saying that I never listen to experts :D

[davereid]

Do yourself a favour, go to your local Yamaha and buy a JOG! failing that have a look at something like a Daelim Cordi or a SYM DD50 perhaps. Make the Jog your first choice though.. assuming you are buying new

The jog is a fine scooter, but it doesn't really deserve a glowing recommendation.

Actually, neither does the Cordi or the Sym...

Lots of gaps on the quoted website, not really a complete list at all...

[geoffm]

How tall are you - some scooters are pretty tight for tall folks. IMO get a 2 stroke scooter - the 4 stroke ones are economicalbut gutless. Soome of the underseat storage areas are tight to take a helmet.

I tried a few scooters before buying mine, and my opinions are:
Jog and Suzi AZ50 - might be good, but to small for me (and I wanted a pillion seat to take my boy on the back).
Adly SF50 - went well and I liked it. handled well on 13" wheels, and a decent size. Gas filler is in the tailpiece, which will get in the way with a top box. Known as the Bug Jive IIRC in Australia if the NZ supplier goes through. $2200 new is good value, and easy to derestrict. lots of go fast bits. Probably would have got one of these if I hadn't got my Hyosung.
Hyosung SB50 Supercab. Good value when they were under $2k new (now around 2200). Basic, but went well. Underseat storage wouldn't take my helmet.
Kymco. Decent size, nicely made, restricted to hell - dies at 50 kph. To expensive for what you get IMO.

I bought a Hyosung SF50 Prima /fast/Rally second hand (1000km and $1500). like new, goes well, derestricton is easy, and the workshop manual is online. Really happy with it. Underseat storage takes my helmet.

There are a lot of Chinese rubbish out there that people are asking real money for. You might be lucky - there are a lot around, but quality is variable, and parts supply even more so. Some parts are interchangable or genereic but it is up to you to cross reference them.

Get a top box - very handy for commuting. I got a cheap one of Trademe from Cnell for my old scooter.
Geoff

[tri boy]

Do not buy the cheapest. They are cheap for a reason.
Get one that can keep up with traffic flow.
Avoid buying one online, and from shops that sell furniture/whitegoods. There is no backup from these places.
European/Jap/Korean your best option.
Avoid Chinese. MHO

[retro asian]

Honda Dios/Giornos are quite good bang for buck.

Easy to find parts. First job is to bolt on a new unrestricted exhaust, and because you're in flat ol' Hamilton you won't need to do too much else...

[vinnieh]

Hmm, might be that skaly82 has forgotten about kiwibiker... even so, this thread might come in handy to anyone looking for a scooter to buy

[UberRhys]

This is also a good post to have a read through... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1491589#post1491589

[Dave Lobster]

You're a girl, aren't you?

The red ones are best.

[skyla82]

I havent forgotten about my thread just been working hard (11 hour days) and looking online at scooters.

have any of of a brand called syms which is avaiable through scooter bar?
I'm not too sure about scooter bar I remember it being on fairgo or campbell live. good place to buy a scooter or not ?
have you brought one here ewhat was experience

monday or tuesday i'll go around the dealers with my dad so i dont get ripped off and buy a complete bomb of a scooter lol.

[UberRhys]

You're a girl, aren't you? The red ones are best.

No no no your getting confused, the red ones are the fastest, the green ones taste funny and the blue ones don't float contrary to popular belief... :cool:

[Dave Lobster]

No no no your getting confused, the red ones are the fastest, the green ones taste funny and the blue ones don't float contrary to popular belief... :cool:

They all burn the same :)

[vinnieh]

I havent forgotten about my thread just been working hard (11 hour days) and looking online at scooters.

have any of of a brand called syms which is avaiable through scooter bar?
I'm not too sure about scooter bar I remember it being on fairgo or campbell live. good place to buy a scooter or not ?
have you brought one here ewhat was experience

monday or tuesday i'll go around the dealers with my dad so i dont get ripped off and buy a complete bomb of a scooter lol.

The scooter bar on anglesea st? I tried to get my scooter fixed there and the guy was clueless. They know how to sell scooters, but not fix them. Go to Hamilton Honda. The guys there are cool as

[Del Fuego]

The jog is a fine scooter, but it doesn't really deserve a glowing recommendation.

Actually, neither does the Cordi or the Sym...

Lots of gaps on the quoted website, not really a complete list at all...

Actually, yes it does. as far as a budget 50cc scooter goes it is probably the best available right now. The SYM and the Daelim also offer excellent value and performance for the price.

Obviously the site doesn't have a complete list of all 50cc scooters available.. because there are about a thousand. However out of 13 scooters that were comprehensively tested back to back in our 50cc comparison test the Jog came out on top... that is not a fluke.

Don't get me wrong there are many good 50s out there and there were a few we would have liked in the test, and couldn't get. However our multiple judges unanimously called the Jog as 1st position even separate to the tallying of the scores.

[Fatt Max]

Do yourself a favour, go to your local Yamaha and buy a JOG! failing that have a look at something like a Daelim Cordi or a SYM DD50 perhaps. Make the Jog your first choice though.. assuming you are buying new

I'm with Del on this.

I bought a new Jog 50 3 years ago and it is a great commuter scooter. I've since upgraded but the missus rides it now.

They are solid, easy to look after, start every time and are 100% reliable.

Keep away from thos vmoto things. They look (ort of) ok but are frikken death traps.

Happy scooting.....:wari:

[arthuritus]

I'm also trying to get my first scooter. After sifting through all the screeds of information in this thread and others I'm completely lost i'm so bogged down that I'm worse off than I started. I'm basically just looking at a cheap way of commuting until i get my full car license where you get that wonderful ability to carry passengers. But until then, scooters all the way. It has to be retro! I'm looking at this at the moment http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=185657368 but I can find very little information on the internet. Being completely new to scooters it makes me wonder if its a minority brand that shouldn't be trusted? My budget starts getting stretched at around 1500 so if there are any other suggestions please bear in mind that i'd much prefer it to be retro styled and hopefully around the 1500 mark. Thanks.

[UberRhys]

I'm also trying to get my first scooter. After sifting through all the screeds of information in this thread and others I'm completely lost i'm so bogged down that I'm worse off than I started. I'm basically just looking at a cheap way of commuting until i get my full car license where you get that wonderful ability to carry passengers. But until then, scooters all the way. It has to be retro! I'm looking at this at the moment http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=185657368 but I can find very little information on the internet. Being completely new to scooters it makes me wonder if its a minority brand that shouldn't be trusted? My budget starts getting stretched at around 1500 so if there are any other suggestions please bear in mind that i'd much prefer it to be retro styled and hopefully around the 1500 mark. Thanks.

That looks like a headache about to turn into a migraine. Have a look at these on TradeMe (http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/searchresults.aspx?searchType=0001-0026-1255-3909-&searchString=jog&searchregion=100&type=Search&sort_order=price_asc), this would be my pick of 50cc moped scooters if I was in the market. If it is retro you want then the price will escalate because they are in demand. You may have to re-think your priorities, budget usage, style etc...

[arthuritus]

ohh but its so cliche! I'm gonna have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the standard scooter market. Although I do notice they're considerably cheaper and from what I've read certainly seem to get the kudos for reliability etc. Which I'm assuming from the migraine comment does not apply to the one i fell in love with... Any other suggestions for retro style scooters though?

[Dave Lobster]

When you say 'retro style', do you mean new, but looking old. Or genuinely old?

The 'new' ones will be plastic (or way too expensive for what you're getting - vespers). The old ones, money pits.

[imne1]

I looked at a hell of a lot of scooters to replace mine before flagging it and getting a real bike. Best possibly buy if you can find one is the Suzuki UZ125, unlike the AZ125 it has fuel injection and some other better features. otherwise some of the Peugoet 2-strokes are pretty good.
try somewhere legit like Scooterazzi or Scooters & Dirt

[Dave Lobster]

Also check out a Piaggio Fly. They've got 12" wheels.

[slimjim]

I'm with Del on this.

I bought a new Jog 50 3 years ago and it is a great commuter scooter. I've since upgraded but the missus rides it now.

They are solid, easy to look after, start every time and are 100% reliable.

Keep away from thos vmoto things. They look (ort of) ok but are frikken death traps.

Happy scooting.....:wari:


yup jog.....:yawn:

[Pogo2]

Also check out a Piaggio Fly. They've got 12" wheels.

I see they are now available in a 150 cc option as well.

[arthuritus]

@ Dave: Retro syle meaning looking old, otherwise dependant on short term and long term affordability. I put a link (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/photos/a-185657368/p-76597745.htm) up in my first post to one that has the right kind of idea in terms of appearance but that one has so far been shot down as being a migraine. As you say a vespa would be nice but way out of price range. As are the Flys from what i'm looking at, plus they're not even close tp the same style as the other vespas...
Hmm anyway. Would that I could by a motorbike.

[arthuritus]

Ooh. And I found this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-188575701.htm). Yamaha Vino. Yamahas are good right? I'm not sure about the colour but right idea I think.

[geoffm]

Ooh. And I found this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-188575701.htm). Yamaha Vino. Yamahas are good right? I'm not sure about the colour but right idea I think.

Can't comment on the price (seems a bit spendy for a 2001 scooter, compared with what i paid for my less trendy looking beast, but I know they are fairly pricey new), but mechanically it should be a good choice. The (later model) Vinos i sat one seemed fairly small behind the legshields - depends how tall you are.

Look at
http://www.scootersales.com.au/ScooterCommunity/ForumsArchives/tabid/4039/forumid/27/postid/403/view/topic/Default.aspx

Most of the published reviews seem to be of the 125 model.

[arthuritus]

Okay. I read somewhere it has the same/similar engine as the JOG which several people have already recommended. I have no idea how much I should pay as I can only find the one at the moment but after looking around a bit more a should find a better variety in prices. And colours. A bigger engine (i see they do 125 cc) would be nice now I think about it but nice = price. Ah well. I'll see. Cheers all.

[UberRhys]

I put a link (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/photos/a-185657368/p-76597745.htm) up in my first post to one that has the right kind of idea in terms of appearance but that one has so far been shot down as being a migraine.

That is correct - a migraine indeed. The reasoning behind my comment is where do you go for parts? service? information about it (ie: max loading weight, tech specs etc...)?

Feel free to buy it and I'm sure you will have many care-free motoring miles :scooter:, but when it turns to custard (and chances are it will eventually) that is the moment where the headache begins... :shit:

[Del Fuego]

Vino... 125cc all good, 50... very slow otherwise fine

[arthuritus]

Ya I'm beginning to wonder about that more and more. I'm hopefully taking a test ride on a 50 tomorrow so I'll see how putty they really are but also I just can't seem to find any second hand 125s. Everyone's holding on to them I suppose. Is there some kind of second hand scooter magazine or do I just look in the generic car/boat/motorbike ones?

[scootnz]

Is this the sort of scooter you like?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-188800555.htm

That Cnell is a Chinese copy of either the Honda Joker, or the Aprilia Habana.

[arthuritus]

Hmm yeah I'm liking the look of that. It has a bit more grunt too. They have a buy now of 2500 which to me seems like they're dreaming but I'll keep an eye on it and see how the auction runs. Thanks very much.

[speedpro]

I did work at Henderson Yamaha. We had a JOG as a workshop hack. It was thrashed unmercilessly and would easily peg the 60k speedo. No mods at all and was very good for getting a few cases of Heinekin on a Friday arvo. I also rode both the BeeWee 100cc 2T and the Cygnus 125cc 4T. Both amazingly good scooters. The Cygnus was more refined than the BeeWee but they were similar in performance I thought. At the moment I am seriously considering buying a new Cygnus for the damned commute thing, Henderson to Glen Innes.

[vinnieh]

Hmm yeah I'm liking the look of that. It has a bit more grunt too. They have a buy now of 2500 which to me seems like they're dreaming but I'll keep an eye on it and see how the auction runs. Thanks very much.

You can ride a 50cc scooter on a learners car licence, it costs $40 per six months for a rego and you don't need a warrant of fitness.

The cheapest and newest scooter you can get that still looks slightly retro is one of these (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters/auction-188278300.htm)

If you get anything over 50cc but under 61cc, the rego cost is $171.81 per six months. If it's over 61cc then you are looking at $198.82, as well as the fact that you need your motorcycle licence (if you don't have it) and you also need to get a warrant of fitness on them.

Trust me if you aren't going huge distances and don't need SPEED, get a Honda Today, I know I would.

[arthuritus]

Okay thanks for that I'll be sticking to mopeds for the next 6 months at least. Ya I've seen a few of those around and have considered them. But. I've found a place with a few different vinos for sale and some kind of honda, one of which i test drove. Only i forget what it was called. Meh well. It was italianish (couldnt read the fancy script) and possibly started with a g : ) What kind of mileage is high for a scooter anyone know? One that I was considering was around the year 2000 mark but had over 20000 kms clocked up on it. Is that high? Taking into account the trusty jog engine....
Oh. And suzuki verdes. Any comment on them?

[vinnieh]

I wouldn't buy anything over 30,000km if it looks like it's in rough condition however if it looks like it's been treated well, it's probably safe to get something that's 40K or 50K. "High mileage" as such is about 60,000. Go over that and you're taking a big risk.

Oh yeah don't know too much about those suzukis or what I am assuming was a Honda Joker... they have a pretty italian look to them! Those fancy scooters scare me, I don't trust them!

[arthuritus]

No no it wasnt a joker. They had one of those there too but... Hmm. How about I ring the guy and find out? He's gonna think I'm a real twit...

[davereid]

I run a scooter shop, so I see a lot come-and-go.

My TGB moped has done 44,000 km... still goes like new. I would think all good scooters could do similar if they are run on good oil.

Its a good example of a budget asian scooter that can go the distance.

4 strokes are possibly a little weak here, as I see plenty in the workshop that are running on Tar, and thus their next owner will pay the price.

At least a two stroke will have oil in or be dead.

As I said earlier, the Jog is a fine scooter. But IMHO its not great, even if it won the scooterthing page.

Its a good budget bike, so are many others.

If you are going to be on a moped reg, and be there for a long time, spend a bit more, and buy a european bike.

Asian bikes are intended as cheap transport. Some are really good at being cheap transport. But a shortage of money drives asian buyers.

But Europeans buy scooters for a different reason.

A shortage of money is not the primary reason they buy scooters.

Traffic congestion, parking, etc etc play a bigger role.

So europeans want style, reliability, build quality first, price last.


A euro will cost more than a asian bike. But it will deliver more for years.

[CrazyFrog]

I couldn't agree more with Davereid.....you spend your money, you get what you pay for.
The Japs and Italians have been doing reliable scoots for years, they've got their quality issues sorted for the prices they're asking. Okay, the Italians are too bloody expensive, we all know that, try buying a Ducati!
Sure, you'll get cheaper from Taiwan, China etc, but be prepared for bad build quality, cheap brittle plastic and sometimes poor parts availability.
Spend as much as your budget will allow and get quality, generally it will not let you down, there's bugger all to go wrong with them....IF...say again ...IF you do some basic bloody maintenance.
Some people astound me when they think all you have to do is put fuel in it. Check the bloody OIL, water if it has radiator, condition of brakes, wheel bearings, Really easy stuff, can be done once a month in 5 mins. And still some people neglect it.
My Suzuki AY50 Watercooled has 12,000 km on it, runs like new, my Gilera Runner 180SP has 30,000 km on it and still pulls like a schoolboy on it's original piston and rings (I've changed the belt twice, brake pads done, and throttle cables replaced.) Yes I run fully synthetic oil. Because it works well.
Use the best oil you can afford, this stuff is your engine's lifesaver, and contrary to popular belief, bikes don't run well on black goo called tar. If it's a 2-smoker, check the oil reservior regularly, a seized engine is no fun.
Your future or present scoot will love you for it and look after you if you look after it.
Glad I got that off my chest....:niceone:

[arthuritus]

Ah, it was a giorno that i test rode, I finally remembered. I'm gonna try go back wednesday and have another look around. So far I think my options are the vino, giorno and verde. Provided nobody has any misgivings about any of those models i'm probably just gonna go with colour : )

[arthuritus]

Well I ended up getting a vino. I've puttered about with it for a couple of days and I'm really happy with it. At 1200 i dont think the price was too bad, and I suppose all that remains to be seen is how much i gotta pay to keep it going. Thanks everyone for your advice and assistance, thanks to you there is now one more happy scooterer out there.

[Del Fuego]

A fine choice indeed, Im not sure about the older Vino's but the current one is a cool little ride and for that money you can't go too far wrong, I expect they are fairly indestructible... enjoy!

[samgab]

Trust me if you aren't going huge distances and don't need SPEED, get a Honda Today, I know I would.

I can vouch for that. My Honda Today has been great. So cheap to run, and it's 4 stroke, so it's quieter than most 2 strokes, and no need to buy 2 stroke oil either.
I'm selling my Honda Today ATM, but only because I got a motorbike.

But I've been really happy with the Honda. Super reliable, and amazingly cheap to run.
Not to self promote or anything, but:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=190205778

But it's in Auckland.

But if you can get one of those near new for a reasonable price, I'd say go for it.
But if not, I agree with the general consensus: Stick with the good name brands. Suzuki has a neat little 4 stroke, fuel injected 50cc scooter (The UZ50 or "Let's"). Honda has the "Today". Yamaha has one similar, although more Italian styling (the Vino 50), but it's usually more expensive. The Vino is liquid cooled, where the others are air cooled with fan assist.

But overall, avoid the junky unknown brand chinese rubbish!! I've read a lot of horror stories about them, and although they're cheaper in the first instance, you'll end up kicking yourself later.


Ha, missed that post where a previous poster got the Vino. Good choice :). But what happened to skyla who started the thread?

[honem]

How about the Keeway range guys ?

http://www.keewaymotor.com/

From reviews I hear they use european parts and have bikes virtually the same as the Vespas but for a lower price. Will I get the same craftmanship or will I be better off going for an official Euro model

[pritch]

Add me to the list of those who recommend a Jog...

[prettybillie]

How about the Keeway range guys ?

http://www.keewaymotor.com/

From reviews I hear they use european parts and have bikes virtually the same as the Vespas but for a lower price. Will I get the same craftmanship or will I be better off going for an official Euro model

Saying it again - you get what you pay for.

[samgab]

Saying it again - you get what you pay for.

Absolutely true. Without exception.

[Ryder]

i have a hyosung rally sf 100 and its great if that helps :2thumbsup ...100 cc's of great fun. i use it for a daily commuter.

to pick one thats right for you its always a good idea to sit on them and test ride them if you can.

the cheap imports are the ones to stay away from...you know...the no name brands.

vespa, hyosung, pgo are all good makes that are reliable and comfortable etc. check out places like motomail, red barron etc when buying a scooter because they tend to stay away from the cheap and nasties. they will also be able to give you good advice and point you in the right direction for a scoot that suits your needs best.