Curious about scooters

**bobsmith** · 31st January 2007, 07:43

Originally Posted by crash harry

2) Friends don't let friends buy GN250s. I know heaps of people ride them and think that they like them, but seriously, if you try something else, anything else, you will prefer it. The FXR150 on the other hand is so much fun, I couldn't believe it.

I concur..........

**Disco Dan** · 31st January 2007, 09:15

Originally Posted by bobsmith

I concur..........

GeyeNanna250

**davereid** · 31st January 2007, 12:38

Most motorcycle learners have a massive amount of their attention concentrated on the bike itself - balance, steering, clutch, gears... and none on the road.

Scooters are a great way to learn to ride, as they virtually ride themselves, being fully automatic, and having a nice low center of gravity.

This means you can quickly get on with the important job of keeping yourself safe in the traffic.

If you never intend to get a motorcycle licence (bad) then you must ride a moped rated scooter. Advantages include no WOFs and $67 annual rego.

But look at some of the larger scooters if you wish to commute on motorways ;

Cheap end - Chinese unknown brands, up to Lifan.

Good Asian - TGB, PGO all good and 150cc bike around $4200.
Not sure about the PGO, never riden one, but I have a TGB moped of my own, and its very very good, high quality suspension and disk brakes.

European - Great bikes, can now get some of the Peugeot range too, including the supercharged Jetforce 125 coming soon.. (I want one !)

**bobsmith** · 31st January 2007, 12:58

Originally Posted by davereid

Good Asian - TGB, PGO all good and 150cc bike around $4200.
Not sure about the PGO, never riden one, but I have a TGB moped of my own, and its very very good, high quality suspension and disk brakes.

My fiancee just bought the TGB 150cc scooter.

The decision was between that and the honda Dylan 150cc. The dylan was slightly faster and had immobiliser etc... but otherwise handling was similar and so was the braking. Since the honda was almost 2000 more (it is 6000) we went for the TGB. Not much different from the honda except that honda has a bit more power due to its water cooling.

She's been commuting on it over the bridge on it everyday and is very happy with it.

**Chickadee** · 31st January 2007, 13:33

I think personally a small motorbikes a better choice in the long run. I had a thing for scooters in my teens - never bought one (it would have been a nifty 50 and I'd of been road kill). Love my RG150 two smoker, low seat, plenty of grunt (fast as most 250 bikes) and it's got bags of personality. I'll be moving to a bigger bike eventually but love my Suzuki RG150.

Why not go look at bike shops and sit on bikes and scooters and see what you like the feel of more, then put a post up if people have bikes/scooters in your cc you'd like to consider. You're welcome to sit on my bike by the way and see how it suits you.

Cheers
Chickadee/Christine

**KATWYN** · 31st January 2007, 13:44

Originally Posted by Curious_AJ

Hey guys,
Any advice you can give to a complete newbie (other than one lesson on a bike that was WAY too tall for me), on the subject??

thanks
~AJ~

Why don't you try a bit of off roading motorcycling first? to maybe get the feel of a bike and some skills......before you progress to the road....

**The Wop** · 31st January 2007, 19:19

Hi AJ. I ride a scooter, in fact, I have 3 Vespas at the moment and am selling one. One is an auto and the other two are manuals.

These guys are correct that not all scooters are capable of going far or fast, but once again, some are quite capable. I have ridden all over the upper North Island on my PX200 (although not ideal) and hope to go further afield at some point too. Having said that, touring on a scooter is more for the fanatics.

I would recommend that, if you are going to buy a scooter, to not cut corners. Any two-wheeled vehicle will place you are more risk than four, so I would suggest that you choose something that can get you out of trouble (so more than 50cc) but that also has decent suspension, steering and the like. There are loads of really poor quality, cheap scooters so please avoid those!

**crash harry** · 31st January 2007, 19:50

I agree with The Wop that not all scooters are created equal. FWIW, the italians seem to know what makes a good scooter! (Piaggio, Gilera)

And don't let anyone put ideas in your head about scooters being safer than "Real" motorbikes. They are much the same, and as such you still need to wear gear just as much as if you were riding a "real" bike. How much safety gear you wear is up to you, all I am saying is that I would encourage you to think about it. (please nobody use this as an excuse to start ANOTHER safety gear thread...)

**Whynot** · 31st January 2007, 21:48

Originally Posted by crash harry

(please nobody use this as an excuse to start ANOTHER safety gear thread...)

but the last one was soooooo much fun

**Curious_AJ** · 31st January 2007, 21:51

all i have to say is that im really confused now .. maybe thats just my 12 hours of work talking!! umm... but all i really want to say is that im going to look into the GN250 ... and maybe the FXR ... and then also look at a few scooters as well from 150cc group...

saying that, im getting ALOT of differing views... so im rather

confused lol

**bobsmith** · 31st January 2007, 22:05

Just remember, as DD said. GN250 stands for GeyeNana250...

If it's out the two get the fxr instead. (of course I am biased since I used to have a fxr).

If you want a scooter and don't mind manual, those PX200 look bloody nice... Mmmmm....

**Curious_AJ** · 31st January 2007, 22:08

very true...
well i guess ill have to ask Indy to come looking with me...
help get the confusion cut down to a minimum etc... yah know..

**MisterD** · 1st February 2007, 10:47

Originally Posted by bobsmith

If you want a scooter and don't mind manual, those PX200 look bloody nice... Mmmmm....

Only get a PoX if you really want retro style and respect from "real" scooterists, it's pretty much 1950s technology under there and a motor hanging off the side of your rear wheel doesn't make for the easiest beginners ride.

That said, if you want one The Wop's is a good 'un well looked after and not too thrashed.

Personnally, I'd recommend an Vespa LX150, bullet-proof engine (there's an ET4 locally that has done 100k) twist and go, low centre of gravity handling, metal body...best place in Akld is Scooter Emotion.

**Flatcap** · 1st February 2007, 11:25

Originally Posted by MisterD

Only get a PoX if you really want retro style and respect from "real" scooterists, it's pretty much 1950s technology under there and a motor hanging off the side of your rear wheel doesn't make for the easiest beginners ride.

.

Don't listen to MisterD - Buy the PX and ride on an angle like the rest of us.

It's all part of the charm of the old technology