Wanted: Scooter advice from peeps in the know.

**wethree** · 11th August 2006, 00:00

Hi all,

I'm a new member, and am hoping to get some advice on buying my first scooter. Yay!

I need a vehicle to get to work and back, and to generally cruise around on, and I decided a scooter was the way to go. I'm looking to spend around 2G, and wish I could afford something more than that but sadly I can't. Yet anyway... It is my first after all.

I don't have a motorcycle license, so looking for one under 50cc. Also looking for something big enough to be able to take my girlfriend on the back (although still unsure what the rules are in NZ surrounding this).

I live in Wellington, so will need to tackle some hills sometimes.

I have looked around a bit, and think I have narrowed it down to either a Yamaha Jog or a Hyosung (I think it's a Hyosung Super Cab ?).

If anyone can offer an advice/info on either of these scoot's, or any other recommendations that would be appreciated!

Thanks!

**NSR-Dan** · 11th August 2006, 00:30

Originally Posted by wethree

Hi all,

I'm a new member, and am hoping to get some advice on buying my first scooter. Yay!

I need a vehicle to get to work and back, and to generally cruise around on, and I decided a scooter was the way to go. I'm looking to spend around 2G, and wish I could afford something more than that but sadly I can't. Yet anyway... It is my first after all.

I don't have a motorcycle license, so looking for one under 50cc. Also looking for something big enough to be able to take my girlfriend on the back (although still unsure what the rules are in NZ surrounding this).

I live in Wellington, so will need to tackle some hills sometimes.

I have looked around a bit, and think I have narrowed it down to either a Yamaha Jog or a Hyosung (I think it's a Hyosung Super Cab ?).

If anyone can offer an advice/info on either of these scoot's, or any other recommendations that would be appreciated!

Thanks!

i sell scooters, so i will try and help.

if your looking at long time riding you should get something cheep, and save money for a bigger bike once you have your license. riding with a pillion is not usually recomended on a 50cc as by law to qualify as a moped there not allowed to exceed more than 2kw and since most are made with this amount of power, carring capacity varies between 80-100kg, also you will find with a pillion there much harder to manouver, and can be dangerous when you need the acceleration to get out of that car that didnt see you situation which will happen.

if you need any other help my email is daniel@dsracing.co.nz

**Zapf** · 11th August 2006, 00:36

I would really advice you strongly consider getting a motorcycle license and then look at something with a few more cc's

As you'll learn some riding skills and also have some more oompf to get out of danger

**carver** · 11th August 2006, 11:40

if all you want is a 50cc scooter....
buy the yamaha!!!!!!

from my exp, it has the best brakes (can stoppie

), best acceleration, best ergonomics, and decent storage space.
the honda today is better on gas though.
for the record, my g/f has the honda

, my bro has the yamaha

, and my friend has the rusty crappy suzuki.

**Morcs** · 11th August 2006, 22:02

Buy European.

I know they cost more, but they are much better, hold their value, and have got the parts backup too now.

All the Japanese scooters ive seen in NZ look like complete crap, most of which are 4 strokes - come on, whats the point of a 50cc 4t?!?

Would strongly recommend the new Gilera runner 200VXR.

**degrom** · 11th August 2006, 22:11

Originally Posted by wethree

Hi all,

I'm a new member, and am hoping to get some advice on buying my first scooter. Yay!

I need a vehicle to get to work and back, and to generally cruise around on, and I decided a scooter was the way to go. I'm looking to spend around 2G, and wish I could afford something more than that but sadly I can't. Yet anyway... It is my first after all.

I don't have a motorcycle license, so looking for one under 50cc. Also looking for something big enough to be able to take my girlfriend on the back (although still unsure what the rules are in NZ surrounding this).

I live in Wellington, so will need to tackle some hills sometimes.

I have looked around a bit, and think I have narrowed it down to either a Yamaha Jog or a Hyosung (I think it's a Hyosung Super Cab ?).

If anyone can offer an advice/info on either of these scoot's, or any other recommendations that would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Welcome to KB(KiwiBiker)....

Yes... There are a few tight hills in Wellington. But then again they are all over NZ.

What is the price difference and warranties?
Hyosung has had a change in attitude in the last few years and they are really trying their best to improve and better their products. You might get a better buck for bike deal with the Hyosung.
The Jog cool... Very light on gass!!!

Have you test driven them?
Best is to go and test drive them. You might find that the one is more comfortable and that could be a decision maker.

Good luck and please let us know what you decided on and what you think about the new bike.

**crazybigal** · 11th August 2006, 22:19

DONT get one of those suzuki sj scooters! i got one for my girlfriend and it was a heap of shit! death machine! i sold the fucker cos i didt trust the thing.
i hear the yamaha is ok, or maybe the honda beat but they are all overpriced!
just get a secondhand one, you will want a real bike sooner than you think!

**Colapop** · 11th August 2006, 22:34

Do you want to 'move up' to a bigger bike? How heavy are you? What sort of getting around are you planning on doing?

Scooters are really good if you use them for what they're designed for - mainly commuting in the city. If you're a large person, say 90+kgs then forget it. There aren't many if any 50cc scooters that will have enough grunt to get you around Wellington hills without rooting the engine pretty quickly. If you're planning to commute from Wellington to Upper Hutt then you may want to consider a larger bike or scooter (125cc perhaps). I would suggest you do a basic handling skills course that'll give you some idea of skills that you'll need on a bike (of any sort)

Good luck in your search.

**texmo** · 12th August 2006, 02:57

like morcs said get a runner but get an older two stroke one. I sold mine for $1500 it was a 2001 with 20,000kms and its still going strong.

**WINJA** · 12th August 2006, 17:26

get a street magic , ive had mine since 99 its been real reliable it has good parts back up which is important ,you dont wanna get a hyosung or chinese piece of shit then be waiting 6 months for parts to turn up , ive had 3 people on mine at the same time and we are all well over 100kg, also check out my profile pic for an example of how to ride a scooter.

**Street Gerbil** · 12th August 2006, 22:20

a) Sorry, but if I remember correctly, you are not allowed to carry a pillion passenger on a moped. Besides, 50cc is only 3 cubic inches. That's slightly more than a roll of 35mm film. You cannot safely push 2 adults through the traffic with this kind of power.

b) I second what Winja said about Street Magic. This thing absolutely rules. I use it for commuting for half year and they are absolutely great. This thing is so powerful that right off the factory it is on verge of being illegal. Replace stock CDI with Daytona Racing and it will easily go at 65kph (much safer than legal 50 in Auckland traffic if you ask me). Besides, once you'll get your learners license you can get yourself a 50->110cc conversion kit bringing the top speed close to 100kph.

**davereid** · 13th August 2006, 15:39

OAs you only have a car licence you are limited to a 50cc with 2kw manufacturer power rating.

Get a two stroke with a known dealer chain - ie for chinese choose Lifan / Hyosung / TGB or a known jappa / euro brand if money is not an important part of the purchase.

(If you buy from trademe or where ever and it breaks down, you will go mad looking for parts - a lot of the scooter sold on trade me don't even have a brand name, and the sellers should be hung.)

Lots of the 50 cc scooters have passenger footpegs, this means they are legal for a passenger, even if very short on power.

Most two strokes are easily modded to get more power - they normally need the exhaust drilled out and the CDi modded to remove artificially low rpm limitations. Some times the transmission is fittted with a washer to stop it reaching top gear, it takes 10 minutes to fix.

Once derestricted your two stroke scooter will be fine, even on hills.

http://www.chinesescooterclub.co.uk/...erestrict2.pdf

Will give you an idea of whats got to be done - most of the two strokes from asia are similar.

Note that if you derestrict it and make it greater than 2kw or faster than 50km/hr you should relicense it, and yourself as its now a motorcycle....

**NSR-Dan** · 13th August 2006, 22:39

Originally Posted by davereid

OAs you only have a car licence you are limited to a 50cc with 2kw manufacturer power rating.

A learner licence says you can legaly ride a moped. A moped is classed as 50cc and less and no more than 2kw, If the scooter is more thatn 50cc or 2kw its not classed as a moped and will require higher regerstration costs and a WOF

Originally Posted by davereid

Lots of the 50 cc scooters have passenger footpegs, this means they are legal for a passenger, even if very short on power.

Regardless if the vehicle has pegs for passengers (nothing is manufactured in NZ) there are laws in the country stating you cannot ride pillion on a moped.

also riding pillion would wear the engine out as its not big enough to handle that kind of weight, Warrenties on the engine would be void if it was found the engine broke down due to stress.

oh and its not wise to play with the carbs on a 2 stroke if you dont know what your doin. run to lean you will blow the engine. if to rich the engine will run like shit

**wethree** · 14th August 2006, 10:47

Wow thanks everybody for such a great response.

I am very keen to sit my license and later get a bigger bike, but I guess a 50cc is just an intermediate step (aside from the fact that I need a mode of transport like, now!) hahaha.

I have since learnt that carrying a passenger on a moped isn't a good idea, and thanks to those who told me a few things regarding that.

I'm just a wee girl, pretty light, who needs to get across town, so a 50cc will suffice for now. I decided on the Yamaha Jog, and am picking it up this afternoon. I'm sure I will love it!

Thanks again for all your advice

PS. Big thanks to carver, your post helped!

**davereid** · 14th August 2006, 11:57

Good luck with your new scooter.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/43.html may help.

- note you DONT need a learners licence, ANY valid NZ licence is good enough for a moped.

- and you CAN take passengers as long as the moped has footpegs for them.