which 125/150/200cc scooter is the best fit?

**taxico** · 15th October 2007, 17:37

hi,

i'm new to the forum, but have been riding a scooter for some time now (and lurking around here).

i had an ET2 in new york city for work for a few years prior to coming to NZ, and here in wellington, i have an off-the-shelf jog for the past year.

i enjoy the yamaha plenty, and it was cheap (compared to a vespa) but as i intend to travel between places outside of wellington this coming summer (for leisure), i need advice on which scooter to get.

i'm not fussy over japanese or italian brands, but i would want to side with the japanese brands as they seem cheaper here.

should i go for a simple 125cc scooter? or a 150cc? or 200? the vespa gt200 seems ideal, but the cost is prohibitive at the moment as i'm paying for my graduate studies...

as i don't have any experience with scooters apart from the 2 i own (and they're small engined). i was hoping you guys can chime in your input on which is the best to get -

would a 125cc scooter be powerful enough to transport 2 people on the highway (me and my partner).

japanese parts should be cheaper right? maintenance costs should be low as i intend to keep it as my daily use scooter after summer.

will fuel consumption go up much between a 125/150/200cc scooter?

but what are the problems i may face with having a sub-150cc scooter? what models would people recommend?

what should i look out for when buying a 2nd hand scooter in wellington or other parts of NZ?

lastly, how many categories of registrations are there for motorcycles here? do the cost increase with the size of its engine? (eg, 51cc-150c at a tier, 151-250cc at another, etc...)

thanks in advance!

**deanohit** · 15th October 2007, 17:42

First up mate, if you want a scooter bigger than 50cc, you need to get a learners bike licence if you havn't got a bike licence. Rogo wise, anything bigger than your 50 is classed as a bike (I think, not sure) and you therefore pay bike rego. But if you want to take a pillion, bigger cc is better.

**MarkyMark** · 15th October 2007, 18:34

Even a 250 scooter will struggle to do 100 with one person, let alone 2. You've got to get your bike license anyway, so a GN250 will let you go on the motorway comfortably, probably a lot cheaper too. Oh, and you can't take a pillion on anything over 50ccs until you have your full bike license, which is a minimum 18 months away if you're under 25.

**taxico** · 15th October 2007, 19:23

Originally Posted by deanohit

First up mate, if you want a scooter bigger than 50cc, you need to get a learners bike licence if you havn't got a bike licence. Rogo wise, anything bigger than your 50 is classed as a bike (I think, not sure) and you therefore pay bike rego. But if you want to take a pillion, bigger cc is better.

i've got a new york state motorcycle license from years ago, but i was thinking of taking refresher courses here since i did mostly midtown manhattan riding...

either that or start with a kiwi bike license (from learner's) all over again. it's been ages since i did any riding past 60mph...

do bike registrations come in only 1 class (and hence, 1 price)?

**taxico** · 15th October 2007, 19:31

Originally Posted by MarkyMark

Even a 250 scooter will struggle to do 100 with one person, let alone 2. You've got to get your bike license anyway, so a GN250 will let you go on the motorway comfortably, probably a lot cheaper too. Oh, and you can't take a pillion on anything over 50ccs until you have your full bike license, which is a minimum 18 months away if you're under 25.

i've been in nz less than a year and i was told that i could use my american license for a year while i'm here before i have to convert it...

i'm still a little shaky driving on the "other side" of the road when i first came, but scooting around helped make me keep left.

i am confident riding at slow speeds (under 60kmph) but otherwise i'm not sure - especially as i'm not too familiar with how kiwi drivers are like on highways.

i presume then, a GN250 is a 250cc scooter?

i had taken a sub-200cc bike past 60mph in the past before (100kmph)... but boy, if a 250cc scooter will struggle to do that, i clearly have to redo my sums!

if that's the case i might consider other types of motorcycles then... which may put a major dent on my travelling budget.

i am considering taking my motorcycle license from the beginning all over again, and since i'm over 25, it will take me about 9 months from learner's to full.

still thinking about the cost:safety aspect of this... !

**Slicksta** · 15th October 2007, 19:43

Originally Posted by MarkyMark

Even a 250 scooter will struggle to do 100 with one person, let alone 2.

That is complete rubbish.. i have ridden 100cc scooters that will do 100kph ie the Yamaha beewee... This thing people have with motorbikes being superior to scooters is very misinformed.

If you are looking at any scooter dont buy chinese as a rule of thumb. Unfortunately the Japanese's import a rather limited range of 125cc-200cc scooters. The Italian range is fantastic but pricey, I know what you mean about the gt200 i plan to get one at some stage when i have saved enough. Taiwanese scooters have had some good write ups but i have never owned or ridden one maybe worth looking in to.

I would recommend a Honda Dylan 150 they are 6grand brand new and i have seen x demo models on trade me for around $4700. Its water cooled 150cc, made in Italy (so it would be ALOT better quality than a GN) dose around 120kph on a flat and about 105 on a flat with a passenger...

My 5c

**Slicksta** · 15th October 2007, 20:05

You may want to look in to this it is assembled in Italy but i understand it uses some Chinese components but for what it is its very cheap.

**UberRhys** · 15th October 2007, 20:26

Originally Posted by MarkyMark

Even a 250 scooter will struggle to do 100 with one person, let alone 2.

Come on dude, what tree are you barking up. I suffer from too many pies syndrome and still smoke cages down the road on the GT200. Then I can really stretch the legs on the open roads... Struggle to do 100 with one person, really...