More first-time scooter enquiries

**ScooterMac** · 30th October 2007, 11:19

Does anyone know anything about TGB scooters? "Quality Taiwanese" is what I've heard.

I just took a TGB 101S for a ride today and was more impressed with that than the Keeway that I tested a few days ago.

The TGB seemed to have quite a bit more pep in it, more get up and go...

Thoughts anyone?

Also looked at a Yamaha Jog CV50, but don't like the look. (Yes looks are a factor I am considering...but not as much as all the other relevant stuff

)

**fireball** · 30th October 2007, 11:44

my little SJ50 goes like a beast
but if you were to get a 50cc scooter i highly recommend the suzuki ZZ50 it can handle what ever you dish out trust me and it has gone at about 90km (downhill rah rah)

otherwise buy a bike

**Pogo2** · 30th October 2007, 16:43

I believe that these scoots are of a good quality. I almost brought one but they were $800-1000 dearer than the one I brought - although alot cheaper than a Vespa or equivalent.

Have seen a few of them about Auckland and they seem to go fine.

Fun choosing huh!

**davereid** · 31st October 2007, 06:24

TGB scooters are very good quality. I used to sell scooters, and TGB were as good as anything, and better than most. The 101 goes very well and has good brakes and suspension, its a very good choice. I still ride one myself almost every day !

TGB have another great advantage - a real importer, and a real dealer network. So if you do have a problem its not hard to get parts or get it sorted.

If you just want a good budget bike, the 101 is very hard to beat.

While you are looking, check out all the euro scooters, they are more expensive, but sooo nice. If you choose a good moped, cheap rego and no WOFs means it will be in your shed for ever, so don't be scared of spending a bit more on a good - un.

**ScooterMac** · 31st October 2007, 09:26

Thanks for the advice. Haven't yet looked at a particularly wide range of scooters, so still a bit of homework to do.

Whats the difference between a scooter an a moped? (I'm sure I should know this already!

Doesn't seem to be too many italian scooter dealers or options available in Chch either, so if anyone knows of any...? i could of course just be looking in the wrong place.

**ZeroIndex** · 31st October 2007, 09:30

As one of the more hardcore scooter sites suggests, a moped is around 49cc, and a moped only becomes a scooter when the engine reaches a capacity of 80cc or more... I guess that could be ruled down quite easily as: A moped can be driven on a car license, a scooter can't.

**AnotherLeon** · 31st October 2007, 12:31

Whatever you buy, ensure that you get it derestricted. It really does make quite a difference in not getting mowed down by impatient car drivers.

Also, try to get a scoot with a disc brake on the front, as my drum braked SJ50 is a bit evil to try to stop in a hurry. If I was buying again, I'd place a lot more importance on getting a disc brake front bike

**davereid** · 31st October 2007, 16:32

Originally Posted by ScooterMac

Whats the difference between a scooter an a moped? (I'm sure I should know this already!

A moped is a scooter that has ..
- An engine of 50cc or less
- A engine that produces 2 kw or less
- A maximum speed of 50 km/hr or less

In practice, most "mopeds" will do about 60-65 if thrashed. The two strokes are better bikes IMHO. They use a fraction more petrol, but reward you with more power, better torque, and are much easier to wring a few extra km/hr out of. They also don't need oil changes or valve adjustment. This means that on balance they will usually cost less to run than a four stroke. Run your two stroke on the best two stoke oil you can buy - I suggest Total 2t fully synthetic. This virtually seems to eliminate oiled plugs and de-coking.

I completely agree with the comments about disk brakes. My moped stops much much better the the drum braked ones, and even at 50 km/hr the road is pretty hard ! Nice to stop 1/2 a metre before that dork in the car, than 1/2 metre into her door.

I'd also suggest an investment in some protective gear.

Buy a new helmet, it doesnt need to be expensive, but new helmets will do their job, while you can never be sure with used ones. FFM Tourpro is a good value full face, but if you are poor, or prefer open face the Jetstar is a good helmet, and its only $60 ish, or the much nicer FFM Urban for about $75.

Gloves, jacket, pants and boots in that order are the next things you should get - remember you hit the same road as a superbiker should you be unlucky enough to crash. Certainly a good solid jacket and heavy pants will do until you can get biker stuff, so get gloves first.

I don't know any italian dealers in CHCH, but you can now get Peugeots. They are very nice bikes, well made and look great. (Of course I would say that, Im a TGB and Peugeot dealer !... well sort of ex dealer.. but still love 'em)

What ever else you do, ride a few. Think LOTS about quality. All mopeds will meet your needs when they are new, but only the good ones will still be bringing a big smile to yer dial in 5 years.

**AnotherLeon** · 31st October 2007, 19:47

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-125216939.htm

this Hyosung could be a real bargain.

**ICE180** · 1st November 2007, 13:06

I have a feeling that if you Look hard inside a vespa gear box and i think it is made buy TGB
so I would say they are a very good scooter

**Badjelly** · 2nd November 2007, 15:41

Just in case someone doesn't know, and being a pedantic sob, I thought I'd mention that a moped is really a kind of motorised bicycle with pedals. Mo-ped, get it? See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moped

But in terms of NZ traffic law, it's what davereid says. They're all really little scooters and (to the best of my knowledge) they don't normally have pedals.

**ScooterMac** · 3rd November 2007, 12:06

Hey folks, thanks for all the good advice so far.
The hunt goes on. Have managed to have a ride of a few others now.
Thanks for the Hyosung link Leon. Unfortunately I'm in Chch and it's in Auckland. But I will watch with interest.

Rode a workmates SYM Jet Euro 50 the other day. He'd just bought it 2nd hand and was loving it. Found that to be quite capable and zippy. Managed 60km down Brougham St in Chch, and maintained 50km going over the Waltham, Colombo and Durham St overbridges (with a bit of a run up). http://www.symscooters.co.uk/jeteurox50.php

And today I stumbled on a Chinese made Baotian at Escuta. It's a 4 stroke...and Chinese, so that to me is setting off alarm bells, but I took it for a ride and it went fine. As you'd expect any scooter to do when it's new.
http://www.baotianscooters.co.uk/pro...-bt49qt-7.html

And lastly I found some Malaguti's on Trademe:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...p-27775523.htm
Particularly like the nice shiny red ones! I'm sure they go faster!

So...any thoughts on these ones?? It's a tough decision to make! Glad thhis forum is here to able to get feedback from people who don't have an immediate vested interest in saying that particular bike is good or bad, like the salesmen do.

Cheers

And if I could only try a Peugeot in Chch...anyone?

**AnotherLeon** · 3rd November 2007, 13:24

I'd avoid anything Chinese.

My boss' wife has a chinese Honda knock off. It's been used about four or five times in two years, as it never works properly. Won't start. Fuel leaks. etc.

Plus, all the chromework on it is now rusted.

Honestly, go for Japanese or Taiwanese (assuming you can't get euro), and a recognised brand name. It's not worth the trouble to get something cheap. You really do get what you pay for.