Seeking the benefit of your expertise...

[pritch]

I am in the market for a scooter. Partly as a commuter, and partly because knee surgery (hopefully) next year may make mounting a bike difficult for a while.

Having read the accumulated wisdom hereabout ( thanks for that by the way, I did several learn things I didn't know) it seems that two models are favoured. The Yamaha Jog in the 50s, and the Suzuki UZ125 in that class.
I get the impression though that there are other makes and models seldom mentioned.

While the economies to be gained in the moped class appeal, I think I'd opt for the 100/125. My normal instinct would lead me to Honda but I don't really like the Lead although the 2008 model looks marginally better and I would be prepared to wait.

Chinese generally doesn't quite do it for me, Euroflash would be a bit over the top.

I don't want to hot it up. There is this other female who requires bling, gold (well, gold anodising anyway), titanium, and...

Does anybody know anything about the Yamaha BeeWee? A Yamaha might go better with my avatar, but I'm a bit worried that Yamaha NZs weird pricing may extend to this model.
Does anybody know where the Honda Lead is made?
Does anybody know about Hyosung scooters?
Does anyone know of a good source of magazine scooter tests on the 'Net?

I hope that isn't too much to be going on with, although I note that nobody including me knows where the Italian Honda factory is...

Thanks in anticipation...

[pritch]

Today I went around to the Yamaha shop and enquired about a BeeWee.
They didn't have any in, but the price was $2999 which seems reasonable.

Then I went around to the Honda shop that I normally deal with to enquire when they are getting the 2008 Lead. He phoned Bluewing who told him that it wouldn't be soon - if ever.

The 2008 Lead has a front disc, teles, and fuel injection. It also has spokes, so you could put a biggish chain through the wheels. It'll be made in Italy though which makes it too expensive for our market apparently.
(This raises some obvious questions but....)

During the subsequent conversation I mentioned having been to the Yamaha shop. He thought for a second and said "I just traded that scooter out there, if you buy it today you can have it for what I paid for it."

Lunch time was spent driving from one end of town to the other to see how it went.

So all plans out the window, I am starting my scooter career on a secondhand Sino/Suzuki SJ50QT (?). First Suzuki I ever owned...

Now, from what I've seen elsewhere on KB, I need a coloured crash helmet with an iridium visor. Hmmmmm.

[janno]

Don't forget the rest of your New plymouth scooter attire - short skirt and pretty sandals. Would you like me to come shopping with you? We can even get a coffee afterwards and talk about boys . . .

[tri boy]

[QUOTE=pritch008;1314889

Now, from what I've seen elsewhere on KB, I need a coloured crash helmet with an iridium visor. Hmmmmm.[/QUOTE]

More importantly, is there room to fit a bottle of Scotch under the seat?
And Yes, we will require photos of your good self astride the weapon.

[tri boy]

Don't forget the rest of your New plymouth scooter attire - short skirt and pretty sandals. Would you like me to come shopping with you? We can even get a coffee afterwards and talk about boys . . .

Ahaaahaaaahaaaa........
Pritch in a skirt.

[nadroj]

Wanna drag?

[Ocean1]

Don't forget the rest of your New plymouth scooter attire - short skirt and pretty sandals.

Arggg!!! Not thongs, fer god's sake. Makes me sphinctre clench just thinkin about it...

The skirt's OK though.

[denill]

So all plans out the window, I am starting my scooter career on a secondhand Sino/Suzuki SJ50QT (?). First Suzuki I ever owned...

Good on ya Pritch. I won't tell anyone you've bought a scooter.

But as I've written before - they are LOTSA FUN. You can have a hoon and still be within the law. Or just about within

[janno]

Arggg!!! Not thongs, fer god's sake. Makes me sphinctre clench just thinkin about it...

The skirt's OK though.

Thongs on feet or thongs on nether regions? Either way, I'm sure Pritch would look just splendid!

[Ocean1]

Thongs on feet or thongs on nether regions? Either way, I'm sure Pritch would look just splendid!

Either. Thongs on feet tend sometimes to reposition themselves somewhere closer to the ankle than might be desired. Ugly.

Anal floss possibly don't quite represent the same danger wrt the nether regions but not being a frequent user an' all I can't really comment.

Further, with best respects to P I'd rather he just stuck to full leathers, I'd sleep better.

[kevfromcoro]

I have a PGO for sale......2003 model...done 1200ks...... goes well

[pritch]

Further, with best respects to P I'd rather he just stuck to full leathers,

I have been thinking about this.

I'd feel pretty silly riding a moped in a BMW touring suit and big bike boots, best Shoei, and road racing gloves. Even my usual leather jacket (with armour) would feel overdressed.

I'm considering normal work clothes with various jackets and some "urban" boots and moto X gloves I have here. Not as much protection as normal so I'll feel a bit exposed. Although not so exposed as if I was caught in a thong... Most unlikely I should add.

The different clothes (and new helmet?) could mean that nobody will recognise me on the scooter. Strangely that concept isn't at all upsetting

[nadroj]

Allowing for age (& weight) they are similar acceleration & speed.

[janno]

Most impressive! I still think it'd be great to see you guys in full leathers and knee sliders on your scoots. You gunna do that for the Christmas Toy Run?!