Bike or Scooter?

**Hitcher** · 23rd February 2005, 15:04

Originally Posted by SuperDave

How about a nice FXR150? Perfect to learn on with the gear indicator, plus they look real good in blue.

Not good for shorter riders.

**Joni** · 23rd February 2005, 15:10

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Not good for shorter riders.

Correct...!
OK I have not read the whole thread.... how tall/short is Mrs Biff? Im just over 5ft... so I can advise if required....

[edit] read it now... still dont know

Shout if you need help Biff!

**Riff Raff** · 23rd February 2005, 15:18

I say go for a bike. GN250s are pretty good value and are superb learner motorbikes. You really can't go wrong with one of them.

**Wolf** · 23rd February 2005, 15:34

I'd go with the bike - get something that will do for a while from Learners up to Full - false economy buying a scooter just to have to flick it off for less later and buy a bigger bike.

Also not keen on the smaller scooters - piss-awful narrow, tiny wheels that throw the steering around if you hit a grain of sand (OK, I exaggerate a little

) better to get a more substantial bike with decent wheels - better road contact, better braking and better control. I think a lot of the smaller bikes deemed fit for "learners" are bloody hair-raising - brakes seem to be an after-thought, handling sux etc.

I'd recommend a GN250 if it's an appropriate fit.

My tuppence worth, anywayz

**Lias** · 23rd February 2005, 15:43

I'm bias but I'll have to vote for a GN250

I started on a TR50 (which is really just a glorified scooter in a bike shape), and I just couldnt wait to get something a bit bigger and faster.

First "real" bike I played on was a GN125, which isnt too bad but I definitly prefered my GN250, and my friend who is the owner of the GN125 prefers my 250 too.

Price wise it's not a huge leap. I paid $2300 for my used TR50, a GN125 is around 2400 +onroad costs new, and my GN250 was a whopping 2995+onroad costs.

**Slipstream** · 23rd February 2005, 16:24

Originally Posted by Biff Baff

Firstly thank you all ever so much for encouraging Ms Biff in a recent thread. Now she is adamant that Mr Biff purchases a two wheeled motorised vehicle for her.

Damn skippy you should too

**John** · 23rd February 2005, 16:43

OK, tell you what dont demoraliser her with a scooter in the 50cc range, its depressing not being able to do the speed limit most of the time, and all they are good for is wheelies.

Past week I have being communting on one, bloody hate it I will NEVER IN MY LIFE resort to riding one again, it even got to the point were I couldnt stand it at all and walked all the way to tech (est 1 1/2 hours) now thats saying something, a 5 min trip on the bike turnded to a 15 min trip on the scooter, and bastards everywhere pulling in front of me, EVEN A TRUCK TODAY!

I refuse to let anyone I know get a scoot, go hunt a GN go for the older ones (86) or so because they are cehap 600$ and go fine, then when she decides if she wants to stick with it you got plenty of money for an upgrade.

IMO.

**R1** · 23rd February 2005, 17:05

Originally Posted by Riff Raff

I say go for a bike. GN250s are pretty good value and are superb learner motorbikes. You really can't go wrong with one of them.

And they seem prety dam cheap 2...

**gav** · 23rd February 2005, 17:11

Yamaha TMax 500

**Coyote** · 23rd February 2005, 17:13

Originally Posted by gav

Yamaha TMax 500

Bit daft lookin

**dhunt** · 23rd February 2005, 20:22

Originally Posted by Wolf

I'd go with the bike - get something that will do for a while from Learners up to Full - false economy buying a scooter just to have to flick it off for less later and buy a bigger bike.

Also not keen on the smaller scooters - piss-awful narrow, tiny wheels that throw the steering around if you hit a grain of sand (OK, I exaggerate a little

) better to get a more substantial bike with decent wheels - better road contact, better braking and better control. I think a lot of the smaller bikes deemed fit for "learners" are bloody hair-raising - brakes seem to be an after-thought, handling sux etc.

Be careful what you say about scooters, some of theses guys are very very quick.

**SuperDave** · 23rd February 2005, 20:49

Wouldn't an FXR150 be better than a GN250 for a longer ride as well? I would think so, I've never ridden a GN but I've heard how gutless they are. I took the FXR down to the races last sunday and it had no problem holding 120 - 130kph for much of the time.

**Biff** · 23rd February 2005, 20:58

Originally Posted by Joni

Correct...!
OK I have not read the whole thread.... how tall/short is Mrs Biff? Im just over 5ft... so I can advise if required....

Ms Biff is a towering 5'10", and slim. High heels are obviously banned from being warn whilst in my company in public, as they interfere with my ego (me being all of 5'10" as well).

So leg room may be a bit of an issue. But no more than your average (ish) sized guy I guess.

Originally Posted by Wolf

My tuppence worth, anywayz

Your bloody tuppence worth is what's gonna cost me several thousand tuppences now, thanks to your comments in the 'other' thread.

(PT)

**Storm** · 23rd February 2005, 21:22

I can recommend a GN (wow, another one) as a nice easy learners bike

**StoneChucker** · 23rd February 2005, 21:32

I took a friend scooter shopping today. Had quite a good look at what is out there. Personally I'd recommend a suitable bike, but the fact is if it's just around town, scooters are easier to ride. Another bonus being you only need a car licence.

Scooters however, are not allowed on the motorways (as the salesman told us). Also, as it has been said, they don't have a very high top speed.

My suggestion is to get her a cheap scooter, so she can get a feel for biking, but get her to get her motorbike learners too. This way, if/when she decides she wants to move up to a bike, she's already well underway with the licencing process.

Depending on your finances, there are some pretty cool scooters if thats your thing. I did manage to persuade my friend to go with a slightly better model of scooter, than the entry level japanese "Whippet". It's now a choice between a "new shape" sporty looking one at Sawyers, and a "retro style" at TSS. Both new, 50cc. TSS is a 4 Stroker and Sawyers is a 2 Stroker. Hey, she said I could have a go when she gets it. So, on scooters, is doing wheelies the same as on my bike? Do I just sit at 60 in first, open her up and tug on the bars?