First scooter - discussing my options

**ZK-Awesome** · 29th January 2008, 19:30

Hi There
I'm from Nelson and on a learner license, I've decided that a scooter will be the cheapest way to get around in the long run. I'll be using it mainly for trips across town, sometimes on roads with an 80kph speed limit, and also around the city centre.

So in Nelson there's no a huge amount of places to buy scooters compared to Auckland or Christchurch, but I'm going down to Chch soon, so I can have a look round there on my free days down there.

One is a Chinese

scooter that I could buy new. It's a Powerchief Aero. There's some info here:http://1stopscooter.stores.yahoo.net/aemosc.html
It will cost me $1750 + onroad costs. While this is expensive for me (I'm earning about $110 a week (I'm nearly 16..)), the place I'm buy it from is very willing to offer a 12 month warranty, and derestrict it if I wanted to. It also has a large helmet space under the seat, and a lockbox on the back. It's a 4-stroke engine. I had a ride around on a similar model and it was very easy to ride. My parents would loan me the money for it (I've got about $500 saved so far). The research that I've done on the internet on it suggests that it is a high-quality scooter (even though it's chinese).

Second option is a $700 Yamaha Razz, used, from a Motorbike workshop. One crack in the from bodywork, 2 stroke engine, it was quite smoky to start up, like all 2-strokes I suppose. It'd go through their workshop before I got it though. It didn't have any storage, which is the big downside.

Third option is a used $950 Suzuki from ScooterKing in Chch. They have an AZ50 or an SJ50. I haven't seen these in person, but by reading these forums they seem pretty popular, but some people have talked about performance problems after owning them for a while. I'm going for a ride on another company's SJ50 tomorrow to see what they're like.

Fourth option - any suggestions???

Discuss.

**Slicksta** · 29th January 2008, 20:37

Originally Posted by ZK-Awesome

Hi There
I'm from Nelson and on a learner license, I've decided that a scooter will be the cheapest way to get around in the long run. I'll be using it mainly for trips across town, sometimes on roads with an 80kph speed limit, and also around the city centre.

So in Nelson there's no a huge amount of places to buy scooters compared to Auckland or Christchurch, but I'm going down to Chch soon, so I can have a look round there on my free days down there.

One is a Chinese

scooter that I could buy new. It's a Powerchief Aero. There's some info here:http://1stopscooter.stores.yahoo.net/aemosc.html
It will cost me $1750 + onroad costs. While this is very expensive for me (I'm earning about $110 a week (I'm nearly 16..)), the place I'm buy it from is very willing to offer a 12 month warranty, and derestrict it if I wanted to. It also has a large helmet space under the seat, and a lockbox on the back. It's a 4-stroke engine. I had a ride around on a similar model and it was very easy to ride. My parents would loan me the money for it (I've got about $500 saved so far). The research that I've done on the internet on it suggests that it is a high-quality scooter (even though it's chinese).

Second option is a $700 Yamaha Razz, used, from a Motorbike workshop. One crack in the from bodywork, 2 stroke engine, it was quite smoky to start up, like all 2-strokes I suppose. It'd go through their workshop before I got it though. It didn't have any storage, which is the big downside.

Third option is a used $950 Suzuki from ScooterKing in Chch. They have an AZ50 or an SJ50. I haven't seen these in person, but by reading these forums they seem pretty popular, but some people have talked about performance problems after owning them for a while. I'm going for a ride on another company's SJ50 tomorrow to see what they're like.

Fourth option - any suggestions???

Discuss.

I would have to say go with the Suzuki on this one just keep it under cover cause they rust if you dont oh and welcome to KB

**ZK-Awesome** · 29th January 2008, 23:01

Okay, if I were to go for the Suzuki, do you have any recommendation about getting the AZ50 or the SJ50?

Perhaps it's also relevant that I'd probably also go cruising around the place, exploring streets and stuff, once I got a scooter, so it'd be used most likely every day.

**Slicksta** · 30th January 2008, 01:47

Originally Posted by ZK-Awesome

Okay, if I were to go for the Suzuki, do you have any recommendation about getting the AZ50 or the SJ50?

Perhaps it's also relevant that I'd probably also go cruising around the place, exploring streets and stuff, once I got a scooter, so it'd be used most likely every day.

Yeah i loved doing that when i had my 50cc i owned a 1992 razz until a cager wrote it off then i got a Yamaha Jog loved it if you can get one as cheap buy it they are a fantastic all rounder ... ride both the AZ and the SJ see what you what year are they?

**ZK-Awesome** · 30th January 2008, 07:58

Scooterking didn't say what year they are. Does this have much bearing on the quality of these Suzukis?

I feellike the Powerchief (the chinese one) could either be a roaring success because of the backing up the outfit selling it would give and the supposed good reputation of this brand (even though barelyanyone has heard of it), or a miss, if it turns out to be a crappy chinese one where all the tubes and pipes fall to pieces.

From reading KB it seems like the Suzuki street magic might be the best machine for the job, anyone know where these are available in the South island, either new or used?

**dave_a** · 30th January 2008, 09:42

ive never seen a good quality chinese bike, and Ive had a few ,pitbikes pocketbikes etc there all crap

sure they might look good at the start but trust me stay away from chinese stuff

get the suzuki or a yamaha jog or honda pal etc

**Badjelly** · 30th January 2008, 10:02

Originally Posted by ZK-Awesome

...sometimes on roads with an 80kph speed limit...

I've done the "slow scooter in fast traffic" thing. Trust me, it isn't much fun.

You're referring to the "motorway" between Nelson and Richmond? As I recall, it has a very narrow shoulder. Please, please don't go on that road on a vehicle that won't keep up with the traffic.

**vifferman** · 30th January 2008, 10:51

Go for a reputable brand/model, and go as cheap as you can. I know this is a big deal for you now, but eventually you're going to want to trade up, and the less you have 'invested', the less you're going to lose on depreciation, and the more money you'll have available for your next set of wheels. ANY motor vehicle (apart from classics, perhaps) is basically a money sink, and loses the biggest chunk of its value the first time it is purchased then resold, so if you buy something that's already depreciated, you should lose less on it.

I wouldn't buy Chinese; the prices look attractive, but I'm not sure the quality is there yet.

**ZK-Awesome** · 30th January 2008, 11:00

I had a ride around on an SJ50 just then, seemed cool, probably go with the $950 one from Chch.

If I did that though, what'd be the best way of getting it up to Nelson? I'd have to lie it down in Dad's car, would that be bad for the bodywork? Or would some of the fuel or oil leak out? The other option would be to bring it up in the back of a truck. So far I've been quoted $100 to bring it from Chch to Nelson, can someone think of any company who'd do it cheaper? (Not wanting to ride it up obviously!)

**Pogo2** · 30th January 2008, 19:12

Would definately go with a japanese brand over the chinese stuff as many people have had trouble with their 'trusty' chinese bikes.

Last week when I had my bike serviced I was given a loaner for the day. It was a Suzuki UZ(?)125. I could not believe how grunty this little bike was. Seemed to have more power that my previously owned taiwanese 150. Was fun to ride.

BTW - does your ZK handle reflect an aviation interest. If it does, welcome to KB fellow aviator! If it doesn't welcome anyway!!

**Subike** · 30th January 2008, 19:28

If you could find A Vespa for the same money, then I would recomend one of them.
May be older, but relabilty proven, ease of maintenence, good resale
And will hold its own in 80kph traffic
just an Idea for you

**ZK-Awesome** · 30th January 2008, 20:05

Originally Posted by Pogo2

BTW - does your ZK handle reflect an aviation interest. If it does, welcome to KB fellow aviator! If it doesn't welcome anyway!!

Yip sure does, first solo in a couple of days

**davereid** · 30th January 2008, 20:31

Hi ya, welcome to the nut house. First a disclaimer - I sell scooters. euros, taiwanese and chinese.

The bottom line ?

A tank of gas on a modern car is worth $100. What ever you do, don't make your decision based on a few hundred $$.

Chinese Bikes.
I sell them. But I don't like them, and I wont recommend them. They WILL let you down. They may come right in time, but sorry, not yet.

Taiwanese bikes.
Pretty good bikes. We don't have much trouble with them. They don't seem to perform as well as the Europeans. But they don't break down, and they are well priced.

Dunno Bikes.
Chinese made jappas. Dunno. Don't sell em.

European bikes.
Expensive by comparison, but well made and nice to ride.

For what its worth, I run a scooter shop, and ride a TGB Moped 50cc from Taiwan. But, I'm a doddled old prick.

Just DONT BUY CHINESE..

**Pogo2** · 30th January 2008, 20:50

Originally Posted by ZK-Awesome

Yip sure does, first solo in a couple of days in fact

Thunderbike (I think its called) on the way to the airport in Nelson. When ever I drive past I have a very quick look. They seen to have a reasonable selection but not too sure how they stack up with scooters. The do have a very nice Gilera Nexus 500, but I'm sure that would be out of your price range at $8k plus I think.

Ah, first solo I remember it as if it was just yesterday. Actually it was 1982 from memory. Best of luck anyways!