Scooter for City Commute

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Krishant007

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Topic # 189271 22-Dec-2015 10:29

Hi there

My sister was looking at getting a decent scooter for work and errands. Nothing too flash, and I dont think she would be looking to get on the motorway at peak traffic. I have talked around and seems like 125cc is the way to go.

Does anyone have any recommendations? She will be on a learners so cant be all that powerful. Looking for good quality, decent power, good servicing etc.

Thanks

Mark

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Reply # 1455304 22-Dec-2015 14:00

Hmm .. scooters are horrible little, slow, maiming machines!

If she is going for anything beyond 50cc it's classed as a motorbike and she'll need the motorcycle add-on to her license (and have to do a basic handling course).

Then if you care about your sister you will force her to wear the proper gear no matter what size engine scooter she gets.

My vote .. don't let her get one!

timbosan

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Reply # 1455308 22-Dec-2015 14:11

Yeah - learners CAR license means you are restricted to scooters (50cc or less, put its actually based on kW) which are very slow.

I have a 150cc 'scooter' and that needs a motorcycle license. I ride it on the motorway, and have taken it over the Harbor Bridge, but wouldn't do so on anything smaller, both because of the engine size and because of the wind blowing you around.

What about one of the 'maxi' scooters, starting around 250cc?

Krishant007

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Reply # 1455312 22-Dec-2015 14:15

Sorry, i should have clarified. She will be looking at getting the learners motorcycle licence. She has a full car licence already. 50cc is a bit too small - i asked a few guys around the office and if anything, 50cc is more dangerous because you cannot get out of trouble quickly.

Yes I will be insisting on good gear to wear. It is the only thing between the road and your skin. A good jacket, helmet and bottoms are pretty much required, even if you are not going on the motorway.

Looking at Vespa - but they seem to be too high end - 5k for a second hand one.. I am sure they are negotiable. I was kind of hoping for something around the 3k mark.

timbosan

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Reply # 1455316 22-Dec-2015 14:20

Krishant007: Sorry, i should have clarified. She will be looking at getting the learners motorcycle licence. She has a full car licence already. 50cc is a bit too small - i asked a few guys around the office and if anything, 50cc is more dangerous because you cannot get out of trouble quickly.

Yes I will be insisting on good gear to wear. It is the only thing between the road and your skin. A good jacket, helmet and bottoms are pretty much required, even if you are not going on the motorway.

Looking at Vespa - but they seem to be too high end - 5k for a second hand one.. I am sure they are negotiable. I was kind of hoping for something around the 3k mark.

Having recently (April this year) been over the handlebars of my scooter and landing on the motorway I cannot stress enough how important good gear is. Don't skimp on the jacket and pants, and boots (I still have a scar on my ankle as I slid along the motorway in work shoes).

I spare no sympathy for the fools riding bikes/scooters with a nice helmet but wearing shorts and/or singlets. The road is a damn sight harder than your body. Ideally we would all have one of these:

http://www.bikebone.com/hit-air-airbag-vests-jackets/

Krishant007

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Reply # 1455321 22-Dec-2015 14:23

maybe while we are on the subject, any good place in auckland that people recommend for jacket and pants? I saw one of the guys at work has got a pair of jeans that have kevlar near the knees, thigh and back which he recommends would be the least he would wear when riding his bike.

timbosan

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Reply # 1455353 22-Dec-2015 14:42

Krishant007: maybe while we are on the subject, any good place in auckland that people recommend for jacket and pants? I saw one of the guys at work has got a pair of jeans that have kevlar near the knees, thigh and back which he recommends would be the least he would wear when riding his bike.

I get my gear from http://www.motomail.co.nz/ - they have a physical store in Freemans Bay, good for trying on gear!

Mark

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Reply # 1455385 22-Dec-2015 15:13

timbosan:
Krishant007: maybe while we are on the subject, any good place in auckland that people recommend for jacket and pants? I saw one of the guys at work has got a pair of jeans that have kevlar near the knees, thigh and back which he recommends would be the least he would wear when riding his bike.

I get my gear from http://www.motomail.co.nz/ - they have a physical store in Freemans Bay, good for trying on gear!

Just skip past the "Rev'it!" gear .. it's junk! I came off at low speed in mine and the gravel went straight through .. I'd have been way worse off without it of course!

Finch

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Reply # 1455445 22-Dec-2015 16:31

Alright I dont want to sound like the grinch, but it truly is important to wear the correct safety gear.

I just read This article about what happened to a stunt woman while she was riding a motorcycle for Resident Evil.

Don't read if you are thinking about getting into motorcycles, this article might put you off. There are no graphical images, so its safe, just text.

Smithy100

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Reply # 1455497 22-Dec-2015 17:41

So having established that good safety gear is important (and it is), given your budget I'd find it hard to go past a Taiwanese (PGO/SYM) scooter rather than paying more and getting less for a Euro brand (that's not necessarily made in Europe anyway).

Chinese scooters are certainly improving and can offer exceptional value for money, however I still wouldn't recommend one to my worst enemy (or a complete stranger on an internet forum).

Taiwanese scooters are the equivalent of Japanese cars... cheap to service, maintain and run, as well as being reliable - though you don't necessarily get the design and brand value of the euros, but nor do you get the higher purchase price.

I spent a couple of years selling new scooters (Taiwanese brands, Piaggio/Vespa, and Peugeot) and the Taiwanese were the most reliable of the lot.

Oh, and in case you missed it - ALWAYS invest in good safety gear AND, if your sister is inexperienced in riding a scooter, a lesson or two is a good investment too (riding in traffic is not the same as riding in an empty paddock or carpark).

And don't skimp on the safety gear (lol).

mudguard

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Reply # 1455499 22-Dec-2015 17:44

Honda PCX150? I think they're $4k now. 150cc and use very little gas. Quite clever machines. Never ridden one but I see them all the time with work.
They have a stop/start system to save even more gas. I've got a non motorcyclist friend who has been tossing up whether to get one or not.
http://www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz/motorcycles/scooter-and-commuter/scooter-range/pcx150/

Mark

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Reply # 1455527 22-Dec-2015 18:15

Finch: Alright I dont want to sound like the grinch, but it truly is important to wear the correct safety gear.

I just read This article about what happened to a stunt woman while she was riding a motorcycle for Resident Evil.

Don't read if you are thinking about getting into motorcycles, this article might put you off. There are no graphical images, so its safe, just text.

Except that poor lady hit a solid object (well, more solid than her!) When hitting hard things from a fast moving bike even the best gear is only going to keep all your bits in a nice convenient to pick up container :-(

But yes .. ATGATT!