Looking for a scooter/moped, what would you recommend?

cheaty on 01/02/2013 - 09:33

Hi everybody :)

Parking around the office gets more and more difficult, so one of the options I'm seriously considering is buying a small motorbike.
What I need it for is daily commute in Melbourne, about 10kms each way - this means no more than 100 km per week.

Never had a motorbike, so all help will be appreciated. Here is what I found so far:
- 50 cc bike doesn't require additional license, which is great
- can buy a new one for about $2000 (MCI SpeedJet, KYMCO Agility 50, KYMCO Super 8) - very basic (good), makes I've never heard of (bad?)
- for similar price can get a 2-3-more year old scooter

Trying to save money I like the "new bike" option more, because hopefully the maintenance cost should be lower, am I right?

What are your thoughts? Can you recommend a place to go in Melbourne? With good bargains? :)

Thanks for reading, I'm really curious what will you say.

Automotive

Comments

  • leeroys_dad on 01/02/2013 - 11:22

    if you get a scooter, make sure you get bike gear and also attend a motorbike course. you learn techniques here, where to ride on the road, etc

    just buy a new one, but do your research into reliability.

    be prepared to be hated on the road by motorbikes though!

  • fertiliser on 01/02/2013 - 12:07
    +2

    I think you should buy a bicycle and ride that instead.

    For 2k you would get an amazing bike.

    • leeroys_dad on 01/02/2013 - 12:39
      +1

      the trouble there is you get all hot/sweaty. well in brissy you do!

  • ilostnemo on 01/02/2013 - 13:50

    As gotbean stated, get one bike lesson, the one thing they teach you, is that all cars are out to kill you, remember that and you'll be a safe rider, also road positioning.

    If he gets the proper bike gear, he will end up hot and sweaty in summer as well.

    10k each way, I'd ride a pushy.

  • cheaty on 01/02/2013 - 14:40
    +1

    Thanks for the input guys :)

    I have a bicycle and already ride it to work 2-3-4 days per week, but all 5 is still above my physical abilities :) Also I'm a bit fussy about the weather :/

    From what I see online (and on the roads) the small scooters (50cc) are far less popular than bicycles… maybe I should just push myself more and ride all days…

    • leeroys_dad on 01/02/2013 - 15:41

      get a dirtbike instead :>

      • Radar on 01/02/2013 - 17:37
        +1

        riding on the road with knobbies is not the best idea for someone new to riding.

        • MATTDAMON on 03/02/2013 - 02:30

          Some tyre manufacturers make Roadies/Dual purpose tyres now for 21 inch fronts (Pirelli, Contential are two off the top of my head i use Pirelli Scorpian Trails for my DR650 (21 inch front 17 inch rear)

          But alot of dirt bikes arent very forgiving for learners and require strict maintenance. Some are an exception to that of course (the DR series as an example)

          Anyways to the OP why not look at a CB125, they are around 2k new, and they are an actual motorbike not some scooter and will handle bumps and ruts in the road much better.

      • Moots on 01/02/2013 - 18:30

        I agreed, I was on my L's straight out of the RTA on my WR 250 50/50 Road/Offroad support going up and down kurrajong where I was living you quickly find out how easily things can change. I would not support this for any long periods of time.

        Unless you have motard tyres!

    • scrimshaw on 01/02/2013 - 15:58

      Segway? Electronic bike?

      • mskeggs on 01/02/2013 - 18:13

        Seconding an electric bike. Will greatly decrease sweatiness (can help the weather though).

  • mrhorseham on 01/02/2013 - 18:34
    +1

    What are the speeds of the roads you drive on? Keep in mind that 50cc can only go about 60km/hr, maybe up to 70km/hr depending if it's 4 stroke or 2 stroke. I actually had a look at scooters awhile ago, and if you're getting a 50cc I would recommend a Honda today or a vespa lx50. Both very good scooters, let me know if you think you'll need a bigger engine

    • matthiew on 03/02/2013 - 19:16

      Those articles are 8 and 9 years old.

  • m1nh on 01/02/2013 - 22:05
    +1

    Please note that in Melbourne, you need a motorbike license even if your bike is under 50cc. I ride an electric bike to work 23 km each way 5 days a week. I'm happy to let you have a try but can't think of a way to make sure you won't run away with my bike :-).

    • danyool on 02/02/2013 - 00:03

      Hold onto their drivers licence - then you'll have an address to hunt your bike down to.. or at least an address that they were at some time in the past…

  • danield on 01/02/2013 - 23:41

    Yeah I think you need a bike license for 50cc in Vic. I was looking for 50cc in 2009 and ended up with 125cc cause I was required to get a license so I figured I might as well get the bigger engine (still cheaper rego than the 150cc). Glad i got the 125cc, the 50cc probably would have been to small for Melb roads, I'm travelling 13km each way. Had a 50cc for years ago, but that was in Japan, where drivers are more tolerant of smaller bikes cause there are so many on the roads.

    I bought a Fly 125 (2009) new, and had a few small issues in the first 12 months - fuel gauge stopped working, couple of head lamps.. nothing major after that it hasnt missed a beat, great condition, long maintence periods, relaible and cheap as chips to run.

    • m1nh on 02/02/2013 - 11:22

      I'm thinking of changing from my electric bicycle to a motorbike to cut down my commuting time (sacrificing the health benefit). How long does it take for you to commute 13 km? Do you need to avoid peak hours or it still can travel fast in heavy traffic? Thanks, Danield?

    • cannedhams on 02/02/2013 - 16:30

      I saw a guy driving one of those 125 mopeds down the highway. Probably not that safe, but I was impressed that he could keep up with the traffic.

      • poboy on 02/02/2013 - 21:11

        To ride on the freeway safely you will need a 250cc Scooter

      • danield on 03/02/2013 - 23:33

        Yeah that might have been me.
        I go down the Monash from Toorak Rd through the city to Carlton. At first i was hestant to got down the freeway, but that stretch of the fwyway is 80km. I usually get held up by traffic, can get to 100Km. However I do ride the Fwy full throttle all the way and as soon as you get slowed down its a pain to get back up to speed. I usually avoid peak hour just to get a smoother run, however the scooter is way easier to cut through the car-park state the monash is usually in. Recently upgraded to a motorbike 250cc, much smoother and cruises much better, however the scooter is way more moveable through tight spots in the CBD. Have also been able to overtake traffic with a passenger on the back. I think for a scooter if you are doing anything in the 10+ kms daily the 125 is the minmum, i'ld say more then adequate though.

        • cannedhams on 05/02/2013 - 11:03

          This was on the Pacific Motorway in Brisbane. He was doing 100, but you could tell he was pushing it as hard as it would go, plus he was a pretty big guy.

          If he hit so much as a stray twig I reckon he would be a dead man.

  • DarwinBoy on 02/02/2013 - 16:24
    +3

    Had a postie bike for 18 months now. Awesome. Should of got one year's ago. Paid $1100 at the auctions, only 10000km, super cheap in fuel and get to 80 easy so traffic doesn't get the shits with you like they do for 50cc scooters. They also apparently have the most reliable engine in the world. Very easy to service. Getting my bike licence up here in the NT only required a 15 minute practical test. Check out pickles auctions for availability in your area.

  • poboy on 02/02/2013 - 21:09

    Yes. Get a scooter. I am in Melbourne and have used one for 6 years. One of the best decisions I ever made. You need a licence no matter your capacity. Get a 150cc. Any slower and they are dangerous, any bigger and you can't get through traffic. Don't get a Vespa, they are over priced. Get a Bolwell. 1 to 2 years old should be fine. They need to be serviced more than cars though. Perhaps in a year you may have a minor service for $250 and a major one for $600. Good luck

  • Icedvovo on 02/02/2013 - 21:09

    I've had many scooters including Posties, Vespa, VMoto and Kymco.

    For the money the Kymco Bug Vibe 50cc was by far the best to ride. I currently have a Vespa ET2 and it's nowhere as a nice to ride as a the Kymco, which is half the price.

    I'd recommend the Kymco for value for money and a nice ride.

  • poboy on 02/02/2013 - 21:10

    Just wanted to emphasise again… Do not get a 50cc scooter. They are unsafe and a menace on the roads as they are so slow.

    • Davo1111 on 03/02/2013 - 01:14

      i have to agree. Even a postie bike is 110cc and they're hell slow.

      • MATTDAMON on 03/02/2013 - 02:32

        Posties arent too bad (and they are a good choice for the OP as they are 2.5k brand new and around 1200 or so for an ex Aussie post one) they do around 75-80 on the flat depending on how fat the rider is, they handle well, they have decent sized tyres so are more compliant to bumps etc on the road. And they are extremely cheap to run and maintain.

        • Radar on 03/02/2013 - 13:00

          They are fun to ride too. And for some reason I get a lot of strangers wave to me when I'm on my postie.

  • BluebirdV on 03/02/2013 - 16:55
    +1

    For value for money, performance & handling you can't go past the Honda CB125e. I bought one of these in August last year. It was $1990 plus registration. In all, just over $2300. I was in QLD at the time. I rode it all the way down to Victoria for my fruit picking work. Has a top speed of about 98km/hr. It handles a lot better than a similarly priced scooter or postie bike. There's a review of it here http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-roa…

  • ankor on 03/02/2013 - 21:46
    +4

    I would recommend anything that's 100CC and over, which means that you will need a motorcycle license.
    I live in Greenslopes, Brisbane and take my yamaha yw100 around all the local areas. I wouldn't recommend getting anything that's a 50cc scooter because I feel that your profile when seated is too low, and you are basically increasing the size of the blindspot for every other road user.

    I've been on a scooter for about 6 years, and it's been a great alternative to public transport, since it almost never rains in Brisbane.

    I can tell you now that you have to watch out for the following.

    1. cab drivers
    2. couriers
    3. station wagons
    4. 4wd
      4a. 4wd soccer mums
    5. other scooter riders who are on 50cc scooters
    6. inattentive drivers (people eating, people using mobiles)
    7. people who slow down their cars and look like they are about to merge into your lane but fail to indicate
    8. people on mobile phones
    9. people distracted by kids
    10. truck drivers
    11. painted lines in the wet (loss of traction)
    12. manhole covers in the wet (loss of traction)
    13. oil puddles in the wet (loss of traction)
      14 cars going the opposite direction that are turning across your lane when you are behind a car (ie- in the shadow)

    I haven't had any major accidents, but two friends have been in and it is pretty scary. Each went through over 2 years of painkillers, one has had 2 operations and they both suffer decreased mobility, depression and all that.

    I had a minor accident whereby a driver, who was stuffing chips into his mouth and talking to his friend at night didn't see me and bumped me off my scooter. It was a downward incline, his sideview mirror hit my handlebars, and it was wet. Surpisingly, my scooter suffered nearly 2K worth of damages to repair it and the thing only cost me 2.7K new and it was a very minor accident.

    On the subject of accidents:

    If you do happen to be in any accident, get any third party witnesses details asap and take photos of the scene before anyone tries to move anything. If you are unable to, ask a witness to do so on their smartphone.

    Make sure you get a perspective of the whole road, how the cars are situated in relation to the road, where your scooter fell and all that and file a police report and notify your insurer.

    You will be shaken up if an accident happens to you but you have to protect yourself legally. People may sound accommodating to your face but they can be real assholes once you are both back to your normal lives.

    They can deny liability, draw shit out and insurers and their law firms may be hit and miss in terms of time. You get a bad claims officer or overworked solicitor, and things will get delayed unnecessarily.

    Sorry for the long post but I think that it's very important stuff to know because there is a lot more to getting a scooter than just plonking 2K on one and riding away.

    • cannedhams on 05/02/2013 - 11:28

      Agree with all of the above. Some of the biggest PI claims I've had were for people on bikes. If you are involved in any sort of significant crash an acquired brain injury is pretty much a given.

      I had a blast with bikes when I was a kid, great fun, but I would never take the chance on the road with one anymore.

      "You know what we call motorbike riders here at the hospital? Donors."

  • BluebirdV on 04/02/2013 - 18:32

    Thought I'd just add to the above comment regarding safety. Always wear a high visibility jacket or shirt. It can mean the difference between someone seeing you, and someone hitting you. It's very rare to see people wearing fluro gear, but I find it works a treat. Doesn't make you invincible, but far safer than without it.

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