Spec me a scooter ... and stuff

Woden

Woden

Woden

Soldato
Joined
7 Mar 2011
Posts
6,859
Location
Oldham, Lancashire
So getting to/from work 5 days a week (posted few days ago about finally going full time) is gonna get expensive, and time consuming. The bus is £48 a month and takes 45mins minumum, as it seems to stop every 5 meters or so and go from royton to shaw via moscow. And to top it off, if I get moved onto the late shift (quite possible) I will finish at 1am and theres no busses, so its £7.50 for the 10 minute taxi home.

So I think a scooter is in order. But what do I need? Aside from the actual scooter, obviously.

I need to get my provisional licence sorted and do the CBT. Scooter, helmet, something to secure said scooter, insurance. Am I missing anything?

How much am I looking at spending? My dad said about a grand for a 125 scooter but looking ity seems to be more like £1300-£1500 ish 2nd hand (not an issue if it is in good nick ... and not nicked). And which one? :confused:
 
Stay away from Chinese makes for starters. You may seem to pick up a bargain for the scooter itself and when it starts to go wrong, parts availability can be difficult and main bike dealers etc dont stock a great deal if any spares for them. Stick with Honda, Yamaha, Piagio etc.

Decide if you want a scooter or a bike. A scooter will give you a little more room for storage etc and you can keep a good chain under the seat to locked up overnight and whilst at work. (dont scrimp on the chain) but a bike will give oooooodleeeees more fun. (try a KTM duke or something)

Helmet you can get away with anything as they all meet UK regs but TRY it ON, then TRY it on some more. Some decent gloves as well. Textile jacket and you should be fine. Remember 30mph on scooter is still the same as coming off on the 1000CC superbike and it takes about 3 seconds to rub that skin away to bone. As you starting out your in the high % to take fall so wear the kit and as you get more confident you can risk the Shorts and T shirt. ok i will get slated for bad advice now, but dammit in this weather just take it steady and ride zero risk, you cant account for numpty car drivers though but its a free country(ish)

So its apply for licence then do a CBT and i think thats all you need for a 125 if your 17+

Enjoy the road biking/scootering is great fun and if the bug gets you see you on 1000cc R1 in a couple of years time.
 
Will definitely be a scooter. I will need some storage for the chain and my but ties for work.
 
I have the

Mighty piaggio x9 125 2002.
Very heavy, very stable and will pull in any head wind.
Swift for a 125, it has a full fat 15hp engine and will hit 80 mph gps test, 78 mph on the clocks.
Great storage space, pulls 2 people up to 70 mph and it will cruise at 65mph.
Not too great on fuel does around 70 mpg.
I never thought I would like a scooter - I only paid £700.01 for it and it has full service history and done 13000kms.
Great protection, good electrics- very bright lights.
Big road presence feels safe.:)
Brembo brakes, double on the front stops like a dropped anvil.
 
Stay away from Italian unless you are prepared to be plagued by electrical issues. I have had a Piaggio B125 which died after about 3 years, then a Gilera Nexus 500 which gave me lots of issues after about 25000 miles from stator burning out, 2 regulators, two batteries, 3 wires failing in the loom, and a few other things.


For a 125 try a XMax 125, PCX or SH125


I am currently riding a Yamaha TMax 500 MKIII
 
SPG said:
Stay away from Chinese makes for starters. You may seem to pick up a bargain for the scooter itself and when it starts to go wrong, parts availability can be difficult and main bike dealers etc dont stock a great deal if any spares for them. Stick with Honda, Yamaha, Piagio etc.
Click to expand...

This is the most important thing when looking for scooters.
 
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