turning 16 and need the cheapest moped possible new/used

[Jay99]

well I'm turning 16 in october and need a moped for school/job as walking won't cut it and cycling is not fun anymore.
I've heard that chinese mopeds are the cheapest, not sure about auto/manual or if I want it looking like a normal motorbike, but its got to be cheap, After the provisional/cbt/insurance/tax/helmet I won't have much money left, should I go down the used route? Or should I pickup a cheap chinese?
I have been looking at direct bikes but at £549 its a little expensive and I've heard they're rubbish, where do I start? budget @ £100-250 maybe £300, finance welcome for a little more.

[P.addy]

You wont get a new ped for <£800 a decent one anyway.

Anything chinese will wind up killing you, dont buy one because its cheap...

You could possibly pick up a used Yamaha Jog RR, Peugeot Speedfight... or you could buy the Yamaha Neos from a user on here..

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=228347

[Andy_Pagin]

Chinese bikes don't have a great reputation, a used Jap moped is probably a better bet. Check out ebay etc., there's usually a few on the go. Try and avoid anything with 20 previous owners as they've most likely been thrashed/dropped/crashed by countless erm.. 16 year olds.

Make sure whatever you go for has all the documentation as there's countless stolen examples around.

Don't go for anything 'de-restricted' or 'big-bore' as these are no longer classed as mopeds and you can't legally ride one on the road. If it can genuinely do more than 31mph it AINT a 'ped!

"provisional/cbt/insurance/tax/helmet"

... add "gloves/jacket/boots" to that list.

Twist & go (automatic) mopeds are probably your best bet since there's more to choose from if your not that bothered about having a 'proper' bike. (I ride a 125 Yamaha Vity twist & go scooter so no anti-scooter bias).

Good luck and have fun!
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Paulington]

You don't have enough money unless you want to buy a motorcycle which needs a few days work done to it.

Any moped/geared 50cc which costs less than <£350 will be a shitheap and dangerous to ride.

I'd save up for a little while and either catch the bus/cycle for a couple months then get something which won't kill you.

You may be able to find a few but they will be older-style mopeds which will probably require work OR you will find that the ones you can find need tax + MOT which will require work + money to pass and then money to get both so will be a struggle.

I revert to my original point, save for a bit until you have ~£500-£800 and then you will be able to get one that's good enough to use for the year.

Cheers!
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Rogerborg]

Factor in CBT, insurance and even pedboi levels of protective gear, you'll want a clear £1000 in your pocket.

And actually what you should be focussing on is passing your A2 test the moment you turn 17, so that you can squeak in under the January 2013 3rd Directive rules change.

So until you've got enough in hand to do that, I'd keep on peddling. It'll stand you in good stead for passing your test at 17.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Jay99]

well that rules out a new bike, so something £200-300 second hand will have to do. When I take my CBT, will it be on a manual or automatic?

I was thinking of buying something that is sold for parts and doing it up, I'm good at building computers and fixing bikes so I could do it up, is it that difficult?

I'm only going to get a helmet as I have some tough jeans and a motorcycle jacket and steel cap boots.

and whats the 2013 3rd directive rules change?

[at106]

[Jay99]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-vivacity-50cc-moped-/110737034136?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item19c8710b98#ht_500wt_1156

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-50cc-motorcycles-spares-repairs-/270809382995?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3f0d7f4053#ht_500wt_1156

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201134411426892/sort/priceasc/usedbikes/body-type/scooter/postcode/ol96nx/page/2/radius/1500/quicksearch/true?logcode=p

I suppose I could do a moped up, but how much would I need for parts and would I be able to do it or will it need to go to a mechanic, how much would one of them cost, also how much would parts cost, say new tires, indicators, spark plugs, carburettor? And if it doesn't have a battery I don't really need one as I could use a kickstart and it would be kept indoors, if automatic scooters have kickstarts?

[Rogerborg]

[Jay99]

[Rogerborg]

[Jay99]

well I'm not 17 just yet but still have the problem of getting a moped, can I get a cheap one (say £500) on finance and sell it on afterwards? can anyone link me up to a dealer? (btw if anyone finds a cheap moped please link up, thanks,

[Paulington]

I already told you in this thread, you literally do NOT have enough money! For your price range the moped will either be for spares or repairs, need a few days work done to it or it won't pass it's MOT.

I am telling you, just save up until you are 17 so you can buy a decent 125 for ~£800 or you can pass your test, save a bit more and get a decent restricted SV650 or some other commuter for ~£1000 or so.

Thirdly, dealers don't really sell £500 motorcycles as they don't want something in such bad condition in their showrooms. Also, you will not be able to get finance at 16! At that age your parents would have to do it which would be a giant headache with insurance plus they'd want proof of income for you and you parents. It won't happen.

Realistically, you have two options:

A) Save until you are 17 and then ask your parents about helping you get a 125 worth £1500-£2500 on finance IF and ONLY IF you can pay it without their help unless they offer it.

B) PASS YOUR TEST as soon as you turn 17 and then save up/ask your parents to help with buying a second hand commutery bike worth £1000 or so as there is a LOT out there, plus, no 'L' plates!

Honestly, option B is the better and cheaper one in the long run, plus it's better for you to get your licence as soon as possible as they are only making them harder to get plus it helps for the future.

Best of luck.
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Jay99]

My parents are getting everything for me and using their bank account, and I've already set my mind on getting a moped next month :p

[Livefast123]

You DO have enough money....what you need to do is watch Ebay like a hawk for bikes that people have listed wrongly or have put to end at a stupid time. Do not buy a Chinese POS, there are decent mopeds out there for that money, you just have to look a bit harder.

I bought a mint 55 plate Piaggio Zip on Ebay that somebody had put to end at 11am. I got it for £350 with 12 months MOT and it was just down the road from me. Polished it and put a new plug in it then sold it for £650

I can only recommend a Piaggio Zip, lightweight, nippy (for a 50), bits are cheap for when you crash and are cheap to run.

Here's one for £325 with 12 months MOT and Tax.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIAGGIO-ZIP-50-SCOOTER-2005-1-MONTH-TAX-12-MONTH-MOT-/300590537395?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item45fc979ab3
____________________
Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[Jay99]

[Livefast123]

2 strokes in my opinion are far superior. They are lighter and more powerful than a 4 stroke for a given size. The only difference is that you put 2 stroke oil into a tank rather than into the sump on a four stroke put simply. They are just as reliable if you maintain them. You need to put 2 stroke oil in as well and a tank usually lasts around 600 miles depending on the bike. The oil ranges from £2 a litre for cheap stuff to £20 a litre for the real good synthetic stuff. Decent scooter oil is usually around £6 a litre.

My Zip 2 stroke would get up to an indicated 50 Mph with only the washer removed from the variator and i'm not the smallest of people although I have a full bike licence. You will technically be restricted to 31 mph or it isn't a moped. I'm not going to be like your father and tell you not to de-restrict it, it's your licence and up to you.

There's nothing special to put into Ebay, I usually try 'Scooter or 50' then select Motorcycles and Scooters. Just become square eyed like me and check Ebay maybe twice a day for bargains.

Don't be worried if they are far away. Use 'Shiply' to get quotes for delivery. Couriers bid against each other to get the cheapest price.

Always buy a bike on condition rather than newness and it's especially importent when it's cheap. Try and get a scoot that hasn't been molested by a chav with go faster bits and tat. It would be better if you could spend more but sometimes it just isn't an option.
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[P.addy]

You know the sound you hear of peds screaming round, that "bees in a can" sound.
Thats a 2 stroke, quick than the 4 stroke equivalent but uses oil as well as petrol.

[Hockeystorm65]

Jay, taking a counter view to much of the advice you have received to date, a Chinese ped will NOT kill you!!!!!!!!!...you will not turn into a pumpkin by sitting on one!

...any trashed bike will though! So whatever you are looking at (and Chinese is fine for a year...IMHO), my lad (now 17) just got rid of his and it did exactly what it needed to do every day for a year and didn't fall apart, didn't rust to buggery, diddnt explode into a cloud of Chinese...oh and it did 125mpg. Also, you can get parts for them, you can work on them (most are clones of Jap bikes anyway and believe it or not, the Chinese can actually copy things pretty well. Probably fair to say they are not a long term bet though but you only want it for a year. The most important things you will learn in that year is road sense......


However, make sure you get one that has been looked after (true of any bike and peds are at a much higher risk due to the age of their owners (sorry)).



Something mike these....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-OWNER-50cc-SCOOTER-2-YEARS-OLD-KEYWAY-50-/230661432358?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item35b47e2426


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAELIM-S-FIVE-50-CC-06-PLATE-SCOOTER-MOPED-/300594961337?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item45fcdb1bb9

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giantco-G10-50cc-2-Stroke-Engine-Scooter-Brand-New-/260842368573?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3cbb6aae3d

A jap one but 15 years old!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-50CC-SCOOTER-/300594959142?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item45fcdb1326

......sits back and waits for the ensuing torrent of Chinese/Japanese bigotry......
____________________
Good judgement comes from experience.....experience comes from bad judgement!

[Livefast123]

I'm not really against a Chinese machine as a first bike, the problem is that they are so inconsistent that for every good one that comes out the rest of that batch are not up to quality.

I had a Viva 125 road legal pitbike that was a nightmare, when I first got it they had wired the kill switch incorrectly so the engine wouldn't start. When it did start the clutch actuation lever was so tight in it's housing that it would hardly move. I had to take it out and use a dremel to open the hole slightly. It went like a rocket after that until I fell off at slow speed offroad and the bracket retaining bolts on the master cylinder sheared along with both bar riser bolts on the right side. After looking at the metal you could basically see the contaminants and air gaps.

I could never trust that quality on the road, especially with new riders possibly hitting pot holes etc. I never took it on the road and gave it away to my mate. Half the bike has now fallen off as it's used off road but the engine is still sound!
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[Jay99]

Well I'm still unsure on going for a 2 stroke, That buzzing sound is hideous, and I wouldn't really be able to ride it at night but never mind that it would be unreliable and break down all the time. I want something to cruise on at 30 while feeling comfortable without sounding like a Tw*t. So so say if I was 17 and de restricted a 4 stroke scooter how fast would it go because I am probably keeping it for 2 years? If it does 40 then it would be fine.

Could I put something on a two stroke to keep it quiet, maybe a muffler or whatever its called?

But honestly what do you think for someone in my situation, I'll be using it for school/college and my job in manchester.
Thanks.

[P.addy]

a 17, a 125 scooter would be better. You cant really derestrict a 4 stroke scooter.

[Andy_Pagin]

[Livefast123]

2 Strokes are just as reliable as 4 strokes and are far cheaper to fix if they do go wrong. Run a 2 stroke out of oil and generally you'll be looking at a new piston and a barrel if your unlucky, run a 4 stroke out of oil and it's generally new engine time!

My Zip had a standard exhaust out and that was as quiet as most of the 4 stroke 50's I see round the place and with a few mods they will get you to a real 50 Mph so no need of a new bike when you turn 17 unless your needs change.

BTW what is wrong with youngsters these days prefering the sound of a 4 stroke to the rasp and smell of a 2 stroke spanny....or am i just showing my age
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[P.addy]