New biker, need advice on what to buy

[Midnight-shadow]

Hello everyone.

I recently passed my CBT and I'm looking to buy my first twist'n'go. Since I will need to commute on dual carriageways, I need a 4-stroke 125cc scooter. I've been to a few different dealers and they all recommend different brands to buy. One place I went to recommended a Sym Joyride, another said to get a Sinnis Matrix 2 while a third wanted me to get a Galeria.

With so many different bikes on the market, I am completely lost on which to choose. I have looked up reviews for all the bikes listed and they all look good in the test runs, but what about long term. I live in Brighton by the sea so rust can be a big factor, and I need a bike that will last me without rusting away.

Has anyone here got experience with any of these makes and can tell me about their long-term performance, or can recommend something else? I am looking to spend between £1000-1500.

Many thanks

[bikertomm]

Firstly, how old are you?

I would avoid a twist and go at all costs, and avoid anything Chinese.

These 'New' scooters for £600 are a load of rubbish.


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Supermoto_Fan]

I'd forget anything Chinese, especially if you live right on the coast!

I'm not a expert but a Suzuki burgman may be a contender? Physically very big compared to a Chinese scooter with lots of luggage capacity too

Of course, I think you should get a manual bike
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[bikertomm]

Hahaha we said the exact same thing.


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Supermoto_Fan]

Something like this may be ideal

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-Burgman-UH-125-K3-/180967603908?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2a22827ec4
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[Rogerborg]

Dealers will recommend whatever they sell that makes them the most profit, not what's right for you.

Even if you did your CBT on a twist-and-go, it still validates your provisional entitlement to ride any learner legal 125. Only nonces ride scooters. I of course reserve the right to correct that statement should I ever get one.

3 year old YBR125 with a fresh MOT. Find reasons not to get that.

Whatever you get, soak it (except the brakes and tyres) in ACF-50. It's expensive, but it costs less than the parts that it's protecting.
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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

[J.M.]

[Flatbadger]

Get a decent cover and use it, my gossamer Oxford one started to fall apart after 6 months though I'm told they do better. That'll help keep the bike in shiny order.
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If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Midnight-shadow]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys, I really appreciate it. To answer some of your questions, I am 21 and the reason why I was going to get an automatic is because I've tried using full manual bikes before and I just couldn't get the hang of the clutch. That said, when I tried the full manual it was in Indonesia, and the bikes there have a weird-ass config for the gears.

I took a quick look at the YBR125 but I doubt I could afford it. Is there something similar to it but cheaper? Like I said before, I don't really want to spend more than £1500 (max 2000).

[Rogerborg]

Um... get a used one.
____________________
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

[Ribenapigeon]

Tha last thing I would want on a dual carriageway would be a scooter, you would be better looking at a skateboard.

Get a geared 125 then a big bike licence then you can go and buy a big engined scooter or geared bike. A little effort to learn a geared bike now will give you more choice in the future.

[Alpha-9]

If you get a Gilera expect to have problems with it, it's a twist & go in a motorbike frame, and they're tiny from what i've seen!

My mate's been through 2 of them, but he fails in general


+1 for a geared 125, I don't know why anyone opts for scooters, much prefer having more control over my speed especially with decelerating and cornering, I fucking hate scooters!

Been riding this kymco super 8 hire scooter, I do not recommend it.
Chinese shit

Get a CG
And yeah...get a used one with under 12k miles i'd say, in good nick, £800 is your limit

Buying a new 125 is stupid
I got 2009 YBR with 2500 miles for £1099

I find myself saying this a lot when people say they're expensive
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Fzr-600 1999

[Rogerborg]

[Andy_Pagin]

I rode a Yamaha Vity for a year or so and totally recommend them. At a mere two grand brand new you shouldn't have too much trouble getting one near your price range.

All the metal bits are well protected from the weather and after 8000 miles mine didn't have a spot of rust.
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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

[UnspeedySam]

In conclusion. Buy a used Yamaha YBR or Vity if you really can't bear the idea of learning to use a clutch (you'll find it dead easy after a week I promise!). Some Chinese bikes are OK if you want to learn how to do a bit of maintenance, but from what I can gather the majority of the scooters are not fantastic.

Kymco are Taiwanese and allegedly a little better quality than your average Chinese scooter but I have 0 experience to back this up.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Ribenapigeon]

Don't forget though Scooter = Walowitz :-/

[Rogerborg]