50cc mopeds - any advice on buying?

[robbieguy2003]

Hi all,

My father in law is looking to buy his daughter a moped when she turns 16, he's been looking around at quite a few bits, I know Chinese bikes are dodgy as cowshite, but I'd heard better things about some of the Korean brands, I think kymco being one.

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of what's a case of totally avoid, as its a 50cc I'm wondering how much margin for fucking it up there really is? I suppose just as much, but any advice is appreciated. His mind between used/new isn't fixed but I've a feeling he's thinking around the £1k tops mark.
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[Supermoto_Fan]

1k will get you a decent ped

Try looking at 3 or 4 year old

Gilera runners/
Peugeot Speedfights/
Piaggo Zips/NRG

When you go to view one it should be easy to spot if it has been looked after, Look at the panels to see if it has been thrown down the road at somepoint. Do the usual HPI check.

Try to avoid the ones that have been modifed more than the usual derestriction and a exhaust. Just more to go wrong on such a little motor, especially if it needs to be used everyday to commute to college/job etc.
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[FretGrinder]

Yes... Don't

But, if she decides she doesn't want a ped till she can afford to get a car, wait till she's 17 and then get a proper bike.

Ped's are slow, annoying and quite likely to get pinched if she leaves in the street when she goes into a shop.
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Yamaha MT-09

ಠ_ಠ

[mospeed]

I deal with mopeds. I personally would avoid speedfights.
Cant get better than Piaggio/Gilera (same make) or Yamaha.
Kymco are definately better than chinese bikes, but 1k is a decent budget for any make. I also agree about avoiding heavily modified bikes uless you are prepared for costly maintenance/repair bills.
More mods equal poorer fuel consumption and reliability generally, although some modified bikes are okay if they have used good quality parts and been professionally fitted. A lot of modified bikes are fitted with 70cc kits and cant legally be ridden by 16yr olds (although lots do ride them).
HPI check is always a good idea when buying any bike, however as the value of the bikes and the excess on the insurance usually mean most damaged bikes never get reported to insurance companies, so dont assume that a clear hpi check will mean its never been damaged.
4 strokes are more reliable but also more costly to repair. 2 strokes are by far the quicker but are also preffered by 16yr olds who want speed etc so more likely to have been modified and abused.
If you see a bike advertised online I would be happy to give my opinion before you buy it, but please dont expect to hold me responsible if it turns out to be crap, I can only judge it by what I see/read.
Hope this helps. Pete

[mospeed]

[stevo as b4]

Tell her to walk right on past the plastic chinqy ped shite and Chavved up Runner's, NRG's and Speedfight's and go get a proper 80's geared bike, that with a bit of tidying up and work, will almost certainely make her a profit in 1-2years time.

I once never thought that DT50's, TSX50's and AR50's would ever be cool, they weren't when we had them first time round, but pigs can fly, and these old and now rare 50's from the late 80's ped crew are now good little investments and a safe way to store your money for a year or two.

We'd have all laughed till we collapsed and went blue back then if you said a pair of AR50 wheel's could bag you £500 in 2013!

Old school is where it's at baby!

[mospeed]

Shame you can't put an old head on young shoulders.
Just mention one of those bikes to a 16yr old and they would laugh till they collapsed and went blue.
Would make my job a whole lot more enjoyable though.

[uberkron]

Piaggio zip. Very good scoot, with one detractor the standard exhaust is no good. Ive put 15000km on mine last year with only oil fuel and tyres. The two stroke has good power and good noise.
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[chrisbmxr]

I had a Peugeot Speedfight 2 and loved it!

They did an air cooled and liquid cooled. Mine was liquid.

[redfro]

I had a Sym DD 50 when I was 16, after an Aprilis RS50. Best scoot I ever had. I must have treated it awful, threw it around, and it never ever broke down. So reliable. Loved that scoot. I miss it now

[Supermoto_Fan]

[P.]

Hey buddy, you are quite close to me. I think I'm picking up a moped tomorrow, it is a 10 plate with low miles, it doesn't run currently but has been owned by a muppet who didn't think it needed petrol.

I'll get more information, if its jap/italian I'll PM you, won't cost a lot either way

[moonman]

I had a kymco agility 50 when I was 16 purchased it brand new however I did have quite a few problems.

Piston went after about 4 months while riding back from work.The bike also spent frequent short periods in the garage for repairs (under warranty) I had problems with the starter motor which was subsequently replaced and the kick-start was also inconsistent and could take many kicks before starting. The spark plug was also replaced after nearly a year.

Take into account that this was through the winter period that most of the problems occurred however I always kept the bike covered overnight.

I personally think it was down to poor servicing from the dealer I brought from as when the piston went it took them nearly a week to actually find out, at first they didn't know. Maybe I just had an unlucky pick of the bike which was due for problems...

This isn't a way to put you off buying one maybe others have been fine you would have to ask around and make the best choice based on the finances available.

Is his daughter looking to stick to a bike once she is 17/18 if so I would personally recommend waiting until 17 and getting a 125 geared or automatic whichever she would prefer as I know I would of done the same if I could go back.

If she is looking to get a car at 17 then I would either buy a second hand 50cc or simply wait and just get a car at 17 unless personal transport is essential. But riding a 50cc for a year does provide invaluable experience and confidence on the road however it all depends on her situation.