What scooter?

[TheShaggyDA]

Well, it's finally happened. The good lady wife has expressed an interest in getting onto two wheels First step will be hiring a bike and getting through the CBT in the next few weeks. Her preference is for a twist'n'go, and she's in no rush to progress to a full licence (yet ) and since most 125s seem more than capable of dusting the Bullet at the lights there's not much chance of us being mismatched whilst out for a ride.

The problem I've got is it's been over 20 years since I last rode a scooter (a Vespa) and I've no real idea of what's out there in the twist'n'go range. I know there's been endless discussions on here about which 125 is faster, why "peds*" are crap and the only way to improve them are pass your test and get a real bike. I'm after some honest reviews of what people have owned, preferably as a standard bike as I don't particularly want to go down the modding route on a bike she probably won't be owning it for long. I think reliability and build quality are the main features we are looking for (don't want to be rebuilding or maintaining it every weekend) and a modicum of storage underseat for the odd trip to the shops would be useful.


So, what's out there?


* Yes, I know the difference between a ped and a scooter
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Bendy]

I like the bigger wheeled ones like the Honda SH125, less likely to get your entire wheel stuck in a pothole.

[Vespa]

.

[Liverpoolrobb...]

Gilera Runner 125

they fit pure clothes under the seat (as i found out yesterday)

fast enought for the missus and very comfy on trips longer than an hour!

[riichy]

word of warning dont be fooled by the cheap japanese scoots, they are very cheaply made and only lass a year or so. stick with well known names, eg yamaha, aprilia........
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.......... PLOD ............ zx636 2004

[TOM M]

if she wants a twist 'n' go she wont go far wrong with a gilera dna 50 or 125. They are slow compared to most other 125cc but are piss easy for a beginner to learn on, balance wise etc. Me sister is currently looking for a dna as she isnt concerned about top speed etc.
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[Marc_Buck]

Steer clear of aprilia, yamaha and peugeot, trust me.

Only i mean only ever touch a piaggio or gilera, due to the ease of work, reliability, build quality, performance and number of spares, i currently ride a piaggio nrg with a gilera runner 180 engine in it, 2 stroke.

I would highly recommend gilera runner 125 sp or vx, 2stroke or 4 stroke, both will do 65-70mph but 2 stroke pull a tad better.

The 2 stroke engine is as reliable as a tractor, the 4 stroke a tad better.

A decent 2 stroke runner 125 on a w x y reg can be had for 800 quid.

[iCraig]

Whats so bad about Aprilia scooters?

[Marc_Buck]

Over the top prices, part availability is not too good, build quality like a barbie doll, poo engines, awkward to work on.

And those reasons arent even personal opinion because they are all facts.

[iCraig]

[Marc_Buck]

Even those ones, obviously less than the 2 stroke ones, but still inferior to the piaggio engine that piaggio and gileras use.

Just talking from experience in scooters.

Just trying to give some good advise, was hoping someone would aprecciate it though.........

[iCraig]

I am greatful of the advise, as I am tempted by a certain scooter for my small commute to work rather than riding my heavy 600!

[Marc_Buck]

Piaggio Typhoons are cool.

[Mister James]

I've got a Yamaha Aerox 100, and I've never had a problem with it. It propels my hefty frame at about 60mph indicated, and does a week of commuting 12 miles each way on a fiver.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[Marc_Buck]

Yes they are very good.

[dodsi]

Having owned a peugeot speedshite, stay clear.

Mine was the 100cc model everything bar styling is shite about them.


The 4 stroke gilera runners (125/200) are the ones to go for.

Obv the 125 is learner legal.

Failing that the vespa GT is a good one.

Go 4t though.

[Marc_Buck]

No you want the 2t 180 like me, or 125 if you want to be legal of course.

4t is sillyness.

Another good reason for this is, they only made 2t 125/180's before 03 or 53 reg, anything newer is 4t, so therefor more expensive due to age......

[Wave2k]

try and stay away from the ped boi range

Runner
Zip
speedfight
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
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[Marc_Buck]

ped boi range, lol being a ped boi is all about being different, therefore going against the stereotype is cool.

So bearing that in mind what is the ped boi rang?

[Josh|RD125LC]

I quite like the Yam YP125 Majesty's. Quite a nice looking scooter actually. Can be picked up cheap on ebay. 4 stroke so reliability is pretty much guaranteed.
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[Marc_Buck]

A bog standard 4t scooter will be no more reliable than a bog 2t scoot, will just be better on fuel consumption and of course no 2t oil..........

You dont even have to bother warming up a bog standard 2t scoot, just get on it thrash it for a few secs n itll clear itself of that spluttering.

[yambabe]

Erm Marc you've forgotten a few things.

Like your 2t will use twice the spark plugs that your 4t will, whilst having approx half the engine life.

That a 4t will be quieter, have better engine braking, and will overall need much less maintenance than a 2t, not just the 2t oil.

Your 4t will have better fuel economy with very little difference in speed.

Did you know that 2t Gilera runners are notorious for snapping the crank cases in half? That they are also well known for the engine mountings failing which will cost you a minimum of £150 to put right? Or that the back brakes can become "grabby", leading to a snapped crank in most cases when you put the brakes on?
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Liverpoolrobb...]

[joff]

nrg?

[binge]