Twist and go on the open road, the wife wants a scooter.

[Whosthedaddy]

The wife has mentioned about doing her CBT and getting a scooter.

She's not interested, at this stage anyways, in doing her big bike test but quite happy to just pootle to the shops and use it to go to work instead of the car. For this reason I would advocate a scooter for maybe its ease of use and storage space, but having absolutely no idea or experience of even riding a twist and go, are there any differences in the manufacturers? Any good or bad points to look out for, style of ped differ in the handling?

With the search function bringing up a 101 different ped threads, most of which are to do with speed, I apologise for the ignorant question.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Suitor_Stu]

Sorry, not an expert by any means but will tell you a bit about my scootering experiences.
I had a Piaggio Sfera 125 for a few years.
https://torino.campusanuncios.com/picanuncio/venta/venta-550181100.jpg
Best thing about scooters IMHO is the storage space you get compared with a bike! I could fit a full face lid in that top-box and the under seat space would take a 3/4 lid (like a Davida) easily. There was a bag hook under the front part of the seat too which was ace - attach bags to it, balance them between your feet and away! Also had a glove box too big enough for a few dvds and set of gloves/glasses etc. Quite frequently got 2weeks of shopping for 2 people crammed on it with a back-pack too. If you can find one on eBay, you'll prob be £300 for a reasonable condition one - but they're old so less likely to find a decent one. Mine was a '96 but with low enough miles I don't see why you would worry. Engine was fine (it was a non-leader 4t producing about 10bhp or there abouts), not fast but could take you fully laden to about 55indicated and in the time I owned it just needed an oil change every so often etc. Nothing major. Twist and Go was weird at first (I did my bike test before I bought it), but it's really good for round town, not having to think about what gear you're in is good if you're in town - means more time to concentrate on crap drivers trying to kill you! Also means that you just open the throttle to full when the traffic lights hit yellow and you get a quicker get-away than most cars! Handling (with having small wheels) was a bit shaky at times (and small wheels=little suspension travel=bottoming out on some pot-holes too!) but they do mean you can turn the thing in an instant.

Sticking with Piaggio here;

IIRC most of the new Piaggio 125's share the same engine (LEADER engine) so performance wise they're all pretty similar (11-12bhp?). If I were to reccomend a scoot for her, it would be one of 2 the
Piaggio Vespa ET4 (with top-box!) which is the styligh option
https://i7.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/f0/d8/d758_1.JPG

Or the Piaggio Liberty (with top-box too!) which has bigger wheels so is a bit more stable
https://i8.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/e0/e3/cf31_1.JPG

Both can be had for little cash since they aren't so highly desired by the 'pedboi fraternity and not authentic enough for the Mods. Both are readily available on ebay for well under £1k for good example (£1k would prob get you a 06/07 liberty or an 03/04 et4)

Hope this helps a bit! Cheers, Stu

[ms51ves3]

The larger the wheels the better it will handle but with large wheel they can take up your underseat storage space. Some of the really small scooters (like mine) have enough storage space for a mobile phone so not very practical.

Doesn't really matter if it's 2 stroke or 4 stroke. Really modern scooters tend to be 4 stroke once you get above 50cc but there are exception like Peugeot Speedfight, Vivacity etc.

If it's for pootling to the shops try and get one with a bag hook, they come in handy, and if you can find one with a rack and top box that's an added bonus.

Best thing to do is look around at the style of scooter she likes and from that pick, one that is most practical.

Any scooters from the big manufacturers should be good. Just look at Peugeot, Piaggio, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki Sorry if I have missed any manufacturers off the list.

[Devans]

There is such a vast amount of 50cc scooters on the market, but it's easy enough to whittle it down.

Your best looking at main manufactures like:

Yamaha/MBK
Neos, a nice town scooter, i've had one, did 40mpg easy, big under seat storage. discontinued now but 400quid will get you a good one.

aerox, the sporty version of the Neos. Around £500-£800

Jog, Another reliable but smally scooter. £500

Honda
X8r, Has many restrictors fitted, and body pannels are costly. but it's reliable overall and very nice. £800

Peugeot
Ludix, i've got a ludic classic currently, they are cheap even when new at 1K but very basic, no disks except for the blaster model
i got mine for £300, but blasters are worth 1k second hand.
smally underseat storage, but you can get racks for a top box.
the classic and elegance models have 14inch wheels compared to 12inch

Speedfight, sporty and exspensive, not any better than the ludix for just comuting. Anything from 400quid secondhand to 2000pounds if you buy a new one.

Vivacity, a cheap scooter, with big underseat storage. around 400quid


Aprillia
SR 50, very fast when de-restricted, it's a racing scooter at heart. £800+

Atlantic, abit like the vivacity equivilant. £500

Piaggio
Fly, it's 4 stroke, and decent quality for the cash, not very fast. £500

Typhoon, unsure but it's decent enough.

All the above are the decent reliable scooters, there are plenty of chinese fakes but don't touch them. they are all 50cc btw, but some models come in bigger engine sizes

I've gave each one alittle summary an the prices are my estimate, but depending on age, milage etc then they will differ.

Personally if i were you i'd look out for. a peugeot Ludix elegance, awesome scooters, very nippy but i'm biased.

Sorry i'm not 100% accurate, but it's a decent enough knowledge.

[Whosthedaddy]

I think she'd suit a nice Lambretta styled scooter, the idea of having a large under seat storage for both lid and shopping would fit the bill and don't look too bad with a top box either.

Small wheels do concern me a little as I know what its like trying to corner on 8" wheels in the wet, no fun let me say, so would feel a little apprehensive until she builds her confidence.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[ms51ves3]

[.Chris.]

Get her a Vespa PX125 - not twist and go but nice and traditional, plus it's a 2t. They still make them too, the last of the proper Vespas.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[ms51ves3]

[Whosthedaddy]

I'd even have a go on the Vespa.

We're in the process of emigrating to a place down under so certainly not looking at a new scoot, shame really as if not I'd be after a new bike too!
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Devans]

Yeah, 14inch wheels are alot more confident inspiring.

A few manufactures make new scooters that look like Vespa's and lamberetta's but they are either bigger than 125cc or unreliable manufactures, for example

https://thescootercafe.com/assets/images/50cc__Moped_Scooter__Version__SR-MS04_.jpg

but you could look at getting a real vespa/lamberetta?

They will be old, and pretty exspensive but 1.5k should get you a nice reliable one.

It depends really, as to what style she would like,

This is a Ludix elegance with 14inch wheels an a nice big back box


https://www.bikez.com/pictures/peugeot/2007/25605_0_1_2_ludix%20elegance_Image%20credits%20-%20Peugeot.jpg

[Suitor_Stu]

[benjami]

Get her a gilera runner 125, the 2 stroke version.

172cc it, borrow it occasionally.

[divuk83]

Been driving scooters for about 7 years now and I would consider myself a scooterist rather than a biker. Contrary to what most people on here would have you think, you can still have fun on a scooter.

I reckon a nice Vespa LX125 or may a GT125 would do the job nicely. Reliable Piaggio leader 125 4 stroke engine good for about 65mph, very easy to get parts and handle fine. No having to fill up with 2 stroke oil. Bigger wheels give a bit of extra stability and soak up the bumps a bit better but if its for round town then smaller wheels give a better turning circle and make the bike a bit more nimble. 12 inch wheels are perfectly stable at scooter speeds and she won't have any problem riding in the wet as the 4 stroke power delivery is very smooth and predictable. There is also a matching top box made for them that makes them even more practical and doesn't ruin the looks of the bike.

Much as a Lammy would be nice (I want one), nice ones are very expensive and are not practical commuters. I would only have one as a second bike.

I wouldn't but any cheapo Chinese scooters as although it will be cheaper to buy it may prove less reliable/well built and tricky to get any parts or dealer backup.

Dave

[Paivi]

Get her a Vespa GT125, with a top box, full height screen and an apron. Keeps her dry and warm.

Loads of space for shopping and handbag under the seat, in the 42-litre topbox and the handbag hook.

I've found it stable enough, even on London's crappy streets. It's got a very good acceleration and is capable of 62mph (50mph with the windscreen, as it's only guaranteed up to that speed).

After a few years on my scoot, the smaller ET ones or the Liberty feel like toys, they're so dinky. The Liberty is a great bike, though, with the big wheels, but there's only a tiny storage area under the seat.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[speed1]

get her one of these a vespa px 125 i had one for a year and it was fun (always liked them) its got the 4 speed gear box on the handle bar ect
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old: 2005 piaggio nrg power l/c 2005 vespa px125

current: Honda Hornet 600F6

[Biker101]

Since your after practicality over everything else how about a piaggio x8 125, my uncle had the 250 and the storage space is unbelievable. Plus electric remote control book and seat lock, yes it has a boot!!!.

Easily fit around 4 bags of shopping under the seat and a large official top box is available which would make it big enough to do a weekly shop for the family.


https://www.atkinsoftaunton.co.uk/images/upload/1177165341_X8.jpg
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Past: 06 Runner SP50 >>> 01 Varadero XL125 >>> 08 Kwak ER-6f >>> 05 CBR600rr
Present: 99 FZS600 Fazer