50cc geared bike

[Loulou]

Thanks for all the comments did nobody start out on a 50 to get practice? I know you all are experienced but just think back when you started out. Everyone must have been nervous at some point.
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Loulou

[Pjay]

I shall leave this one to Tef.

[Commuter_Tim]

Unless you have the muscle tone of someone with end stage terminal diseases, why not go for a 125?

Pour Examplé: The Aprilia RS50 is approx 90kg, the Honda CG is around 115kg.
Neither of them are huge either.
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The above post is most likely nonsensical.

I ride a Bandit 600... badly.

[Rogerborg]

If you got car entitlement before 1 February 2001 then you can ride a moped indefinitely without a CBT, or your reproductive organs.

[Loulou]

[Loulou]

[kgm]

[Rogerborg]

https://thumbsnap.com/s/eJdsqIcS.jpg
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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

[ThatDippyTwat]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Ste]

[andyscooter]

cant work this one out

you don't think you are ready to ride on a road with an instructor on a bike that can keep up with most traffic

but you want to go out on your own on a bike that struggles in a 30mph limit

I started on a 50 but I still did a cbt and had the instruction to follow so I didn't end up as a statistic
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[grr666]

You'll be changing gears far too often on a geared 50 anyway. When you consider some big bikes will do over 100
in first gear, you'll see why a tinny 50 will take two gear changes to get to jogging pace. 125's aren't much better
but they are better, at least you can get away from the lights quickly even if progress after 50mph is slow.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[kgm]

What were the reasons you didn't feel comfortable? Perhaps we can give you some more targeted advice on how to proceed.

Clutch control on a 50 will be more difficult as it will be easier to stall due to lack of torque. For the same reason you will be changing gear constantly. This is why most are automatic. They are limited to 31mph-ish (legally without cbt and if you have an old car license) and so you WILL be bullied by other traffic.

125s (like the cg) are generally not much heavier but that little extra weight makes them more stable and actually easier and less twitchy to ride. The extra power means you can keep up with traffic and are less likely to be bullied. Clutch and gear control is easier too. Incidentally the same is true when comparing the likes of a 500 to a 125. It's also likely to be much less unpleasant in adverse weather.

I like riding my 125 but the 650 feels safer and is safer. I enjoy the 125 more now that I have experience than I did when I was new because it actually is more work ride it effectively than the bigger bike. That's why I enjoy it actually because it's more engaging and feels like I'm racing about on my commute when doing the same on the 650 is very relaxed.

I really don't think a 50 would help you, if anything it'll make your situation worse. There really is nothing easier or safer about them.

They do work well in Europe but that's because many European countries have very good cycle networks which the mopeds share or the roads around the cities are very slow moving.

[Rogerborg]

I've gone ahead and rated Tef's post as Helpful. No rational reason, I just have a good feeling about this one.
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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

[Pjay]

[Fizzoid]

I rode around on a 50cc scooter for a number of years. Fine(ish) if you're just pootling around in 30 zones all the time, but you really DO feel vulnerable once you start riding in 40+ areas, which is why I made the switch to a 125 recently

Learner legal geared 50's sound like more trouble than they're worth. 5 gear changes just to get you to 30mph isn't going to be fun!
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Rogerborg wrote: It'd certainly make it easier to ego-find my own posts on pages, given the number of fags (gay like traps) who insist on putting my name in their .sig

[davethekwak]

I did start out on a 50cc but that was in 76 and at 16 that was all I could ride. Back then thought the 2 stroke 50cc was as quick if not quicker than current learner legal 125cc.

We need to know exactly what you are not confident about regarding riding a bike regardless of size.

[Holdawayt]

I've only ever ridden a 50cc once and it was a monkey bike. Even that felt ridiculously slow. How on earth someone could ride a full sized bike with that little power is beyond me.

125cc bikes are really slow, you can be harsh with your inputs and not much will happen. Sounds like you need to get over the mental block that's making you scared of bikes before you dream of taking it any further.

I started out on a Honda C90 (90cc) when I was 5. Too young to be scared and I've naturally progressed onto bigger bikes from there.

Seriously, avoid the 50, do your CBT on a 125 with trained professionals and you'll be fine.

[Polarbear]

I rode my daughters 50cc Gilera. I was petrified. Whoever came up with the 30mph limit should be fucked with a very blunt object and then done for attempted murder of every moped rider.

Get a 125.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Azoth]

Mopeds limited to 30mph were a good idea in the old days, when the roads were much less crowded. They still have a couple of advantages over pushbikes: indicators, brake lights, etc. They're going to be around for a very long time, as they are the primary mode of transport for many millions in the developing world. In the UK, they should probably be left as a recourse for DUI convicts, as in the USA. There, a court can revoke your licence temporarily or indefinitely, but you can still ride a 30mph moped as they don't require a licence. An indefinite driving ban for serious driving offences should be on the statute book here as well, and we may note that banned drivers always risk driving or riding, on the pretext that they want to go to the shops or to a place of work. If they were able to use mopeds without a licence, it would make things easier and safer for everyone, and driving bans would be more effective.
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Safety in numbers

[Ste]

A lot of the danger from mopeds is down to the riders riding in the gutter almost inviting people to overtake them when there's not enough space.

[Matt B]

[Polarbear]

[Ste]

Then moped riders would argue that 50mph is safer than 45mph.

People can manage cycling on main roads and dual carriageways so it should be quite possible for ped riders to manage.