50 cc for my son

[armouredbear]

Hi people,

I'm currently looking to buy a bike for my son who's just turned 16.

Ideally we wanted to spend around £1000 - £1100 but after spending the last few weeks shopping around we have narrowed our search down to half a dozen maybe's.

Although here are couple of bikes that are quite a bit more than we wanted to spend but they look as though they are worth pushing the boat out for.

2003 Gilera 50 trials bike. https://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=50232&pageid=2
https://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/GetDealer.do?did=50232&pageid=2

Husqvarna 50chwxe on ebay for £1300(sorry I cant manage a link)

Any views regarding the bikes themselves re: reliability and performance, plus any views otherwise would be most welcome.

TIA.

Bear.

[veeeffarr]

That's a fine budget for a 50cc.

[map]

My feelings on 50cc for 16 year olds are:
a good way to get road sense.
only of use in towns/cities - not enough power/unsafe on NSL stretches.
a stepping stone to something bigger so not worth spending £s on, will not recoup costs.

So IMO if you're looking for a road bike then look for something reliable 2nd hand. They get passed around as they're starter bikes but maybe try for a dealer trade in.

Offroad I've no problem with 50cc bikes. They generally do what it says on the tin.

As said, just my thoughts. I'm sure others may disagree or have a different view.
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[feef]

for a 16yr old riding a 50cc bike, performance will be restricted to 30mph, and pretty much all 50cc 'mopeds' will perform the same...

a grand will get you a pretty decent 'ped.. avoid ones that have been modified too much because..

a: they've probably been thrashed by their young owner, believing he can get 70mph out of it, but are probably worse than stock now and are mor elikely to break down.

b: if they do exceed 30mph, then they are classified legally as a motorcycle, which would then require a motorcycle licence, not something a 16 yr old will qualify for.

many people still mod their 'peds to go faster than 30.. and it's quite possible your lad will want to too.. I'm not sayng it's good or bad, I'm just confident that many people out there aren't aware of the legal technicalities surrounding moped use.

You might find getting ahold of spares for the Gilera trail bike could be tricky, it's not a common machine. I assume you're looking for motorcycle styled machine, than a step-thru?

It's also worth mentioning that moto-x style bikes are the most stolen, so if you do go for that style, buy a bloody big chain.

a
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[armouredbear]

Hello feef,

I assume you're looking for motorcycle styled machine, than a step-thru

Correct.

For some reason my boy glazes over and looks to have an awful smell under his nose if I mistakenly mention a step thru!

One more specific question.

The gilera has NO MILES on the clock!!!

Is this going to be ok for a three year old bike?

And likewise the husqvarna is four years old and only has 63 miles.

Will they need servicing or are they likely to be good to go?

[feef]

[Keir]

'prilla RS50 - derestricted. He will love you.

Ulitmate 16yr old bike.
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[feef]

[XR125]

feef, that first bike pic you posted is horrible.

I seen them advertised before, and what idiots would waste time making one of these? I'd chase someone up the road, pull them over and laugh at them if I seen that thing.

However the SX50 is a nice bike too, maybe he'd like one of those - A little hard to get though.

[XR125]

Here's a great bike that'd do him, incredibly cheap and just the style he's looking for!

https://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=3648&xSec=1

(Sorry, I had to)

[stinkwheel]

[XR125]

Honestly, I don't see the trend in those lol.

They're are a pimple on the arse of the bike world.

That thing would fall to pieces with a 110 engine anyways lol.

It's more or less a motorised bicycle.

[stinkwheel]

You'll eventually learn to appreciate things for their simplicity.

Anyway, the frame on that is a damned sight beefier than the frame on my H100.

[feef]

[bennett211085]

get a suzuki ts 50. first bike i had an I loved it.