getting a scooter?

Miss_Cinnabon

We have a toyota previa and it is using so much fuel that my bf has suggested getting a scooter or another car for travel to his work.

Takes about 20 mins to get there mainly uphill as we are in the country.
Does anyone know anything about scooters ie where to get from and if you you need to pass a test etc.

any tips would be great.

Doglover88

hi kyle
your boyf will need to do his CBT costing about £90 for the day and everyone passes it (its just a basic intro to roads and bike controls). He can then ride upto a 125cc, either scooter or bike without needing to take a test. A good 125cc scooter will do 70mph and return up to 80 - 100 mpg and are great for buzzing around town

i've just done my full test and love it, and think of the fuel savings

Bob63

To get a 125cc scooter you will need to pass the compulsory basic training (CBT). As mentioned in this thread a 125cc scooter will travel at up to 70mph. However, this is on the flat. Show it a hill and it will climb at just 40mph putting you in conflict with traffic that can climb much faster and therefore exposing you to danger. My recommendation (living in the Mendip hills and having previously owned a 125cc scooter, so I know what I'm talking about) is don't do it. A 125cc scooter in a hilly area is a dangerous liability.

Motorcycles greater than 125cc, whether geared or twist-n-go like a scooter are a great way to travel and commute. What I would recommend is that your boyfriend investigates someone doing a DAS (direct access) course. This involves around 5 days of training followed by a test an allows anyone who hasn't ridden a bike before to walk away (assuming they pass) with a licence to ride any motorbike of any size. There are some great scooters e.g. Piaggio X9 250 or 500cc, Suzuki Burgman 400cc, Honda Silverwing 650cc that will fly up any hill and serve as the perfect commuter tool while still returning 50mpg+. However, even a big bike like mine at 1150cc still returns around 45mpg even when I ride like an idiot.

Two wheel commuting is excellent, but it is addictive

Mike