£500 mopeds- just how bad are they?

Comstock

(Not that it matters but the basic background to this is...... I've had enough of living in Derby, but I want to stay in the general area. I'm looking at living in Ashbourne which is 15 miles out of town, and have 2 years left on my uni course, which I will be returning to in September)

Anyway.....

Does anyone have any experience of this sort of cheap moped? http://www.mopeds.co.uk/

I need the cheapest possible form of motorised transport, and I need to do a 30 mile round trip 4 days a week for 2 years. That's around 12,000 miles.

I'm under no illusions that this type of bike will be any good, but just how bad is it likely to be? Would such a bike last 12,000 miles before dying on me?

beaker141

I had a Honda Vision 50cc moped in my youth and it was fine, used to scoot round Blackpool in it, then my dad had it after that for easy parking etc.

I would say though, I did a 3 mile commute to college on mine, and at 30mph it did seem a bit of a drag. I would seriously consider paying that little bit more and getting the 125cc model so you can at least do 50mph. I'm guessing its country roadish that you will be travellinig and stuck at 30mph will be frustrating for you and for all the other drivers keep getting stuck behind you !!

How about looking around for a second hand one from a decent manufacturer ?

SailorSam

What about an electric bike ?
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blue_haddock

I for one would not fancy travelling from Ashbourne to Derby on a nifty fifty.

ozvaldinho

It's suicide on one of those things. they're useless and unreliable, and you'll get pushed into the verge by everything, buses, lorries, cars, tractors. You'd hate it after one day.
If I were you, I'd get a proper motorcyle, maybe a 125 or a 100cc at a push. These can maintain 50 to 65 mph and won't struggle on the hills

chambta

Not sure which company it was but similar were featured on Watchdog not so long back. I'd rather buy a car for that money but presumably you have your reasons.

advent1122

I hope you do not have any hills to go up.
I was stuck behind one of these things, and he must have been doing 5 mph going up the hill, he was actually using his feet to make it go faster.

scbk

Plenty of mopeds/scooters/small motorbikes from well known reputable brands can be bought for a few hundred quid second hand

Definatly avoid a 4 stroke 50cc though IMO (which a lot of the chineese bikes are)

Markyt

I wouldn't touch one of these - they're Chinese rubbish. I've seen the odd person with them and they all seem to have the same complaints:

The frame is a weird alloy of metal and cheese, with about the strength and corrosion resistance you'd expect.
They need servicing every five minutes to keep them running
The tyres are made of teflon / wood, so they last forever but have no grip at all.

Comstock

chambta wrote: »

I'd rather buy a car for that money but presumably you have your reasons.

Running costs, basically.

BFG_2

Second hand model from one of the big brands is your best solution.

Pay peanuts, get a cr4p chinese death trap made of over-cooked pasta.