Research into getting a scooter

hethmar

Have you tried any scooter forums? They tend to have localised clubs too.

Have you driven one? I used to have a little moped to get to work before I could drive a car. It was SO cold in the winter, my visor would get ice on it and Id have to stop and scrape it off with my finger nails! Then when lorries overtook me I felt like I was going to be dragged into them.

boyse7en

PGO are actually a well established brand in the UK. No major problems with their scoots as far as I've heard. They are imported by Barrus, who are a huge concern (they also do Hyosung motorcycles, and Generic scooters)

Actually, all the major Taiwanese brands are good - Kymco, Sym, etc. although they generally haven't the cache (and therefore secondhand value) of a Jap or italian brand

I'd avoid most of the chinese scooters, as many (not all) have poor spares and servicing backup, although this is gradually changing as the market is becoming more established and the fly-by-night importers and ebay sellers disappear

Get a copy of Twist&Go magazine, its got a pretty comprehensive scooter guide in teh back of each issue

Keith

Seriously avoid this !!!!, get a Jap or Italian bike.

I remember Sym from selling scooters in Halfords, it's not worth the hassle you are buying a bike that isn't comparable to a Jap/Italian bike.

Billy-no-Money

I don't know anything about this scooter, and without knowing over what term the £50 is it's difficult to say whether it's good value - and we don't know what's being charged for all the kit.

However, one comment sticks out, that it needs to be able to go on the motorway. I'm sure you're aware that you won't be able to do that on a CBT? You'll need a full licence and it can be another few hundred quid to get one. (...and well worthwhile, I'm not trying to deter you!).

Personally I wouldn't be keen on using a 125 scooter on a busy motorway, e.g. at commuting times - they'll cruise at 60 easily so you can just go at the speed of the trucks (don't bother overtaking them, you'll be alongside for far too long and extremely vulnerable) - but sometimes you need a bit of go to get out of trouble, e.g. around junctions.

You say you lack confidence; well with a bit of training that would likely make you a safer rider. If you're serious about it then go and do the training, pass your test, and then you've got the choice of bigger scooters/bikes - even a 250 is vastly better on fast roads.

top_drawer_2

hethmar wrote: »

Have you tried any scooter forums? They tend to have localised clubs too.

Have you driven one? I used to have a little moped to get to work before I could drive a car. It was SO cold in the winter, my visor would get ice on it and Id have to stop and scrape it off with my finger nails! Then when lorries overtook me I felt like I was going to be dragged into them.

I have never been on a scooter before. I am planning on buying all the gear as I guess going at speed it will get chilly. I prefer the scooter models as they look more comfortable but what your saying does worry me a bit. I live in Preston and am hoping to use it so that I can move to a less accessible area (cheaper rent and to live alone) but I want to be able to visit family in Blackburn/Darwen and go further afield if I like so I do need to be able to go on the motor way.

I have had a look around Twist and Go's website/forum and it looks excellent - exactly what I needed. They provide some non-technical reviews and some thought provoking articles. I will buy the magazine next time I am in town. I think I would prefer a Japanese/italian bike as in the future (when I have more money) I will likely want to upgrade to a car.

I don't know for what period the terms were over, in fact im beginning to see that that salesman was realy not all that! The kit seemed to be around £200 - ish for everything plus £20 for a chain and £50 ish for the back box.

I thought you only needed a 125 cc licence to go on the motorway, and that this was covered at the second CBT which didnt look too expensive. The guy in the shop recommended Viper as they do a free retest if you fail the first time (£80).

I'm not really "into" bikes as such but I do want to be able to live/work further afield and be able to go out socialising without the restraints of the bus so thats the main resson I am considering this. I cant afford to learn to drive (attempted to before and kept stopping-restarting because of money restraints + I cant afford to keep a car on the road).

Jen

Nicerella

If you want to ride on a motorway or ride anything over a 125cc you need to take your full test...end of.

CBT will allow you to ride up to a 125cc and ride on every class of road minus the motorway.

Also. depending on how far you will be riding at a time scooters are not all that comfy.

I would suggest booking in for your CBT and going from there. Any decent place will give you a real run through of bikes and be willing to advise you on what kind of bike you might feel more comfortable with.

Norman_Castle

Have a look at Geton.co.uk.They offer a free 1 hour taster session and I expect a lot of good advice.

easilydistracted

Nicerella wrote: »

If you want to ride on a motorway or ride anything over a 125cc you need to take your full test...end of.

CBT will allow you to ride up to a 125cc and ride on every class of road minus the motorway.

Also. depending on how far you will be riding at a time scooters are not all that comfy.

I would suggest booking in for your CBT and going from there. Any decent place will give you a real run through of bikes and be willing to advise you on what kind of bike you might feel more comfortable with.

Does this apply if you already have a car driving license? My partner (who doesn't drive) was looking to get a scooter and I was hoping to get insured on it as well. I already drive and some of the info I read seemed to say that if you did the CBT when you're already car driving it gives you full entilement. I may be completely wrong though! OP says its too expensive to drive so sounds like they have a car license so could be relevant. Also what would people recommend generally for a sub £1000 scooter? There is a good bike and scooter shop locally, we were thinking it would be better to consider a second hand scooter through them rather than try and buy new for that price. What does everyone think

Norman_Castle

Does this apply if you already have a car driving license?

If you passed your car test before feb 2001 you can ride a moped.

petrolhead89

EVERYONE needs to take a CBT regardless of wether you passed your car test before 2001 or not. Fact.

I believe if you take your CBT and you passed your car test before 2001 (not sure which month) you will gain full moped entitlement meaning you can ride a 50cc (not 125cc) without L Plates and with a passenger.