Should I buy a scooter?

Truncheon_2

Give me some advice.

Do you think I should buy a little scooter to go back and forth from work?

It's only a couple of miles but it's a bit of a nuisance getting dropped off and picked up by my partner in the one car all the time.

Just a little 50cc one? Second hand? Probably dirt cheap to run aren't they?

What do you think?

Takoda

Yes you should get a scooter.

Not an ultra cool one that will get nicked but just a basic one with a fairing for a bit of weather protection.

Most have good underseat storage but consider a top box as well dependng on what you need to carry.

Road tax is cheap and they'll do loads to the gallon.

You know it makes sense.

captainladypants

Why not use a bicycle? Good for the environment and burns off calories too! Save your money on petrol and road tax and mot's and stupid repair costs too!

oldtoolie

The pluses and minuses are obvious.

If you think you would like it, give it a go. Start with a one day CBT course which will give you an idea about travelling on two wheels.

You do need more than the scooter -- new helmet, sturdy parka and gloves and a strong lock if you leave it on the street. Other costs are CBT training, tax, insurance, MOT and maintenance.

So you would have to budget £500 - £1000 for the first year.

Two miles? Why not cycle or walk. Thirty minutes each way and you wouldn't ever need to go to the gym.

malnik

Thats what i did. I had to get to the station, only a few miles, and car parking was £5 a day as well.
But you wont last long on a 50cc. Here my story....I'm a big lad, 16 stone and built like a sail!
Got a cheap Chinese 50cc off ebay. Perfect. Derestricted it so it went to 40mph on a flat after a long run. Kept up with the traffic and it was great. £350 second hand, 6 months old.
Then one nice summer day i thought, i like this. But i want to go faster. Back to ebay for a 100cc 2 stroke. Sold the old one for almost the same as i paid. The 100cc was 6 yrs old and £190. And it went what seemed, like a rocket. 55 mph easily. Then i decided i wanted to go even faster....lovely summers days, i found myself going the long way round to the station....i even rode it 60 miles to work! So i got a 125cc.
Wow...70mph quite easy...head winds were a problem though at that speed, but it had more protection. Loved it. But theni decided i wanted to go faster.... 250cc X9 scooter. Effortless cruising at 75 and more. Flat out at 85. No thanks, too fast!!! But i really enjoyed it and never really got wet anymore cos of the shrouds. Then winter came.
Its adicitve!!! The feeling of the wind...the long country roads...that 50cc you want will seem to slow very soon and like me......you will end up going bigger...you cant help yourself!
Just a word of warning!!!

[Deleted User]

Won't be enjoyable in winter.

I used to travel 2 miles across town to work on a 50cc about 7-8 years ago for a 7am start. Nice in summer but soon as the frost and ice started I found my self walking again as had fear of slipping off!

Coveredinbees!!!!

Don't get a 50 they are too slow to be safe and 2nd hand will be shagged.

whatmichaelsays

If you are new to biking, I would seriously recommend the Get On scheme to you. This gives you a free "taster" course with trained motorcycle instructors, teaching you the basics, passing on advice and helping you decide if biking is "for you".

It is a much better way than committing to the expense of buying a scooter, safety equipment, etc

LandyAndy

Walk would be my choice. 25 minutes of exercise twice a day. I used to walk double that to one of my jobs.

Of course the OPs idea of a couple of miles might be misjudged and the route may be unsuitable. I work 5 miles from home now and that is just too far to walk twice a day particularly as it is along an A road with no pavements.

boyse7en

Loved my first 50 (Gilera Runner, second hand) - put 15,000 miles on to it, then got a 125 Runner, then a Ducati Monster 600, Now got a BMW F800 as well - like Malnik says, they're addictive!

It can be not much fun in winter if the weather is really bad, but a cheap waterproof oversuit (try army surplus, hiking stores, Millets etc) will keep you dry, and a pair of thin extra gloves under the 'proper' bike gloves will keep your hands warm enough over a short distance.

You've got two options for buying - cheap chinese or secondhand italian. Chinese will be cheap to buy, but you'll never sell it secondhand so will basically have to throw it away after a few years. A decent secondhand Gilera or Piaggio will hold their value much better and you'll get a reasonable amount back when you upgrade to a 125.

Try Get On campaign - its free! You'll at least get to see whether you like it.

paddedjohn

go for a 125 and get a vespa, a 1980's/1990's px125 will set you back about £800 but its money in the bank because the prices are rising all the time, the engines are bulletproof and you should get about 90 mpg, tax is £16 and insurance about £60