Mopeds/Scooters..?

Silver-Surfer_2

bigjl wrote: »

I would suggest that if buying a £650 Lexmoto Scooter you will easily get three or four years out of it.

The problem with Chinese scooters and motorbikes is that some people think they are all the same.

The kind of tat sold via eBay is very different to the stuff you can buy from the more established brands.

If I needed a commuter tool I wouldn't really care where it was made.

I have read lots of reviews of Chinese bikes, several in MCN, and they are more than up to the job.

The non EUbtype approved stuff you see around Africa is more like the stuff that entered the UK 10years ago from a quality point of view and is often rusty after a few months.

I had a good look round the Lexmoto stand at the MCN show, after hours, without sales and marketing staff looking over my shoulder.

And they seem decently put together.

A 125cc bike for commuting can be had for just over a grand.

Is that any worse at the job than a Honda costing nearly three times as much?

Not forgetting that depreciation is a huge cost.

Yes, considering you'll be lucky to sill have it come mot time. I saw one and the rust has already set in at 18 months old. Chrome finish gone and bolts already loose and some sheared.

MEM62

Scooters - hilarious fun, particularly two-stokes. Buy one!

IndieSinger

Bigphil1474 wrote: »

An electric bicycle might be just what you need - no different to riding an ordinary bicycle (legally), and the electric bit can be used when you need an extra boost. There's a company advertising one on TV at the moment, but I think it's quite expensive. However, the principle is that the electric motor can be used when you need it, and not when you don't, and the bikes will have a 'range' before needing recharging. The likes of Halfords sell them, (just had a quick look and they start around £600, range of 25 miles, top speed 15mph. Bet there's cheaper ones available.). You just need the same equipment as you would for a normal bike - e.g. a helmet. No insurance, no driving test, no worries? You might want to do some research on batteries and warranties etc. though

Oh, fantastic advice! This might be the way forward!

SailorSam

IndieSinger wrote: »

I have, and I can't. Huge hill! Thanks, though!

Have you looked at the possibility of an electric bike ? Takes all the hard work out of going uphill.

https://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes.html

IndieSinger

SailorSam wrote: »

Have you looked at the possibility of an electric bike ? Takes all the hard work out of going uphill.

https://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes.html

Yes, just discussing this in the post just above this. Thanks for the link, will have a good look!

freezspirit

To be honest if you can or afford to I would go for a 125cc moped. Trust me I had a 50cc de-restricted moped, it didn't have the power to go up hills, regularly had to change the rollers and belt. Pros were fuel cost was low, free parking, quicker travel time and low full comp insurance and breakdown (female).

As others have said helmet, gloves, waterproof clothing plus hi-vis vest. Now I went a bit overkill as I wore a protective motorbike jacket and boots but I live in a very rural area so narrow lanes, boy racers and large stone trucks so safety was a priority.

oldhand

IndieSinger wrote: »

I have, and I can't. Huge hill! Thanks, though!

http://www.gtech.co.uk/ebike.html?gclid=CIOm0cSbyM0CFQccGwodgZsCKg

How bout one of these?no tax,no insurance,no licence.It has an electric motor that you use on hills or when you get tired.

facade

If it only takes 45 minutes to walk, by the time you have unlocked the moped, wheeled it out of the garage etc. locked up, changed into your biking clothes and helmet, started it, ridden the 3 miles, parked it up, locked it to something, got changed back again you might save 10 minutes compared to just walking

You can just put your helmet on and jump on a scooter, but if you fall off you will spend some time in hospital, and a while growing new skin, so you need put on some 'bike gear.

Walking is easier and cheaper, and if it is pouring with rain, take the car would be my advice.

AdrianC

freezspirit wrote: »

To be honest if you can or afford to I would go for a 125cc moped. Trust me I had a 50cc de-restricted moped, it didn't have the power to go up hills, regularly had to change the rollers and belt. Pros were fuel cost was low, free parking, quicker travel time and low full comp insurance and breakdown (female).

Bear in mind that a de-restricted 50cc is, legally, the same as a 125cc in terms of licence categories.

Herzlos

SailorSam wrote: »

Have you looked at the possibility of an electric bike ? Takes all the hard work out of going uphill.

https://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes.html

This one will do 28mph! https://www.50cycles.com/electric-bikes/speed-e-bikes/integrale_s10_xt.html

Realistically, you just need one that's powerful enough to get you up the hill without getting in the way of traffic.