Mopeds/Scooters..?

bigjl

You can be a free trial with G Tech.

http://www.gtech.co.uk/ebike.html?gclid=CK_T7Yuzy80CFQPgGwodZ7UGHw

Silver-Surfer_2

bigjl wrote: »

You can be a free trial with G Tech.

http://www.gtech.co.uk/ebike.html?gclid=CK_T7Yuzy80CFQPgGwodZ7UGHw

The eBike Sports looks ok but I'm not sure I'd spend a grand on one and three hundred quid for a spare battery. :eek:

silverwhistle

I'd agree, although it does look good.

I cycled into the nearest town today to pick up some bits and pieces. Three miles is nothing on the flat but I can appreciate a hill makes a big difference, although it would get smaller as you get fitter! But you can get a lot cheaper electric ones than the one linked to, and with your usage you wouldn't really need a large range. There's a growing number on ebay now, both new and used although if you have a local shop that might be better for longer term ownership. Join British Cycling for £30ish a year for 3rd party insurance and legal help and a 10% discount at Halfords. Well worth considering.

facade

silverwhistle wrote: »

IJoin British Cycling for £30ish a year for 3rd party insurance and legal help and a 10% discount at Halfords. Well worth considering.

I'm a member, you get 10% off shop prices (not internet special prices) at Halfords on everything, not just 'bike bits. I've had the discount off click 'n collect too, as long as the click 'n collect price is the same as in the shop. 10% off Chain Reaction too, but there is a minimum spend.

The main reason is the specialist ambulance chasers and the 3rd party insurance.

rtho782

Your options are:

Sub 50cc:
Most of these are auto "twist and go" models, very few manuals unless really old. You won't need any training, but to be honest if you didn't do a CBT you'd be a crazy person. It's limited to 28mph. It's horrible.

Sub 125cc:
You can get either a scooter or a motorbike (auto or gears). Scooters are simple to drive, motorbikes are nicer to drive and look like a proper bike (in my opinion). You'll need a CBT (~£120) every 2 years, and will need L plates. Your top speed will be about 60mph. You will get ~150 miles to the gallon.

IndieSinger

rtho782 wrote: »

Your options are:

Sub 50cc:
Most of these are auto "twist and go" models, very few manuals unless really old. You won't need any training, but to be honest if you didn't do a CBT you'd be a crazy person. It's limited to 28mph. It's horrible.

Sub 125cc:
You can get either a scooter or a motorbike (auto or gears). Scooters are simple to drive, motorbikes are nicer to drive and look like a proper bike (in my opinion). You'll need a CBT (~£120) every 2 years, and will need L plates. Your top speed will be about 60mph. You will get ~150 miles to the gallon.

Great answer, thanks!

bigjl

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

The eBike Sports looks ok but I'm not sure I'd spend a grand on one and three hundred quid for a spare battery. :eek:

Neither would I.

But thought it might appeal to the Op.

Specifically the 14 day free trial to see if an electric bicycle would work.

I would already have bought a Lexmoto 125 to be honest.

I could replace it every 3/4 years and still be financially ahead in 6/8 years when compared to if I bought a CBF125, the caveat is the CBF might be a little better of fuel.

Silver-Surfer_2

bigjl wrote: »

Neither would I.

But thought it might appeal to the Op.

Specifically the 14 day free trial to see if an electric bicycle would work.

I would already have bought a Lexmoto 125 to be honest.

I could replace it every 3/4 years and still be financially ahead in 6/8 years when compared to if I bought a CBF125, the caveat is the CBF might be a little better of fuel.

Mathematically yes, however from my experience the youth who buy these Chinese imports see the first mot as the bikes first service. It would be interesting to see some true data on what such bikes are really like. Are they in such a state after 18-24 months due to sheer neglect or because of poor materials or build quality.

In the past Skoda and Asian country cars were mocked because of poor build quality, now they seem to be the first choice of many.

I still like the look of that bike though. Maybe I'll try the 14 day trial.

bigjl

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

Mathematically yes, however from my experience the youth who buy these Chinese imports see the first mot as the bikes first service. It would be interesting to see some true data on what such bikes are really like. Are they in such a state after 18-24 months due to sheer neglect or because of poor materials or build quality.

In the past Skoda and Asian country cars were mocked because of poor build quality, now they seem to be the first choice of many.

I still like the look of that bike though. Maybe I'll try the 14 day trial.

In my experince the people buying the better quality Chinese motorbikes don't appear to be youth. And who buys them before me is irrelevant as I would only buy a new one.

I bought a brand new 250cc X Max for just under £4k, put 2000 miles on it roughly and after a year got £2800 due to not using it as much as I expected.

There have been plenty of reviews of the better Chinese motorbikes, MCN did a long term one if I remember correctly.

It does need to be mentioned that there are still some shocking quality motorbikes coming from China.

But avoid those and you should be fine.

As I have already said I would buy one tomorrow if I needed a cost effective commuter.

I personally think a Chinese bike is less likely to be stolen.

But in my example about if I had bought a Lexmoto for £1500/1600 I can't see it being worth less than £800/900 after a year with similar miles and in the same condition. There were no real advantages by getting the 250 X Max over the 125 other than a slightly higher top speed, I was no quicker away from the lights than people on 125cc Scooters. So a 125cc Lexmoto was all I really needed, I suspect there was a little bit of badge snobbery in my decision (my X Max was a 61plate) but you live and learn. Chinese bikes are now firmly on my bike buying radar.

And surface rust on some chrome parts doesn't stop a bike getting an MOT as was mentioned earlier. At least not in my experience, though Inwould avoid chrome on a motorbike for commuting as I wouldn't want to spend weekends polishing it, Inwould have no more emotional attachment to it than an Oyster Card.