discussion Anyone own 125cc (or bigger) scooters?

[AlanG]

Pretty much what the title says really.

I'm looking at getting a 125cc scooter (or bigger depending on info) as i need something for a 25 mile each way commute to and from work. It has to be as fuel efficient as possible and also ideally needs to be able to do 60-65mph. Fuel efficiency is the main key though.

Anyone got some experience with scooter/maxi-scooters because i haven't. My last two wheeled bike was a ZX6R lol

 

[PaulTRose]

never owned a scooter but if you have owned a proper bike before you might be better off getting a 125 like a Honda CG or yam YBR.........got controls you would be used to, sips fuel and probably costs no more to insure

 

[PaulTRose]

are you looking at new or second hand?

 

[AlanG]

To be honest Paul, depending on money it could be either. I am looking at the Yamaha NMax 125 and the Honda PCX 125. But i know there are others out there too. MPG is the key here and also something that will last. I'd love to get a Ducati 899 but i don't think that would be good for a daily commute to a farm lol

 

[Nicko]

I don't own a scooter, but I work on loads and get to ride plenty of different ones.

A 125 would be ok if you are in traffic all the while and will keep up at the speeds you mention, but if the traffic wants to go quicker it would be a bit more of a struggle. I personally wouldn't want to be doing 60-65 for the whole journey without being a bit frazzled by the end of it especially if it includes more than a little dual-carriageway where you're likely to get swamped. Going up to a 300cc or thereabouts would make for a lot more relaxing journey if that was the case. Then again, if everyone is just toodling along it'll cope ok.

The other thing to be wary of is the maintenance cost and build quality. The two models you mention are up towards the top of the quality scale for the engine size, but some other makes can look pretty poor under the panels after quite a short time if used every day. Servicing costs can be higher than expected too - there's a lot to remove even for simple jobs which can put the labour charges up.

I actually find that a twist-and-go type scooter is a lot easier in the smaller capacities where you tend to be rowing a geared bike up and down the 'box constantly just to keep up with the flow.

I'd advise getting as many test rides in as you can before jumping in.

Hope that helps. :smiling:
Nick

 

[AlanG]

Cheers Nick

No duel-carriageway around here. I live in the back and beyond lol. At the moment it's a 25 mile A road commute. But if all goes to plan my daily commute will be on 'fun' B and unclassified roads with the occasional foray onto A roads.
But at the moment i'm happy with a 60mph vehicle. The Ducati is a dream bike and that would be just for weekend 'play days'

Would loved to get test rides but the nearest dealer for Yams and Hondas is Aberdeen/Inverness. Our nearest dealer is SYM i think

 

[Ian M]

Living up that far north, I would have thought a crosser type bike more up to it. Those scooter jobs have tiny wheels and the front end is very squiffy on wet or frosty roads. Also very easy to lock up. Be aware.

 

[AlanG]

Problem being Ian is that i'm under-tall (short) so i have to think about getting onto/off a bike lol

 

[Ian M]

That would make a crosser a bit off the cards then...
What about a quad bike lol

 

[AlanG]

I did actually look at a quad but if i'm truthful i'm sat on a "£%£$%^ quad all day at work lol. Plus the petrol ones aren't that fuel efficient.

 

[PaulTRose]

theres an enfield dealer in Dundee......my brother bought a new one last year to pootle around on instead of getting his harley out, says its great fun on the back rounds where he lives and gets 60+mpg and his is a 500

 

[AlanG]

I'd like a little more MPG if i'm honest, hence me looking at 125/200/300cc scooters. I really like the look and figures from the Honda PCX125. Sitting at 50-60mph they say it'll do all day. Which is just what i want really.

Yes i'll still need a car for the really bad/dodgy weather days. But something cheap off gumtree should see to that (hopefully).