Good 50cc Moped?

Fraser01 has a Malaguti Firefox - ask him about it

In my view, the person should do a CBT (assuming no licence) and get a Gilera Runner VX125 (4-stroke). Great as a commuting tool, economical and with a good range.

The best scoot has to be the Gilera Runner SP180 (2-stroke); that will out-drag a Subaru Imprezza from the lights and will wheelie really easily.

If he is going to do over 10 miles a day on it then he should stay away from 50cc as they are quite unreliable. The lack of power makes them quite dangerous also.

I bought a gilera runner, can't fault it, apart from don't get the purejet (fuel injected) models as they are too complicated to be reliable.

50cc in london, forget it. dangerously slow.

i go along with jabba, the vx125 gilera runner is ideal, and IMHO looks good too. CBT (as we all know) is relatively cheap and easy to do, and he'll have more fun on a 125.

Originally Posted by cmit37

If he is going to do over 10 miles a day on it then he should stay away from 50cc as they are quite unreliable. The lack of power makes them quite dangerous also.

not in my experience, i had one that was used every day for over a year and the only thing i had to replace on it was the battery cos a mate left the ignition on for 2 weeks while it was in his lockup

Originally Posted by empty

A CBT should be considered essential. He will learn a lot about how a bike works on the road,

empty, I have to disagree with you there, I found the cbt to be pretty rubbish. The thing was, people passed who were really pretty awful and the only guy who failed only did so cos he couldn't read english!
I reckon the guy will be ok with roadsense if he's already a cyclist.

Originally Posted by empty

If he absolutely has to get a 50, get a 4 stroke rather than a 2, since, as it will be operating at maximum load most of the time, the engine will last a bit longer.

Good point, but worth baring in mind that 4 strokes are even slower than 2 strokes.
I had a vespa ET4 50cc and used to get beaten off the lights by pushbikes! Never had to remember to put oil in it though!

As others have said, get second hand and as rough looking as possible!