Good 50cc Moped?

Hi Folks,

A mate (no really, it's not me! ) is looking at getting a 50cc scooter to commute around London when he moves there in a couple of months time. I know some of you are ex-scooter bods, so if you could make some recommendations, if only what to avoid. He asked for my advice, but I have no experience of them/knowledge of them.

Ta.

Why not 125? 50 isn't safe imho, too many nobbers will try to overtake you.

Originally Posted by thor

Why not 125? 50 isn't safe imho, too many nobbers will try to overtake you.

He has a car licence from pre 2001, so can ride a 50cc without other lessons. Normally I'd strongly advise he gets a full licence or CBT and get a 125, or at least get a day or twos training on the moped, but this guy already commutes on push bike and can handle push bikes very well, so I think he's okay in that respect.

[BillyC]

50cc or 125cc... I'd still recommend CBT. He may be an excellent cyclist, but Moped's aren't bicycles! No, it's true!

Any 50cc moped will do, I mean, they're all cr@p aren't they? Buy it cheap, second hand, and make sure you get a good lock. If it doesn't get stolen, then it'll blow up or seize at some point!

Nah, get a CBT. 50's are pointless. For 125s the best is the honda SH. You can really lean it over. DO NOT get a vespa - they are crap.

Whatever he gets, make sure it's second hand with plenty of scratches. That way when he falls off he can pick it up and just carry on.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Good 50cc Moped?

There ain't one

Originally Posted by Cloggsy

There ain't one

I resisted the temptation to say the same thing to him

I'd say get a 125 - a 50 is (trust me on this) rubbish, it will have zero power and a top speed (if you're lucky) of 30mph, but not on hills. If he is at all tall or of a larger build he will struggle to find one that fits, I did my CBT on a 50 and had to try 3 bikes before I could turn the hadlebars fully, and I'm only 6'2".

A 125 can easily reach 60 and hold 40 on steepish hills. I've done 100 mile journeys on a 125, something that you won't be able to do on a 50. If he's worried about cost, my scoot used to average around 70mpg round town and a fill up for 100 miles was around a fiver. While a 50 should do 100mpg, you'll also need 2 stroke oil if it's a stroker. A honda CG125 does similar but will do 65mph (but then thats a normal bike rather than a scoot)

A CBT should be considered essential. He will learn a lot about how a bike works on the road, it is somewhat different to a push bike (although there are some similarities). It may have an effect on the insurance as well.

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. It still won't have a huge life expectancy though. As regards to makes, no idea really, I guess honda would be as good as any since they've been making these things since time began (possibly before).

I had a piaggio b125 which my dad will soon be riding, it's quite a big bike but has big wheels and is very stable and comfortable. And you can get at least 4 bags of shopping on it, which is useful. Honda Dylan and suzuki bergman seem to get pretty good reviews as well, although I've never ridden either since they weren't available when I bought mine. I'd avoid the Gilera Runner unless he likes a wild ride.

HTH

MT

I've done two 250 mile journeys on my majesty125. Top speed is 85mph on the downhils! I didn't want to push it further as the belt started to make funny vibrations. Holds 3 full sainsburys bags under the seat. Not bad considering I paid 1100 for it.

Honda dylan is cheap but is heavy.

Ta for the comments folks, all passed onto him. Hopefully he'll see sense and buy a real bike