Station run - scooter or bike, or neither...

[WinstonWolf]

Just buy a cheapie then, it will get nicked from the station sooner or later

Still satisfies N+1

[TokyoRich]

Agreed, I go to the station (around a mile) on my Vespa ET4 (125cc) I got it on ebay and practically every panel has some kind of damage as it used to live in London. In my 2 years with it, it has not once failed to start on the button - and no one seems interested in nickign it either. So much easier than cycling and getting your suit stuck in the chain / having splash marks up the back of your suit and same hassle factor in terms of locking it up.. Best 600 quid I ever spent and it has paid for itself many tiems over in terms of parking costs.

Regardign folding bikes - well we all knwo that they are the plague of modern soiety - enough said!

[Codswallop]

Neil G60 said:

Can you store all the trousers, jacket and helmet on the scooter somehow when you park it?

Most scooters have enough storage for that kind of kit under the seat. You can also fit a small topbox if you need a bit more space.

[crashley]

Codswallop said:

You can also fit a small topbox if you need a bit more space.

But you will look like a giant gheyer with one of those.

[*Al*]

Scooter all the way! I've been using a scooter for a few years now and prefer using it to a car for work. I can park easily, it's great on fuel and can do 90mph (it's a 250 Piaggio), loads of storage room under the seat for helmet and water proofs too. The only time I won't use it is in the snow.

[CaptainMorgan]

I'd go scooter too. Stick a top box on the back, you can put your work stuff in there, then when you arrive, stick your bike stuff in there and the helmet under the seat. Saving in parking will pay for itself and you never know, you might like it and decide to do your bike test!

[John D.]

crashley said:

Codswallop said:

You can also fit a small topbox if you need a bit more space.

But you will look like a giant gheyer with one of those.

Its a scooter. You are already a massive gheyer.

[smack]

Motorrad said:

WinstonWolf said:

Get a Brompton, win win

fk Bromptons they're for smug wkers. Get something like this;

Full suspension and gears and without the 'Brompton asshole' factor.

Agree about the ahole factor, but they do have 3 plus points. They can only be folded up the right way, unlike others that are a puzzle, need the crank at 95 degrees else it won't fold. Made in the UK for a change. And you can actually get spare parts for them, unlike bikes that came from the Far East.

[creampuff]

Don't scooters and push bikes regularly get stolen from station carparks?

[Dog Star]

creampuff said:

Don't scooters and push bikes regularly get stolen from station carparks?

This. My vote would be "neither"; walk or get the bus or a taxi.

My logic being that if you get a scooter stolen it's an insurance claim; it's going to seriously fsck up all your other policies.

[SteelerSE]

Neil G60 said:

Yeah the sweaty thing doesn't appeal but it's pan flat so maybe I won't sweat too much. My hobby is road cycling anyway so 2.5 miles on the flat shouldn't result in too much exertion.

I just hate carting helmets and gear around. It's bad enough when you get on the train in the winter and have to practically get undressed before you sit down. Can you store all the trousers, jacket and helmet on the scooter somehow when you park it?

I passed my driving test in about 1998 and the license card says 'B,B1,f,k,l,n,p' on it. Does that mean I'd need to take a CBT to ride a 125cc 'anything'?

Edited by Neil G60 on Thursday 31st July 15:10

If you're fit and have a piece of crap bike that you're happy to leave at the station then that's probably the answer so long as you can get yourself to take it easy and not start trying to beat your best time to the station and ending up a sweaty mess anyway.

When I've taken the pushbike to the station I just locked my helmet to the bike. The biggest issue is when it rains. You then need all the gear and somewhere to put it. This is where the bike/scooter wins. Most scooters have a space under the seat where you can leave the crash helmet. A topbox will hold basic waterproofs (though probably not protective textile ones). That gives you a lot more flexibility.

The other bonus is that you can ride a moped without L plates and without taking the full motorcycle test if either you passed your driving test before 1 February 2001. You should probably still do the CBT if you go that route though as training is a Good Thing™ when you ride motorbikes.

Whichever way you end up going enjoy. I'd personally prefer a 125/250 scooter as they're physically bigger, have more storage space but you would need to go through the CBT hoops every two years or get your licence.

You'll also find the world of motorcycling follows the n+1 law.

[3DP]

Dog Star said:

creampuff said:

Don't scooters and push bikes regularly get stolen from station carparks?

This. My vote would be "neither"; walk or get the bus or a taxi.

My logic being that if you get a scooter stolen it's an insurance claim; it's going to seriously fsck up all your other policies.

That's why you unfortunately have to buy an unfashionable one and never clean it. If you buy cheapish, it doesn't matter. I've not had one stolen in 8 years now and with parking at £1K+ a I could get my scooter stolen every 9 months and not bother to claim (insure it TPO) and I'd still be quids in.

Before learning this I had more expensive scooters nicked and the claims did mess up all of my other insurance.

[dtmpower]

Right - here me out , this might be a silly suggestion... but it's dry, safe ish and pretty cheap.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-GYRO-CANOPY-3-WHEE...



You can even get a secure storage box to fit on the rear lid - often seen full of Sushi in many parts of Japan.

It's 50cc so no problems with licensing if you are a car driver.

[John D.]

3DP said:

Dog Star said:

creampuff said:

Don't scooters and push bikes regularly get stolen from station carparks?

This. My vote would be "neither"; walk or get the bus or a taxi.

My logic being that if you get a scooter stolen it's an insurance claim; it's going to seriously fsck up all your other policies.

That's why you unfortunately have to buy an unfashionable one and never clean it. If you buy cheapish, it doesn't matter. I've not had one stolen in 8 years now and with parking at £1K+ a I could get my scooter stolen every 9 months and not bother to claim (insure it TPO) and I'd still be quids in.

Before learning this I had more expensive scooters nicked and the claims did mess up all of my other insurance.

[Moulder]

I used to have almost exactly the same distance commute to the station and would definitely choose a scooter. Without igniting the clothing safety argument I used to wear my work coat, open face helmet, gloves and office acceptable boots. This means there is no 5 minutes either end getting in and out of textiles, boots, etc.

A commute this distance is maybe 5 minutes each way, it is pretty unfortunate if this coincides with a downpour. Only about once a month was it tipping down enough that I really got wet. If this is a concern then there is space in a scooter to have an emergency waterproof.

I have a 1979 Vespa P200 that I use for the commute which isn't shiny enough to attract most thieves, as suggested something older like this or tattier increases the chances of it being there when you get back. A look around the station car park will give you an idea of what people use, a less desirable bike but with a better lock should keep it safe. I also parked mine in the bike sheds which keeps it dry and tends to have better CCTV.

I considered cycling but I have large laptop to carry, it wears the crotch out of your trousers, and through sweat/rain you tend to end up wet when you get where you are going.

[3DP]

dtmpower said:

Right - here me out , this might be a silly suggestion... but it's dry, safe ish and pretty cheap.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-GYRO-CANOPY-3-WHEE...



You can even get a secure storage box to fit on the rear lid - often seen full of Sushi in many parts of Japan.

It's 50cc so no problems with licensing if you are a car driver.

You cross a line when you buy a scooter. Once you have crossed that line and are fully comfortable with your sexuality, whilst chuckling at the 'real bikers' who aren't prepared to dabble in the 100+mpg, total ease of use and fit for purpose end of the bike market - there are indeed further lines that cannot be crossed.

If you want to look like a mildly retarded OAP golfer in need of some kind of mobility aid, by all means cross that line too.

[smack]

dtmpower said:

Right - here me out , this might be a silly suggestion... but it's dry, safe ish and pretty cheap.

If I was drunk, I would be tempted to push it over.... And I am sure I would not be the only one!!!

[curlie467]

3DP said:

dtmpower said:

Right - here me out , this might be a silly suggestion... but it's dry, safe ish and pretty cheap.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-GYRO-CANOPY-3-WHEE...



You can even get a secure storage box to fit on the rear lid - often seen full of Sushi in many parts of Japan.

It's 50cc so no problems with licensing if you are a car driver.

You cross a line when you buy a scooter. Once you have crossed that line and are fully comfortable with your sexuality, whilst chuckling at the 'real bikers' who aren't prepared to dabble in the 100+mpg, total ease of use and fit for purpose end of the bike market - there are indeed further lines that cannot be crossed.

If you want to look like a mildly retarded OAP golfer in need of some kind of mobility aid, by all means cross that line too.

In what way would it ever be dry during rain?
What a useless pile of junk.

[GreatPretender]

Neil G60 said:

I know nothing about motorcycles so go easy!

I'll soon have a 2.5m trip to the station and I'm unsure of how to get there. It hardly seems worth taking the (3 litre petrol) car and paying £1000/yr to park it.

Should I get a twist-and-go scooter or look at getting an actual motorbike (wife NOT keen)? I also cycle loads so that's an option but something with an engine will obviously get me there quicker and with less sweat, although I will need more 'gear' with a motorised-anything.

I'm just over 6 feet tall, 13 stone, age 34 with a full clean driving license. Would I look a bit like Bowser of Mario Kart on a scooter? Can I hop straight onto a 125cc scooter? The thought of riding a 50cc chicken-chaser seems faintly ludicrous especially as they can't even keep up with the traffic.

Any thoughts appreciated...

Your thinking has one massive flaw...

What's the point in getting a scooter to ride to the train station and then getting the train to work, when you can do your full test and simply ride a motorbike to work?!

Unless I've missed something, this seems like the best solution.

I passed my bike test in April this year. It's the best thing I ever did.

[vonuber]

The only slight issue will be that after riding a scooter for a few months you'll start wondering whether you need a bit more power.. and then before you know it you'll be sweating nervously on a stretch of tarmac doing your mod1.