Besy commuter bike for newbie lady?
Discussion
My commute is zone 4 north London to central London. About 10 miles each way. Mostly 30 limits with a 40 limit dual carriageway thrown in or a 50mph -now average speed check- three lane if I go via the north circular.
I ride a 100cc Peugeot kisbee scooter (no laughing at the back…)
It will sit at its max speed of 55mph quite happily. It costs me £5 a week for fuel, £17 a year to tax and £200 a year to insure (26y/o male parked on the street) This is versus £45 a week for the train...
It is light, nimble and very narrow which makes filtering easy.
Room under the seat for my cover, waterproofs, chain and disk lock. The 'official' Top box will take a helmet. low seat height. It's really is small, even for a scooter. I'm only 5' 10" but it makes me look like a giant.
I boutght it brand new for £1,500 otr 1.5 years ago and it hasn't put a foot wrong so far in 11,500km.
Personally I wouldn't ride a geared bike for a short commute unless motorways or nsl dual carriageways were involved. Just twist and go rather than being on the clutch all the way in traffic.
As others have said you will get bitten by the bug. I bought the scooter to same money on my commute but recently passed my full licence and am currently trawling bike trader for my first proper bike - with some much appreciated help from the ph masses.
I ride a 100cc Peugeot kisbee scooter (no laughing at the back…)
It will sit at its max speed of 55mph quite happily. It costs me £5 a week for fuel, £17 a year to tax and £200 a year to insure (26y/o male parked on the street) This is versus £45 a week for the train...
It is light, nimble and very narrow which makes filtering easy.
Room under the seat for my cover, waterproofs, chain and disk lock. The 'official' Top box will take a helmet. low seat height. It's really is small, even for a scooter. I'm only 5' 10" but it makes me look like a giant.
I boutght it brand new for £1,500 otr 1.5 years ago and it hasn't put a foot wrong so far in 11,500km.
Personally I wouldn't ride a geared bike for a short commute unless motorways or nsl dual carriageways were involved. Just twist and go rather than being on the clutch all the way in traffic.
As others have said you will get bitten by the bug. I bought the scooter to same money on my commute but recently passed my full licence and am currently trawling bike trader for my first proper bike - with some much appreciated help from the ph masses.
Edited by OMNIO on Saturday 20th August 22:54
OMNIO said:
My commute is zone 4 north London to central London. About 10 miles each way. Mostly 30 limits with a 40 limit dual carriageway thrown in or a 50mph -now average speed check- three lane if I go via the north circular.
I ride a 100cc Peugeot kisbee scooter (no laughing at the back…)
It will sit at its max speed of 55mph quite happily. It costs me £5 a week for fuel, £17 a year to tax and £200 a year to insure (26y/o male parked on the street) This is versus £45 a week for the train...
It is light, nimble and very narrow which makes filtering easy.
Room under the seat for my cover, waterproofs, chain and disk lock. The 'official' Top box will take a helmet. low seat height. It's really is small, even for a scooter. I'm only 5' 10" but it makes me look like a giant.
I boutght it brand new for £1,500 otr 1.5 years ago and it hasn't put a foot wrong so far in 11,500km.
Personally I wouldn't ride a geared bike for a short commute unless motorways or nsl dual carriageways were involved. Just twist and go rather than being on the clutch all the way in traffic.
As others have said you will get bitten by the bug. I bought the scooter to same money on my commute but recently passed my full licence and am currently trawling bike trader for my first proper bike - with some much appreciated help from the ph masses.
Wow, that's pretty compelling in favour of scooters. In the time you've had it, it will have paid for itself even if you got nothing for it when selling! Very impressive.I ride a 100cc Peugeot kisbee scooter (no laughing at the back…)
It will sit at its max speed of 55mph quite happily. It costs me £5 a week for fuel, £17 a year to tax and £200 a year to insure (26y/o male parked on the street) This is versus £45 a week for the train...
It is light, nimble and very narrow which makes filtering easy.
Room under the seat for my cover, waterproofs, chain and disk lock. The 'official' Top box will take a helmet. low seat height. It's really is small, even for a scooter. I'm only 5' 10" but it makes me look like a giant.
I boutght it brand new for £1,500 otr 1.5 years ago and it hasn't put a foot wrong so far in 11,500km.
Personally I wouldn't ride a geared bike for a short commute unless motorways or nsl dual carriageways were involved. Just twist and go rather than being on the clutch all the way in traffic.
As others have said you will get bitten by the bug. I bought the scooter to same money on my commute but recently passed my full licence and am currently trawling bike trader for my first proper bike - with some much appreciated help from the ph masses.
Edited by OMNIO on Saturday 20th August 22:54
Get whatever if bike sets your heart on fire, prob not a thou though, where would you be keeping it?
[quote=Löyly]
I wish I could get away with having a little scooter for getting to work. Sadly, they would just be too small and s
tty for the A roads. The longest stretch of A road is very fast, even slow movers do 70mph and most cars and vans do 80mph. On my CG125, I kept the throttle pinned the whole time. Overtaking was a job. I didn't much mind being overtaken by every lorry on the road, but I don't miss it either!
I'd happily get a bigger scooter for work, something like a Silverwing, but they're not bloody cheap!
[/quote]
A modern 125 scooter will readily match the performance of a CG125. My PCX does just over 65mph at the rev limiter. If I needed to go further or faster, I would maybe consider a Honda Forza or Kymco Downtown/Kawasaki J300
I probably wouldn't consider a normal bike for commuting as a twist and go is just so easy, has storage and weather protection. But then I do hate wearing a backpack on the bike. Only downside of my PCX would be 14 inch the wheels, but at least they are not the tiny 10 inchers on some scoots.
I have had bikes for 30 years now, but never ridden a scooter until 2 years ago. Wouldn't like to be without one now. I often use it for nipping to Wickes, Halfords etc. in preference to the car.
I wish I could get away with having a little scooter for getting to work. Sadly, they would just be too small and s
tty for the A roads. The longest stretch of A road is very fast, even slow movers do 70mph and most cars and vans do 80mph. On my CG125, I kept the throttle pinned the whole time. Overtaking was a job. I didn't much mind being overtaken by every lorry on the road, but I don't miss it either!I'd happily get a bigger scooter for work, something like a Silverwing, but they're not bloody cheap!
[/quote]
A modern 125 scooter will readily match the performance of a CG125. My PCX does just over 65mph at the rev limiter. If I needed to go further or faster, I would maybe consider a Honda Forza or Kymco Downtown/Kawasaki J300
I probably wouldn't consider a normal bike for commuting as a twist and go is just so easy, has storage and weather protection. But then I do hate wearing a backpack on the bike. Only downside of my PCX would be 14 inch the wheels, but at least they are not the tiny 10 inchers on some scoots.
I have had bikes for 30 years now, but never ridden a scooter until 2 years ago. Wouldn't like to be without one now. I often use it for nipping to Wickes, Halfords etc. in preference to the car.
Nerdontoast said:
I will be keeping in on the street
That's really asking for trouble in London. Scooters only weigh 250 lbs or so. Two people can pick it up, put it in a van at night and it will be bye-bye scooter. I'd really make sure it is chained with a heavy chain to a lamppost if you are going to leave it parked on the street overnight. If you're into the custom cruiser style might I suggest a Kawasaki Eliminator 125? Feet-forward, low seat, just enough chrome and some of the nicest proprtions in that style of bike in my opinion.
Nothing to do with the fact my other half has one sat idle looking for a new owner, oh no
Nothing to do with the fact my other half has one sat idle looking for a new owner, oh no
TheInternet said:
Features: Instruments AND engine. Impressive stuff.
I feel instrumentS may be overstating the issue A solitary speedometer gives a vague idea of forward motion while yellow, green and blue lamps suggest that something's going on in the lighting department and something vaguely mechanical is or is not engaged.
On the other hand it's so light it's like picking up your neice for a quicky against a wheelie bin and you can throw it around like DiCaprio being mauled by a bear.
The ignition key is in the classic, custom-cruisin', bad-ass, beer-bellied Orange County Choppers position down on the left where you can't find it without looking like you're praying to Allah while checking the sex of a sheep.
There's even a sissy bar in case the stupendous power of the huge thumping single attempts to chuck your pillion off the back while they're busy checking out their reflection in Subway's window.
So there you have it. The Eliminator. ZZ Top without the beard (unless you have hormone problems, ladies).
Love the name. ELIMINATOR.
I bet I can customize it with laser ray guns and mini missiles or something like that. Looks amazing btw, really nice one.
Thanks for the advice re: street parking. My neighbour chains hers and covers it overnight. I think she just chains the wheel though...
I have space to build a small garage in the new house, might go for it.
I bet I can customize it with laser ray guns and mini missiles or something like that. Looks amazing btw, really nice one.
Thanks for the advice re: street parking. My neighbour chains hers and covers it overnight. I think she just chains the wheel though...
I have space to build a small garage in the new house, might go for it.
I've been doing the London commute for 30 yrs. Half of which were via the 316.
I've got 3 bikes at the moment 2 of which are 1000cc. What do I use every day ? The scooter. I hardly use the car unless a long journey. Popping down the shops at the weekend. Use the scoot. No traffic issues and easy parking. Everyone should have one.
No gears, weather protection, low centre of gravity, tight turning circle, narrow, under seat storage, cheap to insure, cheap to run. Once you get past the image problem they are the solution for a commute. That's what their designed for. Either Honda or Yamaha. Which ever one you like the look of. Personally i think the X-Max is the best looking. 125cc is fine for the 316/ Shepherds Bush run. Bigger wheels are best. Hence no Vespa's. ABS is worth having.
Spend a bit on some decent bike gear though.
If you like two wheels and want to go out playing get another bike for that.
I've got 3 bikes at the moment 2 of which are 1000cc. What do I use every day ? The scooter. I hardly use the car unless a long journey. Popping down the shops at the weekend. Use the scoot. No traffic issues and easy parking. Everyone should have one.
No gears, weather protection, low centre of gravity, tight turning circle, narrow, under seat storage, cheap to insure, cheap to run. Once you get past the image problem they are the solution for a commute. That's what their designed for. Either Honda or Yamaha. Which ever one you like the look of. Personally i think the X-Max is the best looking. 125cc is fine for the 316/ Shepherds Bush run. Bigger wheels are best. Hence no Vespa's. ABS is worth having.
Spend a bit on some decent bike gear though.
If you like two wheels and want to go out playing get another bike for that.
If you do your CBT, still consider asking to complete the day on a geared 125, instead of an automatic scooter.
Then when you pass (termed loosely, as the CBT is more an intro to biking) you will be able to ride EITHER geared bike or automatic scooter, for the 2 year duration. However if you take it on a scooter, you'll be limited to only ride automatic bikes for the 2 years your CBT entitlement is valid (likely options will only be scooters).
After which point you then need to take the CBT again (to continue riding on a 125), or before it expires, pass all the tests and obtain a full bike license.
Considering it sounds like a lot of slower speed filtering, I'd also say start with a scooter, quicker learning curve, plus you'll get a feel for handling the weight of the bike plus throttle control in heavy traffic. Fuel consumption on a 125 should be 100mpg+
Plus reading where you propose to keep it parked, definitely get an all weather cover (weather protection plus a visual deterrent), also a heavy chain that is secures your bike around an immovable object. An alarm would also be an advantage, so if anyone attempts to interfere with it, hopefully by the time the remove is being removed, you'll hear the alarm going off outside!
Let us know what you decide on.
Then when you pass (termed loosely, as the CBT is more an intro to biking) you will be able to ride EITHER geared bike or automatic scooter, for the 2 year duration. However if you take it on a scooter, you'll be limited to only ride automatic bikes for the 2 years your CBT entitlement is valid (likely options will only be scooters).
After which point you then need to take the CBT again (to continue riding on a 125), or before it expires, pass all the tests and obtain a full bike license.
Considering it sounds like a lot of slower speed filtering, I'd also say start with a scooter, quicker learning curve, plus you'll get a feel for handling the weight of the bike plus throttle control in heavy traffic. Fuel consumption on a 125 should be 100mpg+
Plus reading where you propose to keep it parked, definitely get an all weather cover (weather protection plus a visual deterrent), also a heavy chain that is secures your bike around an immovable object. An alarm would also be an advantage, so if anyone attempts to interfere with it, hopefully by the time the remove is being removed, you'll hear the alarm going off outside!
Let us know what you decide on.
DanSI said:
if you take it on a scooter, you'll be limited to only ride automatic bikes for the 2 years your CBT entitlement is valid
This bit isn't true, any CBT lets you ride geared or auto. As a (manual) driver I couldn't see the point in doing the CBT on a geared bike and just learnt the process later. Far more people seem to 'fail' the CBT by doing it on a geared bike.TheInternet said:
This bit isn't true, any CBT lets you ride geared or auto. As a (manual) driver I couldn't see the point in doing the CBT on a geared bike and just learnt the process later. Far more people seem to 'fail' the CBT by doing it on a geared bike.
My comment was based on what I was told when I took my CBT (by the school). I've just researched this online, following your reply, and don't appear to see anything that says you cant ride a manual 125 after taking your CBT on a scooter. Therefore I stand corrected. 
I had to start commuting in May this year from Romford to Tower Bridge I did two weeks on a PCX 125 then passed my test and bought a Honda Hornet 600.
I didn't enjoy it on the hornet as I didn't have enough experience filtering (in my opinion to be confident) so went back to the PCX as this as so much easier to use than the Hornet for my inexperience.
I have now had two weeks commuting on a Suzuki Burgman 400 I find this is more than enough for the commute and will be sticking with this now as my confidence has improved after roughly four months.
I didn't enjoy it on the hornet as I didn't have enough experience filtering (in my opinion to be confident) so went back to the PCX as this as so much easier to use than the Hornet for my inexperience.
I have now had two weeks commuting on a Suzuki Burgman 400 I find this is more than enough for the commute and will be sticking with this now as my confidence has improved after roughly four months.
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