Scooter for Commuting?

[OMNIO]

Hi,

I'm looking to get a scooter for commuting around 16 miles a day / 80 miles a week to and from work.

I have 0 experience of anything other than pedal bikes.

I am a little confused over what cc i can legally ride and how licences work. Obviously i'll need to do my CBT but i have had a full UK Car licence for 3 years. Am i limited to 50cc? or can i ride 125cc? Is a bike licence a seperate entity to a car licence - i.e. do i need to apply for a provisional bike licence even though i have a full car licence? I have read up breifly on direct.gov but im still unclear.

I'm also trying to figure out the costs. If its going to be £2k or more per year (after the 1st year) then its not really worth it.

So far i have the following costs;

£1000 for the bike
£300 ish for a decent helmet

£54 for MOT - purely based on what the car costs us
£400 a year insurance - They range between £300 and £800 dependant on security etc
£...... for petrol. No nothing about average fuel tank size or mpg but im guessing not too much
£110 a year max for road tax? or would a 50 - 125cc scooter be £0 rated?

Are they realistic or dreamland? Anything i've overlooked?

Im not looking for a racing scooter and would like to avoid a 'hairdryer' type one you see the 16 year olds razzing round on. Would like a 4 stroke so i dont need to mess about with oil and would want it auto. Nippy away from the lights is a plus.

Any help appreciated!!

[N Dentressangle]

Seen this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

?

[LOGiK]

OMNIO said:

Hi,

I'm looking to get a scooter for commuting around 16 miles a day / 80 miles a week to and from work.

I have 0 experience of anything other than pedal bikes.

I am a little confused over what cc i can legally ride and how licences work. Obviously i'll need to do my CBT but i have had a full UK Car licence for 3 years. Am i limited to 50cc? or can i ride 125cc? Is a bike licence a seperate entity to a car licence - i.e. do i need to apply for a provisional bike licence even though i have a full car licence? I have read up breifly on direct.gov but im still unclear.

I'm also trying to figure out the costs. If its going to be £2k or more per year (after the 1st year) then its not really worth it.

So far i have the following costs;

£1000 for the bike
£300 ish for a decent helmet

£54 for MOT - purely based on what the car costs us
£400 a year insurance - They range between £300 and £800 dependant on security etc
£...... for petrol. No nothing about average fuel tank size or mpg but im guessing not too much
£110 a year max for road tax? or would a 50 - 125cc scooter be £0 rated?

Are they realistic or dreamland? Anything i've overlooked?

Im not looking for a racing scooter and would like to avoid a 'hairdryer' type one you see the 16 year olds razzing round on. Would like a 4 stroke so i dont need to mess about with oil and would want it auto. Nippy away from the lights is a plus.

Any help appreciated!!

With a CBT you can ride a 125 (as you're over 16),
road tax is £15 (I think),
you'll be riding on L plates,
you don't need to obtain a new provisional, you should have provisional motorcycle listed on the back of car license,
you don't need a £300 helmet for a scooter,
Most 2 strokes mix the oil and fuel for you, but consume significantly more petrol than 4t.


My suggestion is, if you intend to be riding for more than 2 years, do your full bike license and don't waste time with a scooter at all. Insurance will be cheaper, you wont have L plates and geared bikes are far more engaging and probably safer.

[zippo]

CBT is a must do, then straight onto a 125cc (don't bother with a 50cc).

Bike cost is how much your willing to spend. Same with a helmet, you don't need to spend hundreds on one, just make sure it fits correctly. Also you will need a jacket and gloves.

MOT is roughly £35

Insurance will be dependent on things like where you live, where it is stored over night, how it will be used and security.. ie chain, disc lock etc.

Petrol costs are variable depending on the scooter but most are capable of 60mpg +/-.

Road Tax on a 50cc and 125cc is £15/year.

eta something like this.. Piaggio X9 125.. and they will do 70mph+

Edited by zippo on Monday 28th February 21:57

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

£300 will buy you a very decent lid (probably a bit OTT for a scooter)...but you forgot gloves, jacket, trousers, back protector and boots.
You don't have to spend a fortune, in fact you could get fully kitted out in Lidl next week for around £200 (jacket and trousers £120. Helmet £39.99. Boots £29.99. Gloves £12.99).
Gumtree is full of 125cc bikes costing under £1k.

[OMNIO]

Thanks for the help guys. Clearing up the licence / cc issue is much appreciated! I didn't even think about getting a full on motorbike licence but now you mention it it probably is worth doing it. I've always been slightly jelous of my neighbour when he powers off on his R1 I think it is. Would be great to have the option of a sport bike as a weekend toy later in life!

Appreciate the responses and that guide that was posted!

[LOGiK]

OMNIO said:

Thanks for the help guys. Clearing up the licence / cc issue is much appreciated! I didn't even think about getting a full on motorbike licence but now you mention it it probably is worth doing it. I've always been slightly jelous of my neighbour when he powers off on his R1 I think it is. Would be great to have the option of a sport bike as a weekend toy later in life!

Appreciate the responses and that guide that was posted!

Forget later in life, buy yourself something big, slightly sporty and comfy that'll do nice runs and commuting.

My VFR750 (which I replaced a Kawasaki Ninja ZX9R with) does a good job all round, and ridden gently can get 50-60mpg

[pano amo]

if you getting a scooter, forget a 50cc. Its not quick enough and you'll get overtaken or rather drivers will try to overtake you. For that reason, I think they are more dangerous than a 125cc. I have a 125cc and its plenty quick to keep you ahead of the traffic.

[fulham911club]

pano amo said:

if you getting a scooter, forget a 50cc. Its not quick enough and you'll get overtaken or rather drivers will try to overtake you. For that reason, I think they are more dangerous than a 125cc. I have a 125cc and its plenty quick to keep you ahead of the traffic.

Have to disagree as it depends on where you live / commute.

I commute from west London to canary Wharf on a 50cc and its fine. I do carry passengers (the kids) so the 125 route was out unless I take a full bike license : and I can't be bothered.

To the OP i do about the same mileage per week as you are suggesting and I just about squeeze it out of a single tank (<£10). As someone else said ; you don't need to spend much more than £100 on a helmet.

[shouldbworking]

A CBT is a license to learn, nothing more - considering yourself ready to handle a daily commute after 2 hours experience on a motorbike on the road is foolish at best.

Get an A1 license(limited to 33bhp for 2 years) or do your DAS. My 125 was £15 road tax 2 years ago if i remember correctly