Gentleman, Mr Trophy Needs You.....
Discussion
I've got a brilliant idea, but absolutely ridiculous at the same time.
I takes me about 50 / 1 hour to get into work. I live just over 10 miles from the office.
So, what's the problem you're saying? Traffic, that's the issue here.
I've decided.... I want a scooter! Why has it taken me so long to come up with this idea? Ideally, I want one that's not loud (like a 16yr with a hair dryer).
Pistonheads, can you help? What do I need? I've no idea where to start!
Over to you....
Do you have a full bike licence? Does your commute include motorway/dc? What's your spend? Peugeot scoots are pretty s
tty as most are Chinese ste rebadged. Stay far far far away from Chinese stuff, in about 10 years they'll be good, not just now tho.. For 125's Honda Pantheon, Suzy Burgervan, or a Yamaha Majesty. Piaggio X9 is a pretty good roomy scoot, well built too. If you want to avoid cold look up Tucano Urbano leg covers, pretty handy. Also handlebar muffs, look ste but keep your gloves dry.
tty as most are Chinese ste rebadged. Stay far far far away from Chinese stuff, in about 10 years they'll be good, not just now tho.. For 125's Honda Pantheon, Suzy Burgervan, or a Yamaha Majesty. Piaggio X9 is a pretty good roomy scoot, well built too. If you want to avoid cold look up Tucano Urbano leg covers, pretty handy. Also handlebar muffs, look ste but keep your gloves dry. My inlaw done her cbt and bought a scooter from guy in Hamilton he is st for service
It was a 125 and went like st of a shovel 50mph no problem until u hit a hill and struggles slightly.
I put it round bellshill roundabout and got a fright scraped the exhaust of the ground a tad to much of an angle
Down side when windy you get blown around a bit and no having your legs at the side to stick feet out be a bit to get used to.
Plus your thighs and baws are freezing after words.
I'll say it be great to use for in town
I used it for a month when was fixin car, £6 filled tank and was getting close to 60-70mpg
What's the route you plan to ride.its the maniacs u need to watch for
t for serviceIt was a 125 and went like s
t of a shovel 50mph no problem until u hit a hill and struggles slightly.I put it round bellshill roundabout and got a fright scraped the exhaust of the ground a tad to much of an angle
Down side when windy you get blown around a bit and no having your legs at the side to stick feet out be a bit to get used to.
Plus your thighs and baws are freezing after words.
I'll say it be great to use for in town
I used it for a month when was fixin car, £6 filled tank and was getting close to 60-70mpg
What's the route you plan to ride.its the maniacs u need to watch for
Mr Trophy said:
Just having a look online.
I can buy a 70cc for £600 quid that will do over 60 mph?! All I need a CBT (days course) and that's me sorted by the looks of things.
I'd save time and money, although, not sure I could get away with doing it in my three piece suit every morning.
You can't buy a 70cc that will do over 60, sorry but it may say it will but trust me, it wont. Most 125's struggle above 60.I can buy a 70cc for £600 quid that will do over 60 mph?! All I need a CBT (days course) and that's me sorted by the looks of things.
I'd save time and money, although, not sure I could get away with doing it in my three piece suit every morning.
A quality one piece waterproof will keep you dry, may be a wee crease or 2 in yer jacket tho.
Go for a 125 bike. Better road manners as the 17" wheels cope better with crap roads and depending on the bike quick enough to deal with traffic. Also just as cheap to run and insure.
They are not a lot of fun on cold, dark wet mornings but apart from that with decent kit great fun.
This would be fun..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Or a more sensible option..
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikes-for-sale/s...
Johnny
They are not a lot of fun on cold, dark wet mornings but apart from that with decent kit great fun.
This would be fun..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Or a more sensible option..
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikes-for-sale/s...
Johnny
My first job out of school was working at my father's motorcycle dealership. I arrived as a car driver but quickly became a biker. Started off getting my CBT and running a scooter as my commute from Bieldside to Altens was 30mins in a car but cut to 10 on a scooter.
Quickly the buzz of being on 2 wheels lapsed and the 50cc powerhouse no longer interested me. I decided to get my full licence and, much to my mother's dismay, passed quickly and got onto something more interesting; a BMW F650. Smooth and quick. However, it was a touch on the large side for commuting particularly between two lines of stationary traffic so I looked around the showroom for something more compact that would still offer some entertainment value. A Gilera Runner 180 was the winner. Looked good, was more of a conventional motorcycle straddle and sounded good too. Also, the critical part, it was quick....very quick! No issues with changing gear, it was a typical turn and go. What it did very well was surprise EVERYTHING in the traffic light GP. The Audi dealers were just adjacent to our place so I would often see cars going up to them and see mechanics on test drives. I can tell you that this wee 'scooter' would take an RS4 (late 90's era) from standing start to 60...and maybe beyond. The Runner would run out of puff at 80 or so I believe.
If I was in your position then this is the route I would go. Ok so you'll lose a little cred from the proper bikers but you'll pay less in insurance, servicing and fuel and if the bike is just a commuter then the attibutes of the real bike aren't going to be of much use to you anyway!
A word of caution however. Whilst I loved my bikes I no longer ride. I was hit by a lorry, whose driver was reading a map, in a very low speed (30ish) accident. The lorry turned across me and I hit the front at 30. Driver had a map on his lap, glanced up and not seeing any cars just turned across the other lane. Not pleasant and actually put me off biking. I saw a few biggies in my time in the industry and it brought it all home that is the other people you need to be aware of not just yourself.
If you do find yourself getting onto anything two wheeled then don't skimp on safety gear. Buy a proper helmet, not some two piece plastic rubbish. Good gloves too and wear them on every ride. Jacket and boots too at a minimum. I would also suggest proper trousers too but do appreciate that sometimes they're not practical. You can make the ultimate decision as to how much you like the skin on your bum and thighs.
Finally, I can highly recommend the motorcycle awareness course the Police run. It really opened my eyes as a car driver to the dangers and observations you need to make as a biker and has certainly made me a better car driver. It also gives a great insight into how the Police bikers work and ride. At one point they advised us we were going to go through a quicker section of open and clear corners and, without racing etc, we could open the bikes up a little. That was the last time I saw them for about 5 mins. I was miles behind. They can ride, i can just go fast in a straight line. It really made me aware of how much more I had to learn.
All the best with the quest to find a new mode of commuting. Biking is very freeing but there are a good 200 days a year that I would rather be in a car.
Quickly the buzz of being on 2 wheels lapsed and the 50cc powerhouse no longer interested me. I decided to get my full licence and, much to my mother's dismay, passed quickly and got onto something more interesting; a BMW F650. Smooth and quick. However, it was a touch on the large side for commuting particularly between two lines of stationary traffic so I looked around the showroom for something more compact that would still offer some entertainment value. A Gilera Runner 180 was the winner. Looked good, was more of a conventional motorcycle straddle and sounded good too. Also, the critical part, it was quick....very quick! No issues with changing gear, it was a typical turn and go. What it did very well was surprise EVERYTHING in the traffic light GP. The Audi dealers were just adjacent to our place so I would often see cars going up to them and see mechanics on test drives. I can tell you that this wee 'scooter' would take an RS4 (late 90's era) from standing start to 60...and maybe beyond. The Runner would run out of puff at 80 or so I believe.
If I was in your position then this is the route I would go. Ok so you'll lose a little cred from the proper bikers but you'll pay less in insurance, servicing and fuel and if the bike is just a commuter then the attibutes of the real bike aren't going to be of much use to you anyway!
A word of caution however. Whilst I loved my bikes I no longer ride. I was hit by a lorry, whose driver was reading a map, in a very low speed (30ish) accident. The lorry turned across me and I hit the front at 30. Driver had a map on his lap, glanced up and not seeing any cars just turned across the other lane. Not pleasant and actually put me off biking. I saw a few biggies in my time in the industry and it brought it all home that is the other people you need to be aware of not just yourself.
If you do find yourself getting onto anything two wheeled then don't skimp on safety gear. Buy a proper helmet, not some two piece plastic rubbish. Good gloves too and wear them on every ride. Jacket and boots too at a minimum. I would also suggest proper trousers too but do appreciate that sometimes they're not practical. You can make the ultimate decision as to how much you like the skin on your bum and thighs.
Finally, I can highly recommend the motorcycle awareness course the Police run. It really opened my eyes as a car driver to the dangers and observations you need to make as a biker and has certainly made me a better car driver. It also gives a great insight into how the Police bikers work and ride. At one point they advised us we were going to go through a quicker section of open and clear corners and, without racing etc, we could open the bikes up a little. That was the last time I saw them for about 5 mins. I was miles behind. They can ride, i can just go fast in a straight line. It really made me aware of how much more I had to learn.
All the best with the quest to find a new mode of commuting. Biking is very freeing but there are a good 200 days a year that I would rather be in a car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
just add a waterproof trackie and your are good to go....
just add a waterproof trackie and your are good to go....
James B said:
My first job out of school was working at my father's motorcycle dealership......The Audi dealers were just adjacent to our place ...
Off topic James, but was that SuperMarques? Where the MINI dealership is now? Didn't know you worked there. I bought my first bike from there back in 1999. Cagiva Mito 125cc - legendary 
offshorematt2 said:
Off topic James, but was that SuperMarques? Where the MINI dealership is now? Didn't know you worked there. I bought my first bike from there back in 1999. Cagiva Mito 125cc - legendary
Matt, the one and the same. I think I remember you actually. I was around half the 'depth' I am these days so may not be overly recognisable. We got involved when it was still Scott Simpson and it then became Supermarques. Gassing Station | Scotland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff