First Scooter - Two Choices

[MegaMuppet]

I'm looking to buy my first 125cc used scooter, going to be using it mainly for work and leisure on the weekends then to eventually sit my A1 tests on it.
I've seen a Nipponia Miro and a Honda SH Mode for sale, both have done around the same mileage and both are in almost new condition. The Honda will be about £600 more expensive, I'm not sure if I should pay the extra cash for the Honda brand reliability or stick with the cheaper Nipponia. The Nipponia still has a 3 year parts and labour warranty if that's worth considering. Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go with the Honda

[boyse7en]

Get the Honda. You'll be able to sell it on no bother when you pass your test and won't lose much in value at all.

[MegaMuppet]

Thanks lads, that's what I was hoping to hear.

[caelite]

Honestly, depending how much you are spending, I would go Chinese for 125's nowadays. Some of the brands are able to offer reasonable quality, servicing and parts availability for a fantastic price, you just need to be really careful what you buy (Lexmoto and Sinnis are 2 which I know to be good ones). The big Japanese brands are taking the absolute piss with their small motorcycle pricing nowadays, can't say for the scooters but the likes of the YBR and CBF are just rebranded higher quality Chinese stock nowadays.

[Brads67]

Piaggio GT etc, or even a PX

Damn sight more stylish that anything Jap or Chinese.


Or do the right thing and buy a Lambretta series 3 silver special.

Those are scooters ! not those infernal Japanese horrors.

[Sa Calobra]

Honda

[MegaMuppet]

caelite said:

Honestly, depending how much you are spending, I would go Chinese for 125's nowadays. Some of the brands are able to offer reasonable quality, servicing and parts availability for a fantastic price, you just need to be really careful what you buy (Lexmoto and Sinnis are 2 which I know to be good ones). The big Japanese brands are taking the absolute piss with their small motorcycle pricing nowadays, can't say for the scooters but the likes of the YBR and CBF are just rebranded higher quality Chinese stock nowadays.

I'm spending around £1000 to £1500, I saw the Lexmoto lineup to be in that range but again was apprehensive because of the chinese bike reputation.

[caelite]

Brads67 said:

Those are scooters ! not those infernal Japanese horrors.

Jesus christ, it's the 70s!

MegaMuppet said:

caelite said:

Honestly, depending how much you are spending, I would go Chinese for 125's nowadays. Some of the brands are able to offer reasonable quality, servicing and parts availability for a fantastic price, you just need to be really careful what you buy (Lexmoto and Sinnis are 2 which I know to be good ones). The big Japanese brands are taking the absolute piss with their small motorcycle pricing nowadays, can't say for the scooters but the likes of the YBR and CBF are just rebranded higher quality Chinese stock nowadays.

I'm spending around £1000 to £1500, I saw the Lexmoto lineup to be in that range but again was apprehensive because of the chinese bike reputation.

Ah, Yeah £1000-2000 is a good budget. I would say if you where working with <£1000 then go straight to Chinese, a 2-3 year old Chinese 125 is going to be a fairly solid bet over a 6-10 year old Jap. But £1500 buys you a pretty solid 3-4 year old Japanese option or a new Chinese scoot. The former will not lose nearly as much money over a year or two of ownership, so I would say it depends on how long you intend to run it, 1-2 years go Japanese and get the resale value, 3+ years go for the Chinese option for the piece of mind of knowing you are the 1st or very early 2nd owner.

Or you could spend £600 on a couple of year old Lexmoto and save a grand for doing your full test? .

[MegaMuppet]

caelite said:

Ah, Yeah £1000-2000 is a good budget. I would say if you where working with <£1000 then go straight to Chinese, a 2-3 year old Chinese 125 is going to be a fairly solid bet over a 6-10 year old Jap. But £1500 buys you a pretty solid 3-4 year old Japanese option or a new Chinese scoot. The former will not lose nearly as much money over a year or two of ownership, so I would say it depends on how long you intend to run it, 1-2 years go Japanese and get the resale value, 3+ years go for the Chinese option for the piece of mind of knowing you are the 1st or very early 2nd owner.

Or you could spend £600 on a couple of year old Lexmoto and save a grand for doing your full test? .

You sum it up pretty well, based on the responses I'm going for the Honda. I'm itching to get out on the road now!