125cc scooter for a youngster - older decent or new chinese?
Discussion
Looking for any thoughts and ideally others experiences of buying a 125cc scooter for a youngster.
CBT is being done next weekend and assuming she likes it we will be shopping for one.
My instinct is to go for an older known make Japanese like a Suzuki/Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki or something like a Piaggio, but looking online at used ones they are generally tatty and look abused (nature of the users I suppose).
There are some cheap new or nearly new chinese ones about and I'm wondering if this is a good idea to have one fresh and unabused, or will they just fall apart/depreciate like a stone/be difficult to get service parts for.
I'll do some more research this week but wondered if any chaps or chapesses on here have bought for their kids or any youngsters on here have any experience to share?
Will be an auto scooter so they all look quite similar, I'm mostly interested in which makes the most fiscal sense along with reliability as it will be her first independent transport and I want it to be a good experience. Thanks in advance for any responses.
CBT is being done next weekend and assuming she likes it we will be shopping for one.
My instinct is to go for an older known make Japanese like a Suzuki/Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki or something like a Piaggio, but looking online at used ones they are generally tatty and look abused (nature of the users I suppose).
There are some cheap new or nearly new chinese ones about and I'm wondering if this is a good idea to have one fresh and unabused, or will they just fall apart/depreciate like a stone/be difficult to get service parts for.
I'll do some more research this week but wondered if any chaps or chapesses on here have bought for their kids or any youngsters on here have any experience to share?
Will be an auto scooter so they all look quite similar, I'm mostly interested in which makes the most fiscal sense along with reliability as it will be her first independent transport and I want it to be a good experience. Thanks in advance for any responses.
Edited by Jules Sunley on Tuesday 5th May 13:17
Used Piaggio or Gilera have always been good when purchased by my extended family (to be carried behind motorhomes). I guess the usual Japanese makes would also be good.
When purchasing has ventured into cheap Chinese makes it has always ended with disappointment both with (poor) quality and with (lack of) spares.
When purchasing has ventured into cheap Chinese makes it has always ended with disappointment both with (poor) quality and with (lack of) spares.
You could consider a used Chinese one, if you have a dealer locally.
A friend bought a tidy Lexmoto about two years old from a dealer who can support them as well as any other make, pretty cheap to buy, hasn't lost much value in the past couple of years.
The better known makes probably have a lot of Chinese parts in and may well have been built there.
A friend bought a tidy Lexmoto about two years old from a dealer who can support them as well as any other make, pretty cheap to buy, hasn't lost much value in the past couple of years.
The better known makes probably have a lot of Chinese parts in and may well have been built there.
Thanks all for the replies so far. Geared not a plan currently, it's about being mobile for getting to work locally and saving for a car and car test (and the bloody long wait to get a test) so auto fits the bill for a year or so. If she likes it and wants a 'proper bike' later on then she can just do CBT again on a geared one for confidence.
Much appreciate the tip on price for a new Suzuki Address, that is now my current leaning.
Much appreciate the tip on price for a new Suzuki Address, that is now my current leaning.
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