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.
Modern Chinese bikes are in a different league to what they were 10 years ago so I wouldn't let that worry me too much, but if you want top reliability it's still got to be Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kymco.
I would say firstly go with whoever has a local dealer who can look after the bike and secondly don't spend too much as the chances of a 125 scooter getting pinched are unfortunately high.
I would say firstly go with whoever has a local dealer who can look after the bike and secondly don't spend too much as the chances of a 125 scooter getting pinched are unfortunately high.
Steve_H80 said:
Modern Chinese bikes are in a different league to what they were 10 years ago so I wouldn't let that worry me too much, but if you want top reliability it's still got to be Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kymco.
I would say firstly go with whoever has a local dealer who can look after the bike and secondly don't spend too much as the chances of a 125 scooter getting pinched are unfortunately high.
Thanks, and yes the nickability factor is definitely a consideration. Thankfully has a secure yard at work she will be able to store a bike in out of sight.I would say firstly go with whoever has a local dealer who can look after the bike and secondly don't spend too much as the chances of a 125 scooter getting pinched are unfortunately high.
Spoke to the chap at Powerslide, nice guy and a great deal. Local dealer is 150 more but with delivery added (we are M4 corridor) works out basically the same. There is also the Suzuki Avensis, same bike underneath and a couple of hundred quid more but more funky styling so we will go and look at both.
Anyone have a good recommendation for a scooter insurer for a new rider? I've tried some comparators and some from a Google search for scooters. Best so far is Lexmark at c1100 quid, some won't quote, and the most hilarious was 26 grand! - something tells me they don't want the business
Anyone have a good recommendation for a scooter insurer for a new rider? I've tried some comparators and some from a Google search for scooters. Best so far is Lexmark at c1100 quid, some won't quote, and the most hilarious was 26 grand! - something tells me they don't want the business
We moved house when our lad was in final year of school. He wanted a scomadi 125 but persuaded him to try a 50cc first (he was only 16). Bought all the gear and, when the weather permitted, he rode it to school. Those few months and his CBT taught him some useful lessons and gave him the experience needed to become a semi-confident rider.
At 17 we got him a Scomadi and he was surprised at the turn of pace but grateful for the experience. Parts were easy to get hold of and he changed the carb and CPU unit himself.
I would stick to Chinese stuff just for vfm as its probably going to be dropped a few times.
6 months later he passed his driving test and stole my local runaround....and I got a bike.
At 17 we got him a Scomadi and he was surprised at the turn of pace but grateful for the experience. Parts were easy to get hold of and he changed the carb and CPU unit himself.
I would stick to Chinese stuff just for vfm as its probably going to be dropped a few times.
6 months later he passed his driving test and stole my local runaround....and I got a bike.
Jules Sunley said:
Spoke to the chap at Powerslide, nice guy and a great deal. Local dealer is 150 more but with delivery added (we are M4 corridor) works out basically the same. There is also the Suzuki Avensis, same bike underneath and a couple of hundred quid more but more funky styling so we will go and look at both.
Anyone have a good recommendation for a scooter insurer for a new rider? I've tried some comparators and some from a Google search for scooters. Best so far is Lexmark at c1100 quid, some won't quote, and the most hilarious was 26 grand! - something tells me they don't want the business
Might be worth getting a quote for a smaller engine? Anyone have a good recommendation for a scooter insurer for a new rider? I've tried some comparators and some from a Google search for scooters. Best so far is Lexmark at c1100 quid, some won't quote, and the most hilarious was 26 grand! - something tells me they don't want the business
My mate's son was quoted quite high for a 125 having not ridden before, compared to others who had 6 months or more on a moped.
Back in the day (AKA dark ages), 100cc insurance was always much less than 125cc.
Are there any 70/80/90cc options?
Are Chinese cheapo scooters cheaper to insure?
Does it help to get the CBT done on a school bike? Fully comp for a new bike and a complete beginner might be seen as high risk.
Is it possible to tick any other training boxes before getting insurance?
Your postcode may be the problem, but it's worth exploring options.
What are other youngsters in the area paying?
Thanks all. Went scooter shopping yesterday and settled on a new Suzuki Avenis from local main dealer with a top box and rack fitted - all lined up and in stock but not pressing the button until after today's CBT. Youngster dropped off an hour ago and now the nervous wait to find out if she enjoys it. I felt like I imagine an expectant father does outside maternity when I left her (other half of one of my step kids so I've not been in that maternity situation)!
Two instructors today and one other student on a scooter she will be paired with which is nice. School uses Kymco scooters and they are 23 reg so looked decent enough for today. Not as cool as her one to come though assuming all goes well.
Two instructors today and one other student on a scooter she will be paired with which is nice. School uses Kymco scooters and they are 23 reg so looked decent enough for today. Not as cool as her one to come though assuming all goes well.
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