Buying a 50cc Scooter, What Should I Be Looking for?

pernunz on 18/05/2015 - 13:18

Hi all,

I've made the decision to get rid of my car and buy a 50cc scooter. I live with my partner, and have access to a car when I need it, but between the 2 of us, having 2 cars is too much, and the amount of money spent on expenses to just keep the second car in the garage is not worth it. The low speeds do not worry me, and I'll be looking to keep it for 18 months to 2 years.

Also, in terms of my daily commute into work it will work out cheaper than public transport, and substantially quicker.

I've heard various things from different people, about buying new or buying used. I don't know much about cars and automobiles, and I'm looking for some advice from people who know better (or can link me up to some information)

Is there any compelling reason I shouldn't buy something like This for example.

Appreciate any help or advice you guys can provide.

Automotive

Comments

  • Paul Atreides on 18/05/2015 - 13:30

    whats your riding experience?

  • Davo1111 on 18/05/2015 - 14:05

    we were warned on the learners course not to get a 50cc, not enough power to stay with traffic.

  • Annoying Source on 18/05/2015 - 14:27

    I recently got my L's and I tried a few different bikes, I didn't want something to powerful for my first bike but when I tried the 125cc bikes they didn't seem like enough so I ended up getting some Yamaha 225cc.

    I am very glad I went with more power because (the 225cc) is already starting to feel like not enough, I am 6ft and 100kg tho. It all depends on your size and what you are comfortable riding.

    If I were you I'd get a scooter with a little bit more power like 125cc or something (I don't know much about scooters), as Davo said 50 cc won't be enough power when you need it. Ever sped up to avoid an accident or something similar like merging? With 50 cc it can be a lot harder to do those maneuvers.

    Again everyone is different and maybe 50cc will be enough for you. Also I am happy to be proven wrong on any of this as I am still learning myself but seeing as I bought my bike about 6 months ago I have been in a very similar situation as you.

    • Paul Atreides on 18/05/2015 - 14:43

      im the opposite. before even riding i was thinking 300ccs (now thinking that was extremely idiotic of me)

      after doing my Ls course, I re-evaluated and opted for 150cc r15. im 73kg.

      my instructor too said avoided a 50cc scooter as davo said. he himself rides a 125cc scooter.

      • Annoying Source on 18/05/2015 - 16:11
        +1

        haha I would love to jump on a 600cc+ bike but I just know I would hurt myself or worse, I have my whole life to get a more power bike but I need to learn to be able to control and understand them first. You'd be surprised how much 25kg can affect speed on a bike. The r15 and the CBR125R were the two bikes I looked at before I decided I needed more power, not much more but enough to where it was fun and fast but not stupid fast.

  • Vieira4 on 18/05/2015 - 14:31
    +5

    Make sure you spend money on good riding gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, pants, boots. As a motorcycle rider, I am stunned when I see scooter riders in sandals and a tank top. Maybe they think a slide @ 60km/h on a scooter is somehow different to a slide on a motorbike. Bitumen doesn't discriminate.

  • npc on 18/05/2015 - 14:46

    50cc is enough only to go shopping within your suburb, you will struggle on it in any 50+kph zone, not safe at all.

  • xyron on 18/05/2015 - 15:06

    You have your motorbike Ls? then why are you looking at 50cc pieces of shit?

    if you are scared of having too much power for a first bike (fair enough, in hindsight i shouldn't have bought a derestricted Hyosung GT650S as my first bike!) then grab a Honda CB125e or a Yamaha Scorpio 225…they will do you well as a commuter bike and they can do the speed limit up to 100km/h (depending how heavy you are).

    Seriously, don't get a 50cc. they don't have enough power to pull the skin off a custard and you'll be a sitting duck on the road and in traffic. Plus you shouldn't be getting on any motorised two-wheeler without having done your RiderSafe course (in SA), or whatever it's called in your state…

    • pernunz on 18/05/2015 - 15:26

      No, I do not have my motorbike license. I am wanting to drive in SA on my regular drivers license (which I can do up to 50cc)

      No journey would exceed more than 10km, and only some roads on that journey would have a maximum speed of 60km/h (which I've been told 50CC 4-stroke engines can reach reasonably easily)

      • Vieira4 on 18/05/2015 - 15:33
        +1

        Don't do it. If you value your safety and yourself go do a course.

      • xyron on 18/05/2015 - 16:04
        +1

        No, they can't (not without a bore kit which are illegal anyway). Unless you are a small child you will struggle to do more than 50km/h on a scooter. that, and they are disposable items. they cannot be rebuilt or repaired cheaply or easily and are throwaway items after even only a few thousand km.

        RiderSafe Basic runs over two days and you will learn basic roadcraft skills which may well save your life on two wheels. You can then ride even a 125cc scooter if you wanted to.

        Within 2 years you then need to do RiderSafe Advanced (a half day course) and you have your R-date licence (and unrestricted R class a year later). The total cost to do the two courses is about $800.

        even a brand new CB125e is less than $2000 ride-away, and is orders of magnitude better than any sub 250cc scooter.

  • Cluster on 18/05/2015 - 15:38

    50cc scooter riders are a danger to themselves on the road. The scooter can't maintain 60km/h on a mild gradient and certainly can't achieve 80km/h. Cars will be constantly overtaking you, with some drivers not bothering to completely move into another lane while doing so.

    The first thing you should be doing when looking at a 50cc is finding a scooter with more cc.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2015 - 18:12
    +3

    I ride a 400cc Scooter after upgrading from a 125cc. It is imperative you have the power to get out of trouble when you need to. As a bike rider and a car driver I find the 50cc riders seriously p%!ss me off when they lane split and get in front of me and I have to wait for their mozzie sounding bikes to start moving before I can take off from the lights in my car.

    As others have already said:

    1) do the training. It may save your life.
    2) get a good jacket and gloves.
    3) Get a decent high-viz helmet - Not black, go for bright colours if possible.
    4) Stay out of other driver's blind spots - Always.
    5) Always be prepared to be cut off.
    6) New tyres are slippery.

    IF you do get a small engine, try and avoid a 2 stroke. 4 stroke has less grunt, but at least you won't be stuffing around with mixing fuel.

  • Davo1111 on 18/05/2015 - 18:51
    +1

    OP, you can do a 2 day rider training course for $57….

  • OZB Al on 19/05/2015 - 08:50

    Compelling reason: it is offensively ugly.

    If you must go 50cc (which you shouldn't) get an Ace 50. If I was getting a little city bike it would probably be an Ace 125.

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