Scooter / Motorbike for First Timer? Suggestions Welcome!

• 

  SydStrand on 31/10/2018 - 18:46

  +3

  My partner, believes motorcycles are safer

  It doesn't matter. If you're on two wheels, you're always coming out on the losing end of a MVA. Scooters have some comfort niceties but won't matter if a car, truck, or telephone pole is involved. Scooters are easier at low speed, with no learning curve. Situational awareness >>>>> protective gear > motorbike vs scooter.

  Can I get my dream scooter of a Vespa or similar?

  Vespa is fine for riding around suburbs but inappropriate for the freeway. Wheels are tiny. Even if you get to speed, you're in a neutral riding position and they have the aero of a blimp, so you'll be riding right into the wind. You'll also get buffeted by passing trucks, etc.

• 

  pao2x on 31/10/2018 - 18:50

  +2

  There are some big freeway capable scooters. They are expensive, I suggest going small and using it for your purpose only (nothing over 80kph) light and maneuverable. I'm assuming your partner is male he probably would not want to be in it anyway.

  Go get your dream scooter. Personally I'm waiting for Vespa Elettrica or an equally awesome electric scooter to hit the market like Honda PCX electric or Kymco Ionex Many EV in 2019 before deciding. (already got a car, 3-4km trip, awful parking at work hence going scoot)

• 

  Quantumcat on 31/10/2018 - 20:25

  +3

  How fast do you need to be able to travel? The lower the engine capacity the cheaper plus cheaper to register. Also, a small scooter is easier to pass the MOST (motorcycle Ps) test on. It is better to spend the time in between the Ls and Ps riding the same bike you intend to take the test on (I passed first go riding the bike I started with, a friend failed twice who had to hire a bike for the test).

  • if you're sticking to the suburbs e.g. just going to the local shops then 50cc-125cc is fine.
  • if you're travelling on medium roads (eg 70-80 km/hr) then minimum of 125cc up to 300cc
  • highways minimum of 300cc

  Don't get a bike that's too low, better to be higher capacity than you need.

  Vespas are fun to begin with but they're more expensive than what they're worth, the novelty will wear off. If you like the style there's several brands that have a similar aesthetic. Eg Scarabeo or Sachs Amici (my first!) or Kymco.

  If you plan to ride on highways it's not worth caring about how the bike looks. Get one with a very wide profile and a tall windscreen. You'll thank me later when you're riding in the cold and rain. It is worth getting handgrip guards (stops the wind from making your hands simultaneously numb and feeling like they're being dipped into hot lead). If you're choosing between handgrip guards and handgrip warmers, the guards are more effective but having both is very nice.

  I currently ride a Yamaha TMax 500 and I love it. At 500cc I can quickly accelerate away from danger if for example sometime starts merging into me on a 100kmph highway.

  It is way easier to pass all the tests on a scooter and I like scooters so if you want to ride one go ahead. Motorcycles and scooters are just as unsafe as each other so don't listen to your partner on that front. The only problem is automatic bikes use a belt in the engine that I don't remember what it is called, but it has to be replaced about every 3 or 4 services and is terribly expensive. Whichever scooter you choose look up the service intervals and how often the major service is, if they're close intervals obviously it will be more expensive to maintain. Manual motorcycles don't have this belt so are cheaper to own.

  Oh and don't forget to wear proper protective clothing at all times!!! I came off once and broke my wrist, I'd probably be dead or incredibly badly injured if I wasn't wearing all the stuff.

• 

  fossilfuel on 31/10/2018 - 22:39

  +1

  Good advice from the posters above. It will be hard to find a bike that will fit you and your partners purpose and it might be a good idea to get separate bikes. I think you should browse around and see if there are any bikes similar to your dream bike as you mentioned with BMW vs Vespa. A vespa will be fine if you're doing small trips around the city.

  As mentioned above, do not skimp on gear. You're better off looking ridiculously padded with gear than falling off and sustaining road rash.

  It all comes down to how aware you are of your surroundings. When riding a bike, you'll need to be alert all the time. Motorcycles and scooters are equally dangerous on the road. However, you'll be able to get out of dangerous situations more quickly if you have a scooter with a larger engine size.

  All the best and good luck with riding. You'll love it!

• 

  pegaxs on 31/10/2018 - 23:04

  +2

  KTM 390 Duke. Small, light, fast enough for freeway, agile around city. Cheap to buy. Come with ABS. A good mix between a motorbike and a scooter, being a naked bike makes it super easy to ride.

  I bought the RC 390 for shits and giggles and I am actually really impressed with it.

  If you want a scooter and your other half wants a motorcycle, then go with a small bore naked bike. They are a bit easier to share if you both need one bike. If not, get yourself a scooter and your partner can get what ever they want.

• 

  elgrande on 31/10/2018 - 23:27

  Postie

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  sahh on 31/10/2018 - 23:47

  +1

  Thanks for starting thread OP - I'm having a similar discussion with my partner, who also thinks a motorbike is "safer" because you can get yourself out of situations quicker (not sure how much truth there is to that).

  One benefit of a scooter is being able to wear skirts/dress if you're planning to ride to work.

  • 

    Quantumcat on 01/11/2018 - 07:20

    +5

    One benefit of a scooter is being able to wear skirts/dress if you're planning to ride to work.

    Oh god no, please don't be one of those morons

  • 

    naplutetium on 01/11/2018 - 11:38

    One benefit of a scooter is being able to wear skirts/dress if you're planning to ride to work.

    Oh my! That comment makes the statement "a motorbike is safer" almost true. Please don't!

    Imagine riding your scooter in a skirt, falling off and sliding over the asphalt with your bare skin for just a few meters. You won't have much skin left, lots of dirt in the wounds and you will perhaps never wear a skirt again because of the scars. If you are lucky… Now imagine a bigger accident… yayks!

    Listen to Quantumcat!

    • 

      sahh on 01/11/2018 - 21:49

      Ok haha point taken… but I hardly see people in full bike gear when riding a scooter, is it recommended?

      • 

        alvian on 04/11/2018 - 03:23

        +1

        Drag your hand on bitumen and get to know how much damage a fall from a motorcycle/scooter will do to bare skin. Only then will you truly appreciate the point. You won't be writing haha after that.

        Don't look at what those idiots wore. Ask yourself how much is your body worth? Is it cheaper than body armour, boots, gloves, Kevlar and cow hide?

        Don't get me started on the boyfriend rider in decent protective gear while the girlfriend rode pillion in skimpy shorts and heels with only the mandatory helmet. Or the inner city hippie scooter rider in flip-flops and bare hands. One minor off and goodbye fingers and toes.

• 

  poboy on 01/11/2018 - 09:04

  +2

  From Melbourne here, I purchased a 150cc scooter about 12 years ago. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Free parking, easy through the traffic. Plus scooters have storage off the bat (under the seat) that motorcycles don't have. I would regard scooters as safer as their acceleration and top speed are lower than standard issue motorbikes.

  My tip is to keep off the freeway and only use roads that are up to 80 kph. My second tip is to buy a bike with a capacity of 150cc. Any lower and the model is too slow and crap. Any higher and the model's width will increase, making it difficult to get through stationary traffic. Motorcycles remain relatively slender as their capacity increases - but scooters just get wider.

  Keep off those tram tracks.

• 

  naplutetium on 01/11/2018 - 12:24

  +1

  Some very good advice above already. Do a search on OzBargain, there have been similar posts/questions in the last few years. Some good advice there too. For example,

  [Honda VTR250 and First Bike Advice] (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/316347)
  [Buying Motorcycle Advice] (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/290868)

  I regularly ride a 1200cc motorbike and a 125cc scooter (Sachs Amici). I do feel much safer on the motorbike. However, that is only because of its power and the ability to get away from things. In this case size matters too: I am more visible on the motorbike.

  For small trips to the shops the scooter is fine, but not for anything else. Crossing the Harbour Bridge (Anzac Bridge is even worse) is almost dangerous because the 125cc scooter can’t get over 50km/hr up hill (80km/hr zone). Going downhill I have managed to get up to 90km/hr. If you see a big truck behind you coming closer and closer and you can’t get away, you wish you had something more powerful. Some cars also don’t expect the fact that you simply can’t go any faster. So for those reasons only, yes I would say a motorbike is safer.

  I would recommend (as some have done above) to buy something cheaper (not a Vespa or BMW) until you know for sure that you like riding. Use the money for good clothing and upgrade to your dream bike/scooter when you get your full license. Also, you will most likely drop your bike in the first year, a scratch on a Sachs Amici is much less painful (mentally) than on a Vespa or BMW.

  Good luck choosing and happy riding!

  • 

    Quantumcat on 08/11/2018 - 07:00

    So for those reasons only

    You would find the same thing with a 1200cc scooter vs a 125cc motorcycle. It's the cc that matters not whether it is a motorcycle or scooter. I ride a 500cc scooter and can easily do 140km/hr on the flat if I want to.

    • 

      naplutetium on 08/11/2018 - 23:32

      You are absolutely correct :)

• 

  Thbloke on 01/11/2018 - 15:12

  +1

  The scooter is not safer than a motorbike. Firstly, its wheels are thinner and smaller, so it is easy to get affected by the potholes and tram track etc. Secondly, you would feel a bit floating when it is windy, especially when you drive fast.
  The good thing is it is easier for a female driver to hold your position when your scooter/motorcycle is falling. This happens when you stop on a slope.
  Therefore, the scooter is good for low-speed driving and on a good road, good weather. So much fun!