CBT completed - first scoot
Discussion
Hi everyone. My wife and I did our CBTs last weekend.
We live on the outskirts of a large town and my wife works on the outskirts the other side. As such she drives through the the town centre (passing three schools) every morning at rush hour and is fed up of getting stuck in traffic and roadworks.
The idea is to get a scoot so that she can ride into work when the weather is acceptable. I'd like that ability to do a bit of dual carriageway should there be a requirement. Is there much of a difference between any of the 125s? Guess the vespa would feel a bit unsteady on faster roads due to the tiny wheels?
She likes cutesy things but is open to most things:
Vespa Primevera
I like the more maxi style:
Yamaha Nmax
Honda PCX
Also there are the larger wheel bikes that are a bit narrower like:
Honda SH 125i
Piaggio Medley
Piaggio Liberty
(Budget of up to say £3k, which would buy a new Liberty With £500 to spare, but all others ~2yr old with a couple of k under their belts)
Any do's or don'ts or thoughts?
We live on the outskirts of a large town and my wife works on the outskirts the other side. As such she drives through the the town centre (passing three schools) every morning at rush hour and is fed up of getting stuck in traffic and roadworks.
The idea is to get a scoot so that she can ride into work when the weather is acceptable. I'd like that ability to do a bit of dual carriageway should there be a requirement. Is there much of a difference between any of the 125s? Guess the vespa would feel a bit unsteady on faster roads due to the tiny wheels?
She likes cutesy things but is open to most things:
Vespa Primevera
I like the more maxi style:
Yamaha Nmax
Honda PCX
Also there are the larger wheel bikes that are a bit narrower like:
Honda SH 125i
Piaggio Medley
Piaggio Liberty
(Budget of up to say £3k, which would buy a new Liberty With £500 to spare, but all others ~2yr old with a couple of k under their belts)
Any do's or don'ts or thoughts?
Edited by Ambleton on Wednesday 8th December 08:29
Honda PCX is a winner for me. I've had a PCX for a few years now alongside whatever 'big' bike(s) I've had. It's sometimes nice just jumping on that and zipping around, going into town, not worrying about where its left. Fantastic engine, good under-seat storage, 12v plug behind a weather-sealed cubby hole. Try to look for a post-2015/16 model as that's when a facelift came in with some nice features such as LED headlamp and ABS.
Those 125s are becoming increasingly popular now that everyone in the world seems to be a Deliveroo / Uber rider, so they tend to hold a good price. Much like buying a convertible, winter is obviously a good time for bike buying.
Those 125s are becoming increasingly popular now that everyone in the world seems to be a Deliveroo / Uber rider, so they tend to hold a good price. Much like buying a convertible, winter is obviously a good time for bike buying.
If you are just popping to and fro across town, how about a Super Soco CPX? 56mph and a 44 mile range should cover most urban journeys.
Its currently the best selling scooter in the UK. https://www.supersoco.co.uk/bike/cpx/
If you don't like electric, I'd go for a PCX or, if style is big factor, a Vespa. Both hold their value well but for different reasons.
Its currently the best selling scooter in the UK. https://www.supersoco.co.uk/bike/cpx/
If you don't like electric, I'd go for a PCX or, if style is big factor, a Vespa. Both hold their value well but for different reasons.
HairyMaclary said:
Pcx 125 if it has to be a scoot.
Monkey or MSX125 if you want a real bike
MSX125 / 'Grom' is a good shout. Got one of them as well Monkey or MSX125 if you want a real bike
Much fun! But if you've got no interest in gears (it's only 4-speed) then it won't be for you. On the flip side, it might spark a dormant love for biking and encourage you to take it further.
As with boyse7en's suggestion above, if it's just for urban use take a look at NIU. They're massively popular here and the bigger ones can do 60mph and have a 40+ mile range (although possibly not both at the same time. The rental companies here all use them so they must be pretty reliable.
https://www.niu.com/uk
https://www.niu.com/uk
Thanks.
Although the green credentials of an EV scoot are probably a lot better than an EV car, there's a bit of me that thinks the whole world is being greenwashed into EVs, I won't go into it - I'd prefer an ICE.
For the moment a twist n go is fine and it's what the wife wants. Simple and less to concentrate on which is best for a total N00b.
I have a pal with a grom who's offered me a go in a closed off carpark one weekend. I might look at going geared and or do the full shebang at some point but that's probably not until the summer at the very earliest.
So the general consensus is the honda then. Interesting. I guess they must be the most popular in the UK for a reason!
Seems in Europe the best selling is the Piaggio Liberty. Doesn't seem much love over here for either the Liberty or the Medley.
Although the green credentials of an EV scoot are probably a lot better than an EV car, there's a bit of me that thinks the whole world is being greenwashed into EVs, I won't go into it - I'd prefer an ICE.
For the moment a twist n go is fine and it's what the wife wants. Simple and less to concentrate on which is best for a total N00b.
I have a pal with a grom who's offered me a go in a closed off carpark one weekend. I might look at going geared and or do the full shebang at some point but that's probably not until the summer at the very earliest.
So the general consensus is the honda then. Interesting. I guess they must be the most popular in the UK for a reason!
Seems in Europe the best selling is the Piaggio Liberty. Doesn't seem much love over here for either the Liberty or the Medley.
Edited by Ambleton on Wednesday 8th December 17:21
Upon presenting the options to the wife she's narrowed it down to:
Piaggio Medley
Vespa Primevera
Honda SH125i
Think her preference is a medley at the mo because of all the under seat storage they've managed to squeeze in.
The Yamaha Nmax and the Honda PCX are out the window as they look too "boyish" and "angular"
Piaggio Medley
Vespa Primevera
Honda SH125i
Think her preference is a medley at the mo because of all the under seat storage they've managed to squeeze in.
The Yamaha Nmax and the Honda PCX are out the window as they look too "boyish" and "angular"
Should probably close this thread out.
Ended up with a brand spankers Piaggio Medley 125. Got a good deal just before Christmas.
Now we've got it the wife isn't too sure about it (rolls eyes). She's been out on it 4 times and I dont think shes gone above 25mph. Her two biggest complaints are that it's cold (it is winter I suppose) and that it's heavy. It's ~130kgs, she struggles to manoeuvre it manually and get it on and off the centre stand etc. Not sure there's much of an answer to that as even the lightest and most basic 125s are >105kgs, liquid cooled scoots with ABS all tend to be around the 125-135kg mark.
I'm hoping that come spring and better weather two things happen.
1- it warms up so she wants to go out on it, and gets used to riding it.
2- with use, she learns how to handle it and how best to position herself to manoeuvre it. Most of it is "knack" I've found, but I am substantially bigger, heavier and stronger than her.
On the flip side, I love it. Really enjoy riding it. Its just so handy to pop to the shops, the post office, across or into town, to mates houses, the local bakery or the Friday chippy run. It doesn't get used a huge amount, maybe 2/3 times a week, but its great to not have to worry about traffic, parking, bus lanes etc. Not sure why, but I particularly enjoy night riding through town.
In it's first few hundred miles it's averaged about 90mpg with me (112kgs and 6ft4) on it not bad for a new, stiff engine and box. Costs £8 to fill up. It's great.
Probably the best accessory i've bought so far is an EasyBlock wheel lock. So handy. No messing about. It's always there and just give it a kick to engage it. It's quite expensive, but 100% worth it IMO.
close second is Oxford HotGrips, what a joy they are...
I've found other road users round here are actually pretty reasonable too. I've only had one bell end in a mercedes Eclass pull a stupid stunt on me in a 30zone (I was doing 30mph), which tbh, is better than I thought. I assumed that every ride would be fraught with dangerous drivers.
Ended up with a brand spankers Piaggio Medley 125. Got a good deal just before Christmas.
Now we've got it the wife isn't too sure about it (rolls eyes). She's been out on it 4 times and I dont think shes gone above 25mph. Her two biggest complaints are that it's cold (it is winter I suppose) and that it's heavy. It's ~130kgs, she struggles to manoeuvre it manually and get it on and off the centre stand etc. Not sure there's much of an answer to that as even the lightest and most basic 125s are >105kgs, liquid cooled scoots with ABS all tend to be around the 125-135kg mark.
I'm hoping that come spring and better weather two things happen.
1- it warms up so she wants to go out on it, and gets used to riding it.
2- with use, she learns how to handle it and how best to position herself to manoeuvre it. Most of it is "knack" I've found, but I am substantially bigger, heavier and stronger than her.
On the flip side, I love it. Really enjoy riding it. Its just so handy to pop to the shops, the post office, across or into town, to mates houses, the local bakery or the Friday chippy run. It doesn't get used a huge amount, maybe 2/3 times a week, but its great to not have to worry about traffic, parking, bus lanes etc. Not sure why, but I particularly enjoy night riding through town.
In it's first few hundred miles it's averaged about 90mpg with me (112kgs and 6ft4) on it not bad for a new, stiff engine and box. Costs £8 to fill up. It's great.
Probably the best accessory i've bought so far is an EasyBlock wheel lock. So handy. No messing about. It's always there and just give it a kick to engage it. It's quite expensive, but 100% worth it IMO.
close second is Oxford HotGrips, what a joy they are...
I've found other road users round here are actually pretty reasonable too. I've only had one bell end in a mercedes Eclass pull a stupid stunt on me in a 30zone (I was doing 30mph), which tbh, is better than I thought. I assumed that every ride would be fraught with dangerous drivers.
My daughter had exactly the same complaints about her Vespa. Took a while (& better weather) to convince her that the heavy feeling tends to disappear when you start riding with a bit more confidence.
To be fair I’m used to bigger (manual) bikes & found the twist & go Vespa gave me a bit of a learning curve. Had to spend some time in a car park revising some of my own CBT manoeuvring skills before I could help to my daughter.
To be fair I’m used to bigger (manual) bikes & found the twist & go Vespa gave me a bit of a learning curve. Had to spend some time in a car park revising some of my own CBT manoeuvring skills before I could help to my daughter.
just don't do what an ex colleague did...
His mrs got a scoot for her commute into Oxford. On her first day riding to work he followed her in the car to give her confidence. On a roundabout he thought she was pulling away so gunned his car in order to stay behind her, unfortunately she didn't go and he punted her from behind. insurance refused to pay out and his mrs refused to ever use the scoot again.
His mrs got a scoot for her commute into Oxford. On her first day riding to work he followed her in the car to give her confidence. On a roundabout he thought she was pulling away so gunned his car in order to stay behind her, unfortunately she didn't go and he punted her from behind. insurance refused to pay out and his mrs refused to ever use the scoot again.
Ambleton said:
Should probably close this thread out.
Ended up with a brand spankers Piaggio Medley 125. Got a good deal just before Christmas.
Now we've got it the wife isn't too sure about it (rolls eyes). She's been out on it 4 times and I dont think shes gone above 25mph. Her two biggest complaints are that it's cold (it is winter I suppose) and that it's heavy. It's ~130kgs, she struggles to manoeuvre it manually and get it on and off the centre stand etc. Not sure there's much of an answer to that as even the lightest and most basic 125s are >105kgs, liquid cooled scoots with ABS all tend to be around the 125-135kg mark.
I'm hoping that come spring and better weather two things happen.
1- it warms up so she wants to go out on it, and gets used to riding it.
2- with use, she learns how to handle it and how best to position herself to manoeuvre it. Most of it is "knack" I've found, but I am substantially bigger, heavier and stronger than her.
On the flip side, I love it. Really enjoy riding it. Its just so handy to pop to the shops, the post office, across or into town, to mates houses, the local bakery or the Friday chippy run. It doesn't get used a huge amount, maybe 2/3 times a week, but its great to not have to worry about traffic, parking, bus lanes etc. Not sure why, but I particularly enjoy night riding through town.
In it's first few hundred miles it's averaged about 90mpg with me (112kgs and 6ft4) on it not bad for a new, stiff engine and box. Costs £8 to fill up. It's great.
Probably the best accessory i've bought so far is an EasyBlock wheel lock. So handy. No messing about. It's always there and just give it a kick to engage it. It's quite expensive, but 100% worth it IMO.
close second is Oxford HotGrips, what a joy they are...
I've found other road users round here are actually pretty reasonable too. I've only had one bell end in a mercedes Eclass pull a stupid stunt on me in a 30zone (I was doing 30mph), which tbh, is better than I thought. I assumed that every ride would be fraught with dangerous drivers.
How does it cope with your weight? Peppy or sluggish. Ended up with a brand spankers Piaggio Medley 125. Got a good deal just before Christmas.
Now we've got it the wife isn't too sure about it (rolls eyes). She's been out on it 4 times and I dont think shes gone above 25mph. Her two biggest complaints are that it's cold (it is winter I suppose) and that it's heavy. It's ~130kgs, she struggles to manoeuvre it manually and get it on and off the centre stand etc. Not sure there's much of an answer to that as even the lightest and most basic 125s are >105kgs, liquid cooled scoots with ABS all tend to be around the 125-135kg mark.
I'm hoping that come spring and better weather two things happen.
1- it warms up so she wants to go out on it, and gets used to riding it.
2- with use, she learns how to handle it and how best to position herself to manoeuvre it. Most of it is "knack" I've found, but I am substantially bigger, heavier and stronger than her.
On the flip side, I love it. Really enjoy riding it. Its just so handy to pop to the shops, the post office, across or into town, to mates houses, the local bakery or the Friday chippy run. It doesn't get used a huge amount, maybe 2/3 times a week, but its great to not have to worry about traffic, parking, bus lanes etc. Not sure why, but I particularly enjoy night riding through town.
In it's first few hundred miles it's averaged about 90mpg with me (112kgs and 6ft4) on it not bad for a new, stiff engine and box. Costs £8 to fill up. It's great.
Probably the best accessory i've bought so far is an EasyBlock wheel lock. So handy. No messing about. It's always there and just give it a kick to engage it. It's quite expensive, but 100% worth it IMO.
close second is Oxford HotGrips, what a joy they are...
I've found other road users round here are actually pretty reasonable too. I've only had one bell end in a mercedes Eclass pull a stupid stunt on me in a 30zone (I was doing 30mph), which tbh, is better than I thought. I assumed that every ride would be fraught with dangerous drivers.
Last time I rode a 125 scooter I was 12.5 stone!
Just to chip in there is a knack to using a centre stand, I've lifted some heavy bikes onto centre stands with ease if done correctly.
It's hard to describe but tell her to focus more on standing on the stand and pushing that down than lifting the rear up. You will naturally lift the rear for leverage but are not deadlifting it like most people start out trying to do.
Maybe get her practicing at home, riding will be much more enjoyable experience if she's not stressing out at the end trying to lift it onto a stand
It's hard to describe but tell her to focus more on standing on the stand and pushing that down than lifting the rear up. You will naturally lift the rear for leverage but are not deadlifting it like most people start out trying to do.
Maybe get her practicing at home, riding will be much more enjoyable experience if she's not stressing out at the end trying to lift it onto a stand
It's right on the power limit to ride on a CBT - 14.7Bhp. Loads of 125s are around the 11-12bhp mark.
In terms of riding I have very little/nothing to compare it to apart from the beat up 50 I did the CBT on.
From the lights and out of junctions etc if you pin it then it tends to zip away from virtually anything. Even going up hills etc seems pretty peppy.
I've not done a Vmax run on it, but have had it above 60, which feels absolutely fine tbh. I think with me on it, it may struggle to touch 70. I'd say 65-68 sounds about right but I'll report back.
In terms of riding I have very little/nothing to compare it to apart from the beat up 50 I did the CBT on.
From the lights and out of junctions etc if you pin it then it tends to zip away from virtually anything. Even going up hills etc seems pretty peppy.
I've not done a Vmax run on it, but have had it above 60, which feels absolutely fine tbh. I think with me on it, it may struggle to touch 70. I'd say 65-68 sounds about right but I'll report back.
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