Thread: 50cc scooters

Something else I've been toying with is getting a 50cc scooter as you can use it on a car license. I used to think they were gay as a 2 bob watch but after our trip to Vietnam i have a new respect for them. So looking for a cheapie but there's lots out there I know the jap ones are all pretty good but are any of the chinese ones much good? Any brands come close to the japanese ones?

as a motorcyclist with over 40 years experience ( okay all big fast stuff ) I would not recommend a 50cc scooter to anyone - get at least 75cc better still 100cc or even 150cc - why well 50cc are just so underpowered- they struggle to keep up with cars even around town - that means that most are obliged to run alongside cars in the lane normally used by push bikes - they dont have the power to get away at lights so are overtaken - that leaves you in a very vulnerable position - the bigger motor will allow you to keep pace with cars and where you can be seen - get alongside a logging truck on a 50cc scooter and see how ya feel - our roads are not vietnam - there's some big rigs out there - get yourself a suzuki 125 and you wont go wrong - but 50cc you are on a one way hiding to nothing out on our roads

Yea but I said I want it so I ride on a car license. Its just to pop down to the shop not do a road trip. I've got a bigger bike if I want to ride a bigger bike but no bike license and I dont want to.

okay fair enough be carefull be seen

50cc sccoters have their place but amongst traffic is not one of them. I would not say they are as gay as a 2 bob watch but would suggest the term risky as a raw chicken curry.....If you really want to get a sccoter and do not want to get a motorcycle license then look at the Tricity by Yamaha....300cc and with 2 front wheels it is registered as a car. Upside is that it has the power to keep up with traffic - Downside is it will cost what a cheap car will.....

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/m...0&bof=QRqSiPTO

As mentioned by Barry above riding a scooter in traffic that is faster and bigger than you is not really a good idea, even more so if you are new to it when the risk of mistakes has a much higher consequence. Instead if you want to get a scooter, I would encourage you to get your Bike license and get a motorbike first. Learn to ride properly and safely - And even if you can already ride, the process will make you a safer rider. BUT be warned...getting addicted to motorcycles is even more expensive that firearms..... I am screwed as I am addicted to both.

Once you have your license you could look at the Suzuki Burgman or Honda Silver wing or others .... The have 300cc up to 650cc......The only issue I have against the Burgman is that as a scooter it is wider, longer , taller and nearly as fast as my 1000cc V twin classic ...

I am not againts bikes, I have ridden and owned them for over 30 years, but I do want to see anyone who wants to ride to get home afterwards....

could on ya Timattalon as a biker I just cringe at scooters - when I see youngsters zimming around shorts on and a shirt - my knees cringe - they dont handle they dont go fast enough to really heat up the tyres like on a sports bike - but I quess just down to shop and back - at least mate wear a set heavy trousers and a jacket - tar seal hurts -I never went out without a full set leathers - but riding a bike will make you a much better driver of cars - one looks to mistrust everyone out there and watch a lot harder at what other drivers are doing

Most of Viet Nam is just ideal for little scooters, as their entire infrastructure has been built around the bicycle. Plus the entire population is savvy to having them around, so getting out and mixing with cars and trucks isn't as dangerous as it is in NZ.

Most of the Viet Nam scooters are over 100cc. Only the Honda Cubs on their 20th rebuild are 50cc. I worked their in 2008/2009 and did 9000km in 5 months going to and from work, inside the rubber plantations on a Chinese Honda Dream copy. 125ccs.

Most NZ road users are a lot less switched on than Vietnamese road users. Over there, if you have an accident you're fucked. So you stay a whole lot more situationally aware than half the morons in cars in NZ these days.

If you are super keen on the idea of riding down to the corner store, possibly think about an Ebike?? Then you could sneak off into the hills from some roadends with it

Originally Posted by XR500

Most of Viet Nam is just ideal for little scooters, as their entire infrastructure has been built around the bicycle. Plus the entire population is savvy to having them around, so getting out and mixing with cars and trucks isn't as dangerous as it is in NZ.

Most of the Viet Nam scooters are over 100cc. Only the Honda Cubs on their 20th rebuild are 50cc. I worked their in 2008/2009 and did 9000km in 5 months going to and from work, inside the rubber plantations on a Chinese Honda Dream copy. 125ccs.

Most NZ road users are a lot less switched on than Vietnamese road users. Over there, if you have an accident you're fucked. So you stay a whole lot more situationally aware than half the morons in cars in NZ these days.

If you are super keen on the idea of riding down to the corner store, possibly think about an Ebike?? Then you could sneak off into the hills from some roadends with it

E bike Id rather run down there in my mums undies.....

I do love a 50, good and handy in town or where it's real flat and you can wring the last couple of watts out of it. Cable and a lock if you're in a wildlife zone, they love nicking them

Or, get a learners bike license, it's basically a scratchie test, then you can get half decent hundred odd cc things that take up the same room.

Ok I've been riding bikes (motor bikes) since 9 years old so had a couple of years experience on them. I've owned these proper bikes 750 jap bikes harley, dirt bikes etc. I dont call myself a biker as I'm not, I'm just a guy that has ridden bikes from time to time. Does anyone actually have an answer to the question I asked?

Originally Posted by blip

Ok I've been riding bikes (motor bikes) since 9 years old so had a couple of years experience on them. I've owned these proper bikes 750 jap bikes harley, dirt bikes etc. I dont call myself a biker as I'm not, I'm just a guy that has ridden bikes from time to time. Does anyone actually have an answer to the question I asked?

Been riding m/bikes since I was about 12yo. Started my apperenticeship in M/cycle engineering as it was called back then in 1978 so been around bikes a day or two. There is nothing wrong with a 50cc scooter for use as a get-about and you're obviously use to dealing with kiwi drivers. 50cc scooters can be quite peppy as long as they're tuned/serviced correctly. A lot of 'Jap' scooters are made under licence all over the place now including China,Philippines,Thailand , even Mexico. A bit like Ford Rangers etc. Obviously if it's one of the cheap $1200 ones be wary, they go ok for a while then turn to crap and the vendor/importer back-up is usually crap. My 2c.

Originally Posted by blip

Ok I've been riding bikes (motor bikes) since 9 years old so had a couple of years experience on them. I've owned these proper bikes 750 jap bikes harley, dirt bikes etc. I dont call myself a biker as I'm not, I'm just a guy that has ridden bikes from time to time. Does anyone actually have an answer to the question I asked?

@blip If you really want to go down that road then my first suggestion would be Japanese big 4 (Honda. Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasake) Primarily because of reliability and parts availablity. A lot of them may well be made in China or Malasia etc, but because they have their name on them they carry support and parts for them. And when you consider prices, for a new Suzuki you are looking at $3k ish. Not really sure about the 2nd hand market but in these price brackets, the premium for a Japanese scooter can be measured in hundreds of dollars rather than thousands so not much of a step up.

If you decide it is something you want, and you are aware of traffic issues etc, then while it is not something I would suggest, I would not stop anyone either. They are cheaper to run and register than anything over 50cc which is their appeal (rego on a 50cc is $168 per year vs a bike up to 600cc at $400 and a car is $107...) . For reliability 4 stroke are better but I dont know if there are any in the 50cc bracket....2 strokes are simpler and maintenance is simpler but a bit more frequent.

I would look at what you are trying to do- will a cheap small car do a similar job because in most cases, apart from fuel usage, they will be a better option. (cheaper rego, cheaper insurance, cheaper purchase price and drier in the rain....) One final point, even though I dont own any bikes under 1000cc, I have to admit that every time I have riden a scooter, I have arrived at my destination with a huge smile. There is something about riding a bike flat out as hard as you can and not being able to get a ticket for speeding.....

Stay safe whatever you decide to do....

On your car licence you can only do 50kph (no biggie) and have no more than 50cc's up the piston sleeve.

As always, the issue with Chinese scooters (Forza are big in NZ) is the build quality, or rather the lack of it. With a brand new one, the grease pot will have been waved over the top of the crate with a few incantations uttered and that's your whack, Jack. You'll need an electron microscope to find the wiring, its that skinny. Electrical connections do not appear to be made from UV stabilised plastic, so break down in a couple of years.

But the basic idea of them is fine. If you treat it lovingly, and do a decent amount of preventative maintenance it should do you for a few years. They certainly run on the smell of an oily rag.

yes you did get a little captured by us old bikers choose a chinese brand if you go down that path sold by a reputable dealer with parts - thats one major complaint with them - lack of backup - they are very lightly built but may last awhile - the build quality is getting better- but yamaha honda suzuki likely much better or vespa

Your going to get all sorts of answers here

I think a 50 will be just fine, a 950 that is

Just a bit safer pulling away from the lights and there’s various traction control systems for the days where the roads are slippery