Scooters

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Albereth

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Apologies - I know that there was a thread about scooters a while back but, if I recall correctly, it was a few years old.

I was talking to the niece last night about getting a scooter. Well, she wants to get one. I just think that it makes sense from a cost point of view. Safety is always the concern. They fall over and motorists tend to bump them. And being out in the wet on one is no fun - unless adrenaline rushes are fun.

Assuming that around R10 000 is the budget do we look at a new Chinese or Indian bike, or should we look at something Japanese. Vespas and BMWs are out of the price range.

Suggestions and mocking are welcome.
 
Some of these Chinese scooters can be very reliable. I bought one for myself in January as a backup for my Bajaj Avenger which I use daily to commute to work.

They are nice to ride and reasonably fuel efficient, just a pity the fuel tanks are so small so you have to fuel up more frequently.

A Japanese scooter will probably be better in build quality and reliability, but as I said some Chinese scooter are really good. Just do your homework before you decide on what to get.
 
Dom1n8tr1x said:
Some of these Chinese scooters can be very reliable. I bought one for myself in January as a backup for my Bajaj Avenger which I use daily to commute to work.

They are nice to ride and reasonably fuel efficient, just a pity the fuel tanks are so small so you have to fuel up more frequently.

A Japanese scooter will probably be better in build quality and reliability, but as I said some Chinese scooter are really good. Just do your homework before you decide on what to get.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I'm trying to ride on the back of other people's homework :)
 
Nothing wrong with Chinese scoots. They tend to not last as long as the others, but if you look after it and service frequently, it will give you great joy. I bought a "DIY" scooter book and taught myself to service my scoot. Saves a lot on cost.
Go check out: http://www.sascooters.co.za/ and join the forum, Slang and the guys is a fountain of info on anything you want to know.
 
Here's my thread about my search for a scooter:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/502056-Scooters

Got one of these, eventually:

Orbit-Symply-Red-350x350.png


http://www.symsa.co.za/products/symply-150/

***

It has been fine, no issues. Approaching its 3000 KM service now, and everything is okay, aside from it revving a bit high on idle.

Don't skimp on protective gear - I feel a bit silly sometimes, in my armoured jacket, full-face helmet and kevlar lined gloves - but then again, I think of wiping at 95 KM/h wearing slops, an open helmet, with no jacket, wearing shorts or a skirt, which is how most (idiots) people on scooters seem to dress, and I feel better about my choices. :D

*edit*

Some things - I don't think 150cc is necessary. I reckon a 125 is fine for around town. Also, make sure whatever you buy can fit a helmet in the storage compartment. I was assured before purchase that mine would, and when it did not when I went to pick the scooter up, they told me quite seriously that 'Chinese people have small heads', which is why my big Caucasian helmet did not fit. :wtf:
 
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1231396_10151582621726695_618273606_n.jpg
saw this on FB yesterday and it made me lol a little.

One of my favourite bikes was my little Jog50 that thing could wheelie! As for the chinese scooters they are not bad at all, just look after them.
 
beans100 said:
Nothing wrong with Chinese scoots. They tend to not last as long as the others, but if you look after it and service frequently, it will give you great joy. I bought a "DIY" scooter book and taught myself to service my scoot. Saves a lot on cost.
Go check out: http://www.sascooters.co.za/ and join the forum, Slang and the guys is a fountain of info on anything you want to know.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I'll do that
 
I would indeed recommend Japanese. The Honda Vision is really nice: link for R12000. The 4000km service interval is a real bonus on this one. I had a chinese scooter and for me it was terrible, but as others say sometimes they can be just as good.

In terms of safety then your budget should actually be around R20000 so that she can get proper helmet, gloves and leathers. That should protect her in almost all falls and collisions.
 
Imo you're better of with a larger cc bike than a scooter.
Something like a 125cc Bajaj from India.
 
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copacetic said:
Here's my thread about my search for a scooter:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/502056-Scooters

Got one of these, eventually:

Orbit-Symply-Red-350x350.png


http://www.symsa.co.za/products/symply-150/

***

It has been fine, no issues. Approaching its 3000 KM service now, and everything is okay, aside from it revving a bit high on idle.

Don't skimp on protective gear - I feel a bit silly sometimes, in my armoured jacket, full-face helmet and kevlar lined gloves - but then again, I think of wiping at 95 KM/h wearing slops, an open helmet, with no jacket, wearing shorts or a skirt, which is how most (idiots) people on scooters seem to dress, and I feel better about my choices. :D

*edit*

Some things - I don't think 150cc is necessary. I reckon a 125 is fine for around town. Also, make sure whatever you buy can fit a helmet in the storage compartment. I was assured before purchase that mine would, and when it did not when I went to pick the scooter up, they told me quite seriously that 'Chinese people have small heads', which is why my big Caucasian helmet did not fit. :wtf:
Click to expand...

So, Ill buy a helmet first. I can't get armoured up even though I know what you mean. I live about 3/4km from the office. The worst part is crossing Jan Smuts. And on days when I need to go to clients I'd go by car.
 
AlmightyBender said:
I would indeed recommend Japanese. The Honda Vision is really nice: link for R12000. The 4000km service interval is a real bonus on this one. I had a chinese scooter and for me it was terrible, but as others say sometimes they can be just as good.

In terms of safety then your budget should actually be around R20000 so that she can get proper helmet, gloves and leathers. That should protect her in almost all falls and collisions.
Click to expand...

Oh, sorry - I was probably a little unclear. My niece wants one, and so do I. I agree that she should get all the protection that she can. She has further to go but also on suburban roads.

Thanks for the link
 
Electric said:
Imo you're better of with a smaller cc bike than a scooter.
Something like a 125cc Bajaj from India.
Click to expand...

Someone suggested a scrambler type on another thread I read. I like the idea of the bigger wheel for the stability that gives and the height advantage can also be useful. I'm just concerned that I may be more inclined to be stupid on a scrambler than a scooter. :)
 
Albereth said:
So, Ill buy a helmet first. I can't get armoured up even though I know what you mean. I live about 3/4km from the office. The worst part is crossing Jan Smuts. And on days when I need to go to clients I'd go by car.
Click to expand...

Why not? I just put on a jacket and gloves - Takes a minute. In any event, at the very least get protective gloves.

***

So the Bajaj is the smallest bike here, it doesn’t have a front disc brake, has only four gears, the suspension isn’t particularly good, and it’s the slowest, just. The figures for the Bajaj are 0-60 in 11.0 seconds, quarter mile 25.3 at 80.1km/h and a top speed of 93.1, 0.2km/h slower than the Honda.

But sit down and listen to this? Let’s go back to beginning of this story and as you’ll remember this bike did nearly 39km on half a litre or 77.5km per litre. Incredible, and so much better than anything else on the market. Bajaj say the bike has a 10 litre tank, so if you take your time this thing will go to nearly 1,000km for R50, beat that!
Click to expand...

http://www.jonway.co.za/news.php?id=4

Holy ****.
 
copacetic said:
So the Bajaj is the smallest bike here, it doesn’t have a front disc brake, has only four gears, the suspension isn’t particularly good, and it’s the slowest, just. The figures for the Bajaj are 0-60 in 11.0 seconds, quarter mile 25.3 at 80.1km/h and a top speed of 93.1, 0.2km/h slower than the Honda.

But sit down and listen to this? Let’s go back to beginning of this story and as you’ll remember this bike did nearly 39km on half a litre or 77.5km per litre. Incredible, and so much better than anything else on the market. Bajaj say the bike has a 10 litre tank, so if you take your time this thing will go to nearly 1,000km for R50, beat that!.
Click to expand...

I friend at work rides one of these everyday.
He even takes it offroad hahaha.
He's done several road trips to Cape Town, 2600km on R600.

HAHAHA, total madness.
 
Albereth said:
Please don't get me wrong - I don't have a death wish. I know full well the benefits of a leather jacket and gloves. Not going boots and leather pants.
Click to expand...

Oh ye, totally - That's a bit over the top.

Still though, I always wonder how my jeans will hold up in the event of a fall...
 
copacetic said:
Still though, I always wonder how my jeans will hold up in the event of a fall...
Click to expand...

I recall as a rule of thumb the time taken to fail (ie the time taken until you start "donating" skin) for good jeans is usually less than 0.5 seconds, while textiles are 3-7, and leather is 5 - 8. The times will change a bit depending on what exact test is done, but the ratios are more or less the same.

I also recall a different test where pants were weighted down with 30kg and dragged along the road until failure
Jeans lasted a whopping 1m, racing leathers did 30m, cant remember the textiles
 
Archer said:
I recall as a rule of thumb the time taken to fail (ie the time taken until you start "donating" skin) for good jeans is usually less than 0.5 seconds, while textiles are 3-7, and leather is 5 - 8. The times will change a bit depending on what exact test is done, but the ratios are more or less the same.

I also recall a different test where pants were weighted down with 30kg and dragged along the road until failure
Jeans lasted a whopping 1m, racing leathers did 30m, cant remember the textiles
Click to expand...

Yeah jeans are probably the worst thing to wear next to underpants only. Went offroad riding in jeans once (forgot riding pants at home) fell on dirt and they were torn to shreds as were my legs :D
 
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