Louise R

I'm (hopefully) changing jobs so that I'm working nearer to my home. If so, I'd like to sell my small car to get a moped / scooter for tootling around in. My boyf has a car so we can use his for the important stuff.































Does anyone know of any good websites I can look on to learn more? I need to know stuff like:































Do you need lessons?















What makes of scooter / moped are good?















How much is tax / insurance / services / MOTs?















Can you get any kinds of luggage / storage compartments on them, for small things?















Is parking REALLY free?!















How don't they get stolen, like bikes? Do you need some kind of security system?















How much is reasonable to pay for a new or second hand scooter?















How long do they live?!















Should I buy new or second hand?































Can't think of any more questions for now. Sorry to sound like such a complete novice, but if I do end up going to a dealer or something, I want to have some background knowledge!































And if I go for a girly pink scooter, will I get laughed at?!! Thanks!!

anthony9223

Try one with 3 wheels I would hate you to fall off in front of me

redchicken

hi















i just got a scooter a few months ago and it was the best thing i ever did!! You can take a test called a CBT for around £100 which is done in a day and which will last for 2 years and you can ride anything under a 125cc as long as you are over 17 years of age.















i got a cheap imported chinese scooter which has turned out not to be the best. if i could buy again id get a second hand one by a better make.















you can get a top box for them relatively cheaply around £25 for a small one which will hold a helmet and some odd and ends.















If you get a good one scooters are supposed to just keep on going and so appart from the £10 road tax a year!! and servicing shouldnt cost you too much and yes if you can find the rights spots parking is certianly free!!















i use the bars in city centres that are intended for push bikes!!















ive just got a couple of chains on mine and that seems to have done the trick security wise so far a steering lock is a good idea as stop people being able to wheel them of quite so easily!!















hope that helps

David in Madison

Go for it. And don't worry about the pink machine. You get one of those and the guys are less likely to try to talk you into letting them ride it. You really don't want ANYONE riding it who doesn't know how to ride it safely.































Don't worry about buying one of those new Korean, Thai or Chinese imports. Those countries make the most becasue their people ride them the most. They will be much cheaper and easier to maintain than one of the heavier and much fancier Italian or other European scooters.































You can lock it up with a regular bike lock. A new one will set you back about $1600. A good used one about $200-$1000 in a college town. You can probably find one in a smaller town for less money. If your new machine is under 100 cc's, typically you won't need a special driver's license, but you'd better check in your state or province before driving it. Insurance is pretty cheap. Just buy liability. Parking it is a breeze. Typically free. If you need to, you can park in a metered spot. A 50 cc bike will carry less weight than a bigger scooter. If you weigh under 140 lbs, then you should be able to carry 20-30 lbs of stuff on a carrier in the back. If you are 170 lbs, forget it. The small machine will be too under powered to get out of it's own way in traffic. Get the larger, European scooter and be safer.