Four miles, first thing on a cold wet blustery winter morning, is no joke especially if your heading into it! - though i suppose to equal the Scooters 30mph (on a pushbike) you would be nice and warm when you got there! ;-)
Billy
Edited by billy25 on 05/03/2008 at 14:30
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If it's only 4 miles, surely she could cycle?
She rejected this option as her office doesn't have showers.
www.motorscooters.co.uk/
Thanks - but looks quite expensive!!
By the way, do these require insurance?
Edited by movilogo on 05/03/2008 at 14:53
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Whilst you can ride a small m'bike / scooter on L plates, you still need a CBT, and that's only valid for 2 years - and I don't know if you are continually allowed to repeat the CBT without taking a full test.
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>> If it's only 4 miles surely she could cycle? She rejected this option as her office doesn't have showers.
She's not going to get sweaty enough after a short cycle trip to need a wash.. she might get rather grubby on a 'ped, so the same could be said, though.
>> www.motorscooters.co.uk/ By the way do these require insurance?
Are you actually from the UK?
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These cheap, sub £1,000 new, scooters are usually Chinese made copies of an old Honda design.
In my experience they are quite poorly made and the overall fit and finish are disappointing. Mechanically they are reasonably reliable, but less so than their european or Japanese counterparts.
If she has never ridden a scooter before then prepare to be really scared, particularly if she opts for a 50cc model. They are restricted to 30mph and their tiny wheels make them very unsteady.
I would opt for something along the lines of the modern equivalent of the old C90 type machine with big wheels and the ability to reach at least 50mph.
She will need to undertake some training but the CBT (Cumpulsory Basic Training) course is very informative and will give her confidence. The scooter will need insurance but that won't break the bank.
You'll need to allow for waterproofs/helmet and gloves. Dont skimp !
In summary, get big wheels, at least 100cc and pay careful attention during the CBT course.
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She will need insurance (and breakdown cover?)
She will need CBT - she can rent a scooter for this
I would recommend that she does NOT use a restricted 50cc scooter (moped).
These are the most dangerous machines I have ever ridden (they're painfully slow)
I would recommend a 125cc twist and go scooter - there should be many of these available second-hand. their performance is adequate to keep up with urban traffic.
Make sure she buys good safety gear - not just helmet, but a over-suit with armour, and gloves. Boots are perhaps not so essential on a scooter.
It's a good idea to have a lockable compartment on the scooter that's big enough to take her riding gear - and anything she needs to take to work.
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How about one of those pushbikes with electic motor assistance for hills and headwinds?
Think about the implications for the motorbike/scooter, helmet, waterproofs, boots, gloves, heavy lock and chain, insurance, road tax, mot, and the problems of finding a safe parking space. A significant amount of motorcycle thefts are sub-125cc machines, usually no alarm, and probably cheap locks.
For a shortish trip the hassle of get all the clothing on, getting a heavy-ish bike out and onto the road, and then doing the same at the other end may be more than she is happy with.
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How about one of those pushbikes with electic motor assistance for hills and headwinds?
That's a good idea. I've seen one of those "forte" ones about. Comparisons:
www.50cycles.com/chart.shtml
For a shortish trip the hassle of get all the clothing on getting a heavy-ish bike out and onto the road and then doing the same at the other end may be more than she is happy with.
With all the other things you mention (locks, parking, legalities...), I absolutely agree!
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Got some quick quotes on costs!
CBT £100 incl. bike hire, Insurance £225/yr (assuming 80cc bike)
Should be able to get some used bike for £300-£400
Doesn't look bad :)
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If she's not a confident driver then I think a powered two-wheeler is unwise.
I'd suggest a test run on an electric push-bike, as suggested.
try here:
www.jejamescycles.co.uk/c1016p1.html
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Or Google 'Solex'.
There's a lot to be said for a simple powered bicycle. It's slow, economical and quite reliable if serviced, everlasting puttering four-stroke. Rather depends on the roads to be covered though being capable only of 23 mph.
I used a similar sort of thing, only more complex, two-stroke and Far Eastern, in Africa once to get around a small capital city, hired for £4 a day. Quite practical except when it rained and got slippery.
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The advantage of a push bike is you keep warm in winter. Sitting there with an engine doing the work at this time of the year freezes yer nuts off (although not in her case).
If she's prepared for a forty minute walk (that must take her at least two of the four miles), then she should find a push bike no problem.
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I'm a biker of some years, but recently bought a 125cc Vespa for commuting to London from Orpington (about 14 miles, 65 mins). Having seen the variety of machinery used on this trip & tried on a few machines, I reckon a twist & go is the best way forward. Not necessarily a vespa, but one of the nice ones with storage, fuel gauge etc. She'll have somewhere to put the helmet, lock etc, and you can get those cosy leg covers too. Should be able to get a nice one for £750. Spend money on the protective gear- being cold and/or wet is no fun.
They're not so good if there are higher speeds to be done, as they get a bit twitchy over about 40 on account of the titchy wheels. But they are comfy, reliable, convenient and quite fun actually. I'd reiterate the advice of avoiding 50cc machines- bit too slow for today's traffic.
HTH,
Alex.
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I'd suggest a test run on an electric push-bike as suggested.
The cost of this seems to be very small, too - purchase and maintenance, fuel cost approaching 0 that is! I'm fairly tempted. If I had the time to go up to the pub often, I certainly would be!!
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Check on Ebay - there's a nearly new Giant electric bike for £395/OBO, £595 rrp. You could buy it, test it out, and if it's no good, put it back on Ebay.
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here're lots of interesting machines on e-bay - search for:
electric (bike,bicycle)
in "sporting goods". I don't think I'd fancy the ones that look loke a "real" scooter, because drivers might expect them to go faster than they actually do. There're motor kits to fit to mountain bikes - possibly not legal.
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I was thinking of a "Powabyke" an electrically assisted bicycle.
www.powabyke.com/
A friend of mine had one, he swore by it (not at it !)
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Not really that dear, about halfway down the 50cc page theres one (peugeot) for £795, just over your price of £750, but you will need to add ins and a crash-hat to that i suppose.
Billy
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Sorry, i should have read everybody elses comment regarding 50cc machines first! .... so inline with other good advice, dont go for 50cc,!! ;-)
Billy
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with other good advice dont go for 50cc !! ;-)
Could always go for a Fizzy! 45MPH, perhaps.
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Could always go for a Fizzy! 45MPH perhaps.
Would you believe the old FS1-E\'s change hands for up to three grand in show condition!
My neighbour has bought an electric scooter for a commute of similar distance; he likes it. His route includes a couple of good gradients, he reports no problems with it so far. Not a powered bicycle this one but looks like a pukka motor-scooter and no pedals.
To the OP; as has been said about Chinese scooters, they are simply not as good as the \"big-brand\" ones like Honda and Suzuki etc. Furthermore their resale value is zilch; and for that reason alone I\'d suggest your wife buys a cheap one to see how she gets on with it, less of a financial hit if she decides it\'s not for her.
I think I\'m right in saying that if she already has moped entitlement she doesn\'t need to do a CBT for a 50cc model, but as a biker I would strongly recommend that she gets some sort of training before she goes on the road, and as others have said gets good quality protective kit.
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If it\'s only 4 miles, surely she could cycle?
She rejected this option as her office doesn\'t have showers.
----------------
Why would she need showers after cycling 4 miles?
You said she walks for the bus; if she cycles at moderate pace, she\'s not going to get any hotter than she does walking.
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You said she walks for the bus
In the morning, I drop her to the office. Currently she only needs to walk at afternoon.
Sorry I omitted this fact earlier.
However, if she rides a moped, then she will use it both morning and afternoon.
This site features some nice models - www.thescooterwarehouse.co.uk/
I faced another problem. We don\'t have any garage at our home (only an allocated parking space for my car). So, obviously, we need to keep this two-wheeler inside the house. But our entrance porch is L shaped and can\'t fit the vehicle without horribly inconveniencing the entry-exit procedure. So, the other alternative is to keep it inside garden thru back door. Need to check whether this is ok with insurers. I heard that many insurers won\'t even insure unless the two-wheeler is garaged!
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If this dealer is close to you then this is probably a good deal. With these cheap Chinese copies it is vital to be near the dealer and be sure he will be there 2 years from now, still able to get spares and carry out warranty work.
Many dealers have a go at selling these bikes as they can be bought incredibly cheaply wholesale and represent the opportunity for a quick profit. However when the warranty claims roll in and they need to get obscure parts from Cina then the hassle outways the profit and they drop the bikes.
I would recommend going to a local established mtotorcycle dealer selling a recognised brand. A second hand Honda or Peugeot would be a better long term proposition than a new Khyohungsanglow.
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stackman's not wrong - there was a place near here doing these Chinese motorbikes (and electrically assisted bicycles too) - didn't even last two years... I actually went and had a test 'drive' of an electric bike there. It was actually quite good fun although if the battery goes flat on you watch out as they are heavier than a 'normal' bike.
Edited by normd2 on 06/03/2008 at 15:23
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She definitely needs one of these: www.brompton.co.uk/
In your car to work, under her desk or in a locker while she's there and in a cupboard at home. Nicely in your price range, quality British made product, will last years and holds its value.
I have had mine since May 1999. Ride in my work clothes for 2 miles each way as part of daily commute and occasionaly between my office and others in Central London. Yes, it rains sometimes but if you have a cagoule and you're not too wussy about drizzle there's only about 10 trips a year when its intolerable. On those days the folded Bromp happily travels by bus/taxi.
Only needed only usual oiling and cleaning maintenance and replacement of wearing parts ie chains, sprockets and brake blocks/cables.
Edited by Bromptonaut on 06/03/2008 at 21:41
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I'll bet thats where you got your "handle" then! - do i get a prize ! ;-)
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