Need Some Scooter/Moped and Licensing Advice, Help!

H

Hods

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Hmm, ok where do I start. I am 16 years, in highschool, got my M1 at the end of March this year. I need something to get around town that isn't too expensive to operate. At first I went in thinking I was able to insure a Honda CBR125R, lets just say things didn't work as I thought/expected. (One year of insuring it costs 2 times the cost of the actual bike :mad:)

So here's the deal, I think my best bet right now is to go for a 50cc Moped. I much rather get a 125cc 4-stroke Scooter but I don't think I am financially ready for it yet. My uncle's boss just brought in around a dozen Scooters/Mopeds into his shop, selling each one for $1000. Most of them are 50cc 2-stokes, Vespas, Piaggios (one of them was a Piaggio Fly 50), all over 2008 (afaik). Me being in highschool and young, I am not really interested in classic looking plain red Mopeds. I want a sporty looking scooter, something I can (and don't laugh, I know it's a scooter but I am in highschool) you know, show off, be proud to ride. While skimming through the scooters, I found one different from the rest. It's called PGO Big Max Naked. Looks somewhat flashy, 2-stroke 50cc engine, from what I seen its much sportier. No issues except it's missing the left brake handle, I am sure I can find it cheap online. I currently have a budget of around 1000-1500 dollars, unemployed but my mom is willing to pay for the insurance and **** until I find a job (soon). I want to know if PGO scoots are reliable and what not (from what I read they're a Taiwanese Company, they're scoots are popular in Quebec).

Questions I have:
1. Are PGO Scooters any good?
2. Are 2-strokes any good? How expensive are they to maintain? Anything I should worry about?
3. Should I wait to get a job first (although sorta don't want to wait because this may be a very good deal and won't find anything like it)?
4. Should I wait and 125cc scooter/moped?
5. How much would it cost to insure? Approximately. (Never had insurance before or owned a vehicle)
6. How much would a 125cc scooter cost, if more, how much more?
7. Is it better to wait till I get my M2 and use the money for gear, getting my M2, and skip this offer? (keep in mind, I have friends who can lend me they're gear, I still have time to get a job a 2-3 pay checks which is enough to pay for the safety course)
8. Should I go for a more reliable company (Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, etc..)
9. How much would be a nice set of beginner spring/summer gear (jacket, gloves, boots, helmet, possibly pants)
10. Which companies should I go to for quotes?
11. From what I seen online, 4-stroke 50cc scooters are incredibly slow, for the engine size of 50cc, a 2-stroke would be much more appropriate. Is this correct?
12. What info is good to get/have of the vehicle before purchasing it? (Registration numbers, serial numbers, number of owners I think? not sure)
13. How much would it cost for gas, oil, and other maintenance on a 2-stroke 50cc? (from empty to full)
14. How much would it cost for gas, oil, and other maintenance on a 4-stroke 125cc and/or 50cc scooter. (from empty to full)
15. Are the scooters mentioned able to safely keep up in traffic? and get out of trouble if needed?

Some people told me to go for an E-Bike, but I have had bad experiences with them. Imo, they are way to slow, I currently have one that broke after 2 months, too many things I don't like about them.

Well, that's about it, I really need help, I don't got much support, my mom is still not sure about the idea, but I can convince her (she can help out a bit once/if I do so). My older brother is neutral. I have till Tuesday to make a decision about the scooters at my uncle's work. I may be able to push it a bit longer but not much, there is someone else who is interested in PGO Big Max 50cc Naked and is just gathering enough money to pay for it. Any help, advice, suggestion, tips, anything would be much appreciated. I am new to all of this, new to the community. Riding is my passion, but everyone's gotta start somewhere. Thanks in advance. ;)

Your friendly neighborhood ultimate noobie.

Here are some links to some pictures I uploaded of the actual Big Max Scooter:
http://i.imgur.com/yo5HItw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rA0H7dL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/z3mqkhR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/E6iGo3W.jpg
Here you can see the Fly 50 as well. http://i.imgur.com/P4ueiPd.jpg
 
Try looking for a derbi gpr50.

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2
 
found one on kijiji, $2,400, which is double what I would pay. If I had that money i'd go for a 125ish cc scooter, or maybe even a cbr125. + From what I seen they're hard to find, both parts and the actual bike. I wouldn't mind it... if I actually found one for a reasonable price that was also dirt cheap on insurance. Thanks for the reply though.
 
Generally the mopeds are dirt cheap on gas/oil. Keep in mind when your buzzing the motor at full throttle (especially all day) you might blow it up. One thing to consider will it keep up in traffic? Hugging the shoulder sucks. As a high school kid, I got a caddy moped in 1979 - rode it for the summer then bought a Yamaha XS 650 Special that fall. Go for it - just be careful as the roads are a lot more dangerous these days. http://www.mopedarmy.com/img/gallery/site_mapping...._086.jpg
 
Thanks for the advice, yeah if it weren't for insurance I'd go for a CBR125. I guess it can't be that bad, especially considering I'm upgrading from an e bike which has 1/4 of the speed, 1/2 the pick up and I won't have to deal with the hassle of charging the battery, being able to only ride for short distances and it'll spare me the embarrassment. About hugging the shoulder, I mean it can't be that bad, I am sorta use to it (ebikes are only allowed to be on the side of the road anyway) so having the freedom of being in other lanes would be a relief. Anyway, thanks a lot, look forward to more replies. I got to make the decision the day after tomorrow :(
 
Hods said:
Thanks for the advice, yeah if it weren't for insurance I'd go for a CBR125. I guess it can't be that bad, especially considering I'm upgrading from an e bike which has 1/4 of the speed, 1/2 the pick up and I won't have to deal with the hassle of charging the battery, being able to only ride for short distances and it'll spare me the embarrassment. About hugging the shoulder, I mean it can't be that bad, I am sorta use to it (ebikes are only allowed to be on the side of the road anyway) so having the freedom of being in other lanes would be a relief. Anyway, thanks a lot, look forward to more replies. I got to make the decision the day after tomorrow :(
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I ride a 50cc, year-round, in Toronto. Yes, even in January and February. If you do live in Toronto proper and drive in Toronto, you'll never have to hug the curb because almost all non-highway roads you'll encounter are not over 60km/h. Most 50ccs can keep up with that, some people will tailgate, but usually will find it futile and change lanes, just keep calm, keep right and carry on. That's the beauty of driving a 50cc in Toronto - most roads are multi-laned so people have options to overtake you safely.

It's not even embarrassing to ride a 50cc. Scooters and moped have a charm of their own and appeals to a different crowd. I come from a bicycle commuting background, and want something that is similar to a bicycle - light, manoeuvrable, and not too fast, and I found it in a scooter.
 
Well seems like you know lots about scooters, even better, 50cc scooters. Could you please answer some of the questions I have? I want to be sure the decision I am making is the right thing to do.
 
I started out on a Tomos LX 50cc moped. No problems here, except for all the Serbians where I work thinking it's great that I bought something to remind them of their childhood.
 
Vuarra said:
I started out on a Tomos LX 50cc moped. No problems here, except for all the Serbians where I work thinking it's great that I bought something to remind them of their childhood.
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Haha nice! How did yours run? How much did it cost to maintain? And I won't have to worry about looking like a child, considering I'm still 16 ;D
 
3. Should I wait to get a job first (although sorta don't want to wait because this may be a very good deal and won't find anything like it)?

There will always be another deal. I suggest finding a job first, and double think the whole idea. Paying for insurance at your age is expensive and will likely take a huge chunk of your summer income! What about taking girls out, how will you do that after the costs of riding :)


4. Should I wait and 125cc scooter/moped?

I ride a 50cc Honda metropolitan. Its a blast. Do I want more cc's, sure but who cares in Toronto, you will be stuck at lights and behind traffic anyways.

5. How much would it cost to insure? Approximately. (Never had insurance before or owned a vehicle)

Phone, phone, and phone around more. Last year I paid $900 for my 50cc. I had quotes as high as 2000. It was crazy. BTW I'm 25 with my m2. I might have overpaid a bit, but I have a solid job, and needed the scooter to get to work. I rode 90% of the year, it saved me money and headaches on the TTC.

6. How much would a 125cc scooter cost, if more, how much more?

Google is your friend.

7. Is it better to wait till I get my M2 and use the money for gear, getting my M2, and skip this offer?

Wait. The course is great. You will learn a lot, and thank yourself for doing it.

8. Should I go for a more reliable company (Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, etc..)

All personal preference, but yeah why shouldn't you. Unless you want to learn how to tinker on your bike all the time.


11. From what I seen online, 4-stroke 50cc scooters are incredibly slow, for the engine size of 50cc, a 2-stroke would be much more appropriate. Is this correct?

Again, you really don't need more. Like the previous poster. Keep right keep calm and ride on. Kcco

12. What info is good to get/have of the vehicle before purchasing it? (Registration numbers, serial numbers, number of owners I think? not sure)

Yep.

14. How much would it cost for gas, oil, and other maintenance on a 4-stroke 125cc and/or 50cc scooter. (from empty to full)

My 800$ Honda takes $5 to $8 a week in gas. That gets me to work and back all week long. 44k round trip * 5 = 220km, plus riding to friends, the beer store, etc. It is epic
Oil and other maintenance = $20 + tires when you need ( extra $60 or $80 every 10000km)

15. Are the scooters mentioned able to safely keep up in traffic? and get out of trouble if needed?

They don't break speed records, but do fine in Toronto. You won't be getting into trouble. If you do you need to work on your riding skills, and learn watch out for cagers before trouble knocks on your door.


I want more people to ride, but just weigh the costs vs saving for university, girls, university.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
 
StealthMonkey said:
3. Should I wait to get a job first (although sorta don't want to wait because this may be a very good deal and won't find anything like it)?

I want more people to ride, but just weigh the costs vs saving for university, girls, university.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
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Funny, I ride a Honda Jazz too.

I must say that when it comes to cost: I haven't calculated it perfectly, but certainly, I know it's highly affordable and I love the convenience and the feeling of being on two wheels. However, the initial costs can get high, so watch out - the bike itself, sales tax, safety certification, insurance, and the cost of protective gear can add up really quickly. I don't mess about with safety even on a 50cc, so it cost me like $500 for my whole set of gear, including three pair of gloves, each for one specific season. I was about $2,700 out of pocket, ready-to-ride (insurer wanted cash up front for the whole year, btw).

A two stroke will be faster but not by much unless you get the highest end of two stroke 50ccs, which are expensive and don't go much faster than 80km/h. It's cheaper to learn to live with slowness than to fight to keep up, and I can guarantee you that even at the speed limit, you'll still find someone tailgating you. And that lawnmower sound...

When I was 16, I found the beauty of commuting on a bicycle - the impetus being ******, expensive transit. There, I learned how to ride with cars as the slowest vehicle on the road, learned to predict how drivers will react and "tells" of what they intend to do. Maybe you should consider cycling if you find that your financial situation does not allow for it.
 
Thanks a lot for the replies. I'll keep them in mind. Anybody know about PGO, the company? Are they're scooters reliable? Also, what do you guys I check before buying the scoot? What info should I get from the guy? I don't want to get screwed over.

Anyway, the verdict? You guys think I should go for it? Btw, if I buy it theres no turning back, at the end of the day, a 50cc scooter, damaged is around $1000. Plus my uncle has been stressing that it is a 125cc scooter, but there is no scooter I found with that name or look that has an engine displacement of 125cc. Is it possible that it was modded or should I just assume it's a 50cc? He keeps arguing with me about the legal papers saying it is a 125cc scooter. and btw, I did not get the actual name, I took what I seen in the pictures and googled it. The scooter name (PGO Big Max) I found matched the exact stickers and look of the scooter.
 
Sorry for taking a while to respond. It ran well, up until the Ontario dealers went boobs-up because of the M(L) licence required in 1995. The nostalgia thing was not about being a child, it's more like finding a poutine on vacation to NYC, which reminds you of how nice it was at home.
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