Scooter

[Silver_Shiney]

I am strongly minded to get a scooter for the daily journey to work. It would have to be a 49cc machine, as I can't be bothered going through CBT again and have no need for a bigger bike. I'd prefer a 4-stroke, as I think they are cleaner than 2-strok engines.

Has anyone any advice they could give me, please?

[Dark Knight]

for a second there, I thought you were getting one for your next cruise, and was just about to run for the Hills, given the aggro this topic causes.

phwe

[Silver_Shiney]

no, mate, I'd pinch me mum's for that if I was so minded!

How are you, back to full health yet?

[oldbluefox]

For those who watch Benidorm I thought you were going to do a 'Madge' for one minute there, Alan.

[Dark Knight]

SS
almost back to me prime ??? another week or two yet

Foxy
Me too, I had visions of a burnt wrinkly SS barreling down the ships corridors shouting " hold the lift, hold the lift"

[paultheeagle]

I am strongly minded to get a scooter for the daily journey to work. It would have to be a 49cc machine, as I can't be bothered going through CBT again and have no need for a bigger bike. I'd prefer a 4-stroke, as I think they are cleaner than 2-strok engines.

Has anyone any advice they could give me, please?

Yeah, don't do it....Death traps the lot of them....It ain't you that is the problem, it's all the careless, thoughtless car drivers out there who think they are the only ones entitled to be on the road...If you do decide to go ahead and get a scooter make sure you get all the safety stuff to go with it....helmet, leathers, gloves, flashing lights, Belisha beacon, indicators, hi vis...Because you can bet your bottom dollar that if some car driver does knock you off your bike it they will use the excuse...."I didn't see you."

You could always get a bicycle instead and do what they do round here and ride it on the pavement.

Good luck.

[gfwgfw]

Alan

With your wellbeing in mind. . .

A big NO NO

Two wheels in all modes topped the fatality statistics in the Wessex region yet again

"When I fall I shall arise"

A nice day to you

Graham

[Capt Black]

Although not as much a regular biker as I used to be, I remain supportive of anyone who takes the plunge for anything powered on 2 wheels. My main suggestion would be even though you do not want a big bike, still do the CBT, in fact I would suggest invest a bit more money & go the whole hog and do Direct Access and get a full bike licence. The main reason I suggest that is at least that way you will get some proper road tuition & constructive feedback about how to stay safe out there with the idiot door slammers, like the selfish Range Rover I came across earlier today. Too selfish to give way & reverse a few feet when I had right of way. Yes I could have gone round him safely and quickly, but I paddled it and made him wait. That aside 2 wheels is a great way to get around. Get a decent helmet. The expensive ones are better than the cheaper ones, though they all meet the same minimum standard. There is a wide price range for other safety kit, generally buy the best you afford, though there are some bargains out there, especially if buying discontinued stuff.

Do it!

[HK phooey]

Dear Shiney chap, I had a Gilera Runner before the babies were born and I loved it. A brilliant, inexpensive way to get around and no trouble parking it either. Of course you need to be aware of idiots in cars that will either push you over to the side of the road or not see you at all - the 2 stroke may be better for this problem as it is very loud and sounds like a very angry hairdryer. Make sure you get a type that can be derestricted in case you fancy a bit more speed in the future.

[gfwgfw]

Alan

So far I am the only shipmate that cares for your longevity

Two wheels are NOT safe - other than at the gym

"When I fall I shall arise"

[Silver_Shiney]

Thank you for your advice, and especially Paul and Graham's kind thoughts and comments for my welfare and safety. I really appreciate these, gentlemen.

The situation is that the morning bus never runs on time and I have to get one that normally gets me into the office an hour before I need to be there, just to ensure that I do get to work on time. Leaving work at 5pm, I've got a 10 minute walk from the office down to the stop in the evening for, officially a 10 minute wait for the bus home, which should, on the rare occasion it's running on time, get me home for 6.15. This is invariably 10-15 minutes late and, if there's a snarl-up on the ring road, it's not unknown for it to be after 7pm before I walk into my house. With a scooter, I could be home in 30 minutes.

I have done CBT - I used to have a 90cc motorbike some years ago, so I'm no stranger to two wheels. I'm not really interested in doing the whole CBT thing again as I don't intend going for a bigger machine. Once the mortgage is repaid in three years' time, we'll be in a position to afford a second car. The Lady C needs our car to get to work (she does afternoons/evenings) and I'm now being called on to go out and "speak" in the evenings so will need independent transport.

I note your comments, Helen, about derestriction, but there's only one short stretch of road that I'd be going on that has a 40mph limit (about 300 yards) and, as for the rest of the route, I'd be lucky to reach the scooter's top speed anyway, so the extra speed would not be used.

I did have an electric bike a little while ago but got rid of it because of very poor build quality. A normal bike wouldn't really work for me as it's impossible to get to my office without climbing a steep hill. Although Welshy's bike has a huge rear sprocket and tiny front sprocket that looks like it could pedal up a house wall, I haven't got the stamina to cycle 6 miles with a steep climb at the end - besides, as we're in a Victorian villa, there are no shower facilities and I don't want to sit festering all day, especially if I have deal with visitors to the museum.

I think, if I have to endure the bus for another three years, I'll go crazy.

Claire isn't happy about me getting a scooter but she can see the advantages.

Good to hear you're on the mend, DK.

[RB1961]

Don't do it if have to have one that is restricted.
I have just over a mile to work and got myself a 49cc restricted as I didn't want to do the CBT.
Death trap for all the reasons above also you have no power to get up any incline and when it rains its surprising how slippy the roads are. I only ended up using it on dry days and sold it after 18 months.
I had one when I was 16, no responsibility, and also less cars on the road, back in the day.

You can get road legal Quad bikes now but I'm not convinced they would be any safer.

As always its up to you, be safe whatever you decide.

[RB1961]

SS,
Didn't see your last post until I had sent mine.

RB

[Silver_Shiney]

No worries, RB, thank you for your comments.

I'm not making a decision on this quickly.

[gfwgfw]

So what are doing ?

[Silver_Shiney]

Well, Graham, having given it a LOT of thought and prayer, I'm almost certainly going to go ahead and buy a scooter.

I have carefully considered what you and Paul said - very carefully.

However... I'm not a kid of 16 who would be showing off in front of his mates.

I've ridden a 90cc motorbike for 18 months without incident, including in the rain and during winter, along remote country roads at 60mph. I gave that up because I couldn't afford to go on the post-CBT course and test.

I used to ride an electric bike on the proposed route, again in the rain. Didn't notice any slipperiness, and that had less rubber on the road than a scooter will.

When I ride a pushbike, I normally go at 20-25 mph (given a decent enough descent, I'd do 40! ) - the scooter isn't much faster.

The scooter has more presence than a narrow pushbike.

A lot of the route is dedicated bus lanes.

I'll be lit up like a Christmas tree, with hi-vis vest.

I have a peace about the situation.

I really appreciate your concern for my welfare, my friend.

[paultheeagle]

Alan

A cheap (sorry) silver St. Christopher's is in the post to you. Please wear if every time you get on your scooter......It will help to keep you safe.

[Silver_Shiney]

Cheers Paul!

[gfwgfw]

The Giant wishes you well

BUT just in case

It has been a pleasure knowing you

[Silver_Shiney]

The Giant wishes you well

BUT just in case

It has been a pleasure knowing you

Likewise, sir, but I'm not planning on going anywhere just yet! However, if the duty plonkers have other plans, I'm ready to meet my Saviour

[Capt Black]

Welcome back to the world of two wheels. You'll be on the podium with John McGuinness by June!

Safe riding

[Silver_Shiney]

Welcome back to the world of two wheels. You'll be on the podium with John McGuinness by June!

Safe riding

Not quite there, yet, Cap'n!

I was very interested in a Honda Vision 50 but I hear 4-strokes struggle up hills and I've got a big one to climb to get to the office. I'm now looking at Piaggio 2-strokes, but it'll come down to cost. The Liberty has a 16" front wheel, whereas the Zip has only 10" wheels.