Some scooter purchasing advice?

Due to fuel prices have decided to get a scooter to get to work on.

The journey is 5 miles each way.

I potentially have access to 2 used bikes at "friend prices".

1. A honda lead 100, 3-4 years old, 5000 miles, needs new battery. Good
for about 55mph, probably can get it for about £600-£650.

2. An 18-year old Honda 90, the shaft-drive model. The guy who owns this
has just had his leg amputated and therefore cant ride anymore, it's got
about 3000 miles on it which is very low and has been serviced every
year. I trust the bloke completely, I've known him for 15 years.
Probably letting me have it for about £350-£400.

My thoughts are that I should go for the honda 90 (I dont care what it
looks like, it just needs to get me to work and back) as it will be
cheaper, but I also worry about the age of it. Also, I vaguely remember
the 90 being geared, is that right?

I've ridden scooters before, last one was a honda vision about 6 years
ago. I hold a full car licence and have passed CBT. Dont want anything
that will require a bike test, i.e. 125cc or more (I think)!

Any advice gratefully received.

 

<boggle>

you are worried about fuel prices for such a short commute?

If this is the case then get a pushbike.

Conversely, I've gone from a 35 mile commute to 5 miles. Whilst the extra
time in bed is good, I miss the driving/riding like a hooligan along the
A465 between Abergavenny & Hereford.

 

I usually drive it as I have stuff to carry, however if I get a bike I'm
going to start leaving the cargo at work instead of bringing it hme
every night.

 

Walk then.

 

Due to fuel prices have decided to get a scooter to get to work on.

The journey is 5 miles each way.

-------

My GF has a chinkie scooter she'd sell you, 125cc 4 stroke engine, 100 mpg
or there abouts, brand new last year... 07 reg, got some panel dammage...
from being on a scooter carrier, fucking bar that went over the seat rubbed
on the panels, never been dropped or owt,

for a 10 mile a day commute this sort of scoot would be ideal for you, costs
**** all to insure as no one wants to nick it, no mot for 2 years yet, got
about 1500 miles on the clock, she wants to go to a geared bike and is doing
her test soon, so wants to sell the scoot to buy a little bike of about
250cc's or so,

 

Easy for you to say, but who'd actually walk 10 miles every day?


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

a tight fisted **** worried about reducing his fuel bill from £2 a day...

 

A Jock, eh?

 

Are there any useful posters in this group or are you all as pompous as
this fellow?

I asked a specific question, I did not state an interest in
alternatives.

For your information were I to walk home I would not get home in time to
see my son before he goes to bed, I would also have to walk 2 miles of
the journey along a national speed limir road with no pavement either
side, so no thank you, walking is not an option.

 

There are parking costs as well. These are probably on a par with the
fuel costs.

You must a bit dim.

 

Um, if this is a C90 step-thru, it's chain drive. And it has geared, but
semi-automatic, so no clutch.

Either way, it's the one to go for.

 

Mister Pot, there's a Mr Kettle on lines 2, 3 and 4 for you.

 

Bloody hell, if it's that expensive to run a scoot, I'd not bother. Sell
the scoot and catch the bus.

Hang on, the bus will be pricey too, eh?

Hitchhike. Problem sorted.

 

**** me, that's rich coming from you.

Tough shit. You post to usenet so expect all manner of replies. If you don't
like it, **** off.

Life is hard. We all suffer.

 

C90 is 1960's technology and bomb-proof.
Lead will keep you warmer and drier and has a handy 'boot' under the seat.

I'd go for the twist-and-go but YMMV.

BTW is the Lead a stroker?

 

Good point.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Don't youo call wessie pompous, he's still only learning the trade.

Oh bugger. Another upset newbie?

That wasn't hard was it? You see, that's the sort of info that's needed at
the beginning of a discussion. All bases covered so there's no chance anyone
could take the piss.

--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

And you were given some useful info by me, including the suggestion
that your impression of the C90 as a shafty was misplaced.

To be quite frank, for a two-mile each way commute, you'd be better
off with a bicycle.

 

In case he got the brand wrong rather than the final drive, Yamaha had an
80cc (iirc) shaftie in the same style as the C50/C90. A neighbour of mine
had one, I never rode it but it was bulletproof and the shaft made it as
maintenance-free as it gets.

I would, but I think he has different priorities. The electrics/lights on an
18 year old moped aren't as good as those of a modern scooter and protection
from the elements isn't equal either. I'm also guessing that the Lead is
nippier and has a somewhat better consumption, due to the (hopefully) more
modern engine/fuel supply system. Of course, procurement and maintenance
costs are significantly lower for the oldie and the idea is to save money.


Geo

 

That was called the TownMate in the UK.

Quite. In the C90's favour also is the fact that parts are available
anywhere, new or used, whereas I doubt the Lead has such a good back-
up. I really doubt that the Lead is any easier on fuel - I'd expect
the reverse, actually.