scooters

[Annie456]

Want to buy a scooter to get too and from station (About 3/4 mile each way). Not being lazy, it's just too cold to walk during the winter! How much is it gonna cost me to run and do i need more than a little 50cc? Also, how much is a decent helmet?

[WoWo]

If you think it's too cold to walk you don't even want to think about riding a scooter in the same weather. Apart from the risk of ice on the road, you get a wind chill factor when riding a bike, your hands become frozen and it's a nightmare.

I know this because I ride to work each day (32 miles) and this will be the last week riding in as it's getting too cold already.

But if you want to do it then here are the answers to your question.....

A 50cc should be fine if your just using it for small trips, also you can ride a 50cc scooter on a full car driving license if you complete a basic CBT, anything larger you need to pass a full test, you can ride upto a 125 on a provisional license but you would need to take a test within 2 years to continue doing that. In terms of running costs it will be cheap, I pay about �10-�15 a week in petrol but thats on a 750cc bike a scooter will be cheaper, it's likely to be a two stroke which will also need regular oil top ups. Insurance shouldn't be too much.

As for a helmet you can get one from �50 up put personally I'd pay as much as you can afford, mine was �450 but that's an extreme case for a high performance helmet. There used to be a BSI rating system of a blue and green sticker but they have got rid of that now in favour of a European CS mark, this means it's now a little more difficult to know the safety level. If you find one with a gold ACU sticker then thats basically a really good helmet. Also I'd personally get a full face helmet, especailly given you want to ride in winter.

[vejaypatel]

regarding helmets, i used spend far too much on them but i buy cheapers ones now. the helmet at this link;
http://www.nitro-helmets.com/product_detail.php?product_ id=8
is just as good as my overly expensive Arai. but the money that you save should be used to replace your helmet every couple of years.
for winter clothes, Gericke's top-end touring type gear is fantastic.

some scooters are better built & more reliable that others.
the good;
honda, yamaha / MBK, suzuki, peugeot, vespa, gilera, italjet

the bad;
aprilia, SYM, Kymco, LML, & anything chinese or indian.

have fun annie.

[Coobeastie]

Make sure you try as many helmets on as possible....took me ages to find the perfect fit and pretty much tried every lid in the shop but it can save your life in an accident so well worth it. If you're buying from a shop and the saleperson is just rushing you for a sale...walk away.

Winter ridings not too bad but it's best to put lots of layers on as gets very cold indeed, though a scooters knee guards will offer a bit more protection than a normal bike.