Chicken Memorials

[Guest]

I'm thinking of getting a moped. I have no idea what to look for though, only that i don't think it will be a brand new one as i don't want to spend huge amounts of money.

 

The only thing I do know is I want a retro style/vespa type in a nice bright/pastel/girly type colour.

 

can anyone give me any advice what to look for/ask about when buying a moped?

 

it's for short trips around town.

 

can i just use my normal driving license by the way or would i have to have a special one?

[Redwing]

I got my husband a 125cc scooter about six months ago, its given him loads of freedom which is fab

 

I looked first for scooter stores, there are a few about but you need to really hunt for them and be prepared to travel!!

 

There are also the small ads and we bought autotrader and searched their website

 

Then I turned to ebay, I messaged a couple of people about their scooters then weighed up the replies from the non existant to the very helpful. I chose the most helpful person then asked if I could view the scooter, interegated him for an hour, he answered all our questions, showed us around the bike etc.. and most importantly produced all the paperwork! then we decided we were happy and bid on it and won it

 

We chose a Honda which cost more than some of the more obscure makes but we reasoned that it would hold its value, be easy to source spare parts for and it would be easy to find someone to service it for us and so far all has been well

 

Consider the cost of protective clothing - this cost us more than we imagined!

 

I'm not sure about the licence, hubby doesnt have a driving licence so had to take his CBT, I am not sure if you still need the CBT if you have a full licence

[Geoid]

 

can i just use my normal driving license by the way or would i have to have a special one?

 

The highway code says "If you passed your driving test before the 1st of February 2001, you are qualified to ride a moped without L or D plates"

[BeckyBoo]

 

can i just use my normal driving license by the way or would i have to have a special one?

 

The highway code says "If you passed your driving test before the 1st of February 2001, you are qualified to ride a moped without L or D plates"

 

I haven't got a scooter or the like but I used to have a motorbike and all I would say is definitely go for some lessons before you either a) commit yourself because you might hate it - you're very vulnerable out there or b) go out on the roads. People still don't look for bikes and confidence in riding will save your life.

 

BeckyBoo

[craftyhunnypie]

Hi - I love Yamaha Fina's, butthey are only available in Thailand. However, I think there is an equivalent over here called a Piaggio. They come in girlie colours & are retro style.

Emma.x

[Guest]

well, we've been busy browsing the web for scooters and asking questions on relevant forums etc.

 

we've both got our CBT coming up very soon and we've just put a deposit on this...

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=209653&id=568396756&l=d7715c3de5

 

the first photo is from the manufacturer's site, the rest of them are of our new scooter in the dealer's showroom.

 

We didn't pay £2199 for it either. I bargained hard and we're getting it for £1699 plus a few extras.

[craftyhunnypie]

Woweeee! Gorgeous! Funny enough, we have also been looking at scooters! Got to join the mod squad eh?

Congratulations!

 

Emma.x

[Guest]

thanks Emma There's another omletter who is thinking of getting one too, but I'll let her tell you in her own time

[Lewis]

thanks Emma There's another omletter who is thinking of getting one too, but I'll let her tell you in her own time

 

Looks good

I did at the price! But thats a good discount

[rachael_farnsworth]

I had a Piaggio Zip 50cc called Georgina and I loooooved her... alas, she got nicked So if you can get an alarm or put it in a garage, so much the better.

 

That said, I would absolutely recommend scootering - I love it and at some point plan to get my full bike licence.

[Guest]

people keep telling me scare stories...I'm beginning to get really worried

[Tutti Frutti]

YAY congratulations from a 1966 Vespa owner! You'll love HER and the wind in your hair (and flies in your teeth, caught whilst you're grinning )! Glad you've sorted out your CBT (I was an instructor many, many moons ago... you will learn so much!). You drive a car so have road sense, which is half the battle. All you need to do now is fine tune your 6th sense - mind read, look drivers in the eyes (but don't assume they've seen you!), watch out at junctions. You'll learn defensive riding, so you'll anticipate and predict a lot - concentration is key. SEEMPLES! Take time to get used to the controls. Remember where the brake is! All those clips on You've Been Framed are where people forget where the brake is! It'll be a little odd at first, using your hands for the clutch/gears/throttle/brake/indicators/horn and only using one foot (for the back brake), but you'll soon get used to it.

 

Anything in particular that's worrying you, Poet? If it's theft - don't, a big chain will sort that out! Just remember to attach the scoot to something at the other end, like a lamp-post. DO NOT WORRY!

 

As for kit, I don't remember where you are in the country but, if you're looking for riding gear, the bargain show of the year is coming up in Peterborough on the middle weekend of May (see here).

 

You'll need - good crash helmet (make sure it fits properly - the right size might feel a bit tight at first so ask for advice from the person selling to you and try lots on, don't buy on Ebay, try different makes too as some heads suit different brands!), good gloves, ideally good boots (for ankle protection), and a chain. I'd also recommend a good textile jacket (and possibly trousers) - then you won't need waterproofs. I only wear leathers on my motorbike (look a bit daft on the Vespa!) and only in spring/autumn - too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter! Lidl are surprisingly good for biking kit too, when they have their offers on.

 

PM or post again if I can be of any help - I don't want to rattle on too much and bore everyone

 

So when do you pick her up? Have you named her yet? Mine's a boy called Donald

Edited April 30, 2010 by Guest

[Guest]

hiya tutti, no not the theft, people telling me it's dangerous and i'm risking my life etc etc.

 

do you use facebook?

 

I'll PM you after my CBT and thanks for the info xxx

[Tutti Frutti]

No I'm not a facebooker but you can always get me here

 

I promise you, it's not the BIKE that's dangerous but the traffic around you (mostly cars and taxis - lorries and buses will respect you and your space). Your CBT will give you the confidence to control the machine and will start you off with the 6th sense Like I say, you can drive so you are almost there, you know the rules of the road so just need to be like Worzel Gummidge and put a biking head on... it's like a different way of thinking, a different view of the road, you kind of get into a mindset of prediction and anticipation! You'll also start watching out even more for potholes

 

If you were closer, I'd take you out for a spin! And lend you some of my spare kit (I have a wardrobe full of it!)

 

Enjoy your CBT. Don't think of it as a test - it's NOT (it's actually called Basic Training), it's a COURSE to show you how to control your machine and ride safely on the roads And the instructors are fab

[Seagazer]

Poet my OH has been riding a bike for the last couple of years. He's done an advanced course and is still doing training. He goes out on a one to one with a ROSPA instructor every few weeks. Its given him a lot of confidence and he's actually a better car driver now too. He points out all potential hazards as we drive along. It might be worthwhile for you to look into extra courses etc.

 

I've been on the back of the bike a few times now and I do trust him, as Tutti Frutti says its the other road users you have to be aware of as they don't often notice bikes.

 

He absolutely loves the sense of freedom that being on the bike gives him (it is quite exciting being the passenger too)

[patsylabrador]

I agree that when you're riding you should assume that other road users haven't spotted you. Drive with assertion, because you're on a moped doesn't mean you should hug the side of the road. Use hand signals if necessary to make your intentions more clear, for example, my husband will indicate that he is exiting a large roundabout so that he doesn't get a car in the side of his bike.

His training was intense and for many years his job entailed riding a BMW around central London, so as with Seagazers OH he is a confident rider. Yet, only last year a woman rushing to pick up kids knocked him off, she simply was not aware of him. You must always be ready for that.

It is great though, good luck.

[docsquid]

I agree with everything that has been said about training.

 

CBT is extremely basic and totally insufficient to prepare you for riding safely on the road, as is the basic motorcycle/moped test. You will have to do CBT, but if you want to ride anything over 50cc you will have to take a motorcycle test - they come in several varieties, but you can take a "A" test which restricts you to small motorcycles if you wish, rather than going for the full licence. You can also take this on an automatic gearbox scooter, which will be easier than learning to use a clutch/gearbox, if you are confident you'll never want to do the latter.

 

CBT and the motorcycle test are just the very basic level - really all they do is show you can ride without falling off, perform basic manoeuvres, use the controls on the bike and follow traffic signs correctly. They do not give you the skill to manage riding in a busy urban setting, or on rural higher speed roads. To survive any length of time, you must invest in advanced training and top it up regularly. There are lots of organisations that do it: ROSPA, IAM and various training organisations that usually use police motorcycle trainers.

 

Re equipment: Make sure you spend as much as you can possibly afford on a helmet. Don't buy the cheap ones, and don't buy second-hand. Also make sure you have abrasion-resistant clothing, even for a moped. You don't have to have leathers, but good abrasion-resistant and waterproof clothing is very important - you can get kevlar-lined jeans that look normal but will protect you in the event of a spill. You should also never ride without proper gloves. I would allow almost as much money (maybe 2/3 as much) for the clothing as you do for the scooter.

 

Finally, make sure you get proper security for your scooter as they are more likely to get stolen than a conventional motorcycle, and the last thing you need is for your pride and joy to disappear.

[Seagazer]

You definitely need the proper gear. I wasn't sure I'd like it on OH's bike, we got a helmet just for me and had a little trip out but you do feel very unsafe with just normal clothes on. I now have a proper goretex textile motorcycle jacket and trouser, motorcycle gloves with all the added protection. I haven't got proper boots yet but I wear my really good walking boots which are a bit like workman boots so offer nearly as much protection.

 

I will probably get a pair of the kevlar jeans as docsquid said for the summer.

[Guest]

the CBT covers you for a 125cc as well. We've just back from doing part of it, we're doing the on road bit next time we go, I'm totally exhausted now!

[docsquid]

the CBT covers you for a 125cc as well

 

But not fully. You cannot carry a passenger having done your CBT, nor travel on the motorway, and you still have to display L plates until you have passed a full test, which you must do within 2 years, otherwise the CBT certificate becomes invalid and you have to take it again. You are not permitted to go around forever on L plates.

 

The CBT is inadequate by way of training for you to be safe. You cannot learn to ride a motorbike in a day and be anything like safe, and the full test will give you more skills, but advanced training will include much more hazard awareness that will equip you to deal with more of the situations that you will encounter on a bike.

[Guest]

yes, I know all that but don't intend to carry a passenger or go on the motorway. The CBT is £110 which lasts 2 years. I've been told a full test is £700. As I'm only using a scooter for tootling, I'm not prepared to fork out that sort of money at the moment but thank you for the advice

[Guest]

p.s. i totally agree that 1 day is not enough, especially if you've never ridden a bike before, they should tell you that when you book it!

[Tutti Frutti]

Did you enjoy it Poet? Hope so, you sound quite chirpy in your posts! Bet you're in bed by now

 

Don't worry about going out on the road, your instructors will only let you out if you have shown them that you are safe and in control. When I was an ROSPA CBT instructor, we very rarely had students who weren't ready - but if they weren't, we had them back until they were.

 

It is very mental. Not only in the sense of mentally exhausting from the concentration, but also from the point of view of attitude. You just need confidence (but not too much or you'll be cocky!) (and I don't mean YOU Poet, I use "you" in the general sense! ). You need to feel in control of the machine, not feel that it controls you or you can get out of control. And as others have said, be assertive on the road and make yourself look "big".

 

I know when I wear my pink butterfly lid and pink leathers, car drivers are right idiots and it drives my old man nuts (he's usually behind me, I go first as I'm the sensible one hehe). But when I wear my black lid, black leathers and motorcross boots, they give me a wide berth and show some respect

 

You like?

 

Oh yes, and I agree about the crash helmet. Always buy new (don't even go for the bargain "clearance stock in the box" as you don't know if it's been dropped in the shop - but you can tell how old a lid is by the date printed on a label under the padding inside it). Spend as much as you can afford. The technology is excellent across all lids (the all meet certain BSI numbers) but, the more you pay, the lighter and quieter the lid will be (less wind noise - but if you do find it noisy, just wear ear plugs - I always do when I ride my Triumph) and they'll have more features like quick release chin straps (oh always remember to do it up!), air vents, quick-release visors, "pin-lock" systems (like double glazing on the visor so stops them misting up in cold and damp weather).

 

Hmm what else... licence regs are complicated and have changed a lot since I passed my CBT about 20 years ago so you know loads more than me! I learnt in the days when you could bimble around on L plates forever with a full car licence acting as a full moped (under 50cc) or provisional bike (up to 125cc) licence. I only took my CBT and then "proper" test (passed within 2 months) as I was sick of visiting relatives on A roads and wanted to get on the motorways (and a bigger bike!). Anyway, if you want more info about getting a full licence, it's here here. You never know, if after 2 years you love it and want to ride a motorbike, you can take your test as your scoot is geared

 

Glad today went well! Here's to the next one!

[Tutti Frutti]

PS I would recommend a lid with a visor, as it'll keep rain/dust/dirt out of your face and eyes:

 

£145 but then again, my full face butterfly lid was a bargain £200 reduced from £380 (because the colour scheme changed! Biker fashion changes each year - worse than football strips!)

 

£75 (bargain in my eyes)

 

not with a peak like this

 

otherwise you'd probably need goggles like this

 

But having said all that and found those images and fallen in love with the Givi, I've just realised... you've probably already bought your lid as you were on your CBT today! Still, I'll post this anyway as you say there might be another Omleteer thinking of taking the plunge (do it, do it, do it...!)

[Guest]

hi tutti

 

we started at 9.30am and finished at about 2pm as we were both exhausted by then! We didn't get out on the road either and are going have to go back for that bit. We did it on manual bikes but i think I'll do the road bit on an automatic as didn't really get the hang on changing gear all that well. The bike had a foot operated gear system whereas the scooter we're getting has hand operated gears, I think...

 

we did ride round some cones, do the figure of eights and get up to 2nd gear but the emergency stop was tricky cos he wanted us to get up to 2nd gear and be going quite fast but the length of the yard wasn't really long enough, IMO, to do that, but I managed it in the end.

 

we've got to do u turns and more turns next time then out on the road for 2 hours. It's all very fast paced and I don't think the course is long enough, you don't learn to drive a car in a day! We'll see how it goes next time but we're having to pay extra too for the extra time (even though i took them some cake to sweeten them up too!) which they don't tell you about when you book!

 

where your thighs meet your bum, does that body part have a name? Anyway, they're gonna be sore tomorrow, i can feel it already!

 

show me your pink leathers!