Looking at scooters (still). I've been looking at a Piaggio, they're at the top of my budget really and I didnt think I could justify spending the money on something thats a bit of fun but a couple have come up at nice prices. 

 

The first is a 2014 bike, bought new at the Piaggio dealer selling it now by a old bloke, full service history from the supplying dealer too, 30,000 miles on it. I've studied the pictures, it looks immaculate, and is described as so. It's up for £2000

 

The second bike is 2012, for sale at a yamaha dealer, advert says 'service history' so I dont know how comprehensive it is but it's done 16,000 miles. It's up at £2400

 

The second place was shut today so I couldnt ask about the history, it also doesnt appear to be in quite as clean condition as the first but I cant see any dinks or anything. Whats the thoughts? I'm leaning towards the first tbh, £400 doesnt sound like much but it's nearly 25% extra. The dealer reckons it was a retired guy that owned it so it's had an easy life I suspect. It's not a stressed motor, and I'm not doing many miles so while it'll still have a few more than normal on it, over a year or two it'll not rack up that many more. 

 

Thoughts? 

15k a year on a feckin scooter :clap:

 

I suggest you just go on condition. If it's been looked after and serviced it should still be ok with 30k. Assuming we're not talking about a 50cc 2 stroke.

15k a year on a feckin scooter :clap:

 

I suggest you just go on condition. If it's been looked after and serviced it should still be ok with 30k. Assuming we're not talking about a 50cc 2 stroke.

 

That was my thoughts! I'm guessing it was an old boy who rode round touring the country lol. 

 

It's a 330cc 4 stroke so isn't overly stressed or anything. I might bell the second dealer tomorrow and ask about the history and condition. 

depends on what these sorts of things tend to run up to. How is the used market with them? Is 30k alot for one? or are there examples of 80k mile ones? 

 

It's all relative of what the vehicle is and how the mileage and/or age effects that particular make and model. 

 

For example, i've just sold the Aprilia on which is getting towards middle ground for Italian stuff imo, there are examples with 20k/30k on but worth peanuts compared. However, put that against a VFR or whatever and 8.5k isnt even run in, they sell with 60-80k on with plenty of life in the motor. 

 

Basically, without studying the market, i couldn't say which i'd go for. Other than maybe you'd be happier saving about £500-£1000 and getting a newer lower mileage example all together. 

 

Don't forget its not just about mileage now.. you have to put your chunk on and resale it after then. 

depends on what these sorts of things tend to run up to. How is the used market with them? Is 30k alot for one? or are there examples of 80k mile ones? 

 

It's all relative of what the vehicle is and how the mileage and/or age effects that particular make and model. 

 

For example, i've just sold the Aprilia on which is getting towards middle ground for Italian stuff imo, there are examples with 20k/30k on but worth peanuts compared. However, put that against a VFR or whatever and 8.5k isnt even run in, they sell with 60-80k on with plenty of life in the motor. 

 

Basically, without studying the market, i couldn't say which i'd go for. Other than maybe you'd be happier saving about £500-£1000 and getting a newer lower mileage example all together. 

 

Don't forget its not just about mileage now.. you have to put your chunk on and resale it after then. 

 

You're spot on and normally thats exactly what I'd do but they're not very common. AT shows about 6 for sale They've only been out 4 years so I guess it's a bit unknown, being a larger CC they do some miles from what I've read on forums about them.

 

I think I'll enquire about the second one, it's got average miles, if the history checks out and it's in good nick then I'll ride down and look and take it out.

You're spot on and normally thats exactly what I'd do but they're not very common. AT shows about 6 for sale They've only been out 4 years so I guess it's a bit unknown, being a larger CC they do some miles from what I've read on forums about them.

I think I'll enquire about the second one, it's got average miles, if the history checks out and it's in good nick then I'll ride down and look and take it out.

A tough choice indeed then mate!

Ive always been for older with less miles in the past when on a budget though i have to admit.

Yeah check it out and see what you think. Then see how the condition of the other compares. Winter miles might have it looking like its had its day, when infact its not very old, and vice versa.

I would want to see under the plastics if buying a bike that has been used all year round and see what horrors lurk beneath. I would buy on condition rather than mileage as it only states how far the bike has been ridden and not how it's maintained.

I phoned up this morning, the second one (2012 bike) has had one owner from new too, FSH, he just lost the book but has invoices. Went down to take it out, rode lovely, it was in good nick, just haddnt been 'overly' washed, it was clean but the grubby bits were still grubby, how I like to view bikes. Nothing unusual about it, needed a numberplate light because it'd been knocked off rolling it back in the garage and was due a service. They're doing that, plus new belt and rollers for £2200. I'm chuffed tbh, the dealer was great, totally open and honest with me. I'm picking it up Saturday but here's some quick snaps I took

 

 

The top box is clearly destined for the loft but it's quite a nimble little bike when out and about, it only weighs an extra 25kg over my dads Vespa GTS but has another 10bhp Went well when I opened it up. 

Great! Leather interior too!

Looks good! I think id keep the top box, unless theres loads of space under the seat too?

I bet you're looking forward to picking it up! Happy days.

Great! Leather interior too!

Looks good! I think id keep the top box, unless theres loads of space under the seat too?

I bet you're looking forward to picking it up! Happy days.

 

Yup, cant be arsed to ride it back though, M23/M25/M1 was the most boring ride ever! Think I'm going to get a van, just working out how to strap it down lol

 

There is a fair bit of space under the seat, easy enough for a full face lid and maybe a lightweight jacket. Plus a glovebox for bits and bobs. The top box doesnt look too bad really, but it's not for me.

We've had a few bikes in the T5 and had a trailer before that. My biggest tip is to not have it on the stand when you tie it down. Just let the straps take it and to strap it down tight so it takes alot of the suspension travel up. Usually do 2 straps off the front forks then one either side coming off the frame or pillion footrest hangers.

Yeah i know what you mean with the top box. They're an aquired taste! Very useful though, but maybe its not needed with all that storage space eh!

We've had a few bikes in the T5 and had a trailer before that. My biggest tip is to not have it on the stand when you tie it down. Just let the straps take it and to strap it down tight so it takes alot of the suspension travel up. Usually do 2 straps off the front forks then one either side coming off the frame or pillion footrest hangers.

Yeah i know what you mean with the top box. They're an aquired taste! Very useful though, but maybe its not needed with all that storage space eh!

 

Yeah I was thinking that, I have some straps to loop round stuff, I was going to stick one over each handle bar and one over each rear rack. There's not much to get at on a scooter lol

Matt, if you're in need of straps I have plenty of ratchet straps I can lend you. Collect or pay for postage and I can send you as many you need.

 

I'm in London this weekend in the Waterloo area if you want to collect them.

Edited 24 August, 20169 yr by CWARD

Matt, if you're in need of straps I have plenty of ratchet straps I can lend you. Collect or pay for postage and I can send you as many you need.

 

I'm in London this weekend in the Waterloo area if you want to collect them.

 

Thank you for the kind offer, I've just dug out a set of ratchets, so I've got 4 loop things and 4 straps, hopefully that'll be enough. Just need to find a plank of wood now

Can't help you there but surely the bike shop will have a ramp and when you get home some kind neighbours to help drop it carefully back on the ground.

Yeah, I've got a couple of planks, to be honest, it's lighter than a vending machine me and my mate have lifted into his van before now so we should be ok. 

Yeah, I've got a couple of planks, to be honest, it's lighter than a vending machine me and my mate have lifted into his van before now so we should be ok. 

 

Yeah shouldnt have much of a problem manhandling it tbh. If theres 3 of you (one just to get ready to catch haha) it'll lift in a piece of cake i reckon. 

 

No biker mates got a ramp? We had one until a few months back. Should get another really. 

Yeah shouldnt have much of a problem manhandling it tbh. If theres 3 of you (one just to get ready to catch haha) it'll lift in a piece of cake i reckon. 

 

No biker mates got a ramp? We had one until a few months back. Should get another really. 

 

No, one of the few things we dont have tbh. I dont know why, every few months someone needs one and we always end up improvising. Last time we took one from some scaffolding in the evening and replaced it early before the workers returned It's one of them things, you think you're not going to need for ages so why bother spending on one. I have a couple of long planks, I think if I put one down then the other half way down it to make it a bit more gradual we should be ok. Failing that, we'll just pick it up, luckily we have been gymming it up recently. They'll be someone at the dealers and I can get my brother to come help at this end (We'll call him the 3rd plank)

Insurance sorted, £300 which isnt too bad with zero NCB. My big bike is due for renewal too in a few weeks, its gone from £550 to £175 So overall they'll come to the same nearly. Van sorted, was up **** creak, bank holiday and the places I normally use were fully booked. Found another place with one van left so got that, found a plank of wood in the garden which takes my weight when I put one end on the garden wall

 

Leaving at 6am to try and miss the traffic. 

Sounds like a good plan Matt! 

 

what van is it you're hiring? 

Got a new Vivaro, I'll be honest, I'm enjoying a rest from driving before going back to work so my mates driving. It's funny though how nippy an empty van is, flew off up the road in it. He gets lunch and a performance bonus if he gets above 50mph

Got a new Vivaro, I'll be honest, I'm enjoying a rest from driving before going back to work so my mates driving. It's funny though how nippy an empty van is, flew off up the road in it. He gets lunch and a performance bonus if he gets above 50mph

 

Ah yeah. Lets hope it lasts long enough to sit the trip out  

 

Bag of crap they are . Even worse than the old one... n thats quite an achievement  

Ah yeah. Lets hope it lasts long enough to sit the trip out

Bag of crap they are . Even worse than the old one... n thats quite an achievement

He's got a 12 plate, it's had its issues but is a nice van when it works.

Bikes in, I only thought about height on the way, we had to take the screen off to get it in