Which 125cc scooter is the right one for you?

There is a lot to choose from when it comes to the “up to” 125cc Scooter range. I made up my mind before I even went to the dealer, simply because my boyfriend had one and I always loved the design. But it’s also important that the bike “fits” you and your requirements. Your height for example; I met a woman at the scooter dealer a few weeks back who bought a Piaggio Liberty and sold her old Peugeot scooter because she didn’t have enough leg room on her old scooter. Another thing to consider is how much space you need under the seat. Are there any additional hooks for shopping bags for example?

If you’re looking for more modern design, check out these models:

Honda Dylan 125cc
I rode this 125cc scooter model for nearly four weeks whilst my Vespa was in the paint shop. It’s super-economic (I only filled the tank once and did about 125 miles on it), and the engines have the reputation to be unbreakable. It’s very quick off the mark too – great in city traffic. Honda’s list price is £2099,-

I personally felt as if the bike went down on its “knees” every time I had to break a bit sharper. The mirrors couldn’t really be adjusted to suit me and I personally didn’t like the design either. But all in all it’s a good bike and I’ve seen plenty of them around. I guess it’s all a matter of personal preference. This bike has a lot of fans and Honda calls it one of their bestsellers. Honda manufactures a range of other bikes but this one seems to be the best value-for-money option in the scooter range.

Peugot
One of Peugeot’s popular models is the Speedfight. This model comes as a 100cc and a 50cc scooter. The 100cc will set you back by £1899,-, the 50cc scooter will cost you £1599,-. They also build a 125cc scooter, the Peugeot Elystar, costing about £2999,-. One review I read said:

• Excellent fuel economy and speed
• Nice styling and gauges layout
• Comfortable riding position

A Peugeot owner told me that the scooters are great, but it’s difficult to find a dealer to service them these days. I’ve never ridden one of those – try it for yourself!

Yamaha
Honda currently produces two 125cc scooter models, the X-MAX (£3099,-) and the CygnusX (£1999,-). The CygnusX is probably the ideal commuter bike for short distances, plus it has a lower price tag ;-). The X-MAX is liquid-cooled, has bigger wheels and is generally more suited for longer journeys. You can also store two full face helmets under the seat and carry a passenger. If you're after a 50cc scooter, Yamaha also produces them as well, starting from £1699,-.

For all above prices :
Please do not rely on this entirely, these are guidelines only. You might find them cheaper/more expensive at some dealers. Best strategy is to get the current list price from the manufacturer.

What about hydrogen-powered “green scooters”?
I’ve read quiet a lot about the development of these scooters in recent months, but it seems that the problem is to design a safe tank which is large enough to do more than 50 miles at a time and petrol stations which stock hydrogen fuel. They are not as fast (and much more expensive) as the petrol fuelled models. Plus, ask your local dealer and he will probably not even have any information about it. So, for now I’ll concentrate on the conventionally powered scooters, but watch this space!

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