30km round trip - 50cc scooter enough?

Lustrum

I'm in the process of moving house, looking at getting a moped/scooter for the commute to work. Due to the nature of the job I can't arrive sweaty so the bicycle is out, and I have no interest in sitting in the car every day.

It will be 15km each way through the city, so would a 50cc bike be sufficient, or is it worth paying more for a 125? It will only be used for the commute to and from work, I don't need it for anything else. I've never owned a scooter so fairly new to them, cheers

sonyvision

I would say 125 is better as it gets you up to speed faster etc. Never driven anything less then a 600cc but if your nipping in and out of heavy traffic going no more then 50 kph 125 would be fine....

Never owned a scooter before, I assume you got a licenses or plan on it IBT etc

If you have more than 50cc you need a bike licence. 50 cc is OK with the car one

Del2005

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If you have more than 50cc you need a bike licence. 50 cc is OK with the car one

50cc is one of the criteria for a moped the main one is speed and that's restricted to 45km/h. For heavy city traffic it'll be fine for any travel outside a 50km/h area it'd be dodgy. You also have to have had a B licence since before Oct 2006.

Lustrum

Del2005 wrote: »

50cc is one of the criteria for a moped the main one is speed and that's restricted to 45km/h. For heavy city traffic it'll be fine for any travel outside a 50km/h area it'd be dodgy. You also have to have had a B licence since before Oct 2006.

Thanks for the replies, I've been trying to figure out the licence situation. That might have an influence if it will keep the cost down initially, and as I won't be on any road with a limit over 50kph I don't necessarily need to go any faster.

Appreciate the replies, cheers

marklazarcovic

https://eurocycles.com/haibike-sduro-hardseven-1-0-electric-bike/

60km range apparently,even if it's 40-50 in real terms your good

TheShow

For a 15km trip each way a 50 cc scooter will be fine. You will need to look after it well though to keep her going.
If you have the AM section ticked on your licence then all you need to do is insure it, if not then you will need to do IBT. If you have to do an IBT then you may as well go for a 125.

Del2005

marklazarcovic wrote: »

https://eurocycles.com/haibike-sduro-hardseven-1-0-electric-bike/

60km range apparently,even if it's 40-50 in real terms your good

Is that not too powerful for legal road use?

draycottgirlz

TheShow wrote: »

For a 15km trip each way a 50 cc scooter will be fine. You will need to look after it well though to keep her going.
If you have the AM section ticked on your licence then all you need to do is insure it, if not then you will need to do IBT. If you have to do an IBT then you may as well go for a 125.

Good advice.

50cc should be enough. I find I meet the same 50cc at the next set of lights scooter, but the larger scooters offer you now room to get away from buses, idiots etc and give you space

marklazarcovic

Del2005 wrote: »

Is that not too powerful for legal road use?

No idea, quick call would let ya know

Del2005

marklazarcovic wrote: »

No idea, quick call would let ya know

Why should I have to call when the law says 250 watts and they have the wrong units on their website. From a proper website it is 250w so is legal.

marklazarcovic

Del2005 wrote: »

Why should I have to call when the law says 250 watts and they have the wrong units on their website. From a proper website it is 250w so is legal.

Jayzuz,you know the answer,well done. I'm just giving the op a option.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Go 125 IMO.

50cc moped's are usually pretty cheaply made, very light components like suspension, brakes, bearings etc.. They really don't last too long. Of course there are exceptions, but the majority fall to bits pretty quickly.

ED E

The Pedelec will only assist up to 25km/h. After that its all human grunt. If the OP is happy to do it at a casual pace no sweat needed, if he wants to get there quickly though it'd still be an energetic affair (pedalling a heavy bike to 30kph is work enough).

big syke

I have just traded in my 50 cc moped for a Ninja 400. Best decision I ever made.

Mopeds IMO are a nightmare, small, loud, dangerous, SLOOOOOOWWWWWWW, unreliable etc.

My commute was just shy of 28km round trip daily and is infinitely more enjoyable now.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

Sonics2k

Every morning on my way to work I see a lad drive the other way to work on his 50cc scooter. He's going from Cork City to Bandon which is 30km each way.

It's absolutely doable, but it must take him in hour or so for the drive and be absolutely awful in bad weather.

TheShow

I used to do Blessington to the City Centre on a 50cc. took an hour each way, but when compared to car or bus journey time, it was a winner hands down. It was horrible in the rain though.
City traffic was fine, but when out on the open road it was a bit scary at times, especially when a truck or bus passed you.....

stewygriffin

Burgman 400 scooter. 150kph top speed
Savage scooter,users feck all juice and loads of storage under the seat.
Comfy and protection from the elements.

Lustrum

stewygriffin wrote: »

Burgman 400 scooter. 150kph top speed
Savage scooter,users feck all juice and loads of storage under the seat.
Comfy and protection from the elements.

When I look at something like that, I think to myself "would I not just buy another car??"

The idea behind the scooter was that it won't take up much space outside the house, I wouldn't get stuck in traffic as much, and would literally only use it to get from the house to work and back (route is Harold's Cross to the Airport). I'm not sure if I have the interest to do the IBT etc, I'm purely trying to figure out the easiest and most efficient way to get to work every day that's a bit easier than cycling, but won't have me sitting in a car every day!

thos

Lustrum wrote: »

I'm not sure if I have the interest to do the IBT etc, I'm purely trying to figure out the easiest and most efficient way to get to work every day

You might think about getting their safely also, the IBT would be worth doing to help teach you about road positioning, observation and the basics about safe riding.

A quick test and you’d have way better options for 125 or the 400 scooters.

TheShow

Look at the back of your driving licence. If there is a date in the AM section, Column 10 & 11, then you have a moped licence and don't require IBT for a 50cc bike.

If there is a line through then you do need to do IBT.

If you need to do IBT, don't buy a bike until you complete the IBT. You can do the course on an instructors bike, then decide what you want after competing the course. also, might aswell do the full bike course now too instead of piecemeal.

stewygriffin

Lustrum wrote: »

When I look at something like that, I think to myself "would I not just buy another car??"

The idea behind the scooter was that it won't take up much space outside the house, I wouldn't get stuck in traffic as much, and would literally only use it to get from the house to work and back (route is Harold's Cross to the Airport). I'm not sure if I have the interest to do the IBT etc, I'm purely trying to figure out the easiest and most efficient way to get to work every day that's a bit easier than cycling, but won't have me sitting in a car every day!

Your balls and heart will be broken on a 50cc doing a 30k commute every day.
It's not sunny and dry in Ireland every day either.
Food for thought there.

I ride an S1000rr and the Burgman is more fun and craic for nipping up and down the M50 and across Dublin City.
More luggage space under the seat too.
Helmet,gloves,backpack and textile leggings all fit under the seat.

Alkers

TheShow wrote: »

For a 15km trip each way a 50 cc scooter will be fine. You will need to look after it well though to keep her going.
If you have the AM section ticked on your licence then all you need to do is insure it, if not then you will need to do IBT. If you have to do an IBT then you may as well go for a 125.

For the AM requirement the 50cc needs to be restricted to 45km/hr which is very slow in any sort of free flowing traffic

TheShow

Simona1986 wrote: »

For the AM requirement the 50cc needs to be restricted to 45km/hr which is very slow in any sort of free flowing traffic

not in the city, it's just about right i'd say from experience.
Any second hand bike you pick up will have the restrictor drilled out anyway.

Del2005

TheShow wrote: »

not in the city, it's just about right i'd say from experience.
Any second hand bike you pick up will have the restrictor drilled out anyway.

Then you can't ride it with a B or M licence.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

TheShow wrote: »

not in the city, it's just about right i'd say from experience.
Any second hand bike you pick up will have the restrictor drilled out anyway.

I must be in a minority, my 50cc still has the restricter kit fitted and is untampered. I’m debating getting it removed.

scarebus03

A 50cc will do the job just fine until you get bored
I do a 20km round trip commute in Dublin on a 650 for anything longer I have a 1400.......

Do the IBT and if she lets you go the whole hog then go for it.

A 50cc is great if you're a millennial on a diet of kale smoothies and peanut powerballs. If you're a fish & chips 200 pounder type of guy at over 6ft then think again.

I think most of us looking at the traffic situation started looking at the scooter option. I'm glad I discarded the option early on in my decision process which I did at 39 years of age. In Dublin you can't accelerate away from trouble on a 50cc.

Drop a gear and disappear

Each to their own

Cheers

zubair

That trip will become grinding after a while on a 50cc. I assume you don't have any motorway or dual carriageway on the trip but a 10 mile commute would be much more comfortable on a larger bike or moped.

650gs

Lads I have a Yamaha Aerox paid 500 pounds in Belfast 50 vrt I have bikes ranging from 125 to 1150 I use them all but for the last year and a half have used the Aerox daily from Leixlip to Dublin 1,
I do treat the poor thing like **** just gave it its first service, it does 90km on the clock i think should be 80km on the sat nav
Its perfect 18km each way 30min hail rain and a bit of snow and never let me down

ayux4rj6zql2ph

650gs wrote: »

Lads I have a Yamaha Aerox paid 500 pounds in Belfast 50 vrt I have bikes ranging from 125 to 1150 I use them all but for the last year and a half have used the Aerox daily from Leixlip to Dublin 1,
I do treat the poor thing like **** just gave it its first service, it does 90km on the clock i think should be 80km on the sat nav
Its perfect 18km each way 30min hail rain and a bit of snow and never let me down

I’ve MBK Nitro Jaguar, same bike essentially.

What service parts did you get? Im a newbie to the hands on stuff with bikes

650gs

It depends how far you want to go air filter oil and plug thats it once it starts to slow a little rollers and belt but if you keep it slandered these little strokers just keep going Oh be sure to take the washer/tube from the exhaust

ayux4rj6zql2ph

650gs wrote: »

It depends how far you want to go air filter oil and plug thats it once it starts to slow a little rollers and belt but if you keep it slandered these little strokers just keep going Oh be sure to take the washer/tube from the exhaust

I was told mine was de-restricted as there’s a piece of the exhaust cut off along the down pipe, is that incorrect?

listermint

650gs wrote: »

Lads I have a Yamaha Aerox paid 500 pounds in Belfast 50 vrt I have bikes ranging from 125 to 1150 I use them all but for the last year and a half have used the Aerox daily from Leixlip to Dublin 1,
I do treat the poor thing like **** just gave it its first service, it does 90km on the clock i think should be 80km on the sat nav
Its perfect 18km each way 30min hail rain and a bit of snow and never let me down

Don't think anyone says it can't be done.


But there's very little enjoyable about it.

I used to despise a journey half that distance into the city in any sort of weather.

TheShow

Its not pleasant in bad weather, thats for sure, but neither is any bike.
OP is looking for the most cost efficient way to commute.
If he can ride a 50cc without any requirement for an IBT, then this is the obvious route. If an IBT is required, then a 125 or 250 would be more beneficial for the extra power that it offers, not that it will make a huge difference in Dublin traffic/traffic lights.

listermint

TheShow wrote: »

Its not pleasant in bad weather, thats for sure, but neither is any bike.
OP is looking for the most cost efficient way to commute.
If he can ride a 50cc without any requirement for an IBT, then this is the obvious route. If an IBT is required, then a 125 or 250 would be more beneficial for the extra power that it offers, not that it will make a huge difference in Dublin traffic/traffic lights.

Beg to differ my bike givess great protection has heated grips and heated jacket and I can avoid traffic jams and listen to podcasts as i go.

I'd take it in any weather over sitting in my poxy car looking at the car in front.


Any day

650gs

The weather is no big deal in fact Id rather use the moped in bad weather makes me take my time and as i said it does 90km by the clock how fast do i need to go

listermint

650gs wrote: »

The weather is no big deal in fact Id rather use the moped in bad weather makes me take my time and as i said it does 90km by the clock how fast do i need to go

Faster than that on a motorway

Del2005

650gs wrote: »

The weather is no big deal in fact Id rather use the moped in bad weather makes me take my time and as i said it does 90km by the clock how fast do i need to go

That ain't a moped so the OP would need to do IBT. Once it goes over 45km/h the OP will need to do IBT and then there's no point in riding a moped.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Del2005 wrote: »

That ain't a moped so the OP would need to do IBT. Once it goes over 45km/h the OP will need to do IBT and then there's no point in riding a moped.

A moped is fine for travelling around the city, further out though a bigger bike is probably better. I use my own for short trips and if I need dual carriageway’s I take the DL.

steamsey

Had a few peds years ago and everyone one of them went to sh*t, even with regular servicing etc. Might be a different story if you can maintain it yourself.

The lack of speed / power was the biggest issue for me - got myself into plenty of sticky situations where I really could have used the power to get away. You could drive like a nun if you want but I really think the lack of power is a serious disadvantage from a fun, but mainly from a safety perspective.

Also keep in mind, that on a ped in Dublin, you are barely one step up from a cyclist (I'm a cyclist BTW) and so you will not get treated as well as you would on a proper motorbike. This might mean people trying to run you off the road, verbal abuse etc.