I had no problems with exhaust corrosion and I live in Scotland - why not buy a nearly new Sym and that way you don’t take the hit of buying new - don’t worry about paperwork or leaflets - these scooters are as good as any Honda - most modern Honda scooters are built in Thailand

You have a point, but, I am now in a position to buy any bike I want new. It maybe that finding a dealer with a used bike would give me the chance to have a test ride. All the dealers seem to think that I should, order and pay for a bike I have never ridden, in effect buy a "pig in a poke". I have never come across this attitude before.

Unfortunately sylar there are numerous dealers like that - hope you get wot your after

poldark wrote:If it's only as a local runaround why not stick to a 125, you can't beat an SH125.

I got mine for £650 six years ago and it's peanuts to run, 1 litre of oil every 2400 miles (no filter), £17 tax, naff all extra insurance on a multi-bike policy if you've got the Silverwing, cheap tyres, 100 mpg and if you want a bit more ooomph just fit DR Pulley sliders.

£18 tax poldark.now on my 4th sh 125,i must like them or even cheaper a Honda sh 125 mode.

Found a dealer that will let me have a test riden on a SYM300i. The bike is pre registered, not pre ridden. It was reg in 2016 but has never been out of the showroom, and it is offered at a thousand pounds cheaper than a new bike. Arranged for test ride on 5/4/18. It means that technically it will be two years old and will need an MOT next year. This doesn't bother me at all, if I like it I will buy it.

Sounds reasonable to me

Yup, sounds like a plan.

Look forward to hearing how it goes. Well and fun, I hope.

Be interesting to hear how it compares with your other owned scooters too.

Best Mark.

Whilst it sounds like an interesting idea, I'm always a bit suspicious of the prices that dealers offer on old 'new' bikes. They try to sell it you as a brand new scoot, so don't take a huge amount off, but if you were to try and sell it to them, they'd say it doesn't matter how few miles its done, its still a two year old scoot, and offer you a pittance!
Not sure of the list (new) price, so I can't say whether £1000 off is a good deal or not, though my instinct is that they are pushing it a bit.....though of course, they are dealers, so its what you would expect!!!

This look nice too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 3bw&page=1