Ok so a work collegue has been asking about getting a 125cc Scoot,
His local independant dealer sells Sinnis and Baotian,

He likes the Sinnis Matrix 2,

http://www.sinnismotorcycles.com/scooter_range.php

Or the Boatian Citybike,

http://www.baotianscooters.co.uk/baotia ... ke-125.php

What would be better?

It's for doing a 3mile commute plus the odd ride.

Neither!

Something better quality 2nd hand.

Honda PS:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-07-HONDA ... 27c3045e01

Yamaha Cygnus X (looks a little too good to me!)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Yamaha-N ... 43ad009853

Ged (Capitano) has regularly passed positive comment about Sinnis who are based in Brighton, so I'd certainly be erring that way (or Sym/Kymco) rather than Baotain.

i never had any probs with my baotian
well none i didnt cause myself by experimenting with bolt on shite

i used to ride with someone who had a sinnis and he was forever filling it up with fuel

I would suggest the new Honda Vision, not a 125, but should be very economical and reliable. Cheap too.

I wouldnt touch a Baotian, Cheeky Tom showed me how poor they are Sinnis seem a lot better, but what about a Kymco Like?

Personally, it would be a Vespa PX if I wanted a commuter only scoot. Great economy, strong residuals if you like that sort of thing but most importantly you can service them easily and very cheaply. Also, you can change tyres yourself by the roadside and can carry a spare. Its the most practical 125 out there for all the above, even if pricey to buy.

Kent motorcycles has a brand new pre reg Honda SH125i at £2395 otr, comes complete with top box, that's a saving of about £800.00

Interesting....Sinnis are a UK company, although of course the scoots & bikes are Chinese made. I've seen a couple of reviews (of their bikes rather than scoots), and they seemed pretty good to ride. So out of the two, Sinnis might be a better bet. However, note that the 125 only puts out 6kw or roughly 8bhp, which isn't very much, so it'll struggle to get past 50mph. That may be fine on a 3 mile commute of course.
In the end it comes down to whether the dealer is decent company or some set of cowboys - though if the guy is a newbie to scoots, he may not know. If they've been around a while and sell some bigger bikes they may be OK.

Otherwise, as others have pointed out, there are quite a few secondhand European/Japanaese/Taiwanese scoots which may be better quality.

Dave Weller wrote:Kent motorcycles has a brand new pre reg Honda SH125i at £2395 otr, comes complete with top box, that's a saving of about £800.00

Having a look at the Kent Motorcycles stock list I spotted what was my very first scoot (Yamaha Majesty 125), not the fastest thing but decent road presence for a newbie though maybe a bit weighty for some.

Maybe an '03 but low mileage and only £1000, before you knock them down a bit!! - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 201wt_1187

rtfm wrote:Neither!

Something better quality 2nd hand.

Honda PS:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-07-HONDA ... 27c3045e01

Yamaha Cygnus X (looks a little too good to me!)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Yamaha-N ... 43ad009853

i can vouch for the cygnus a great little scoot