New to scooters....HELP!!!!!

[butch123]

Hi, I'm a lady looking for a suitable first scooter. I will be using it to commute about 7 miles each way 5 days a week in heavyish traffic. Any suggestions? I've been looking at the new for 2013 Piaggio Fly 125, as my budget is around £2200 for the scooter. I'm quite tall (5'9") and never ridden a scooter before. I have my CBT on 21st Dec and plan to start riding to work after the xmas and new year break. My husbands work mate is selling his Piaggio Xevo 125 2009. He is yet to tell us how much for, it has only done 1800 miles and has been garaged from new. I have seen photos of it and it looks very nice but rather big compared to the fly. I'm not sure if it's to big for me as a first scooter. Any advice on which scooter to choose would be great.

[mightbesane]

Welcome to the forum and to scootering. Those of us in the Colonies don't have the same array of choices that you folks have on your side of the Pond, so I'll leave brand and model advice to others. But just remember...very important...keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down and you'll have loads of fun on your scoot.

[frankiej1949]

Welcome to the forum and to years of happy scooting. I ride the maxi scoots currently the Piaggio X10 350i. I use it for commuting and long distance good for both. Iwould think that a 125 will be fine for you but there are plenty of riders on here that will give you some sound advice.

[butch123]

I'm set on getting a 125, but am concerned about the actual physical size and weight of the scooters and what i can cope with. Like i said I'm tall for a lady and reasonably strong, but don't want to make a mistake when buying for the first time.

[SH125Paul]

3 year old Xevo - 1800 miles sounds an ideal introduction to scootering, if the price is right...
Only way to tell is to have a go once you are all CBTd...
the 'Big' bit is bodywork - and im sure you may welcome some weather protection and strorage... Soon get used to it...

[butch123]

Thanks for the advice, I will test ride and hopefully love it. I really am sick of looking at scooters and comparing......it's really annoying not knowing what you're looking at. Thats why I'm glad I stumbled across this very useful forum. I've had friends of friends telling me to get a vespa, and was tempted, but only because of its looks. I am a total scooter newby

[ridinhigh]

HELLO Butch123,
I own a Vespa and its a very good scooter ,
but its not got as much weather protection as the EVO its only body work as someone says on here,

but that bodywork is worth having this weather and a EVO is a top range scooter, mileage is very good
and its good buy if its got MOT and price is right




its

[Bluebottle]

Welcome aboard

The scooter reviews section might be useful reading for a "warts and all" look at what's available.
Everybody has their own favourite (Honda S-Wing 125 would be mine) but there plenty of Piaggio fans here.

With your height and fitness I don't think you will have a problem with any of the 125s, the big body panels make some of them look heavier than they are.
Good luck and have fun.

[butch123]

Welcome aboard

The scooter reviews section might be useful reading for a "warts and all" look at what's available.
Everybody has their own favourite (Honda S-Wing 125 would be mine) but there plenty of Piaggio fans here.

With your height and fitness I don't think you will have a problem with any of the 125s, the big body panels make some of them look heavier than they are.
Good luck and have fun.

What do you like about the s-wing over the xevo?

[Bluebottle]

I like the S-Wing for its build quality and reliability.
I think the Xevo is one of the better looking scooters though.

I prefer scooters with bigger bodywork, not just for weather/flying debris protection, they also have more "road presence" ie they are easier to see and in my opinion fewer people are tempted to try bullying them. They look heavier and more capable.
For that reason I personally would take the Xevo you mentioned over the fly, I think it is a nice looking machine too but it is a very personal thing.

You sound a bit concerned about being able to handle a heavier bike. The weight is only really noticeable when you are pushing the machine or getting it on/off the stand, it might be worth pushing one around in a showroom (or from a kindly local muppet) to see how it feels. The positive side of a heavier bike is that it feels more stable and comfortable at speed (sorry to add yet anonother variable to consider)