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I have done a little bit of research and have finally booked my learner's course. I want to shop around and look at suitable scooters right away. I don't know anyone who rides a scooter, and I don't want to buy whatever my instructor uses just because that's what he uses.

I want to use the scooter to commute daily and on the weekends. My workplace varies; sometimes it is a close as 3 km away; other times I must travel across Melbourne (~40 km). I often use freeways and Citylink in my car at the moment, but I could avoid these (if need be). I estimate I will ride ~200-300 km/week.

I weigh about 65-70 kg. I will often have to carry a reasonably large (5-10 kg) case/bag of books. I am no mechanic and have little desire to become one. Although I have a slight preference for retro-styled scooters, the appearance of the scooter is not a big priority for me.

My main requirements are: reliability/durability; availability and cheapness of parts and servicing in Australia; fuel economy; reasonably large luggage space (or the capacity to add luggage space); anti-theft features; manouvreability in traffic; the capacity to sustain a speed of 80 km/h reasonably comfortably.

It appears that scooter makers do not widely publicise the power and torque values of their products, and I assume that these vary considerably for any given engine capacity.

From what I have read I believe I may be looking for something in the 100-150 cc range. Is this correct?

I gather there are significant differences between 2- and 4-stroke engines. Which is preferable, given my requirements?

I note that there are some air- and some water-cooled models available. Which is preferable?

I'm after a recommendation as to what makes and models seem most suitable to my requirements. I will welcome any suggestions.
 

There is so much choice in the 100-150cc range.

Get into the review section, and see what tickles your fancy.

Buy a copy of Scooter Magazine, and get a feel for what is available and prices.

Do you have a budget?  A top box would be advisable if you have to cart those heavy books.

Once you have your learners get out there and test ride everything.  I would even start window shopping now, so you narrow it down, just on price and looks.

Personally I have a Aprilia Sportcity 125, and I love it.  large wheels liquid cooled 4 stroke.  And looks like an Italian Adonis.

I have previously owned a Yamaha Bee Wee 100cc, and a Yamaha Jog 50cc.  Both great, both suited me for what I needed at the time.  But for now, it's the Aprilia all the way

Thanks, Dakoda.

Would you agree that 100-150 cc is about the right displacement for my purposes? 

I agree a top-box (thanks for telling me what they're called!) would be very desirable. 

Budget-wise, I would rather spend $3k than $6k (who wouldn't), but I would rather buy a pricier scooter with lower running costs than the opposite.
 

With your freeway use most 125's would cut it.  But you may want that extra grunt, so maybe something like a HD200, which is a 171 (or 170 something)cc.  But you would be starting to look towards the $6,000 mark.

I dont do (or very little) highway use (we use service roads), so my 125 is more than capable.  But personally for me, if I was on the Highway often I would be wanting the Aprilia Sportcity 250.  Or maybe I should just grunt up the 125!!!

if you are strict with a budget you might be limited, but if you aren't the sky is your limit.

Where in Australia are you?

 There is quite a varying amount of criteria here and it is hard to make a clear choice for you.  4-stroke for sure, large wheeled and probably liquid cooled.  150-250cc would be best for you to tackle Melbourne's cr@p roads.  Scarabeo 250 wins I think.

 

Dachshund:

Budget-wise, I would rather spend $3k than $6k (who wouldn't), but I would rather buy a pricier scooter with lower running costs than the opposite.

That's basically it, more money gets a technically superior scoot & they last longer too. There is also the intangible aspect of how enjoyable a ride is, Dak loved her BeeWee & the change to an Aprilia Sportcity 125 not only had a few forum members biting their tongues. It opened up her sphere of operation, BeeWee mounted the Brisbane to Gold Coast run never happened on the Sportcity it's been done a few times now. The premium scoots are just so much more confidence inspiring & better to ride than a mid range scoot,  a mid range better than a budget, it can be the difference between commuting & enjoying the ride to work.

Retro Style & you don't want to get your hands dirty? Anything from a SYM Mio 100 to Vespa LX & Aprilia Scarabeo 125 will do the job, very different scoots & pricing though. Have you gone & looked at anything yet?

 

Thanks, all, for your suggestions.

@ Dakoda: I'm in Melbourne, so lots of tram tracks and potholes.

I've now looked at the Piaggio Fly 125 cc, the Piaggio Liberty 125 cc, the Honda Lead 100 cc, the Bug/Kymco Agility 125 cc and the Bug/Kymco Espresso 150 cc.

On the whole - and without having ridden them - the Espresso appealed most to me (even if it sounds like a cup of coffee). I am told that its larger wheels are more suitable for poor roads and my (limited) freeway use. It also appears to have more luggage space.

The 4-year warranty on the Bug/Kymco models is very attractive. 

Being in Melb with those nasty train tracks, (I have to deal with a few here in Brisbane too), go the larger wheeled scoot, for stability.  But it will depend on how comfortable you are on a larger wheeled scoot.  When they first started coming out, I didn't like them, I looked at the HD200, and I thought "Nope", but as there are now more and more out there, I am liking them more and more, and now that I am on one myself in the Aprilia Sportcity 125, the extra stability is quite amazing. 

I am 5ft6 and am on tip toes, but eacch day I am finding it easier and easier, and learning tricks like moving my bum forward to get more foot on the ground.

The best thing you can do, is get out there, get your bum on as many as possible, and you will knock out the ones you dont like immediately.  It's a process of ellimination, and budget.  Dont forget your price may not be a 'on road' cost, so you may have extras on top, and then there will be helmet, gloves, jacket etc etc, which all need to be factored into your costs.  A good dealer might do a deal on the helmet etc, or even throw in some extras.  You just have to swet talk em.

 Given your intended usage and that you have to cope with Melbourne tram tracks which are exceedingly dangerous in the wet,  I'd recommend a larger wheeled scooter such as:

Aprilia Scarabeo 125 (17" wheels)  $4990.00 rrp + on road costs

Aprilia Sportscity 125 (15" wheels)  $4990.00 rrp + on road costs

 

The Bug Expresso is also worthy of consideration, but be aware the service intervals are much higher than the Aprilia, so any initial saving will so be swallowed up by increased service costs.

To cope with your storage requirements,  add a large top box to supplement the underseat storage.

kiwiscoota:

Aprilia Scarabeo 125 (17" wheels) 

 

Try 16" Wheels

kiwiscoota:

Aprilia Sportscity 125 (15" wheels)  $4990.00 rrp + on road costs

Nope $3990 on special.

 

 

Scooter HQ:

kiwiscoota:

Aprilia Scarabeo 125 (17" wheels) 

 

Try 16" Wheels

 

WHOOPS  

 

Scooter HQ:

kiwiscoota:

Aprilia Sportscity 125 (15" wheels)  $4990.00 rrp + on road costs

Nope $3990 on special.

 

Actually according to the Aprilia Australia website the recommended retail price is $5,590.00,  and I did say "$4990.00 rrp", as I had a feeling they might be selling them as a special at the moment,  I had checked the Scooter Central (Brookvale NSW) web site and they are selling them for $4,990.00 so I assumed that the $4,990.00 was the special price........

Sorry Kiwi, couldn't help myself it's not often we catch you out.

RRP is $5590 but there are still a couple around at $3990 which is ridiculous money for such a good scoot.

 

It's the bargain I ever bought.  Although if you get a top box, they come on a slow Gongola from Italy, and may arrive when your scooter is one year old :P

One other model I've been thinking about is the TGB Transcooter 125. That would certainly provide ample luggage space. Has anyone had any experience of this scooter?

I'd suggest a Daelim S1 125 also, but with the amount of riding you're planning on doing I bet its not long before you're eyeing off some 250 and if I had my time again I'd have been better off finiancially going straight to this class rather than being the proud owner of 2 scooters.