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I have done over 20000km on my Honda Today 50 (4 stroke) and it has shown incredible reliability. After sales service and help from Causeway Honda in Western Australia has also been excellent. This bike is a faithful friend who, while not at all zippy, will not let you down.

Comfort - OK not great. I like the low seat as it allows me to stand occasionally at traffic lights to stretch.

Speed - too slow. This is bike's weakness. Never can get upto 60km/h even downhill. 56km/h is always its maximum. Weak torque for climbing hills to - you may drop back to even 30km/h on a steep hill. I am heavy so I contribute to this problem. Acceleration away from lights etc is just acceptable though.

Fuel Economy - about 35km/L which is amazing considering I weight in around 120kg meaning the bike is pulling the best part of 200kg.

Dials - well there is only the speedo and a light that comes on when fuel is low. Minimalistic but functional.

Brakes - quiet and good enough considering the mostly low speeds. I like the dual braking (the front brake is applied slightly automatically when you use the back brake). 

Space - decent storage space under the scooter.

Other - I like the 'handbrake' that can be put on to hold the bike on a hill. 

 Overall: I can't bring myself to give this little beauty less that 4/5 with the point being deducted for its lack of power. My son rides this scooter now so it is still giving faithful service.
 

A 50cc legally can only do 50kmph, unless you have it derestricted.  You shouldn't expect too much from a 50, especially a 4 stroke

i second that Duckula. Mine has done 8500kms and never had a problem. Still runs like it did the day i drove it out of the showroom. Speed is as i expected being only a fifty but find it's plenty enough around town. I'm not as heavy as you big fella but i still do the same speeds uphill as you do. Wow i'm only 70kgs. I cant believe you get around on a fifty at 120kgs haha, but i have seen a lady around my way on a fifty and she must be easy 140kgs and she can go with me on the road so they have a bit of guts. They have excellent space under the seat. I also have a top box and combined i can get around $100 worth of shopping in it and home with a case of beer between my feet on the floor.(That's about one of those little red baskets nowadays haha jokes) I'm now looking at stepping up to a 250 for the simple reason that i cant take the 50 out of town as it just doesn't have the guts to keep up with traffic and i would like to go for a bit of a cruise on my big one day off a week. I have a mate who has a holden V8 and he says that my weekly fuel cost of $5-$6 probably wouldn't get him to work and back home in his beast and there lies the biggest winner for me. I initially bought mine as a bit of a joke/novelty thing but after a month i sold the car and have saved a lot of money. And riding in the rain is fun...

Good review Duckula, you've wrapped up the Today nicely. I had one as my first bike & loved it to bits despite the speed issues. So since your son has absconded with your scooter will you be buying another? Where to from here? I'd recommend the Piaggio Fly 125

I have 5 bikes including  BMW k75 and  Guzzi Le Mans 2 - both are tractors and love the highway - I bough my little Today as the traffic was not fun on the other two.......I love it!!! I can do a half week's shopping on it and I too am a shade under 100kg - was more when I bought it- the only things I am 6'3" and long legged when turning a corner the knees get stuck under the handle bars and it can be dangerous as the handlbars stop moving and I have already started to lean - nearly slammed into a car with that - apart from that it is perfect - the place I bought mine from in Midland are the worst kind of people you could deal with but Motor Cycle Pit Stop in North Perth make up for that - and they are on the way to work - so it was initially a financial decision even compared to a road bike - it has paid for itself in fuel savings - and it is great to duck anywhere in the immediate metro area - all of my friends are inprocess of looking at one for themselves too.....I will not derestrict mine as it has saved it's price in potential speeding tickets I would have got if i was able to speed on the other bikes....plus it is legal for everybody this way

Mine has done 22klms and not blown up!

 

Pretty good considering the mods done,  and inexperiance I have with this engine.

 

All kit stuff but I'm learnin and will blow up a few till I find the parameters.

 

Highly reccommended!!!

im thinking of getting a new honda, mostly because of my height, its seat height and weight seem to be the lowest out there? please correct me if im wrong.

also, the new model has come down in price to 1500 so i think its also the cheapest? just wondering if theres any other options i should consider.

i thought there would be lots of people using the honda but i dont seem to see many on the forums here... obviously im looking for a 50cc so i can use car liscense. my first car went to the wreakers last week after 3years and 3years ago i was considering a scooter instead of a car so im back now ;-) 

the speed does worry me a little but eh, no other options

 

 Hi Mudgey,

not wanting to pry but what's your height? I'm 5'2" (about 160cm) and started out on a Today 50. They are seriously good bikes, very reliable but they are also incredibly slow & fairly gutless unless you want to spend money on things like rollers etc.

If you're determined to stay in the 50cc bracket how about trying out the Piaggio Zip 50? It's made by the same people who make the Vespa, is 4 stroke so runs smoothly, quietly on the mearest sniff of petrol and comes with a 2 year warranty. We (Ace Scooters) are selling them at $2255 ride away but that includes all the fees (dealer delivery, 12 months rego, stamp duty etc) with no nasty surprises. Unlike the price that you've found for the Today.

mudgey:

the speed does worry me a little but eh, no other options

 

Well I can say the Zip 50 is good after I had done 1000ks it had sellted in and the speed was 65  on the flat restricted in the gear box with a washer (still contemplating on taking it out), 55 up hill at worst it was 45 and it's a bugger of a hill even walking 

Has done well and I comute in and out of brisbane every day rain, hail and shine at present I'v done 7310 ks.

And got to say filling it up today for$5 Knowing it's going to see the weeks comute though puts a smile on my dial

yeah price is another consideration. its 1800 driveaway or 2000 with luggage compartment on the back. so for me 1800 + 100 for helmet...

im 5" so im worried about that lil extra hight/weight on the zip and bit more money again, however the speed factor is obviously a huge bonus. im a student with v little income so the money i have is from six months ago believe it or not, its not like i can just wait until next week when i get paid or anything that would help me out with cost...  if i could physically handle the zip then id be tempted to give the creditcard a workout... hmmm.

how well can you reach the ground on the zip scootachic?

Go the Zip over the Today - the best built 4 stroke 50cc scooter in the price range, disc brake. Won't be going to the tip in 3 years either

 

 The difference between the Zip and the Today is 55mm and 18kg and while this sounds alot it really isn't. It is the way the scoot "carries the weight" that is important, as it low this makes it easier to handle. I am only marginally (4.1cm) taller than you (just had accurate measure and I'm only 156.5cm)

After you have ridden the scoot for a few days you would not even notice the weight difference. 

Looking at the big picture it is worth going the extra for the Zip.

Cheers:)