I don’t know about you, but it seems that so much in life today seems to be about appearance. And when you’re reviewing a 50cc restricted scooters or mopeds for sale entitled Viper, then that truism seems to hit you rather hard in the face.

I’m being a little unfair, and everything should be taken in context shouldn’t it?

The 50cc scooter for sale here looks like it deserves the name “Viper”.

It’s a stunning looking machine and just like its 125cc counterpart, it looks every bit as good as a certain “French model” which will set you back 4 or 5 times the price.

BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

These days price has to be one of the most important factors when looking for scooters for sale. I would always put it behind safety and level with reliability, but I often wonder how the big manufacturers who do not pay import duty (as their bikes are almost always made in the EU) still manage to have the nerve to charge 4x more for a scooter or moped that is fundamental very (VERY) similar. Ok – that’s my rant finished for the day.

On unpacking it is clear to see where the inspiration for the design came from. The ubiquitous Speedfight and some of the newer Honda machines look very similar to this, aerodynamics and an aggressive looking front cowl or add to the aspect of a very professional looking scooter.

One thing I have mentioned before is that while unpacking a 50cc scooter rather than the 125cc machine there is a noticeable difference in weight. You wouldn’t have thought 75 cm³ of engine would have made that much difference, but it clearly does.

Settling on the machine for the first time it feels identical to its big brother. However, when pulling off around Throckmorton airfield the limitations of restrictive 50cc machine become apparent. 0 to 60 is something that is just not going to happen, 0 to 25 takes about 7 ½ seconds on the flat. All 50cc scooters for sale in the UK are restricted these days and if you are 17 years old or over you will need to perform a de-restriction yourself as well as inform both your insurers and the DVLA that you have done this (It’s the law I’m afraid). I would always check with your insurer first as well..you wouldn’t want to find out that you were no longer allowed to ride your new scooter or moped at all because of problems getting an altered 50cc moped insured.

Once again, it’s been a while since I’ve tested machine of this type and am surprised how quiet it is. It really does purr and the advances in scooter and moped technology over the last 15 years really come to a head with some excellent improvements in both smoothness of ride and a reduction in the amount of noise pollution these bikes now put out. It no longer sounds like somebody revving up a 25-year-old lawnmower, rather it purrs down the half a mile strip on the airfield very smoothly indeed. Mopeds for sale have certainly come a long way, even those at a value price.

The seat is a little narrow my frame but probably ideally suited to somebody smaller than me. As I mentioned before on 17 stone and I’m not sure that this bike is meant to a middle-aged man of my build. But it handles very well even with me on it. The steering column is reassuringly uncluttered and instrument panel has been spruced up since last year’s model and now displays in a slightly more high-tech fashion than before. There’s plenty of room in the foot well. However are not able to put my motorbike helmet in the under-seat compartment. This is something I now test every time. There is a free box that goes on the back of the bike for this purpose. A pretty good addition to any new scooters for sale

The 50cc engine manages to reach exactly 30 mph and is clearly restricted. We found that the past that unit of this type are actually capable of around 40 mph if you remove the restriction increase the bore in the exhaust pipe and make a few other minor adjustments to get more oxygen through the system, but we are here to test these 50cc mopeds for sale as they come out of the box, as it will be delivered to anybody who looks to buy.

On the open road it’s a quiet day and not buffeted to the curb and as much as I often am, the braking is exceptionally good, a marked improvement on last year’s model. Given the amount of momentum this machine would have particularly with my weight on it the front and rear brakes seem very well-balanced and there is little if any “throw forward”

All in all, an excellent bike, capable of doing exactly what it says on the box. It looks every bit the “Viper” bike that it claims to be, even if the performance has been hobbled somewhat by the restriction.

The 2012 50cc Sports scooter is perhaps the biggest bargain as far as scooters for sale that I’ve come across in the several years have now been reviewing mopeds online.

On unpacking it proves itself to be a very functional if none elaborate machine.

Lightweight and with just the basic additions that you might expect from a vehicle that this price range. However there are several improvement on last year’s model. The steering column now hides itself neatly in a cover which extends down to the foot well. This does not seem to reduce the amount of legroom available it just means that the tall rider is less likely to get tangled up when turning.

BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

A small wind-shield at the front seems to removable, or at least it was in the case of our scooter and despite it perhaps not being the coolest features it is something we decided to keep on.

The bike itself started first time (as does every other unit in this range) and managed 31.5 mph on the flat with a 0-25mph speed of just over 7.5 seconds. This is clearly a restricted scooter as all 50cc scooters designed to the 16 to 17-year-old market in the UK have to be.

The instrument panel in the centre has been altered little bit and perhaps a little bit more robust particularly as far as any build-up of condensation in the electrics may be concerned. We have not had a problem with is the 2012 model of the 50cc Sport scooter for sale here seems to have improved in this area a little bit.

One central headlight and a neat arrangement of rear light and indicators at the back. A sensible “one third wheel” mudguard at the front and a flexible poly flap at the back to prevent spray up on the back of any unsuspecting rider. That being said this 50cc scooter is not really designed for off-road use, but it’s a nice feature to have all the same.

Once again I was unable to put my helmet in the under-seat compartment however as a special offer the moped arrived with a rear mounted lock box, into which my helmet fitted in perfectly well. This in effect gave me a second space to put a few odds and ends, like when pop into Tesco’s to fetch a pint of milk or whatever.

On the open road bike behaved extremely well. The braking if anything is a little rear heavy but this is the way I like it as it reduces throw forward dramatically. During the course of the 6 miles I ran around the village of Pershore it was noticeable that the engine loosened up a little bit, and this is to be expected when buying any new scooter or moped.

Acceleration seemed a little bit sharper by the time I had finished although the top speed of 30 mph reflects the restricted status of this bike and seemed to be consistent throughout the journey.

Given the new arrangement of the steering column, turning was exceptionally easy and there was no need for any excessive knees down action, something which tends to worry newer scooter or moped riders.

But above all, it’s the price of this bike which really wins home. A scooter for sale for under £500 for a vehicle of this quality, which has the styling and characteristics that make it very similar to some of the more recent Honda scooters and mopeds that cost four times its price, makes this an absolute bargain.

With a free top box and screen added to give you that little bit of extra wind protection and storage space, which many long-term scooter and moped users will say is often essential if you’re going to use your bike for practical reasons.

A 50cc scooter for sale anywhere is never going to set the world alight, but in its own understated way and that the price point which is staggeringly cheap, a useful well built scooter such as this really would be hard to turn your nose up at if you’re in the market for such a thing.

The 2012 version of the 125cc Cobra is, to all intents and purposes a very similar bike to the Viper. You might call it it’s “big brother”

Though mere £50 more you get to upgrade your 50cc engine to a 125cc machine.

To my mind, if you are aged 17 and over and qualify, this is a no-brainer.

But enough of that, I’ve given you too much of an insight already lets get on with review.

 BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

Overview.

This 125cc Cobra shows just a few cosmetic changes from last year’s bike. The new livery, which is available from the end of February 2012 includes blue, orange, black, and black and silver.

As you can see from the styling, it is very reminiscent of a certain Peugeot bike. We’ve made this comparison before and it remains true to this day. If anything it looks a little meaner and perhaps a little sportier. How does it fair on the road?

Features.

The list of manufacturers features are below, we’ll take a look underneath at what some of these mean in practice.

• 1 YEAR’S UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY
• FULLY AUTOMATIC – TWIST & GO!
• ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON START & KICK START
• LOCKABLE UNDER SEAT STORAGE
• SCOOTER ASSEMBLED – SIMPLY ATTACH WING MIRRORS, BATTERY AND FREE ACCESSORIES
• AERODYNAMIC SPORTS STYLING
• ECONOMIC FUEL CONSUMPTION
• TOP SPEED 60MPH
• SUITABLE FOR 17+ WITH CBT LICENCE
• FULL EEC CERTIFICATE TO BE REGISTERED FOR UK ROAD USE

The 125cc Cobra for 2012 is listed as being capable of 60 mph maximum. What we find in practice with mopeds and scooters of this type is that that is indeed the approximate top speed. However we have also found that over a period of time as the engine loosens up a little bit we can push that a few mph more. Realistically, on the flat, and in still conditions you are looking at more like 65 mph once the engine is fully run in.

I’ve mentioned many times before, but this represents a far safer speed on the road. Particularly on “A” roads, where any speed much lower than 50 miles an hour will lead to you being overtaken far more often than you might be comfortable with.

The bike is of course road legal in the UK. The manufacturers have produced tens of thousands of these mopeds or scooters and you will see them on the U.K.’s roads.

Fuel consumption is where you really win with these brand-new bikes. The technology for fuel efficient 125cc scooters has been around for some time now, and this bike benefits from years of fine tuning the fuel efficiency.

With a tank capacity of around 1 ¼ gallons, ridden sensibly you may just about push 100 miles with that.

 Given how fast this little scooter goes, for many this will represent a huge potential saving on fuel costs.

Road Test.

Our famous road test at Throckmorton airfield in Pershore revealed a bike that had some quite noticeable cosmetic changes from the 2010 and 2011 models we have previously ridden.

The suspension on the front wheel seems sturdier, but perhaps most outstanding was the engine had moved further back on the frame and was now mounted just in front of the rear wheel. The body work has seen some extra detailing to the cowl and a spoiler effect added to the fuel tank below the passenger seat. The overall build quality was excellent.

Screwing on the rear view mirrors took five minutes, we were ready to go!

The seat seemed slightly wider than the previous model of 125cc Cobra, but that may just have been an illusion. There was ample room for my large frame and my knees to fit comfortably behind the steering column.

For the first couple of laps of the airfield and mopeds struggled to get above 55 mph.

This shouldn’t come as any surprise to somebody riding a new bike. I was reluctant to push it until it had at least 50 miles or more on the clock. It’s testament to how much fun this scooter is to ride that are used more than half a tank of fuel before I decided to set out on the road, and at that time had done well over 45 miles.

I opened the throttle on the main road towards Pershore and managed to get close to 60 mph. The engine was particularly smooth, and steering was facilitated by a minimal amount of lean and very well positioned steering column.

I mentioned in the previous review how much I enjoyed this bike and even bought one myself. I did have one for a while, but it was impractical to add it to my “collection” of bikes so it is being sold on. But once again I was reminded of what a great bike this was.

Braking was firm without being violent, steering comfortable and the ride itself very smooth for a small machine. I don’t think I actually pushed it to 60 mph, but then with a new bike it’s probably advisable not to anyway until it has 200 or 300 miles on the clock.

If you are looking for a sporty looking bike, then I must recommend the 125cc cobra above the 50cc Viper for anybody aged 17 or over.

For a mere £50 more it just makes so much more sense. You have at least double the speed and in my book that means more flexibility and greater safety.

The retail version of this bike can be ordered after February 28, 2012.

The 125cc Lynx is the most expensive scooter in the 2012 range. It is also perhaps the largest.

As the picture show, it does have the appearance of a much higher engine spec of a “Super scooter”. The sort you would need a full bike licence to ride. However, it is a 125cc moped and here we review what that means to the end user and rider.

Before we go any further, as usual here our list of the manufacturers features.

• 1 YEAR’S UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY
• FULLY AUTOMATIC – TWIST & GO!
• ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON START & KICK START
• LOCKABLE UNDER SEAT STORAGE
• SCOOTER ASSEMBLED – SIMPLY ATTACH WING MIRRORS, BATTERY AND FREE ACCESSORIES
• AERODYNAMIC SPORTS STYLING
• ECONOMIC FUEL CONSUMPTION
• TOP SPEED 60MPH
• SUITABLE FOR 17+ WITH CBT LICENCE
• FULL EEC CERTIFICATE TO BE REGISTERED FOR UK ROAD USE

These are standard features, and in reality adding the wing mirrors once again took less than 10 minutes. And after unpacking the scooter did indeed start first time. The model we had came with the ubiquitous free top box and the screen which is actually pretty much a necessity as far as maintaining the styling of this bike is concerned.

 BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

The 2000 125cc lynx moped is the first “triple front” we’ve seen. With two headlights either side of the cowl and small spotlight mounted at the base of the screen.

We road-tested the scooter during the day, so it was difficult for us to judge whether this added any great visibility, but the thought is certainly there.

With front indicators mounted just below the main cowl, and a very substantial instrument panel, the extra cost of this scooter was clearly put to some proper and visible purpose.

Once on the test track we came across a couple of minor issues. Firstly the acceleration was slow. Easily the slowest of any of the scooters we have tested. While we did eventually coax the bike up to 55 mph, we had completed almost a full lap before we got to the speed. Speed from 0 to 40 seemed comparable to many other 125cc mopeds, but from then on it did seem to be a bit of a push. This may well be down to the newness of the bike and the fact that it is almost certainly slightly heavier than the other 125cc bikes we have reviewed.

The seating was very comfortable. Plenty of room for my legs, and a lot of choice of where I could park my “rear end” on the large seating area provided. This really felt like a very big bike.

Another slight surprise was that the fuel tank took approximately 1.5 gallons, and after less than 40 miles it was showing more than half had gone. Whether this was a fault with the gauge or whether this bike is also slightly hungrier on fuel is difficult to judge precisely. On balance I would say the 125cc Lynx uses approximately 10% more fuel per mile. Still a great saving over 99% of cars but perhaps a little less than the other scooters in this range.

On the open road this moped was a joy to ride. Once again it struggled to get much above 55mph despite being tested on a day when there was at least some opportunity to open the throttle. I should add this may be down to the newness of the bike and the stiffness of the engine.

It is not necessarily good practice to push a new engine on any vehicle hard for its first few hundred miles. I’m absolutely certain that this bike will be capable of 60 mph once fully run in, but others in this range actually exceed that buy a few miles per hour so it may still be the the scooter ends up being slightly slower. To be fair, given its size that is probably to be expected.

I mention it in almost every review, but I am not a small person. Weighing almost 17 stone and well over 6 feet I do appreciate a bike of this size. However, I did not find the steering to be quite as responsive as the Cruiser. Perhaps this scooter is actually one for somebody even bigger than me! Who knows?

It’s difficult to be entirely subjective. But I’ve tested this scooter just a matter of days after testing the 125cc Cruiser, and I found the other bike faster, better on fuel economy and just more generally suited to me and my style of riding.

It’s at times like these I wish I could get a second opinion, because I don’t want any subjective views I have to colour my judgement of what is clearly an excellent and well built bike.

Comparisons with the Cruiser seem apt as both of these bikes are aimed at the more mature market. As such, particularly at this very low price point they both represent excellent value.

Make no bones about it, this is a big bike, it has a presence about it and there is a sense of security when riding it. It has excellent braking, good instrumentation, performed solidly and has all the safety and extra features you could want even for a bike which cost perhaps double the asking price.

At the end of the day however, my personal choice would be to go for the other scooter.

But I must add very strongly that that is just my personal choice.

The 125cc Lynx is an excellent machine very well built, perhaps just not quite as much fun to ride. But that’s probably just me.

In 2012, even within the relatively narrow remit of 125cc mopeds, there is definite room for expression and it’s fair to say that as a buyer these days, you have a lot of choice.

 BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

Perhaps the 125cc Cruiser represents one end of the scale, with its larger double fronted frame, sturdy cowl and generally more robust appearance than the more “sporty” models.

Before we go any further, as usual here are a list of the features that the 125cc Cruiser scooter has with its 2012 model.

• 1 YEAR’S UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY
• FULLY AUTOMATIC – TWIST & GO!
• ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON START & KICK START
• LOCKABLE UNDER SEAT STORAGE
• SCOOTER ASSEMBLED – SIMPLY ATTACH WING MIRRORS, BATTERY AND FREE ACCESSORIES
• AERODYNAMIC SPORTS STYLING
• ECONOMIC FUEL CONSUMPTION
• TOP SPEED 60MPH
• SUITABLE FOR 17+ WITH CBT LICENCE
• FULL EEC CERTIFICATE TO BE REGISTERED FOR UK ROAD USE

What this list of features doesn’t tell you is how different this bike is from many of the others we have reviewed here. Although hopefully having a look at the images will help to clarify some of the changes I will explain below.

Whereas bikes like the Cobra and Viper may be thought of as “boy racer” style scooters, that certainly cannot be said of the robust looking 2012 125cc Cruiser.

Immediately apparent is the “double front” headlight mounting and far wider front cowl. Added to this the chunky looking front and rear suspension and more substantial exhaust, you might start to get an appreciation that this bike at least has the appearance of a larger machine than some of the others reviewed here.

Of course this moped is UK road legal, and requires no more than 10 minutes unpacking and minor assembly to be ready for the road. The model we had came with a free top box, though you will have to check with the manufacturer act on sale whether this offer is still applicable for you.

On sitting on the 125cc cobra it is noticeable that there is a little more room to put your feet, particularly if you have a large frame like myself. The instrument panel is also quite different and is one of my favourite aesthetic features of this bike given how it is at the budget end of the market.

Front indicators mounted on the handlebars are also unique to this scooter among the range.

Let’s just say, it’s a very different machine. But what’s it like to ride?

Sitting on the bike you feel as if you are part of a much larger machine than some of the smaller bikes I have tested in the previous weeks.

It started first time, (which is always a good sign but not that uncommon among this range). We did not weigh this scooter but I perceive that it is slightly heavier and some of the other models, and it did take a little longer to get up to 55mph on the airfield.

The sense of speed is slightly dulled by being on the larger machine. I know that may sound a little daft as it is still only a 125cc moped, but it is true nonetheless.

I found steering perhaps the most comfortable on the 125cc Cobra out of all the machines I have written about. I’m quite happy to lean a little, and found the substantial frame gave me confidence to take corners at a sensible speed and without any undue entanglement between my knees and the steering column. This may have been partly due to there being at least the perception of slightly more room for my feet in the foot well. Something which I always appreciate.

I was on the open road 30 minutes later, and adopted a position about 6 feet out from the curb. Keeping up comfortably with the flow of traffic around me.

The sense of riding a larger bike and it being capable of at least 60 mph meant I did not feel like a “pariah”, upsetting other road users.

Instead I had a feeling of belonging that was palpable. Perhaps I was just having a good day!

Unfortunately the opportunities to really open the throttle were limited as there seemed to be a lot of traffic on test day, but I did get it up close to 60 mph a couple of times before my test run was over. Acceleration will smooth and braking was very firm.

It’s worth mentioning that I felt the braking was firmer on this bike than others I have tested recently. Though every individual model may be different and I strongly advise testing out braking yourself if you should buy the 2012 125cc cruiser. Everybody’s perception may be different.

All in all, this is not a bike for the boy racer. This is a sensible 125cc scooter aimed at the more mature market. Although capable of 60 mph it doesn’t give that sense of speed that some of the smaller scooters do For some this will be a very good thing

It is an excellent performer, solid steering and very good braking make it a real safe option for the more mature rider looking for a sensible scooter perhaps for the daily commute.

For anyone over 30, this is probably the mopeddealer.co.uk most recommended 125cc scooter.

Review of the 2012 125cc Classic Scooter.

First of all, an apology, I said that last year for the 2010/11 models, and I will have to say it again this year for the 2012 version of the Classic scooter… When it comes to scooter preferences, “mod” styling has never been my thing.

While the Classic is not as overtly “Small Faces and The Who” as other mopeds, it certainly leans a little that way.

Having said that of course, many of you who know me know that I ride a much larger motorbikes anyway. But I’m from an age where there were “mods”, and there were “rockers”, and I was firmly a rocker.

Okay, enough about my personal life, let’s get on with a review of the 2012 125cc Classic scooter. BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

Luckily, a moped of this quality has the advantage of wiping away any prejudices are may have within minutes. Read the full review below, but from the outset and from from an objective point of view this bike is excellent.

First of all, as usual here are the main manufacturers features

• 1 YEAR’S UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY
• FULLY AUTOMATIC – TWIST & GO!
• ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON START & KICK START
• LOCKABLE UNDER SEAT STORAGE
• SCOOTER ASSEMBLED – SIMPLY ATTACH WING MIRRORS, BATTERY AND FREE ACCESSORIES
• AERODYNAMIC SPORTS STYLING
• ECONOMIC FUEL CONSUMPTION
• TOP SPEED 60MPH
• SUITABLE FOR 17+ WITH CBT LICENCE
• FULL EEC CERTIFICATE TO BE REGISTERED FOR UK ROAD USE

Putting on the wing mirrors took a matter of minutes, though with a scooter with this styling perhaps we should have put a lot more wing mirrors? It might not have suited this machine.

It’s little touches that sometimes catch the eye first. A neat and stylish front cowl which completely covers your knees and prevents you from getting the sort of “chilled bones” that riders often experience in the winter.

An extremely strong single front light and well-placed indicators at the front of the bike.

Deeper set than average handlebars which suit a relaxed style of riding.

Excellent brake position, a good long foot rest which makes it feel more secure as well as ensuring it is much easier to clean.

A seat free of ridges, meaning that despite it not being the largest seat in the range it does offer you plenty of manoeuvrability to stop that well-known scooter riders complaint “butt ache”

… and a compact look which belies its excellent performance.

Around the airfield this was almost up with the sporty looking Cobra as far as acceleration went. It got close to 60 mph in no time, and the beautifully styled handlebars meant that cornering at sensible speeds with minimal lean was also very achievable.

Of course, to be a real traditionalist this would have to be a two-stroke machine. The Classic 125cc model for 2012 is, in common with all the other bikes in this range, a four stroke scooter. And offers a fantastically smooth ride for a machine of this size.

Out in the open road handling was excellent, and on a par with the sporty models. It was capable of close to 60 mph although I did not push the acceleration too much on such a new scooter. Holding position on a busy a road was easy as the bike has ample width and is capable of keeping up with the flow of traffic.

My main pleasure though was my comfort in riding it. Having both my knees securely behind the cowl and not being chilled, and finding these handlebars suited my large frame in a very relaxed way, as well as the comfortable seat meant I could’ve stayed on the 125cc Classic for some time.

There are perhaps different sorts of fun when it comes to riding mopeds or scooters. The Cobra and the Viper offer one sort, and the Classic another.

It’s difficult to explain without getting all poetic what the differences between these two are, but there are differences particularly in your perception of the experience as a rider.

Braking was good, and my arm position meant there was virtually no “throw forward” even when braking from higher speed. I found the position of the wing mirrors also excellent, and with a little adjusting they seemed to offer a better view of traffic behind me than I had with any other bike in the range. Once again this is probably peculiar to my own frame, but it was rather good.

To be objective, this doesn’t offer the “speed” fun of the Viper or Cobra, neither does it offer the security and size of the City or Cruiser.

If you take any thoughts of the heritage of a bike styled in this manner out of the equation, it sits comfortably between those two styles offering a choice that is neither “boy racer” nor “over 30s commuter” and perhaps fulfils two different roles as either “Retro mod” or “Fun scooter” and that, in my opinion is no bad place to be.

So to sum up, if you like the styling, then the 125cc Classic is an excellent bike at a knock-out price.

Here at a moped dealer we are nothing if not thorough. Of course we reviewed and 50 cc Ninja scooter last year. However, our techniques have changed, and although this may not be a full review we decided to give this bike and other go.

As far as futures go, we had trouble getting our hands on this one. In the end we borrowed one recently delivered to a customer in the Evesham area and used it. This is not our normal practice as most reviews are carried out on brand-new bikes where we need to clip on the Mirror’s first.

Anyway, not much has changed in the style or appearance of the 50 cc Ninja scooter for 2012.
It still comes with everything you would expect.

12 MONTH WARRANTY
FULLY AUTOMATIC – TWIST & GO!
ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON START
& KICK START
LOCKABLE UNDER SEAT STORAGE
AERODYNAMIC SPORTS STYLING
ECONOMIC FUEL CONSUMPTION
TOP SPEED 30MPH
SCOOTER ASSEMBLED – SIMPLY
ATTACH WING MIRRORS, BATTERY
AND FREE ACCESSORIES
SUITABLE FOR 16+ WITH CBT LICENCE
FULL EEC CERTIFICATE TO BE
REGISTERED FOR UK ROAD USE

However, This time, the subtle difference of riding a bike that had already been warning was apparent. This scooter is restricted to 30 mph, and on the flat. We achieve that with the throttle about 80% open.

BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

As a stylish moped, looking not dissimilar to some far more expensive Honda machines, it performed admirably. The undersea area again is not quite big enough for my oversized helmet, but there is a box supplied which fits easily to the back of the bike which provided ample room. This left the undersea area free free porn things, like cartons of milk maybe.

Joking aside, it made a change to test out a scooter with a few miles already on the clock. And it proved that these bikes really do wear in well. If anything the engines efficiency seem to have improved slightly and gave an even greater impression that, by restricting the scooter, there would be even more muscle than before.

As you know, we don’t give star ratings to mopeds or scooters, but if you like the stylings of the recent Honda bikes, you won’t go far wrong with this 50 cc Ninja. It’s far cheaper option.

Review of 125CC Tommy Changes for 2012

Here we go, my review of the 125 CC “Tommy” scooter changes for 2012

Obviously “Tommy” is a direct reference to the mod styling of this machine. From the toughened glass windshield, large round headlamps and slightly oversized front cowl and foot rest, this machine has some reference to those sharp dressed lads from the 1960s.

However, viewed from the rear this machine really does look like a far meaner prospect.

The manufacturers have not simply upgraded the 50 CC retro machine, this is a completely different design. A much larger engine housing, broader seat and it seemed slightly increase petrol capacity have all been added.

The handlebars are definitely broader than any other bike in this class, and, despite my reservations about the general “mod-ness” of it all, this really does look like a fantastic bike.

Given how chunky the under seat area of this 125 cc scooter, moped looks, it is remarkably well-balanced. It does not seem at all rear heavy, and this is important when riding. A rear heavy bike will cause you some level of difficulty when turning, and I have driven some absolute nightmares in the past.

Thankfully the 125 CC Tommy moped is beautifully balanced and, offers very good support for above average size rider.

We got to 59.2 miles an hour in around 33 seconds. Clearly this scooter has been restricted to 60 mph, and as we have tried with other scooters in the past, de-restricting offers very little in the way of extra performance.

I’m not used to having such widely set handlebars, and for me I found myself drawing my wrists in a few inches from the edge which perhaps didn’t give me the best coverage of the break levers that I should have preferred to have. That aside, if this style bike is your thing and you’re used to a wider spread arrangement then this will probably be second nature to you.

The one thing I will say is that the foot rest is not particularly retro in design. My experiences of riding old two-stroke scooters was of a much flatter and “boxier” a foot rest. This scooter has a metal plate over the top of the main machine’s body and has a curved aspect to it which is typical of machines from the last 10 or 12 years. Despite that it does not detract greatly from the overall retro styling of the 125 CC Tommy moped.

BUY SCOOTERS ONLY £549

Braking was also very good. From 60 to 0 in under six seconds represents pretty good value.

Again, as I always say with comments like that it does depend on the road conditions the skill of the rider, the condition of the breaks, and just how alert you are on any given day. That said, I do attempted to test like-for-like and my perception is that this moped offers better than average braking response.

I did actually get to have a ride on the open road with this, and I was very pleased that cars seem to treat it a little bit different. Perhaps it was the slightly wider aspect that meant I was afforded a little bit more room when being overtaken.

Of course, going almost 60 mph on a road in the United Kingdom meant I was not overtaken very often. My 30 minutes on the open road is probably not enough time to give a statistically accurate analysis of whether this will be true for anyone who buys this bike, but to me the extra reassurance of riding a scooter which imposed itself a little on the road did add a little value to my experience.

So, to sum up, notwithstanding that this isn’t my style at all, this is a cracking little bike. Capable of keeping up with traffic and with excellent retro stylings.

It doesn’t go all the way an attempt to mimic the 40 year old classics from the past, but it is an excellent blend of old-fashioned design with modern safety conscious features. If that’s your thing then this would be an excellent moped you.