5 tips to buy the 125 scooter that suits you best

It must be truly overwhelming to come from outside the world of motorcycles and consider buying a new 125 scooter.

There are hundreds of models at all price points, with countless styles. But it's easier than it seems if you keep a few tips in mind.

Of course, if you've already reached the point of making a decision, it's clear that I don't have to convince you of the advantages of scooters. As you already know, there are many: you save yourself from traffic jams, you park without suffering, and you spend much less than with a car.

You gain time every day, time you'll spend on whatever you like or want, of course. Besides, it's fun to get around on a scooter once you get the hang of it, which is easier than it seems.

The truth is that when the time comes to choose one, the options are overwhelming. There are dozens of models, prices for every taste, countless styles and segments, and a ton of figures for power, torque, and weight that, if you're not used to them, can even make you dizzy.

Even so, it's easier than it seems to avoid mistakes and pick the one that truly suits you. Here are five tips that will help you navigate this sea of brands and models.

1. What will you use it for?

It seems basic, but it's the first real filter. Are you only going to ride in the city? Then look for something light and agile.

Will you also use the highway to enter or leave the city? Maybe you'll need more aerodynamic protection. Also, a slightly more sophisticated and stable chassis.

It's very important to define your usual range of use. If you'll ride only in the city, a lot on the road, only the rider, with or without a passenger, a lot or no cargo at all... All these answers give you many clues as to what type of scooter will be most interesting for you.

2. Make sure the engine isn't underpowered

The answer to the first tip will tell you if you need a more "GT" or more urban scooter. Whether it's retro or sporty or more or less equipped will depend more on your tastes than on a truly important decision.

But it's essential not to make a mistake with the engine. They're all 125 cc, yes. But not all of them perform the same.

The legal limit for what you can ride with a car license is 20 hp (15 CV). According to the law, 11 kW (11kW), which is its equivalent and the real "legal" measurement.

But you won't need them if you don't leave the city. The more you'll ride on the road, the more necessary it'll be to get close to those 20 hp (15 CV), while if you ride in the city, look for the best fuel consumption.

Now, if you always ride with a passenger, power is important. But so is its size: the lighter a scooter is, the more you notice its chassis (and the less stable it is) when you have a passenger.

3. Make sure it's practical and comfortable for you

We're not all the same: not in height, size, or feelings. For example, I usually don't mind the wind in my face too much. I don't care if, for the performance of a 125 cc, there's no aerodynamic protection.

I know people who are bothered by the slightest breeze. On the other hand, I usually don't carry anything with me and I don't mind holding my helmet in my hand. I'm used to motorcycles.

However, it's not the same for someone who has to arrive in a suit, with a computer and briefcase at the office. Therefore, the scooter must have storage capacity, either under the seat or in a trunk.

4. Brakes and suspension: essential for everyday use

It's not easy, nowadays, to find truly bad scooters in terms of stability or the performance of suspension or brakes. They do exist, "they're out there," as people say about witches.

Your safety depends on these components, as well as on the tires. It's not easy, if you don't have experience, to find out for yourself which ones work well.

You have two options: either you trust someone you know with experience in the world of motorcycles to test it, or you trust our experience. Specialized media test almost every scooter on the market and we'll give you our opinion on each one.

In some cases: we've refused to validate something that was below the minimum required quality.

If you read something like "it's not quite convincing, but it's cheap..." for those who understand, you already know.

5. Value the brand, but not only that

It's clear that top brands rarely make mistakes. Yes, it's possible that you'll end up buying the wrong scooter when you're talking about this type of brand.

Japanese brands like a Honda Vision or a Yamaha D'elight are fantastic scooters. But if you buy one and every day you do 12 mi. (20 km) of road before entering the city, you'll end up fed up with them.

Then you'll have made a mistake. They're very good models, but with use restricted to the city.

The same happens with brands with decades of experience in the Spanish market, like the Taiwanese KYMCO or SYM. They've been sales leaders in some segments on many occasions.

New brands are now appearing from China, with an impressive quality-price ratio. QJ Motor, Zontes, Voge, Cyclone, along with the veteran Keeway or CFMoto, among others, are making high-level products with guaranteed after-sales service.