Benchmark Test: Scooter for George

Of course, we can also go to school and visit a friend on foot, bike or troll, but that's not all. With a motorized bike, a 14-year-old has a sudden increase in range, increased mobility, and a higher reputation with friends is often an important factor. With these four cheap scooters, you won't be the biggest guy, but you will ride just like you would on an even more expensive one. Really?

There were four scooters in the editorial office. Our only requirement was that it shouldn't be expensive and that the transmission of power to the rear wheel should be automatic. We drove into the Ljubljana crowd and then drove out of the city and checked out how these Asian products work. Yes, Asian: Sym shamelessly showcases its Taiwanese roots, otherwise the Italian Piaggio is made in China, you only recognize from the sticker under the seat, and Peda and Benelli must be Italian. This must be because it is written in the traffic permit, and some parts come from the East. Unfortunately, Europe cannot compete with sidelong gaze.

Despite the fact that the small Zip comes from the Far East, it is the most expensive and not the best option when measured with a meter, Piaggio is convincing in its origin. After agility and good health, except for bumps, he is one step ahead of everyone. The engine gives the impression of reliability and quality, and I would also pay great attention to the fact that the service network is diversified and relatively good, with some tradition and experience. Unofficially, however, this Zip acts like a sack of potatoes on wheels at first glance. Because it's just small and shaped like a kindergarten.

When we, on the whole, satisfied, wanted to return him, he was indignant on the last day. When we were filling the fuel tank, gasoline began to leak strongly somewhere under the plastic. With the help of the supplied tool, we were able to remove some of the plastic, and the unscrewed fuel gauge glowed at the bottom. We asked two acquaintances who are driving from Zipi on the roads of Ljubljana, and none of them had such problems. "Shit happens."

Peda H20 looks as sporty as possible and therefore loves masonry. Water-cooled outsole and richest dashboard. The fact that when driving through the pit the entire moped shakes and all the plastic creaks, that the mirrors come out of their position, that the horn does not work, the sticker falls off the new moped and some other high-quality detail is found, does not make too strong an impression on us.

The space where the legs rest is uncomfortably high, so the scooter is not suitable for long-legged people, despite its large size. Otherwise, it rides pretty solid, the engine is surprisingly lively, and the sidestand is an important piece of equipment in this segment. It should be clear to a Slovenian teenager that for this money he should not expect a product comparable to the products from the first edition, which again became more expensive.

It's hard to admit, but Sim knows how to make a scooter. This largest Taiwanese scooter manufacturer is so good it can make concrete changes to the European market. When they sharpen a few more details, such as increasing legroom and installing higher quality switches, their scooters will be a little more difficult (for example, the center stand hits the bottom quite hard when you want to fold it down, the lock will be larger at letterbox level. the dashboard is not much better than on older PXs) and will remain accessible, then the Japanese, Chinese and Europeans will watch intently as they read the data on the bikes sold. Basically, given that a 14-year-old can work on such a scooter after working at Mc'Donalds for just under 240 hours (half a vacation if fit), I think the Sym Orbit is well worth the money.

Among the scooters compared, Benelli's Pepe stands out the most. Its advantages are shape (if you like retro style), spaciousness for the driver and passenger (yes, we were surprised too) and big wheels. The two-stroke engine was one of the sleepiest, but we were told at the service station that just by removing the clog in the exhaust, it would completely change the character. The downside to an otherwise spacious and ergonomic moped is the handlebars, which can be less flat ("mountain biker") as it will gain some legroom and be more manoeuvrable. Thanks to the big wheels, you can't even fit a jet helmet under the seat, so like the Zip, it has an extra storage box under the handlebars. We were concerned that someone had not tightened the front fork properly and the scooter had pulled out to the right when braking.

Conclusion? The Sym is a scooter with a good design and build, so we landed it in the first place without thinking. Then things get complicated - we wondered if Zip deserved second place, and guessed it, despite the fuel leak issue. On the other hand, the sympathetic Pepe defeated Water (H2O) for the best result. The fourteen-year-old will probably be very pleased with the Pedo's sporty exterior and liquid-cooled two-stroke engine, but since the quality really leaves a lot to be desired, it came in fourth place this time around.

1.mesto: Sym Orbit 50

Test car price: 1.190 EUR

engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled, 49 cm? , carburetor.

Maximum power: 2 kW (35 km) at np

Maximum torque: np

Energy transfer: clutch automatic, variomat.

Frame: steel pipe.

brakes: front coil? 190 mm, rear drum.

Suspension: telescopic front fork, swingarm rear engine, single shock absorber.

Tires: 120/70-12, 130/70-12.

Seat height from ground: np

Fuel tank: 5, 2 l.

Wheelbase: 1.319 mm.

Weight: 100 kg.

Representative: Trgoavto - Trgovina, dd, Pristaniška ulica 43a, Koper, 05/663 60 00, www.trgoavto.si.

We praise and reproach

+ solid workmanship

+ driving performance

+ brakes

+ suspension

– Inexpensive switches and dashboard.

- leg room

2nd place: Piaggio ZIP 4T

Test car price: 1.366 EUR

engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled, 49 cm? , carburetor.

Maximum power: 2 kW (6 km) at 3 rpm

Maximum torque: np

Energy transfer: clutch automatic, variomat.

Frame: steel pipe.

brakes: front coil? 175 mm rear drum? 110 mm.

Suspension: front telescopic forks, now motor as swinging arm, hydraulic shock absorber.

Tires: 100/80-10, 120/70-12

Seat height from ground: 735 mm.

Fuel tank: 7, 3 l.

Wheelbase: 1.250 mm.

Weight: 84 kg.

Representative: PVG, Vangalenska cesta 14, 6000 Koper, 05/629 01 50, www.pvg.si.

We praise and reproach

+ agility

+ solid workmanship

+ box in front of the driver

– sensitivity to longitudinal irregularities

- small dimensions

- unscrewed the fuel gauge

– price

3.sad: Benelli Pepe 50 base

Test car price: 1.190 EUR

engine: single cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled, 49 cm? , carburetor? 2 mm.

Maximum power: np

Maximum torque: np

Energy transfer: clutch automatic, variomat.

Frame: steel tubular, single cage.

brakes: front coil? 220mm, double cam, rear drum? 110 mm.

Suspension: front telescopic fork, 75 mm travel, rear engine as swinging arm, single shock absorber.

Tires: 2 x 5, 16 x 2.

Seat height from ground: 770 mm.

Fuel tank: 7, 5 l.

Wheelbase: 1.285

Weight: 87 kg.

Representative: Auto Performance, Kamniška 25, Kamnik, 01/839 50 75, www.autoperformance.si.

We praise and reproach

+ interesting shape

+ agility

+ roominess for driver and passenger

- capacity under the seat

– low and flat steering wheel

- play in the front forks

4th city: Peda H2O

Test car price: 1.590 EUR

Special price: 999 EUR

engine: single-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, 49 cm? , carburetor.

Maximum power: 3, 5 kW (4, 76) at 7.500 / min.

Maximum torque: 2 Nm @ 6 rpm

Energy transfer: clutch automatic, variomat.

Frame: steel pipe.

brakes: front reel, rear drum.

Suspension: telescopic fork at the front, single shock at the rear.

Tires: 120/70-12, 130/60-12.

Seat height from ground: np

Fuel tank: 4, 2 l.

Wheelbase: 1.330 mm.

Weight: 95 kg.

Representative: Autoemona, dd, Celovška 252, Ljubljana, 01/5191593, www.autoemona.si.

We praise and reproach

+ sporty exterior

+ live engine

+ well-equipped dashboard

– performance quality

- little legroom

- hard, uncomfortable suspension

Face to face

If I put myself in the role of a buyer who wants to buy a two-wheeled car for a good thousand, I am faced with a dilemma. Are you looking for a pre-owned, noble scooter from a reputable manufacturer, or do you trust a novelty of Asian origin that is also attractive due to its favorable purchasing conditions? And how will it be or will it be in the future with maintenance and service? On the other hand, these types of scooters are used by at least half a billion Asians every day, so my doubts may be unfounded.

Among the compared scooters, this time the decision of which one to choose does not seem difficult to me. Since they are more than equivalent in price, quality, and other measurable characteristics, your character will most likely make the choice. Young people of all ages and hearts will look at the sportier Syma and Pedo H2O, those who want to stand out and be noticed will look at Benelli, those who swear by tradition will choose Piagg's Zip, and beautiful mopeds for potential doubters. Patriots also issues Tomos.

Matevj Gribar, Mataj Tomajic

photo: Sasha Kapetanovich

• Basic data

  Test model cost: € 1.590 XNUMX €

• Technical information

  engine: single-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, 49 cm³, carburetor.

  Torque: 2,6 Nm @ 4.750 rpm

  Energy transfer: clutch automatic, variomat.

  Frame: steel pipe.

  brakes: front reel, rear drum.

  Suspension: telescopic front fork, swingarm rear engine, single shock absorber. / front telescopic forks, now swing arm motor, hydraulic shock absorber. / front telescopic fork, 75mm travel, rear engine as swinging arm, single shock. / telescopic fork in front, single shock absorber in the back.

  Fuel tank: 4,2 l.

  Wheelbase: 1.330 mm.

  Weight: 95 kg.

We praise and reproach

solid craftsmanship

driving performance

brakes

podcast

adroitness

box in front of the driver

interesting shape

roominess for driver and passenger

sporty exterior

live engine

well equipped dashboard

cheap switches and dashboard

legroom

sensitivity to longitudinal irregularities

small size

unscrewed fuel gauge

price

space under the seat

low and flat steering wheel

front fork clamp clearance

workmanship

little legroom

stiff, uncomfortable suspension