automatic motorbike 20 to 125cc for my niece?
 

Hi,

not an usual question but thought I could pick your brains!

I want to buy a mopped for my niece for her 16th birthday! Yes I am a cool autie! :mchappy:

Anyway, she loves motorbikes but it would be best to get her a scooter. However I think she would prefer something that look like a proper motorbike but automatic (no clutch).

Apart from the Gilera DNA that comes as 50cc and 125cc... any other?

She is located in France so has to be stuff we find in the continent (my sister in-law can track bikes. I am still working on my brother to say yes to the present!)

Thanks for your input! :D

How about Peugeot? I am not sure that they are actually built in France but it is a French brand.

Good luck with persuading her dad, I told my parents that I should have a moped at 16 as it would get it out of my system and I would want a car when I was older, 35 years later I still haven't bought that car.

Learning how to change gears isn't that hard. Heck, if a dummy like me can figure it out, anyone can! :oops2:

I can see getting someone a little 50cc scooter for riding around town, but if you're going bigger you might as well get a proper motorcycle and learn how to shift gears. Really, it only takes a little practice to get the hang of it, and then she'll be in good stead for learning how to use a stick-shift.

Not sure if they are available in that part of the world, but something like this might do the job.

The Honda CT110. Affectionately known in australia as the postie bike as this is what the Australian Postman uses to deliver the mail.

This one is has been fitted with a long range fuel tank off an XR400.

4 speed Transmission (but centrifigul clutch) so very easy to ride. Super reliable. This one has taken me all aver Australia on some of the roughest roads and track. (see my blog www.seqtrailrider.typepad.com )

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/8...4d0342bf_z.jpg

France and 16 year old = the cool kids who hang out around the McDonalds and similar parking areas with their 50cc mopeds (at least, I think they are 50cc).
They ride these on the public roads without number/registration plates; those folks I know who live in France tell me that this is fully legal and it is how the kids get to experience two wheels for the first time - I am not sure if that kicks off at age 16, it could be 17 for instance, but the parents will know the regulations.

Not sure what is available in France. I had a Motobecane Mobylette 50V many years ago, and spent more time working on it than riding it. I'm in the U.S., and what comes to mind is a Honda Cub type bike. Here we get the SYM Symba, a very close Cub copy with a manual transmission and automatic clutch. For a real motorcycle, SYM (a Taiwanese company) also makes the Wolf 150. It may be 150cc, but is not as powerful as you might expect. My Yamaha Zuma 125 will outrun it. I don't know what the licensing requirements are in France as far as engine size. The Symba is 110cc.

There are loads of really trick looking 50cc bikes in France.

Check out the Motos on this page Peugeot Scooters

You must bear in mind that what we might think is suitable and practical is probably worlds away from what I teenager would want to be seen riding.