Venice QS 50QT-5 a bad idea?

[kimkimkim]

Hi,
I'm totally new to scooters, but i found one for $350. A cheap Chinese scooter called a Venice QS 50 QT-5. I think I am going to get it...to mostly commute around my neighborhood. But the guys at the local Vespa shops either never heard of it or spat at the idea of such a cheap bike. Do you think this is a bad idea to buy it? The seller said he has a guy up the street that does his repairs, There is some cosmetic damage, but he took me on a test ride around the block. It seems to start up okay. I am in Brooklyn, NY.

[harrywr2]

At $350 if it runs then you've got a starter bike for $350. I ran a $600 50cc China scoot for 2 years.

Lot's of people spend $2,000+ on a 50cc 'Big Name' starter scoot...some find out scootering isn't for them...others catch the bug and want to move up into something with a bit more power.

Either way...a $350 lesson is a lot cheaper then a $2,000 lesson.

[unclejay]

Just one caution - 50cc bikes have a top speed of 35 mph at best (not 45). Imagine someone on a cell phone in a SUV coming up behind you. It is very hard to avoid 45 mph roads in most 'neighborhoods'.