Kymco Super 8 125 (2010-current)

You’ll get 61mph+ out of it with the wind at your back and it doesn’t feel like it’s struggling to get there, which is reassuring. It pulls away nicely and is very even all the way up to top speed. It’s a very useable engine for getting around a city, though – as with most scooters – it will be a little underpowered for national speed limit roads. It gets 3 stars because the 2-stroke 50cc version of the same bike feels more zesty from the off, even if it can’t hit the same top speed.   

Very nice. The riding position is comfortable and well-judged. You’re not bouncing around on a seat built for comfort, nor are you perched in an unnecessarily hard and sporty position. It’s very much a compromise between the Like and Agility models, making it fun to wiggle around as well as ride in a straight line. It’s easy to U-turn because the power is strong enough to hold you up below 5mph. 

You won’t be able to fit a full-face helmet under the seat, though you will be able to fit a bag, jacket etc… in there instead. It has electric start, centre stand and automatic choke as well as a decent grab rail and pegs for a pillion rider. It ticks all the basic boxes for scooter equipment, though the lack of power socket and having to store a full-size helmet elsewhere lets it down. Compare and buy parts for the Super 8 in the MCN Shop.