Scooters and motorbikes are a convenient alternative to cars on Kyiv's busy streets, and considering their low cost, their speed and the fact that they can be driven without a driver's license, it comes as little surprise that two-wheelers are popular.
ithout a driver’s license or registration, it comes as little surprise that two-wheelers are one of the most popular forms of transportation today.
Scooter savvy
The scooter, or moped as it’s called in Russian, isn’t new to Kyiv. It has made a comeback from the Soviet era, when it was fashionable, not least because of its practicality: Soviet-made Tula and Vyatka scooters were more affordable local alternatives to the more exotic Italian-made Vespa. A scooter with a small 50 cc. engine capacity takes up no more space on the road than does a bicycle; in fact, it can drive in the bicycle lane. It also requires minimum storage space.
There are two basic categories of scooter. Japanese and Korean models are slow-moving, and have small wheels of 8 to fourteen inches in diameter. European scooters are basically modifications of their Japanese predecessors, and are known for their sleek design and larger wheels.
Part of the appeal of scooters is the ease with which they can be driven. Typically weighing between 60 kg and 70 kg, these bikes are almost effortlessly maneuverable; they’re much easier to drive than motorbikes. Additionally, because scooters don’t have to be engineered to cover long, grueling distances, more design effort can go into ensuring the rider’s comfort. The seat accommodates drivers wearing business suits, and users can even wear high-heeled shoes.
Custom designs and engine tuning let owners adjust bikes according to their own personal tastes.
The simplicity of scooters is another feature. While a fancy sports car should have manual transmission – it’s almost par for the course – scooters have automatic transmission. They’re compact and easy to handle. The engine and transmission are built as one unit, making maintenance easier. The accelerator and brakes are located on the handlebars, so the feet are left free.
“All you have to learn is how to turn,” said Serhy Bendik, a head of the Kyiv Scooter Club.
Joining the club
The Kyiv Scooter Club was founded four years ago, with three members. It was officially registered in February of this year, and today is nearly 50 members strong. It is open to newcomers and visitors.
The club meets at the Podol embankment every Thursday evening to chat, exchange information and plan future trips. This spring, four members of the club traveled to Rivno, in western Ukraine, and recently made the 10-hour drive to Odessa to attend the Goblin Show, an international biker’s gathering, from June 26 through 28.
“We often go together to relax outside the city, to Bila Tserkva and other places,” Bendik said. “It’s a recreational club, for fun.”
The minimum age for driving a scooter in Ukraine is 14, although the law is not strictly enforced. Bendik said that age isn’t the most important factor. A person’s ability to ride a bike is, or his willingness to learn.
“Age isn’t important for a person who’s willing to learn. We have a nine-year-old boy as one of our club members. He drives, accompanied by his father.”
Scooters get great gas mileage, too. Three liters of gasoline will take you about 100 km down the road, at average speeds.
Buying a scooter
Experts say potential customers shouldn’t obsess too much over engineering details, since many models are technically similar. The main differences between various scooters are in design. And if you’re buying a used scooter, pay attention to its condition, design and price.
Hondas are the most widely distributed scooters in Ukraine, and have a reputation for reliability and comfort. Yamahas are recommended for their grace and speed. Elegant in design, Yamaha’s YN 50 Neo scooters, a class of city vehicles recommended for their 12-inch wheels and quality suspension, are especially good on Ukraine’s many poor-quality roads. The bike’s 5.5 cc engine gets 100 km per three liters of gasoline, and has a tank capacity of 6.5 liters.
Another option is the Suzuki Burgman AN400, a “business-class” maxi-scooter, released this year. A scooter by definition, its tremendous ability to reach high speeds fast turns it into something close to a motorbike. The Burgman has a one-cylinder 400 cc engine and can hit 120 km per hour. Like other scooters, the Suzuki Burgman AN400 consumes minimal amounts of gasoline, and is easy to control. The bike also features a cross-wind regulator, a security system and a luggage rack that can handle a small suitcase. It sells for around 8,500 euro.
Yamaha’s Aerox and Peugeot’s Speedfight scooter both make good sporting scooters (Hr 15,388 for the Speedfight), and are particularly popular among consumers. Peugeot makes an especially affordable (Hr 9,655) Vivacity model designed for a city riding. Scooters can be leased for one year or two through Kyiv Peugeot’s showroom; a purchase option exists when the lease agreements ends. Some buyers might find this the easiest way to finance a new scooter.
For others, used is the way to go. A second-hand Italian scooter – a Piaggio, for example – begins at around $1,000. The cheapest options are Japanese bikes 6 to 10 years old, available for around $400 at Kyiv Alta Motosalon, or at the Odessa Motomarket.
“Used scooters come from Korea and Japan to Odessa by ship, and in large quantities,” Bendik said. They begin around $150, although experts say you’re unlikely to get a high-quality vehicle for that sum.
Scooters were created for inter-city travel, mostly, but it is possible to travel to, say, Crimea by scooter without trouble. For those who plan on going long distances, the off-road class Peugeot Trekker is recommended (Hr 10,945). The Trekker has a one-cylinder 49 cubic cm. engine, and eats 2.5 liters of gasoline every 100 km. It has a fuel level indicator, unusual for scooters, and is equipped with super-powerful headlights. Ideal for beginners, the bike has superior maneuverability and great smoothness of motion.
Although new scooters are of course the most reliable, Bendik said that second-hand Japanese scooters can also be trusted to travel long distances.
Motorcycle mania
If the idea of driving a delicate, and relatively underpowered, scooter in city traffic isn’t appealing, motorcycles offer an alternative. They’re bigger, heavier and more powerful than scooters, thus better holding their own against cars and buses, and they’re more difficult to steal. Also, it’s easier to climb grades on motorcycles than scooters, because they have bigger wheels.
To own a motorcycle, one needs a driver’s license, an official license plate, and the necessary safety gear, which can add up to $1,000 to the price. As with scooters, prices depend on make and age.
Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 motorcycle has a four-cylinder 988 cc engine; it weighs 170 kg, and reaches 100 km per hour in 2.9 seconds.
If you’re interested in racing motorcycles, Petro Zavorytsky, an officially certified master in his sport and a competitive racer, is the man to call for advice.
To race, according to Zavorytsky, a rider needs surprisingly little preparation: less than six months, though some might want considerably more. A license from the National Motor Sports Federation is necessary. For those interested, the sidecar motorcycle world championship, organized by the NMSF, will take place in Kyiv on September 21.
“It’s serious. Motocross bikes with engine capacities of 125 cc to 500 cc can reach really high speeds,” said Zavorytsky, who is also a consulting technical expert at the city’s Peugeot showroom.
“It’s a tough sport. When I participate in a race, I usually lose about two kilograms in weight,” Zavorytsky added.
In order to prepare for the races, Zavorytsky said, he works out cardiovascularly and practices his maneuvering skills on a standard bicycle. Racing isn’t for people the merely curious; it requires strength, endurance and skill.
“Motorbiking demands a lot of athletic ability. The training includes jogging and riding a mountain bike, among other things,” he said.
Buying a Motorbike
For beginners, the Kiev Motorcycle Company makes the Dneiper Chopper, a bike that was popular in Soviet times. Today, Kiev makes 10 different Dneiper models.
The Dneiper Chopper (Hr 6,000) is a classic that’s popular at home, as well as in Western countries. The bike has a simple design and is easy to service. Users, however, warn that the company’s spare parts are not always made to the highest standards, and often are hard to find.
There are also a few dozen old Czech-made CZ B-class sport motorcycles in Ukraine, which fans love because of their reliability and for the availability of their parts. The bike features an air-cooled engine. Most modern motorcycles like Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha have water-cooling engine systems.
The Suzuki GSX-R1000 (2002) is recommended for experienced bikers (14,500 euro). Experts say the model is considered one of the best racing bikes in the world. Only experienced bikers should approach it; anyone else will find it too powerful.
Regardless of their level of experience, bikers should take safety precautions. First, all riders should carry an ID indicating blood type, contact phone numbers and home address. A repair kit is crucial as well; it should include an extra spark plug. A helmet is a must, and gloves are necessary, especially for beginners who might be falling on their hands. Tightly-woven trousers protect knees in the event of falls. Scooters must have horns and reflectors.
Finally, riding scooters on highways is forbidden.
Scooter clubs
The Kyiv Scooter Club meets every Thursday evening at 7:30 in Pochtova Square in Podol. Contact: Sergey Bendik, tel. 8067/763 6665, e-mail, [email protected]. The Club provides free scooter training at the Chaika sports center, Svyatoshyno metro station, every Monday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Motorbike clubs
Motorcycle enthusiasts gather every Thursday at 7 p.m. on the city highway in the Holosivsky District; Chervonopraporna street, toward the Pyrohovo Museum, and look for the bikes gathered across the street from the cafe. Call Petr at 494 3019, or 8067/7777392, for information.
The National University of Transportation club meets daily at 5 p.m. Look for the crowd outside the university building. Call Alexey Nasonov, tel. 290 5478.
Where to buy scooters and motorbikes.
Omega Showroom, Urytskoho 38, sells high-end and made-to-order scooters. Tel.number is not available.
Foxtrot Moto Express, Chervonych Kazakiv 21, www.foxtrot.com.ua
Alta Motosalon, prospect Otradny 6, sells second-hand scooters. Tel. 455-4943.
Peugeot, Zaliznychne Shosse 91, offers both sales and leases. Tel. 461 9851.
For a wealth of information about scooter and motorbike riding in Ukraine, visit www.moto.com.ua.
