Now, it’s not hard to understand why the 50cc scooter is such a long-time favourite. They’re cheap and cheerful, economical and fun to ride, and can be ridden from the age of 16 in the UK, making them ideal for the novice or younger rider.

But it’s not just the youth of today these small-capacity scoots appeal to, they’re the perfect fit for anyone looking for an affordable way to beat the commute or just get around the city conveniently. It is worth noting that 50cc scooters and mopeds as standard in the UK will come restricted to not exceed 30mph.

With all of that being said, join us as we run down the ten best 50cc scooters for 2024!

Kicking off our top 10 50cc scooter list today we have this legendary little offering from the French manufacturer Peugeot - the Speedfight 50!

Powered by a 49.9cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine, the Speedfight is capable of pumping out 3.9hp and is capable of reaching a top speed of up to 28mph which is more than respectable when it comes to the 50cc class.

Onto the design and this scooter has been created with the younger market in mind, keeping the look of the Speedfight fresh and modern with three different colourway options available including ice white, mad black, and motul red.

Overall, I think it's fair to say that the Speedfight is a great option for those looking for their first-ever scooter or moped, all for the price of £2979 brand new!

• The styling is 10/10
• A great option for a first bike
• Great fuel economy

• Not the most affordable option out there

Next up and in our ninth spot today we have the Sinnis Twist.

For 2024, the Twist sports some pretty impressive upgrades such as a front and rear LED lights, restyled aerodynamic fairing that improves performance in wind and rain as well as an all-new chassis helping to aid the manoeuvrability of the bike around town.

Onto the performance of the Twist 50 and this scoot comes equipped with a 49.6cc air-cooled engine and produces 2.9hp which is by no means the highest on this list but certainly more than enough for those looking to tackle their first two-wheeler.

Lastly, when it comes to pricing the Sinnis Twist comes in at £1699 for 2024 - also making this one of the more affordable choices on this list!

• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Good MPG

• Could do with a little more power behind it
• Very basic dash

Taking eighth spot today has got to be one of the offerings from the Chinese-built but British-born and heritage-packed brand AJS, the Barletta - a new model introduced to their lineup late last year!

Powering the Barletta we have a 50cc four-stroke, air-cooled engine that when it combined with the running weight of 102kg makes this scoot lightweight and easy to handle around town.

Coming onto the design of the Barletta, this scoot combines the stylish classic lines of a retro scooter with modern features such as all-around LED lights, a USB charging port, and an extra security ignition locking mechanism.

The Barletta is another scooter you can pick up for just under £2000, making this one of the cheapest options on this list, and I’d argue it is worth every penny of that price, especially for that styling!

• Classically stylish with modern aspects
• One of the cheapest offerings on this list
• Heritage brand name helps it stand out

• Styling won't be for everyone
• Brand new and yet to be fully tested

Next up and sitting at seventh we have the Lambretta V50 Special.

The Lambretta V50 Special is a modern-day Lamby, that rocks a great mix of modern and classic styling. Lambretta in its current guise bring us the V-Special series with the CBT-friendly V50 available from those 16 and up in the UK on a CBT!

Coming packed with a 49.5cc engine that can reach top speeds of 28mph, the V50 not only packs a punch, but it also comes in some pretty neat spec and colourways too (again, I’ve got to give you my personal favourite, the khaki green).

Lastly, when it comes to the price we have to keep in mind that this is a Lambretta so it is not going to be one of the more affordable on this list and instead a rather premium offering. To get yourself a V50 today, you will be looking at paying £3,299 which again I’d argue for such an iconic and stylish scooter is worth it!

• Iconic scooter and manufacturer
• Styling is something special
• Will appeal to retro enthusiasts

• Slightly more expensive offering
• Not a true innocenti

Moving onto the sixth spot is the Echo 50 from Lexmoto, a budget brand known for producing learner and pocket-friendly Chinese-made machines.

Weighing in at just 78kg, the Echo is one of the lightest picks on our list making it an extremely nimble and agile scoot, excellent for beginners who want to boost their confidence experience and independence on those urban roads.

Onto styling, the Lexmoto Echo embodies what a sporty scooter should look like, coming in two colourways grey/blue edition and the black/red edition. It gives you the look and feel of a bigger capacity scoot without the licensing restrictions.

One of the reasons why Lexmoto is so worthy of its position on this list has got to be the price. You can pick up one of these bad boys for as little as £1,449 making this a great option for those youthful scooterists on a tighter budget or anyone looking for an alternative to being packed in like a sardine on the tube.

• Cheapest offering on this list
• Compact and light
• Cheap to run and maintain

• Chinese offering
• No thrills and basic

Sitting in the middle of the pack today we have the Kymco Super 8 R, the beginner-friendly scoot with some pretty impressive upgrades over the last few years.

Packed with a 49cc 4-stroke, air-cooled engine, Kymco has stayed close to the original by using a similar sleek and racy design but made sure to give it a good dose of modernity through the now Euro 5-compliant engine with the sporty styling this is definitely targeting a younger audience or those, wanting something very modern and sporty in design.

Coming in at £2,499 for 2024, the Super 8 may not be the cheapest on today’s list, but it’s an affordable and stylish run-around.

• Sleek and sporty design
• Relatively cheap
• Perfect for a runaround scooter

• Only two colourways
• Not the biggest dealer network

Next up and just missing out on a top spot is an offering from the Taiwanese manufacturer Sym - the Jet 14!

Over the past few years, Sym has prided itself on being an alternative option for those bigger and more expensive manufacturers within the scooter space, providing well spec’d up machines with a solid build quality for a much smaller price point.

For 2024, Sym has introduced a 50cc air-cooled engine and comes equipped with some pretty impressive tech including plenty of underseat storage, a combination headlight as well as a large TFT display which is far more advanced than some of the others on this list.

Lastly, if you want to pick yourself up a 50cc Jet 14 you will be looking at paying £2,499 which is by no mean the cheapest on the list but certainly a great option for those who have a larger budget to spend.

• Impressive levels of spec for a 50cc
• Stand out styling

• Wish it had a liquid cooled engine

Kickstarting our top three today we have the trusty Piaggio Zip 50!

Built with practicality in mind, the Zip comes equipped with ample storage space under the seat and in the footwell as well as Piaggio’s signature i-get engine. When it comes to the design, the Zip may look simple, but it undeniably looks smart coming packed with bold features and two colourway options; Bianco Ottico (white) and Nero Lucido (black).

For 2024, the Zip 50 will cost you £2,250 making it a great option for those wanting a great little scooter commuter from a well-known and reputable brand. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that if you want a 50cc with a little more stability it is well worth checking out the Liberty 50.

All in all, the Zip undoubtedly comes equipped with a very likeable design and great entry-level spec all from a very trusted brand. The Zip has been around for quite some time now, but that is just a testament to how good a scooter it is!

• Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
• Cheap and affordable to run
• Tried and tested manufacturer

• Basic spec
• There are cheaper alternatives out there

Just missing out on the top spot today we have an iconic offering from Vespa - the Primavera!

Powering the Primavera, we have a 49.9cc three-valve, four-stroke engine that produces 2.95hp, again by no means the highest performer on this list but certainly plenty enough for those starting off their two-wheeler adventure.

Onto styling and the Primavera is a 50cc scooter jam-packed with heritage history and most of all, good looks. I think one of the best parts about this scoot has to be the five colourway options available for 2024 combined with that chic and simplistic Italian styling that everyone knows and loves.

At the time of writing you can pick yourself up a Primavera of your very own £3,450 - a price which I’d argue is worth paying for such an iconic scooter and manufacturer!

• Impressive 8L fuel tank for a 50cc
• Reliable and Premium manufacturer
• Heritage style looks

• Expensive
• Retro looks aren’t for everyone

Stealing the show and first position on our list today has got to be Aprilia’s SXR 50, arguably one of the most exciting on this list as it’s the brand’s first Euro 5-compliant 50cc bike!

Fuelled by a 50cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke i-get engine, the SXR comes packed with some pretty decent spec such as a digital LCD instrumentation, MIA connectivity system, Bluetooth to connect your phone and much more.

When it comes to the design of the Aprilia SXR, the styling is sleek and modern with a dual headlight that gives homage to the triple headlight typically on Aprilia’s sportbikes.

Lastly, if the SXR is taking your fancy, well you’re in luck as you can pick yourself up one at the time of writing for £2,450!

• Modern design - Appeals to the younger audience
• Brilliant Italian styling
• Great overall package

• I struggle to think of any!

So there you have it, here is our list of just some of the best 50cc scooters ready to take 2024 by storm!

Do you think the Aprilia SXR deserves the number-one spot? And if not what would you put at number one? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Last but not least, if you have your very own 50cc scooter you want to insure, feel free to check out Lexham's scooter and moped insurance directly!