What scooters should I be looking at??

[Symcity]

Over to sammo??????

[abitmad]

Morning,

I joined here a few years ago when I was looking to get rid of my CBR600. I ended up selling the Honda and have pretty much given up riding since then. Recently though I've been getting the urge to go out riding again. Unfortunately the arthritis in my left hand is bad enough these days that I can't pull a clutch lever very easily anymore so I'm looking at scooters instead.

I want a big scooter with a minimum of a 500cc engine and something that Mrs Sammo can go on the back of for a bit of travelling around. There's so much out there these days that I have no idea where to start looking. If some suggestions could be made I'd be very grateful.

Cheers,

Sammo

The trouble with questions like this, on forums everywhere, is that many people tend to advocate what they themselves already own so you may not receive objective views. That is often the case even if they know in their heart that their bike is not that good because misery loves company.

I'm in a bit of a similar situation to you having had big bikes all my life, until one of the superb new Piaggio Bev scooters a few years ago and now a TMax, though the change wasn't due to illness, more a desire for great comfort as I become very old. I still have a second proper bike for those increasingly rare times when I can say to myself, "fuck comfort, I want a burn up on a real bike".

I agree with your proposal to get a big engine scooter if you love sheer grunt. I own a TMax DX but test rode the new Yam 400 XMax before buying it. The 400 is a great bike and also has a boot so big you can sleep in it but no way does it have the go of the T. Competitors in the big engine maxi market that I also considered were both variants of the BMW C650, the Burger 650 and the Honda X-ADV. Personally, for a scooter, I would not buy makes other than Hosuyapi or maybe BMW.

The Honda is great but unfortunately so tall like a dirt bike that you need a crane to get on and off it if you are average height. Downright dangerous at stops for my height of 5' 8". Also has very limited luggage space so it comes as standard with a top box.

The Burger is shockingly heavy, a staggering 60kgs more than the TMax, but it does have more luggage room and an interesting gearbox with some fixed gearing as well as the T&G auto. It's more of an old fart's bike in my view and rather ugly in my opinion so even though I am highly qualified to be in the OF club, I rejected it. But it is a very good maxi scooter, no doubt about that.

The BM is also way heavier than the TMax and not as well specced either.

I think the best advice is to try out all the bikes that appeal, figure out a list of the specs and features and price etc. you want and find the best compromise, rather than be advised by us. For example weight matters a lot to me but it probably doesn't to Burgerists. Different riders have very different requirements.

[Z750Jay]

I tried both the T Max and the Burg out and settled for the Burg. The T Max cornered better but the Burg seating position suited me better.

Glad I did as now I have mastered riding it in Manual mode I can play with sports bike on the twisties. You will miss the power as they are a bit gutless - did take out the 400 Burg and it was waaaaaay too slow for my tastes


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[MrGrumpy]

The trouble with questions like this, on forums everywhere, is that many people tend to advocate what they themselves already own so you may not receive objective views.

Well, of course!! How many Tmaxs have I owned?? Asking a question on any forum will yield a wide variety of totally conflicting advice, after which you do what you initially thought you'd do anyway......

You mentioned the BMW scoots, which we rarely mention. Both the S and GT models appear to be decent to ride (I've only ridden the S model), though neither has ever appeared to be significantly better than the competition. The downside seems to be be insane service costs - someone on here was quoted something well over £1000 (or was it £2000?) for a major service including belt and rear chain replacements which was just ludicrous. Tmaxs are bad enough, but aren't in that league!

[muddyfox]

Thank you The Bern for posting Simon's Facebook sale on this forum. I did try to do the same as you but at the time only had my phone at hand.
Mr Meldrew I respect your choice of not being a member of the Maxi Muppets Facebook section. As you state a closed group , for very good reasons , of 291 members. I cannot possibly know how many members of this forum are also active on the Facebook page. All I tried to do was point a new member in the direction of a possible scooter sale.
If anyone would like to get in touch with Simon Danks I have his mobile number and , with Simon permission , will pass it on via a private message through this forum.

[abitmad]

You mentioned the BMW scoots, which we rarely mention. Both the S and GT models appear to be decent to ride (I've only ridden the S model), though neither has ever appeared to be significantly better than the competition. The downside seems to be be insane service costs - someone on here was quoted something well over £1000 (or was it £2000?) for a major service including belt and rear chain replacements which was just ludicrous. Tmaxs are bad enough, but aren't in that league!

Blimey! No wonder you hardly ever see a BM scooter on the road. Judging by that, they must be someting of a flop in the UK.

[smeghead]

The choice depends upon what you're prepared to spend obviously. I've never ridden one but the MAXSYM 600i seems to be a good buy used. There's one or two SYM Mafia members on here so maybe we'll get some feedback.

[The Bern]

Thank you The Bern for posting Simon's Facebook sale on this forum. I did try to do the same as you but at the time only had my phone at hand.
..//..
If anyone would like to get in touch with Simon Danks I have his mobile number and , with Simon permission , will pass it on via a private message through this forum.

No probs bud & you answered how to reach him, so it's all good

[muddyfox]

Meldrew the reason the Facebook page is closed is to prevent unwanted pop up adverts, ensure only genuine scooter / motorbike owners are members and control content. If you wanted to join it's just a case clicking the "Join" button as I am certain you know. Personally I find this Facebook page adds to the depth of the Maxi Muppets. Give it a go Meldrew. You can leave the Facebook section as easily as you joined.

[Data]

I think asking opinions on here about which bike to buy does have it's value. Hearing about the different bikes others own and ride is useful to someone who has been out of the 'loop' for a while. It doesn't really matter if the opinions of owners are a bit biased as it merely means they have grown to love their bikes because for them the bike has proven it's worth. Passing that info on is often a great help. As with everything bike, you have to 'go take a ride' on anything that might be of interest. One thing worthy of note for the OP. If he is not used to CVT transmission he won't be aware of the tremendous advantage this type of transmission gives to a bike. It allows the bike to perform much better, especially in the intermediate speeds, than a manual shift bike and gives the impression of a much bigger engine under your bum! The OP may not feel he wants a 500cc bike or above once he has experienced some 400's or the like. After all, I come from riding very large bikes all my life and went to the Suzuki Burgman 400 and loved it!