Unicorn scooter

[MrGrumpy]

I went to look at a 2019 T Max recently, and I found just what you said, the footboards seemed high and my knees fouled the bars, which cooled my interest immediately. I didn't ride it.

No - that's one of the roomier ones! The mk3 (2008-11) was the problem one for long legged people. I've generally found the riding position on Tmaxs very comfortable (odd shoulder ache apart), but maybe they are designed for someone my size!

[MrGrumpy]

I had a Bev 350 for three years. The thing that killed it for me was when I took it in for a service and front tyre. The bike went into limp mode on the way home. The (non-Piaggio) mechanics just couldn't fix it; it went to another garage, then back to the first one. Eventually, it was traced to a sensor on one of the wheels, which cured it, but it was off the road from July to October! Along with the number plate being cloned, I just wanted rid of it, but I gaze at the 400 sometimes and am tempted...

Yes, that reminds me, I did have the odd electronic glitch, though mine were very short lived. The oddest was when I trundling up a local dual carriageway and I felt that it wouldn't accelerate and quickly started to lose power. I can't remember if I pulled over, or it actually stopped on me, but I switched it off, switched it back on, restarted it and it was fine! The most bonkers (Italian) glitch was on my Aprilia Atlantic whee all the needles on all the gauges all suddenly did a complete 360 degree circuit of the dial!!

[velocipede6295]

Well the dealer's insurance covered riders up to 75yrs, so I just made the cut, and got a test ride today, on the 400 Piaggio Beverly. The weather wasn't great, very overcast, low cloud and some light drizzle. On leaving the dealer's premises, which is on a quiet country lane, I immediately liked the scooter, it felt solid, handled the bends easily, and the engine was very responsive with a fast pick up of speed, the brakes were up to scratch, the suspension was good, and was also comfortable and compliant. They allowed me an hour, and I had planned a route to take in about 10 miles of motorway, and the rest on 30/40/ National speed limit roads in an area with which I was reasonably familiar. It was good on the motorway and had no trouble, overtaking and could handle all 3 lanes no problem, but there was a bit of vibration on the bars. When I moved to the 1st lane and decelerated and slackened my grip on the bars a bit, they started to shake badly, but stopped when I gripped the bars normally. This also happened on slower roads from 40 mph to 30. It could have been the front tyre was out of balance, or could have been something else.
I also felt a bit " perched " over the front of the bike, too far forwards, with my helmet visor very close to the screen. The speedometer and info screen were not easy to see without deliberately moving my head downwards, because I was seated too far forward.The hump on the seat kept me in a very fixed position, and I would have been more comfortable if I could have moved back a bit.
I was going to part ex my Forza, and really liked some aspects of the 400 Beverly, but not others, so I decided overall it was not for me. I returned it after about 30 minutes.

[MrGrumpy]

Interesting - I was waiting to hear how you got on! I don't recall any vibration or bar shaking issues on mine - perhaps it was as you say a tyre issue, but maybe not. I did often wonder if there was some funny issue with the Bev's handling, given the odd issues and difficulty riding mine that I experienced, but put it down to me needing lots of feel to ride confidently.
I guess the riding position is a bit forward biased - bit like the Honda SH300 in this regard. I personally don't feel like short tall scoots with big wheels are a better solution than long low feet-forward style scoots, though the Italians absolutely love 'em. I guess it depends on what you are used to. I guess Honda have been very clever with the ADV as it seems to cover all bases riding position wise despite being short in length - similar to the X-ADV, which struck me as having a comfortable riding position despite not being anything like as (apparently) roomy as the Tmax.
If it doesn't float your boat, then its not the scoot for you. When I test rode the ADV350 I only rode a short way and was impressed by the way it handled a madly bumpy road and was sold instantly!

[velocipede6295]

Yes, the riding position felt a bit like the SH 300 I previously owned, fairly briefly - perched too forwards up towards the screen. What with that and the rock hard suspension, I didn't keep it long!

The ADV 350 is a keeper though, and is very pleasant to ride, with it's good suspension, handling, and increased power over my 300 Forza. I've now done 3,000 miles on it since January, and it is a capable and pleasant scooter to ride.

[MrGrumpy]

The SH300 was another scoot with a seriously fun engine but damned uncomfortable. I'm only average sized but it felt terribly cramped to me, and terribly windblown in the winter. I wasn't sad when it got written off....

[velocipede6295]

Windblast, yes, - I forgot about that! I managed to sell mine privately after a few weeks ownership, to a nice chap who intended putting it on the back of his motor home.