Bikes versus scooters

[ffutures]

I'm not going to buy a bike until I've sold the old one and know how much money I have to play with, but I went to look at one today - an oldish BMW K1100 which I could more or less afford - and decided that it probably isn't for me; it's the sort of bike that needs a couple of hundred miles of Autobahn to be happy, really too big, fast and top-heavy for the sort of driving I do in London, where the longest journeys I do are out to the suburbs and occasionally Cambridge etc., 60 miles or so each way.

This was at a dealers, and the suggestion I got there was that a reasonably modern motor scooter, say a good 250cc model, is probably going to be just as fast and much more manoeuvrable in street traffic, also a good deal more comfortable. It's not something I'd thought about, and they're actually rather more expensive than the bikes I've been looking at, but I suppose it's worth considering.

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Comments

[johnreiher.livejournal.com]

Well, I've been riding a Honda Reflex here in the states since 2002. It's a 250CC engine and hasn't given me too much trouble. I've had to replace the seat one time and rebuild the transmission and carburetor after 26,000 miles/42,000km. Its been a good bike to me and I would recommend a similar model or even the same model.

They stopped selling the Reflex in the states in 2007 for various reasons, one was that it was competing with other bikes in their scooter line.

In Europe and England, it's still for sale under the name Forza. Well cared for used models should be a good buy, but I'll leave that up to you Marcus.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - don't seem to be any around on ebay, which may mean there isn't much UK distribution, but I'll check it out.

[johnreiher.livejournal.com]

As much we make jokes about Hondas, (Top Gear and the Honda Pickup will attest to.) Hondas are very reliable.

I just checked the Honda UK site and it looks like the Forza isn't being offered in the UK. However, looking at their line up they have the 280CC SH300i, the 582CC Silver Wing, and the 670CC Integra. Prices go up from £4,700 to £7,500.

http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/scooters/#!/vision50/

And I will admit to being wrong about the Forza being available. I did a search of the different European Honda websites and it's just not available. So I apologize for that. Did spot a couple for sale in Australia, but I think the shipping costs would eat up any savings you'd get buying one of those.

But I will attest that I do like the larger CC scooters. 200CC and up if you want to be on an even keel with cars.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - none of those are currently on offer within my budget anywhere near London, but I'm in no rush, something may turn up.