Rating my new maxiscooters since 1990

As high mileage motorcyclist I have purchased 10 new maxi scooters, over 400,000 miles on them, since 1990--still keeping motorcycles.

Biggest problem when you ride a lot----head BUFFETING!!, followed by sometimes uncomfortable feet forward riding position.

List: Four Helix, 175,000 miles total, liked foot brake, rear "car trunk". All four, all the same things broke---air box, intake stub.
Belts could be changed without taking clutch apart. DANGER: J rated (62mph tires) on bike that would go 67-70 mph downhill-tailwind. Had one Bridgestone fly apart in motion (in Japan).

Reflex, destroyed at 22,500 miles by woman on cell phone as she hit me from behind at stop---ins. totaled-----maybe better bike than Helix...still used easy way of valve adjust.

Burgman 400(2)--after 2007 type=probably more comfortable ride than SilverWing in spite of great unsprung weight on rear. Likes:4 way flashers, various gauges, 60 mpg. Problems: #1 had engine case defects oil leaks at 8,000 miles dealer took it back as trade on TMAX. #2 at 20,000 miles drive train...clutch, belt, etc blew up near Suzuki dealer in Dalton, GA---Suzuki paid for everything, including new belt. I like riding under warranty!!Rode it to about 40,000 miles.

SilverWing 600 (2)---near 90,000 miles on these 2, reliable, dated, hard ride, very sensitive to tires (make and their condition as they wear).. BUFFETING with GIVI adjustable shield. Way overweight!

TMAX Yamaha---almost forgot this one making 11 maxiscooters
Fast, good handling, more important fun to ride----at 16,000 miles traded as I feared high maint. costs as it aged. Would try another if still on our market.

Daelim 125----last time in Korea= great! never broke, with 125 no belt issues, wide open 65mph, not overweight, enjoyed it with the Daelim 360 degree strong bumper, Daelim top box...had to get Puig windshield to block the breeze.

So: Helix my favorite to use.

SilverWing vs Burgman 400=Burgman nicer ride, 4 way flashers nice for old fart who has to stop to pee a lot, 100 lbs lighter, still heavy. SilverWing=too heavy, top heavy feeling at rest, reliable.

Scooters need to come in brighter colors...=nice to be seen

Next for me?? another Suzuki TU250?...in spite of no centerstand? Not another SilverWing 600. Vespa? Not cheap, no dealers...BUT can be made buffet free. Had 4 of them in past.
Stay tuned----my present SilverWing approaching 50,000 miles and time to go soon.

Note: I make no mods on all other than: NEP throttle stop/top box/some times sponge grip over covers---think monkeying with drive train waste of time. Reg gas, in US Walmart10-40 oil, Fram filters. OEM drive belts!! Tires: this time IRC Honda recommended, this set has lasted 15,000 miles!--wear like iron, hard ride, rear wears SQUARE, making difficult handling....car tire people probably wouldn't notice the rear, when it is worn.Tues. new Michelin Power Pure SC on rear/replace burned out low beam -----no electronic add on my bike, tried plug in for heated bib----took off. Always carry paper maps....Depend on feathers to hold heat in, in cold. Had electric vest failure in northern Mexico=almost froze to death, put me in $150 Motel to get warm.

So, since you've mentioned your Daellim 125s experience, what's your rating of Vespas then, since they pretty much started this whole scooter thing?

Tim

vespa had 4, 3 new, one tired----last new one of the last US legal 2 strokes---$400 Pirmasens PX Germany 1980's...they just wanted to get rid of it=fine bike better than my PX200E---took wide open running well, but sucked lots of gas. Years before when Sears sold them=cheap parts available almost anywhere in US.

Now---overpriced, probably not up to Japan/Korea/Taiwan quality,8000 mile belt changes=stupid.
But most probably important to me.....can be made buffet free---due to getting tip of nose closer to tip of shield----sitting in 8-10 hours of severe buffeting now my idea of fun-----I like trailing link front ends as Vespa has as well as Helix did-----but they don't like winter salt.

Strange - I changed from the 400 Burgman to a Silver Wing because it was much more comfortable, although a bit heavier was much better balanced and the Givi adjustable gives no buffeting at all even up to 80+ speeds (but of course I never excees 70mph on the public highway )
JB

Good comments from John and the others. One thing to bear in mind is each scoot will feel different to other people. Height, inseam and weight will all have an impact on your ride. Find one that is comfortable to YOU and keep it!!!