Honda Forza 300

I know these have been around for a while but haven't seen an actual review on here. Comparing them to SWing etc. I am negotiating to trade my V Star 1100 for a 2015 Forza with low miles. The V Star is just too much of a handful for this old bugger. Not looking for a huge review just perhaps some thoughts, I am 6 foot (or was) will the Forza be a good fit?

Thanks for any thoughts on this subject!

Can't give you an apple to apple comparison ... more like orange to tangerine. We had the predecessor Honda Reflex 250.  Great urban scoot and did fairly well in 90% of other riding.  It handled interstate and secondary country highways with no problems.  

Where it lacked was in steeper hills ... it simply ran out of breath and couldn't keep up.  Top end was about 140 kph/85'ish mph but it could do that all day long (a bit buzzy at top speeds but tolerable).  In other words, once you're cruising near top end ... there wasn't much left to draw on if you needed/wanted to.  Fuel mileage was good ... consistently near 65'ish mpg if I recall correctly. About a 300 km (200 mi) tank range.

Like the SWing, it had a very classic, timeless design look to it.  Being a Honda it was well designed and well put together, maintenance was about the same level of difficulty as the SWings.  Had adjustable rear shocks from what I remember.  Decent underseat storage capacity and a basic but nice dash layout.  Can't remember if it had any dash cubbies or not.  We had fitted a smaller GIVI 30l'ish top case to it and for everyday riding, it worked well.

I'm 6'1" and I fit although there wasn't a lot of extra leg room.  Seems I recall the seating position was a little more upright than the SWing.  I did install ROX risers .. 1 inch up and 1.5 inches back and these worked well.
I also installed the Vince Jaks? seat bump doogy to create a backrest. Never rode 2 up with it so can't say much there.  We also added an aftermarket GIVI windscreen ... needed to like on most scooters.  

We really liked this scoot but eventually sold and replaced it with a Burgy 400 (no problems with hills, etc.)  I've read the 300cc engines in the newer Forza give them just that extra umph that people like us were wanting.  I bet if we originally had the 300cc Forza ... we'd still have it today.  That's how much we liked the Honda Reflex 250.

Have a search through Meldrews' (hi bud ) more recent posts, he has one so will be able to do a decent comparison for you.
A mate of mine in Wales also has one that I have led & followed on several occasions, it is a very capable machine with plenty of 'grunt' to get it up hills

I have a friend who rides a 2014 Forza. He’s a short inseam yet felt uncomfortable on longer rides. We removed the butt stop and made up a couple of brackets to raise & relocate it to become a back rest.
Something similar to what many of us have done on our Silverwing’s —but without the protruding bracket pieces. The brackets we fabricated were ~2” wide, 1/8” (3mm) flat stock.

He’s thrilled with the seat mod and actually did the 2018 Scooter Cannon Ball Run on his Forza having first ridden it from Philly to Moro Bay, CA then from there on the SCBR to Virginia Beach, VA.

Come on Meldrew, jump on this one!

I would also love to hear your comparison.

Yes I have a Forza but it's not the version that young Glenn in Arizona is interested in. I never had much interest in the pre 2018 model apart from noticing it had more a feet forward and sit-in design than new compact sportier Forza that replaced it.

My 2018 Forza has a higher seat, a larger diameter rear wheel and is 26 lbs lighter, plus all the latest spec bits like an electric height adjustable screen, and full LED lighting. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), multi-mode instruments that are a mixture of digital and analog, etc, etc, etc. 

Comparing both Forza’s with the Silver Wing, the older version definitely has more in common with it than mine.

A quick Search on YouTube for 2014 or 2015 Honda Forza 300, or Honda NSS Forza 300 will shows loads of reviews of the beast.

Meldrew wrote:

... snipped ... Yes I have a Forza but it's not the version that young Glenn in Arizona is interested in.

A quick Search on YouTube for 2014 or 2015 Honda Forza 300, or Honda NSS Forza 300 will shows loads of reviews of the beast.

We've not seen the NSS300 you ride here in North America. Just watched a review on it ... looks like a very nice scooter.

Thanks for the info! Will keep checking it out. Made them and offer last night and tentatively the dealer took it but will know for sure today.

And Meldrew, thanks for the "young" comment!!! I will post pix if this happens.

Well I did it! Put a deposit on the scooter today, hopefully I will pick it up next week! It is in Las Vegas, NV; guess I better stay out of the casinos until I pick it up! LOL

My first in-person view of the new to me scooter!
I don' have it yet due to a slight hitch with the title on the Yamaha (Damn Covid).
Should be fixed today or tomorrow! The Forza looks new and sound GREAT. My new baby Silver Wing

Hi Glen,

It's looks really snazzy in that red, really really nice.

Wishing you health, and safety, to enjoy it.

Your Forza does look good in red, we just got the usual bland colours over here. Strangely I've never once thought of my newer version Forza as a baby Silver Wing,

New baby Silverwing? Feed it quality gas, keep the oil changed and give it a bath often. Just maybe with a lot of love and care, it may grow into a full sized Silverwing some day. You never know.....
Congratulations on your purchase. Ride safe and enjoy.

Wow, you lucky non-American consumers have such a nice explosion of Honda scooters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to2ARY9ounw

We here in the US have only the "top" choice of PCX or ADV 150. Would it be that hard for Honda to switch the steering to the left side of the scooter and send this great variety to America?

It's probably our own fault for still residing in the 20th century and not appreciating the comfort and convenience of the scoot as such efficient and fun transportation.

I looked at that YouTube clip of Top 10 Honda Scooters and there's 3 Forza's and the other 7 are pizza delivery scooters.

I am heading to Las Vegas to pick up my new toy today! Finally... The problem is/was I am trading in the Yamaha V-Star and have been having fits getting a title from the Arizona MVD. Thanks COVID! So yesterday I got TWO titles in the mail??? Off I go today with the temps over 110 degrees F I am guessing sigh.

https://www.eurocyclelasvegas.com/inventory/-10625116i

Good Luck with your new Scooter. Let us know how it performs. I really wish Honda would come out with another twin Cylinder Scooter.

Got home with the Forza today!  Finally! Maybe tomorrow I can actually RIDE it. LOL

Also bought one in Colo has a Honda Box with a key number stamped in the lock face but no key. Suggestions please..

Eric Walker wrote:

Also bought one in Colo has a Honda Box with a key number stamped in the lock face but no key. Suggestions please..

Congratulations on your Forza! As to the key, I would call a Honda dealer and give them the number, perhaps they can get one. Failing that try a good locksmith. Good luck!

Hi Glenn,
Curiously, I'm getting itchy again. I'm old and a Forza 300 sounds all right, I'd rather a 350. Which are you looking at?
Good luck with your search, be happy and safe.
Jim

You're new scoot looks nice. I'll get cranked up here. Fun to be had, keep off the freeway (at least for me).

The 300/350 Forzas have 'presence' on motorways over here; I've noticed no difference between them and the Silverwing in that respect although I was a little anxious in the first place.
It may have something to do with the fact one has extra height.
I don't know the top speed of the 300 but I am sure it has a enough in hand for dicing with cars and lorries.

Greysilver wrote:

Hi Glenn,
Curiously, I'm getting itchy again. I'm old and a Forza 300 sounds all right, I'd rather a 350. Which are you looking at?
Good luck with your search, be happy and safe.
Jim

Jim, the Forza is a great choice! About 100 pounds lighter than the SWing and more maneuverable around town. It does not have the same power though and will slow down on hills and I wouldn't drive all day on the freeway!

Also I believe that Honda only imported them into the US from 2014 to 2016 or so. And no the 350 is NOT available here.

AFAIK, there's only 4 new "Name Brand/Quality" Maxi Scooters** available in the US market (providing you can actually find one at dealer, etc. ) , listed from lowest MSRP and weight, Yamaha XMAX 300, BMW C400GT, Suzuki Burgman 400, Kymco AK550. The low price point and just 400lbs wet makes the Yamaha very appealing for older folk, two details high seat and no parking brake (easily fixed).

Maxi Scooters** Scooters with frame mounted fairings, better wind/weather protection, storage, etc.

My Forza 300 is the more compact sportier 2018 version that didn't get imported into North America, the one with the height adjustable electric screen etc. In no way have I found it inferior in performance to the Silver Wing or any aspect apart from under seat storage.  It's got all the toys the Silver Wing lacked, it's lighter and much more fuel efficient. No parking brake, seat strut, or under seat light to cause problems either

I've gone  over 230 miles without running dry,  and I've taken it up and over two of the steepest roads in England, Hardknott Pass in Cumbria, and Rosedale Chimney Bank in North Yorkshire. They both have a 1 in 3, or 33% gradient and the Forza just steams up them effortlessly.

It felt very small compared to Silver Wing the first time I took it on a motorway, now it's as natural as any other maxi scooter I've owned.

" No parking brake, seat strut, or under seat light to cause problems either "

The last 2 issues are easily dealt with on the SW. But IMO, not having a parking brake (P/B) system is a major oversight and just dumb (maybe the Honda engineer, called in sick the P/B design day )

I mean, the previous generation F300 had a P/B and "ALL" current US models Honda scooters have a P/B, maybe is not a requirement elsewhere or for some reason the newer Forza models won't roll of side-stand, etc.

Yes, you can buy aftermarket brake lever locks, but hydraulic lock P/B are not 100% reliable.

I don't need a parking brake on the Forza, I've had parking brakes every other maxi scooter I've owned and very rarely used them, apart when parked up on the car deck of an overnight North Sea ferry.

If I want to lock either front or rear brake on for any reason, it's a simple mattter of using a Velcro strap.

I only use the side stand for getting on and off the bike, and never for home or street parking. If I was to park the Forza anywhere with soft ground where I was unable to use the main stand, I would use the side stand with the plastic puck or checker plate square I keep on the Forza.

As you've mentioned design faults, I'm now very aware that in misty, rainy, and foggy driving conditions, cars here in Canada aren't fitted with a red high-intensity rear fog light that have been OE on UK and European spec cars for years.

I seldom use the parking brake on my Forza or Silver Wing, but that said when needed it comes in handy. Surprising but on my trike there is no PB and it could really use one! As Meldrew stated, I made a velcro strap that fits the front brake and works fine...if I don't lose it LOL.

Since purchasing a kickstand pad for the side stand on both scooters I use them a lot more. Very worthwhile purchase on eBay.

I bought two side stand plates for my Forza off eBay a few years and they were both a waste of money. The were CNC machined adonised  alloy from China. They looked amazing in the pics, the first one was incorrectly machined and I couldn’t screw the two pieces together. I returned it and got a refund.

The second one did fit but it was never secure, it dropped off  on an 'A' road somewhere in North Yorkshire after a few weeks, it saved me the trouble of binning it

I have a plastic side-stand plate on each scooter - one was given me in the goodies bag I received on a BikeSafe Day and the other free from Carole Nash when I insured my X9s with them.
Both are on a string which I loop over the left-hand grip so I don't have to bend down to retrieve them.
In fact, I rarely need to use them.

Meldrew wrote:

The second one did fit but it was never secure, it dropped off  on an 'A' road somewhere in North Yorkshire after a few weeks, it saved me the trouble of binning it

Sorry to hear of your woes. I believe I got the same ones and have had NO problems, they raise the level of the kickstand just enough to make the scoot more stable plus a wider footprint. one caution however, one of my early ones came loose but I caught it before it disappeared. Used loctite on the screws and later on the Forza and the pads have never come loose again!

GHM-PM wrote:

Meldrew wrote:

The second one did fit but it was never secure, it dropped off  on an 'A' road somewhere in North Yorkshire after a few weeks, it saved me the trouble of binning it

Sorry to hear of your woes. I believe I got the same ones and have had NO problems, they raise the level of the kickstand just enough to make the scoot more stable plus a wider footprint. one caution however, one of my early ones came loose but I caught it before it disappeared. Used loctite on the screws and later on the Forza and the pads have never come loose again!

I bought one of them little plates for the Silverwing because I always felt I leaned over a little to much on the side stand,I had to do a little modification to it with a die grinder and a dremel and it’s fits perfect now,and the lean angle is where it should be



I added a few other red bits too it too

My XMax 300 has been my best bike yet.  Loved the Silverwing, but XMax gets 30 mpg more than Wing.  Traction control, light and nimble to jockey around, enough power to get in trouble, 12 volt outlet, ambient temp, battery voltage, mpg, trip read-outs, etc. Roomy storage. Great grocery getter.

You forgot to mention the XMax 300's much criticised weak LED headlights, the annoying brick like hump at the back of the seat that digs into the riders coccyx, and the seat height of 30.5” which is over two inches higher than the Silver Wing's 27.9”.

All reasons why I chose the Forza after a demo ride on the XMax.

Meldrew wrote:

You forgot to mention the XMax 300's much criticised weak LED headlights, the annoying brick like hump at the back of the seat that digs into the riders coccyx, and the seat height of 30.5” which is over two inches higher than the Silver Wing's 27.9”.

All reasons why I chose the Forza after a demo ride on the XMax.

Personally I love the styling of the XMAX but have no experience with one. A friend liked it but he has a very short inseam so couldn't go with one. As to the headlight, no experience, fortunately I seldom ride much at night these days. As to fuel economy, of course it will be better than the SWing it is a 300 not a 600. Makes sense, my Forza gets 75 MPG on the road while the SWing gets 58-60. But the extra power does come in handy!!! So compare apples to apples!