It's that time of year again.

Well it's that time of year again when the new maxi scooters for 2025 are shown at the annual European and UK trade shows. It's only once every few years that a new maxi scooter ticks all the boxes for me and that's the reason why I kept former maxi's like the Honda CN250 and the Silver Wing for 8 years from new.

I've had my Forza 300 for six years from new and I quite fancy a change. There's nothing wrong with it and I've never regretted downsizing in 2018. It's new 300cc to 400cc maxi scooters that interest me and I'd certainly consider a 3 wheeler.

Kymco and SYM are out, mainly because the UK importers don't inspire confidence and have patchy networks. Even though a nearby multi franchise dealership sells SYM.

The current Suzuki Burgman 400 is getting long in the tooth now and doesn't interest me. The Yamaha XMAX Tech Max 300 ticks all the boxes and has a decent range of Yamaha accessories, but I was hoping the Yamaha Tricity 300 would get some of it's features for 2025, it hasn't.

The Peugeot Metropolis 400 in its latest form has always interested  me, especially the SW version with built in top box. But online forums.reveals owners having lots of annoying faults, so that's on hold.

Next up the Piaggio MP3, they seem to be updated regularly and they've just brought out a 310 Sport version. But I've never had much confidence in their build quality and some examples I've seen are pretty tatty.

I've looked at the BMW C400 GT with interest a few times over the years, but it's that under seat Flexcase it has that that puts me off. I want space for my usual under seat junk, not a drop down scrotum like helmet bag that can only be used when the scooter is parked.

However the new updated 2025 version looks a lot more promising, with better storage, a lot of tech upgrades, and an optional 10.25” display screen which I'd certainly have, as long as it couldn't be easily stolen by opportunist thieves.


The much exaggerated on maxi forums BMW Service Charges wouldn't worry me either, so that's a start. Plus there's a BMW Motorrad showroom a few miles from my home.

Anyway as Winter draws near and the cold weather gear comes out, it's something I'll be finding out more about over the dark cold months.

I have a Metropolis 400 that I bought new last June, putting my Swing in p/x for it. Wasn't sure at first if I was making the right move but having now owned it for over a year I have no regrets. I also thought about the SW version. They look a bit like a Goldwing type box/backrest but after reading several reports about them breaking away at the hinges and also not being as big a capacity as a separate box. I went for the Allure and bought my own fixing kit and Givi top box. One of my main reasons for changing was the ability to move the bike around on 3 wheels and not worried about dropping it as it was becoming a bit heavy for me. As you say there's reports of various faults but they seem to be mostly with the earlier version but from 2023 it was updated. I was also worried about dropping down from 600 twin to 400 single that it might be under powered but I find it ok. Also getting around 75 mpg on most runs. My riding buddy still has his Swing and I can keep up a good pace riding with him no problem. My dealer is about 16 miles from me. Might not be for everybody but it suits me.

Hello mate, I remember reading your post last year about getting a Metropolis so nice to hear from you again. I went up to to David Sykes Superbikes in Horden to look at a Metropolis when the current version first came out. I bought a lardass Burgman 650 from them when I lived in Cumbria, which I traded in for a Silver Wing a couple of years later.

I've also been to another dealership that used to have a Metropolis demonstrator and I looked closely at a new SW version that had been unpacked and was missing the screen and top box lid. I've already checked out various aftermarket screens and accessories from Europe, and there's a dealership in Holland whose website I occasionally look at.

I'll just keep sniffing about dealerships and online until something catches my eye whatever I finally choose. Anyway I'm glad you're enjoying your Metroplis and like me don't regret downsizing.

I'm still nosing about looking for the Forza's replacement in Spring 2025. I had a wander up to the Peugeot dealership last week, there's been nothing in the showroom for the last few months,

However I am encouraged after last weekends run out to a large motorcycle dealership in a town where I regularly ride to for lunch in one of my favourite haunts. It's out of town on an industrial estate where I've always meant to go to and never got round to it.

As  I rode up I was both surprised and impressed by the size of this dealership, more new and used bikes and maxi scooters lined up than I've seen for many a year, including the one I was interested in. I chatted to a couple of the friendly and knowledgeable sales team and I'd be very happy to do business with them.

The workshop area was most impressive too and far larger than your average dealers. I had a look at the model I was interested, and I'll go back at a later date to have a ride on their demonstrator.

I'm always quite amused to read posts on maxi forums from those saying they had a test ride on one. No they didn't, they were testing zilch, just given the opportunity to ride that scoot briefly to get a feel for it with a view of possibly buying one.

The downside of these 'test rides' is getting deluded into believing you're now an authority on that scooter. That from that ride you're more authoritative about it than someone who’s owned one for years and been out on it in all types of weather conditions and on all types of roads.

But I digress as I often do, I'm not saying what scooter has piqued my interest as this is the silly season and there might be something else all bright and shiny coming along for 2025. But it's the front runner, the dealer isn't too far away and ticks all the boxes.

As Ned Stark said 'Winter is coming' along with short dark days and salty gritty roads, so Spring next year is fine.

Just saying that Newcastle Motorcycles - I popped up yesterday for a chat with Paul, the salesman - have a some current-model Forza 350s which are available at discount prices so they can be cleared before the end of the year and the arrival of the Euro 6 Forzas.
I didn't ask prices as I'm not planning to replace my 350.

[Edited to correct a typing-error]

It's great to get the feedback from you gentlemen in the UK. Sadly scooters are still not a big item in the US, so I love hearing of the new machines from over the pond!

Yes, it must be very frustrating.
I gather the 2025 Forza 350s are not much different from mine; an ECU tweak and a revised dashboard are the two main upgrades.

The Forza 350's aren't that much different from the Forza 300 I bought 6 years ago. Mine is Euro 4, the 350 is Euro 5 with a few tweaks, mainly the instrument display as far as I can see.

Rather annoyingly for two scooters that look pretty much identical, Givi screens and rear luggage racks aren't interchangeable between the two. Different part numbers on the Givi website.

Isn't it Euro 5+ or Euro 5 plus that's now the emission standard for 2025 motorcycles and scooters.

I'm pretty sure Paul said the 2025 model would be ready for Euro 6 but I may have mis-heard.
I shall pay him a call in a couple of weeks' time; my pal's coming to stay for a week in December and is thinking of getting rid of his ageing BMW 1150RT which he never rides now and possibly buying a maxi.
He can have a good look round at all the bikes in the showroom.

I had a short demo ride on that maxi demonstrator yesterday. I wasn't interested in its performance, more its ergonomics, controls and instruments, if it has decent mirrors, and how easy it was to haul on and off its main stand. So my ride was in traffic and on some bendy B roads.

There was a lot to like, mirrors, overall weight and stand hauling was good, stock screen though lower than I prefer was pretty good too. Heated grips were fitted and even on a low setting I had to turn them down lower.

Feet flat riding position was good which is natural for me since I've had the Forza, feet forward was even better and the seat with its back support was very comfortable. It was easy putting both feet down too.

What I didn't like and noticed within the first couple of minutes of riding was the exhaust noise. It was intrusive even wearing a Schuberth full face and custom ear plugs.

If this noise was intrusive in town riding, it's only going to get worse on long motorway/autobahn rides. So on this flaw alone, it loses points. Which is disappointing as it's a very fine maxi scooter. I

Anyway I appreciate the helpful sales guy giving me the opportunity to take this demonstrator maxi out. In fact the whole dealership has a level of professionalism and enthusiasm which is sadly lacking in others.