Honda sh 300i long term review.

I have been the proud owner of a honda sh 300i for 18 months now.Bought brand new in silver,this is my first scooter after 25 years of various motorcycles.I believe you do not have the 300 version in the states just the 150cc.Interestingly we do not have the 150 version only the 125cc version.Anyway i believe the sh 300i has a bit of a reputation for being a wolf in sheeps clothing, let me tell you this scoot has a growl.Mine has 1500 miles on the clock now its quiet running 85 mpg ,if your sedate with the throttle.I have seen 90mph on the speedo and still going .The handling is really surefooted no problems in the wet, but is affected by crosswinds slightly.The seat is comfy for 50 miles or so then i take a break[old bones]ha.Those 16" wheels deal with potholes no drama and no spine jarring experience.I have fitted a puig screen too mine for added comfort and honda knuckle guards.Also have heated grips as cannot stand cold hands.The honda combined brakes with abs are truly amazing, would be very reluctant too purchase another bike without it.Things i do not like are; the storage underseat is small no full face helmet going in there,hence the topbox.Would have liked a slightly bigger fuel tank.And its looks lets face it not going too win any beauty pagents.But my biggest issue is not the sh but car drivers, they assume because your on a scooter you have no acceleration and they constantly pull out on me. The look on there faces when your bearing down on them, this is where the linked brakes come into there own.A friend with a 600 fazer said come out with me on the scoot we will go to a motorcycle clothing outlet ,when we got there he said too me what have you got in that thing a turbo ?I replied too him jokeingly perhaps your fazer needs a tune up ha.The sh 300i wieghs 164kgs and puts out around 26bhp does not sound alot ,but in the real world all i need especially as so manoverable in traffic.The new forza got some big boots too fill when it replaces the sh300 affectionately known as [scoopy].

  and in the proper section. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?   I try to learn one each day. Of course it may be the one from the day before that I have forgotten

Thanks hi yo for the applause ,how do you do that?Tried too post a pic but not having it so this old dog still got some tricks too learn ha.

What's the mpg ?

woodworker wrote:

Thanks hi yo for the applause ,how do you do that?Tried too post a pic but not having it so this old dog still got some tricks too learn ha.

The emoticons are to the left. To get applause click "view more emoticons" and go to "new smiles"   If you go to the main forum page and "tips on using this site" you can find threads on uploading pictures and other helpful information. Just play with the different screens. Also, if you want specific info, enter the search in the search box [upper left hand corner]. It's good for rainy days when you can't ride.

tankyuong wrote:

What's the mpg ?

85 per his review

Thanks hi yo, your right a wet weather play on the p.c.

Hi tankyuong , 85 mpg for the sh 300i, not bad ah.

Awesome

Thank you.

 Hi all managed too post some pics with the aid of my son.:lol!: Still learning day by day so give me a round of  Woodworker.

Well done bud

                   

Thanks for the applause chaps , do i win a prize aswell ha. 

Nice feedback! And a good looking scoot!

Ive had 2 sh 300's and they really are exellent machines, light , very quick, handle well and superb breaks, if I didnt take a pillion as much I would still have one.

Hi marco,number 1 scoot in italy .Cannot understand why the big red dropping them over here sales must be poor i guess.Interestly enough when i asked my local honda dealer why they have not got a honda integra or a 600cc swing on display ,they replied because they are so low volume sellers in the u.k.They sold 1 integra last year.Surely you should have your whole product range on display?They have the room,a controversial question now do you think the big wing will be phased out in favour of the integra?or a new replacement 600 forza maybe , be safe marco. 

Hi all scooterists, a big question too all the wing fans do not wish too offend anyone, but do you think honda will replace the big swing with the integra?Or maybe dare i say  a 600 forza, what do you think.? 

woodworker wrote:

Hi all scooterists, a big question too all the wing fans do not wish too offend anyone, but do you think honda will replace the big swing with the integra?Or maybe  dare i say  a 600 forza, what do you think.? 

To be honest, I am not even sure that Honda will replace the big SWing. Lots of rumors but bear in mind that Honda did not make a 2011 Gold Wing and then came out with an updated 2012 model... The Metropolitan was made in 2009 (in Japan) then no new models until 2012 (made in Taiwan or someplace). So perhaps the Silver Wing will get an update and reappear in a year or two... Who knows?

my honda dealer listed my silverwing ( before I bought it) as 'the last one', on his website, and I was told the silverwing was being fazed out in favour of the integra, which is going up to 750 cc by the way. If I were you woodworker Id be keeping your sh300 if they arn't in the 2014 model line up in the UK.

As it's been said many times before Honda updated and replaced the original FJS Silver Wing with the SW-T 400 and 600 variants a couple of years ago and it's available in Europe, but not the UK and USA. So Honda already have 300, 400, and 600cc scooters in their lineup, and 700 too if you class the Integra as one. It's also rumoured the Integra is going get a 750cc engine for 2014 along with the rest of it's current 700cc manual and DCT stablemates.

Nice review on your Scoopy - great scoot for around town - especially on hills where the SWing is a handful to park. Don't seem to be any Scoopy's in the USA. I don't think the Forza is going to make it in USA as it is too big and too little horsepower - there are other options that are lighter which is a big plus for City riding on a scooter. If you want to be SEEN - add a 35 watt HID (DDMTUNING.COM) to your scoot - it helps immensely.

All interesring pionts guys ,i did hear the rumour about upping the ponies on the n.c. range from 700cc too 750cc ,however did not hear the rumour about the integra.I got a gut feeling the integra will takeover the swings place in the u.k.[big boots to fill].As meldrew said can you class the integra as a scoot?Plus its so ugly too boot ha.I am off too the bike show in november will be taking a close look at the honda stand,and the piaggio stand believe they got traction control now who would have thought it .Ride safe guys.

I don't think the Integra is ugly, just different. I was looking at a used one in a Honda dealership in West Yorkshire this morning. To make it into a half decent tourer you'd need to shell out for a set of hard panniers and a rack and a large top box, and probably another screen and some handguards. I'm not sure Mrs M would like to be sat on the rather skinny pillion seat for 300 mile days either. Whether or not it needs upgrading to a 750 I've no idea.

Bike shows are a waste of time, you can't get near the scooters or bikes you're interested in for an procession of spotty Herbert's sitting on them while their equally spotty mates take photos on their mobiles. Ditto Dad and lad doing it too, and the brochure collecting saddos who get on them and proceed to get in a racing crouch with their chin on the tank, and wind the throttle open.

Meldrew wrote:

To make it into a half decent tourer you'd need to shell out for a set of hard panniers and a rack and a large top box, and probably another screen and some handguards. I'm not sure Mrs M would like to be sat on the rather skinny pillion seat for 300 mile days either.

Bike shows are a waste of time,

Meldrew - Great Integra insight! Thanks. Wonder why they don't sell them in USA? We seem to have fewer Honda models to choose from in USA - don't know why.

In USA we have the International Motorcycle Show that goes around USA to twelve major cities (Oct to Feb). For the one near me San Mateo CA, they bring along tons of bikes that you can oogle and sit on - crowds not too bad - go early. They have many vendors, dirt bike races, trick sports bike riding, and a huge number of bikes that you can demo ride - all of which is highly entertaining/interesting. Plus - you can get a lot of free stuff - not all of which is junk/trash. If you are in the USA go to motorcycleshows.com. Tickets range from $20 (1 day) to $30 (3 day) and if enter IMS14S (guessing that the S is for San Mateo so you have have to diddle with the last letter depending on your City - or call Progressive MC Insurance) to get a $3discount. If you have time you will find it quite the kick.

when I bought my silverwing , me and the wife sat on an integra which had 15 miles on the clock and 1000 pounds under list price. for comfort levels and weather protection the silverwing wins easily. I also had a test ride last year on an integra, found the DCT more of a 'gizmo gearbox' which was fiddly and unnecessary.

marco wrote:

when I bought my silverwing , me and the wife sat on an integra which had 15 miles on the clock and 1000 pounds under list price. for comfort levels and weather protection the silverwing wins easily. I also had a test ride last year on an integra, found the DCT  more of a 'gizmo gearbox' which was fiddly and unnecessary.

CycleWorld.com (http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/12/03/2013-honda-integra-scooter-first-ride/ ) gives the Integra a very decent review ("....the Integra, which handles and rides way better than any maxi-scooter in production today") . What I find most appealing is the structural rigidity in tight corners - which is lacking in my SWing. My SWing is a great ride - but not so on bumpy roads and manuevers in aggressive cornering. I never ride 2 Up so co-rider comfort is not a consideration. Wonder if it will ever come to USA?

Yes Diamond, I must agree that the integra handles well, its got bigger wheels than the silverwing, and the nc 700 engine is all good , I owned a nc700x when they first came out, but the silverwing is a better allround package. If it was just about the handling Id still be riding a fireblade.

Never thought the bike show would be like that meldrew,hope not when myself and twin bro get there .Never been before.I believe the 700cc engine in the n.c. range and integra are basically half a honda jazz car engine:o is that true anyone. 

woodworker wrote:

I believe the 700cc engine in the n.c. range and integra are basically half a honda jazz car engine:o is that true anyone. 

No  

"Project leader Soya Uchida laughed: “I got a hacksaw and cut a Jazz engine in half, but it really didn’t run very well, so we had to put some more work into the NC700X.”"

"This is a term from the car world and Uchida’s joking aside, here lies the clue to the roots of the engine: the technology and even some of the components come from Honda’s Jazz four-cylinder. The bore and slightly longer stroke (73 x 80mm) are the same as the car’s and so is all of the fundamental engine technology"

You can read all about here: http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/honda-nc700x-0

 Rarch read the report interesting stuff,like the idea of low centre of gravity as well.

Sorry to raise this old thread again however the Sh300i is once again available to purchase in the U.K. at £4799 sterling - the new model is euro 4 complient and has improved fuel economy - has a flat-floored step through design and is 1kg lighter than the previous model - it now features led lights front and back and has enough underseat space for a full face helmet - it also features a smart key system for effortless remote convenience - this scooter sits on sixteen inch wheels which offer superior comfort on the move - capable of over 90 mph and returning over 80 miles per imperial gallon it sure fits the bill for many a rider - perhaps the only negative point is that the fuel tank is under the seat - one can accessorise the scooter by choosing from a high windshield/knuckle guards/heated grips and top box - I'm still loving my 2011 model which is currently in hibernation for winter

Hello mate, it's horses for courses, the Silver Wing may be long in the tooth and finally discontinued in the UK, but it's a twin cylinder, feet forward scooter with decent weather protection and plenty of underseat storage, and is a very capable tourer.

The SH 300i is past and current form is a single cylinder, big wheel, feet flat scooter, and very capable for that type of scooter, but it's more of a commuter scooter than anything. woodworker was forever plugging his SH 300i during his time on here.

The new improved 2016 model was probably on display on the Honda stand at Motorcycle Live in Birmingham last week, I didn't bother looking.

Yes I totally agree with you - the Swing appears to have a worldwide following