"Shopping around" And thinking...

I am definitely going to the riders course so that is solved.
I am still not definite on which scoot to get but still have plenty of time!
I went back to the Honda site and took some second looks at some of the other models..
I only want Honda so that is resolved...
I showed my 27 year old daughter the cute pink metro thinking she would say get that lol I am not really interested at this point but She said nahh looks looks like its for a teen lol! I expected her to be taken by its cuteness lol!
Which actually when I was 19 and expecting her I rode one wasn't so bad lol but I want something more.
I figured it like this I absolutely adore the Silverwing! but What do I need? Mostly I am going to be using my scoot for downtown Memphis and surrounding area.
I thought maybe Silverwing with trike? Basically I am thinking through this.
I also liked the PCX150 that might be a good starter scoot. Any inputs on PCX150?

Another thing to consider is I haven't driven anything at all in over 10 years! so maybe I am jumping the gun on going for a silverwing??

I have had public transit right outside my door since I became a retired sailor in 2006 so never thought to drive anything. Especially since i had resided most of the past 8 years in San Diego (until I moved 8 months ago) and definitely didn't want to drive in that traffic nor pay the gas prices lol!

I will do as suggested and definitely go see in person and see what I am comfortable with.
Just kind of thinking through things as I come down to earth lol any input is fine I love honest opinions!

What ever you get I would start out with a used scooter. I know if no one buys new there won't be good used ones. But if you scratch it, it probably wouldn't be the first scratch or if you decide you chose the wrong scooter you have a better chance at recovering most of your money.

Yeah actually that's what I'm thinking too! Buy used but it's good to be reminded because lol I need to be brought back down to earth at times lol!

Here's my $0.02
I recommend a smaller scooter to start. If you are just doing urban riding, and no freeways, a 150cc is all you need. It will still go 60 mph if needed, yet have all the acceleration needed to keep you out of traffic's way. It will be light and agile enough not to scare you. Jumping on a Silverwing and riding it around town is not for the inexperienced. They weigh 550 lbs wet. I agree with Roger's post above. if you can find a used Honda in the 150cc range, like an SH150i or a PCX 150, start with that. They can be found very cheaply, especially in a large city like Memphis. Then, if that's not enough, look at a Silverwing later. The 3 women in my riding club who have Silverwings all complain about the weight, as well as the difficulty getting it on the centre stand. They don't ride relaxed, but always on edge and nervous. One, in fact, wants me to do complete maintenance on hers so she can sell it and get a 300 cc Forza.

mawmaw,

You should consider a Honda Reflex.  They are 250cc and 19hp and are like a small Silverwing.  They will take you on the interstate but my top speed on the Reflex I had was only about 70mph per gps.  But they are light weight and will give full weather protection.  Maybe do a search of a Honda Reflex and look at the pics and specs.  You can also do what is called the "K-mod" which will give it better pickup but I never got around to doing that.  They also get about 75mpg as well.

Here is cycletrader to get an idea of prices. The Reflex is bulletproof like the SWing is as well.

http://www.cycletrader.com/Honda-Reflex-Motorcycles----CycleTrader.com/search-results?make=Honda%7C2316874&model=Reflex&vrsn=hybrid

Thanks checking that out now

I looked I like that reflex! Thanks! It's powerful enough too! Good prices too! Well within what I was budgeting in for.. Now just waiting lol

There are scooter clubs in most large cities. You can usually find them online and see where they meet. Also there is a store called Cycle Gear ( there is one in Memphis) that carries a lot of cycle gear. Duh! The only problem is you may become infected with scooter fever and there is no known cure.    Good luck with your search.   

Lol very true! My daughter and son in law laugh at me about this scooter idea! Lol it's all in fun!
But I got my son in law good today when I mentioned the the word swing around them he laughed and said yeah a swing now at least she ain't talking about that scooter! Lol! I said while laughing duh swing =silverwing lol!

Food for thought:
You are on the right track!  As the days have passed you have reassessed what you want vs. what you need, that is a very important step.  Smaller displacement does not mean fewer capabilities.  Many of us started on much smaller rides and progressed through to the Maxi's we ride now.    

The next stage in the process is finding a scooter with the best "fit".  The best "fit" means your feet can comfortably reach the pavement, and the bike has a manageable weight.  The only way to do that is to go sit on as many different scooters as you can, you will know the right one by the way it feels.

I know you have your heart set on a Honda and that is a good thing, however there are many other (reliable) manufacturers out there with a variety of models in the 150cc-400cc range.  It would be a shame not to at least "try one on for size" to see how they feel.  If you stay with one of the big three (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha) and maybe Kymco and Sym there are about a dozen plus choices!

At the end of the day, you need to feel comfortable and confident that you can ride safe under any type of condition.  What I have offered here is my opinion, it is the same wisdom that seems to trickle down to those patient enough to think this decision beyond the "gotta have that" mentality.
My original Two-Wheeled mentor told me when I started riding that a 250cc bike is a great place to begin, not to little and not too big.

Very true! I am glad you and others here offer honest opinion. And glad I came down off the I have to have that obsession lol! You make very valid points as do the others here. Thanks to you and the rest!

mawmaw,
I would suggest you take a look at the Forza.
279cc, will do 80+, is just a little less leg room than the Silverwing.
Has enough power to be comfortable on the freeway should you need to.
70+mpg is what most conservative riders are getting, but it is rated at 68.
You will not need to upgrade from the PCX. Plenty of accessories starting to come out for it
such as the Givi mounts and screens. The Forza is light and nimble in comparison to the SW but just
as much fun. I have about 40k miles on my SW and 4k on my Forza which I purchased in Dec.
The first thing you will probably want to do is upgrade the windscreen on it.
Not meaning you should go get it, but just another consideration and it is Honda!

First get a lic.. MSF seems to be only game in town. We ride scooters, not drive them...different world.

You are doing all the right things in the proper sequence. Your contemplation on this scootering thing is gradually gelling into a concrete idea. You are looking for information before you jump in. At the end of this you will know the basic requirements before you register for your MSF course. You will have an idea about the proper gear that's required. You'll know about scooter insurance: more cc's more dough. More riding experience means lower $. And you will do your thing in the right order. That's responsible riding. Now, go get it !!!

My 86 year old [young] riding buddy started years ago with a Burgy 400 and then moved up to Yamaha V* with his last a 1300 - last year after the third time it fell over on him he decided to get something lighter - bought a PCX 150 and loved it. Problem was it didn't have quite the power to ride with our local group on our day trips into WI and he decided that the Forza was the scoot for him. Local dealers were slow in getting the Forza's on the floor and he talked to another of our senior group members who sold his MP3 and purchased a Kymco Downtown 300 which was much easier to handle. My buddy checked out the Downtown 300 and purchased one on the spot - when the Forza finally arrived he checked that out and was disappointed with the "fit" for him. He is very happy with the Kymco and has no trouble keeping pace with the Burgy 650's and SW's. Just another thought.

Rick V

Thumbs up on Kymco! For my money, Kymco makes the best scooters from 300cc and down. My wife and I rode a pair of heavy loaded Kymco scooters (People 250 & Grand Vista 250) from S. Florida to S. Maine and back. They performed flawlessly. Before my current SWing, I had an Xciting 500. Though spec'ed much better then the SWing, and totally reliable, some design issues I could not live with long term. Kymco supposedly built the Helix, and some of the Reflex engines for Honda. The new Kawasaki 300cc scooter is a restyled Kymco Downtown 300. Also the BMW scooters and their 650cc motorcycles use Kymco engines. Kymco makes great stuff!

mawmaw,

Since you said you wanted a Honda I only made suggestions for Honda's. But if you are willing to think of other bikes there are a few that would probably be good for you with a bit more power than the Reflex. The Kymco Downtown 300i has 27 or 28 hp and has more power than the Reflex but I'm not sure if it is as comfortable. The Reflex is a very comfortable bike IMO. Also, the Burgman 400 is a good bike but I would only buy a 2008 or newer. They re-designed it for 2007 and that year had some clutch problems but they fixed that problem with the 2008. From 2001-2006 is was a different engine and I have read that it used some oil. These are just a couple of bikes to also look at if you are willing to go from Honda. I'm not sure if the Kymco 300i is the same Kymco that BJ just talked about above.

Thanks to you all I will keep all of this in mind even the non-Honda scoots since you all have more experience so that is all appreciated! I guess I need to be more flexible but just don't want to wind up with a poorly made scoot... So figuring you all have tons more experience maybe I can look at others that are good and not necessarily Honda. thanks again!

The Kymco 300 is available as the Downtown 300i and the GT 300i. The GT has the large wheels and taller, more trim body style, reminiscent of the Piaggio Beverly series. Go to www.KymcoUSA.com to review their current models.

I fully agree with JeffR on the Suzuki Burgman 400 as being a great choice of maxi-scooter. We have a 2005 that has been totally reliable. I rode a new 2006 coast to coast without issues (other than legroom for my long legs) but the 2008 and above had many improvements, better power and other refinements.

Since we are expanding the repertoire, the Yamaha Majesty 400 is excellent, especially for a smaller person as it is a bit more compact, lighter and has scads of power.

Back when I produced Scooter Rider Magazine we did test review articles on many scooters. I plan to put these on my website for free download (eventually). If you get serious about a scooter, let me  know and I can see if there is an article.

Hi BJ, Back when I produced Scooter Rider Magazine we did test review articles on many scooters. I plan to put these on my website for free download (eventually).

I hope you will do this soon. Knowledge is power!

Hi Maw, You made two great decisions so far. Take the riders course (for which you must show up with a helmet, gloves, jacket and boots) and Honda. The form of the Honda will fall into place as you refine your needs. Is there an International Bike Show near you this year? This is a good place to see the brands and models as well as available gear.

ScooterBJ wrote:

Back when I produced Scooter Rider Magazine we did test review articles on many scooters. I plan to put these on my website for free download (eventually). If you get serious about a scooter, let me  know and I can see if there is an article.

BJ,

I know this is off topic, and I have said this before, but I really miss your magazine. I used to look forward to it every 2 months. I still have every copy of it and still read them. But I understand why you stopped. But for those that wasn't able to get copies when you were publishing these, they have really missed out IMO. By far the best scooter magazine I have ever read.

Mawmaw.... thank you for your service to our country. If I could, I would buy your ride for you. Unfortunatly .... Im too poor. Sounds like you are a very responsible lady... Good advice throughout this thread. Youll be just fine.
Good luck.
Gary

JeffR_ wrote:

BJ,

I know this is off topic, and I have said this before, but I really miss your magazine.  I used to look forward to it every 2 months.  I still have every copy of it and still read them. But I understand why you stopped.  But for those that wasn't able to get copies when you were publishing these, they have really missed out IMO.  By far the best scooter magazine I have ever read.

Jeff, I truly appreciate that. Funny thing -- I was nosing around at the huge Denver Flea market last fall. In a pile of old transportation manuals and magazines I found a copy of Scooter Rider Magazine. I never expected that.

I do plan to make all articles (except those in my book) available for free. A hard drive crash caused me to lose most original photography, and a lot of reference material. Thankfully I had the mags mostly backed up in pdf.

But to get me back on topic, Here is another my 2-cents: I never buy new as I do not want to take the initial depreciation, I tend to be good at finding deals, I do all my own work, I have never been stranded by one of my used scooters and I am a consummate tight-wad. This works for me, but certainly will not for all. Oh, so many opinions.....

My grandfather was a pro at southern white-trash philosophy and here is a quote that might offer perspective:
"Opinions are like A**holes -- everyone has 'em, and mostly they stink!"