Downsizing

I've been seriously thinking for some time now about downsizing from my Silver Wing back to a smaller single cylinder maxi. This is where I started 20 years ago with a Helix and I toured on single cylinder 2-stroke MZ's for about 10 years before that so it's not a big deal for me to go back to a smaller capacity scooter.

I've lost interest in the Honda after almost five and a half years, I don't 'love it' as some owners claim to as it's just another scooter. It's a very good tourer, solo and with a passenger and I've enjoyed riding it in stock trim without all the unnecessary farkling that goes own here. But I'm ready for a change and the average salesman/dealer doesn't give a toss at trade in time that you've fitted a load of HyperPro and Joe Pulley stuff. I'll take off the Airflow and put the pristine but rubbish OE screen back on. 

Since the 250cc class is long dead in the UK, a 300 maxi knocking out 22-25 BHP and weighing around 200kg will suit me fine. I noticed the 30kg weight loss immediately going from a 650 Burgman to the Silver Wing, so I'll be pleased to drop another 45kg getting a 300. Nothing currently from the Japanes Big Four really interests me so I'll be looking at SYM and Kymco.

Hi Meldrew, I had a whizz out on a Kawasaki J300 which is virtually rebadged Sym I believe. Very nippy, light and comfy too. Will be interested to hear your views on the smaller scoots!

Crustycrutch wrote:

Hi Meldrew, I had a whizz out on a Kawasaki J300 which is virtually rebadged Sym I believe. Very nippy, light and comfy too. Will be interested to hear your views on the smaller scoots!

The Kawasaki J300 is basically the Kymco Downtown 300i ABS rebadged, I looked at one yesterday.

Hi meldrew
Have you looked at the piaggio x10 350cc scooter google shows a dealership in york the specification do tick some of your requirements in your post

jodders1 wrote:

Hi meldrew
Have you looked at the piaggio x10 350cc scooter google shows a dealership in york

Hello mate, yes there is a Piaggio dealership in York they've MOT'd my Silver Wing for the last three years, there's also Piaggio dealers not too far away in Leeds, and Hull. The Piaggio range has never really appealed to me, and to me the X10 is just plain butt ugly. 

I'm not looking for suggestions, I've more or less decided on what I want already, but there's a couple of alternatives I'd like to look at before I make a decision.

I sincerely hope that you'll continue to haunt this site once you leave the SW behind. This place would be greatly diminished without you.

Mel be sure to post an update on what ever you decide. Stick around w or w/o the wing.

I, too look at down sizing.....less dead weight. Helix I liked....and they worked, bought 4 new ones ended up with 175,000 total Helix miles......only walked once/broken drive belt.

Current US market......probably only Honda Forza would work for me--think dealers if you ride a lot.