still thinking on choice of new bike/scooter

As I get closer to buying another bike/scooter. Already bought 9 new rubber band drive scooters since 1990---getting tired of plastic panels and belt replacement.... ridden these rubber band things near 400,000 miles, so have some time on them.

78 in a few days, getting hard to do feet up U turns when I stop on small roads---SilverWing is heavy and can be very top heavy feeling loaded for long tours. Also hard to put over 500lbs pig on lift alone, thinking about all the expensive broken plastic that could happen in tipover.

My current SilverWing is 2013 left over and I have kept it longer than I usually do=starting to spend money on it...warranty done.

Current considerations= Suzuki TU 250---slow, never seem to break, easy to work on---already had one new---worked fine for my use, as far as Maine, WI, UP of Mich from Chattanooga. And Honda PCX150--has 3 HP less than TU, over road performance about the same. I like Vespa--had 4 in the past, 2 125's. P200E and P150E. I liked the 150 best, often used it for European camping trips----But for the price of a VespaGTS300 equipped with windshield, rack, etc.
I can/could buy both a new TU250 and PCX150 here!! nearest Vespa Dealer 125 miles and no large network of dealers in the US or Canada for that matter. Both Suzuki and Honda have dealer network in N. America.

One other possibility=Suzuki Burgman 400, best feature non-linked brakes!! But $8000 a lot for scooter that is about 100 pounds lighter than SilverWing. They work well for me--had 2 new ones, went as far as Alaska. Better Gas mileage than SilverWing.2016 left overs available in US market.

I do not buy used....as with the miles I ride and everyday use, I soon turn a new bike into used and I find warranty very nice.

So in real world TU250 or Honda PCX150?? Honda Forza 300 out as it appears to be one model year only in US(dead big scooter market probably cause). As I age no trikes for me---had 2 Messerschmitts in the 1950's---liked them,pusher 2 wheels in front, heater and by sliding the front seat out, you could sleep in them=nice when you had no money for hotels.

My decision will probably be TU250??

Turning 78 in a few days? Well thenHappy Birthday Mr Grinsel. I hope you are able to continue your riding career for many years to come.

John,
Welcome to the best Silverwing site on either side of the pond. A lot of great riders that can answer any questions you may have.  Nah, just joking.

My question to you is --- How much longer will you be able to do long distance riding? That should be considered when picking your next bike? Also --- Would you ever consider a bike with side car? You seem to have done a bunch of miles on them.

see no limits on when---living in boring place---getting away makes life interesting.

Sidecar---rode for 40 years-- show me modern machine other than URAL that made to take the strains of sidecar? Maybe Jawa 2-stroke? BMW's used to be sidecar strong---I bought new Harley in 1966 with factory tin sidecar---bike designed to take strain, engine couldn't really stand being run hard, keep the speed down=ok

Happy 78th ,,, in a few days, John !! Many more miles to ride so the next bike has to be even more special ---- and reliable. Have you ever considered some of what Kymco offer?

Mike

Kymco yes---but no dealer in Chattanooga, and dealer network in N. America??

John, when in Nova Scotia last summer ... did you go to Peggy's Cove? The Peggy's Cove Lighthouse is what I have there for the avatar.

john grinsel wrote:

Kymco yes---but no dealer in Chattanooga, and dealer network in N. America??

A quick Search by me using a random zip code for your area found two Kymco dealerships in Chattanooga that could fix you up.

Triumph of Chattanooga, and Scenic City Scooters.

Scenic city dealership=closed, Triumph of Chattanooga does ATV's, so nothing for scooters, is also BMW shop that offered me awful deal on trade for BMW scooter last year. Try to stay away from them.

I feel for you John, you're in a state with bad food, dirty rest rooms, and now a scarcity of decent scooter dealerships.

John,

Here is a suggestion: Keep the Silverwing for long distance riding and buy a PCX 150 for in town errands.

Nothing wrong with having more than one bike to take care of the motorcycle needs of a serious rider like yourself.

Get old,78, SilverWing is just too heavy/too big, really enjoy for long trips to strange places. Can tip over in parking lots, etc. Mine is also getting up in mileage/always like new, something different.

Probably will get my second Suzuki TU 250---they don't break, easy to work on/keep up.

Never have liked heavy bikes--had one new barge, Kawasaki 1200 Voyager, so heavy center stand worked like jack. Had 4 HD big twins, set up right they were ok--solo seat/no junk added on/engine could really not take hard running--vibration, too.

John

I think the TU 250 is a good choice & quite a small frame sized motorcycle (your aware as youve already owned if i read correctly)

They do go on forever and are easy to maintain. A mate of mine is 1800 miles into a trip to Croatia and back on his as I type his running mate is on a Suzuki RV125 Van Van.

Now as an alternative how about considering the RV 200 which I believe is now marketed stateside but the 180 rear tyre can put some folks off

John, I am surprised that you are thinking about another Suzuki TU250. Have you changed your mind about bikes without center stands? You commented the following on October 16th 2016

Quote :

Getting harder to find something that will work for me and my riding needs.....and I will not buy anything that has no centerstand----I rode my TU 250 10,000 miles (worked fine) but got tired of NO CENTEREDSTAND. I have had over 75 new bikes/scooters so some brand experience with lots of miles ridden.

I hate to live with no center stand---can make/use swing arm support for chain oiling or even try Loobman chain oiler Other maint. put it on my lift where it is held upright.

The question is? What else is there on US market that can be loaded up (rack/top box for dog/metal tank for magnetic tank bag -waterproof/choice of windshield -round handlebars)? Maybe a little overpriced, Suzuki still has fairly large US dealer net work, in case of trouble. Nut and screw valve adjustment nice.

[quote="john grinsel]<>The question is? What else is there on US market ...<> [/quote]

What about a Honda Forza NSS300.

I hope the big companies stroll thru the forums and are listening to you, John. A Grinsel edition with all your requisites would be nice ! Heck, I'd buy one in a few years.
Jay.

The Forza may be a one year only in US--that scares me. I test rode one=ok, nothing special....am getting tired of drive belts and plastic to take off.

The Honda Forza was available thru 2016. Honda of Chattanooga shows to have a 2016 in stock on their new inventory list of their website. Southern Honda shows a 2014 model for $3997.00
You have mentioned in the past the Yamaha SR400. Have you ruled that one out?

I can live with SR400----had a new SR500----but the SR 400 isn't cheap, don't mind kick start but Hepco & Becker rack/hard bags really expensive add on plus windshield---makes it more money than I might want to spend for low performing bike.