A daft scooter question from an arthritic rider

[Wag]

I'd really like a scoot. Angsted over the white adv that was for sale a few days ago, but its now sold....decision made for me!
I had the aprillia sr max 300 about 2014 new. Fab scoot alongside my triumph. I still regret selling it.
Now have a lovely Tracer, but I'm sure I'll end up on a scoot sooner or later. Maybe get one alongside the Tracer and evaluate which one gets most use before I fully commit to one bike.
For me I think it's a culture/perception thing for some perverted reason.

 

[Pukmeister]

Careful what you wish for. My Tmax has turned every other bike I've owned into garage ornaments.

 

[Wag]

Careful what you wish for. My Tmax has turned every other bike I've owned into garage ornaments.

That's the conundrum. I definitely used the sr max more than the triumph on a daily commute when I had it, but swerved back to the triumph for the longer runs, which worked, but I should have given the scoot a chance on a weekend away, or at least a 100 mile plus run.
Would I miss the quick downshift overtakes and all that stuff?
Then there's the fab storeage on a scooter.

 

[Bryn]

I think that eventually an Adv350 will replace my FJR1300 ( when it gets to the point where it’s just too heavy to push around) never had a scooter but I’m reading so much positivity about the Adv350

 

[casbar]

Would I miss the quick downshift overtakes and all that stuff?

I found on my TMax that overtaking needs a little more planning, which isn't a bad thing, compared to my RT. Like @Pukmeister, since I bought the TMax, it gets used way more than my other BMW

 

[alan29]

That's the conundrum. I definitely used the sr max more than the triumph on a daily commute when I had it, but swerved back to the triumph for the longer runs, which worked, but I should have given the scoot a chance on a weekend away, or at least a 100 mile plus run.
Would I miss the quick downshift overtakes and all that stuff?
Then there's the fab storeage on a scooter.

My usual days out on my ADV are 150 miles+. Its ideal. I find I need fewer stops than I did on bikes.
I ride mostly in N Wales/Snowdonia, so what I don't miss is the nagging feeling that there was something frustrating and wasteful about riding a 100hp+ machine on roads with 50 or 60 mph average speed cameras, where 29hp is ideal.

 

[Wapping]

For me a scooter allows me the freedom and versatility to go anywhere that takes my fancy……

Doesn’t a small’ish motorcycle do the same?

 

[Wapping]

I found on my TMax that overtaking needs a little more planning, which isn't a bad thing…..

I watched a fellow on a small’ish scooter, struggling to overtake a car up a steep hill in north west London yesterday lunchtime. I’d estimate that the twerp was hung out in the opposite lane (it’s not a very wide road and cars can hurtle down) for 10 or more seconds as he inched his way past.

He was very lucky nothing came down the hill…..

 

[alan29]

I watched a fellow on a small’ish scooter, struggling to overtake a car up a steep hill in north west London yesterday lunchtime. I’d estimate that the twerp was hung out in the opposite lane (it’s not a very wide road and cars can hurtle down) for 10 or more seconds as he inched his way past.

He was very lucky nothing came down the hill…..

He's lucky Darwin wasn't invoked. Or maybe a motorway lorry driver?

 

[Wapping]

He's lucky Darwin wasn't invoked. Or maybe a motorway lorry driver?

I was thinking much the same.

 

[steve hughes]

I found on my TMax that overtaking needs a little more planning, which isn't a bad thing, compared to my RT. Like @Pukmeister, since I bought the TMax, it gets used way more than my other BMW

Im at roughly 2.5 to 1 more miles on my Vespa than my F700gs. Its just easier, and others have said the lack of power rarely becomes an issue under 70 mph.

 

[Bryn]

Twist and go.. literally

 

[Wapping]

Twist and go.. literally

It’s funny how many bods decry automatic motorcycles, some as much as implying it’s an insult to their manhood. But, on a scooter, it’s the dog’s nuts.

 

[Pukmeister]

It’s funny how many bods decry automatic motorcycles, some as much as implying it’s an insult to their manhood. But, on a scooter, it’s the dog’s nuts.

As the saying goes Richard, "When you know, you know".

 

[TYKEBBS]

I love my ADV 350 ...purchased in April this year and 1600+ miles covered without a hitch..it is very different to the selection of big bikes I've owned over many years and as such requires some adjustment to get used to it...in a way it's 'too good' as sometimes I lose that sense of engagement that I enjoyed with a motorcycle...but considering all facts my scooter is the best option for me at my advanced years (75)

 

[Asturcon]

After years of varying 'big' bikes my ability to ride these types of bikes had become too difficult and I was concerned about my safety in this respect

In April this year I swapped my then bike (BMW GS 310) for a Honda ADV 350 a very short period of adjustment (rear brake is where the clutch would normally be found) I am now totally smitten withe the ADV, it takes me everywhere any of my past 'big' bikes took me and does it in extreme comfort...there is also so much storage under the seat that you could store a weeks shopping there..and it averages around 80mpg

See here

I'm sure I will be shot down for this, but the Zontes 368G has more power, looks better, and has all the bits you pay £1500 for on the Honda as extras. In fact, about the only choice you have is whether to take the free year's insurance or the topbox. So if you add all the bits that are on the Zontes (which, BTW has very good write-ups) onto the Honda ADV 350 you get a price of £8,694 versus the Zontes at £4,999 OTR all included. And I haven't mentioned that the Zontes comes with wire wheels, because you are supposed to be able to offroad with it.

 

[leadfarmer]

I love my ADV 350 ...purchased in April this year and 1600+ miles covered without a hitch..it is very different to the selection of big bikes I've owned over many years and as such requires some adjustment to get used to it...in a way it's 'too good' as sometimes I lose that sense of engagement that I enjoyed with a motorcycle...but considering all facts my scooter is the best option for me at my advanced years (75)

Fastest colour too

 

[alan29]

I'm sure I will be shot down for this, but the Zontes 368G has more power, looks better, and has all the bits you pay £1500 for on the Honda as extras. In fact, about the only choice you have is whether to take the free year's insurance or the topbox. So if you add all the bits that are on the Zontes (which, BTW has very good write-ups) onto the Honda ADV 350 you get a price of £8,694 versus the Zontes at £4,999 OTR all included. And I haven't mentioned that the Zontes comes with wire wheels, because you are supposed to be able to offroad with it.

No nearby dealers. Parts supplies. Service intervals - Zontes 3000 miles, Honda 8000. Badge.

 

[John Armstrong]

As much as I enjoyed the two years I had my ADV350 I wanted a little extra power for when overtaking up hills / past a queue. The Tmax does it 1000% better, but if I hadn't been able to afford the Tmax then I'd have happily accepted the lack of power as it's only noticeable a minor percentage of the time on the road.

The Tmax's service intervals are silly, every 3000 miles for an oil change, so whenever I've been to Europe, I've had the oil change done at a dealers near the port, or earlier this year,, in Cadiz.

 

[casbar]

No nearby dealers. Parts supplies. Service intervals - Zontes 3000 miles, Honda 8000. Badge.

Just about every blogger who reviews Chinese bikes are paid to give favourable reviews. So until someone comes along who owns one, you don't really know how good it is.