Tell me about…Big Scoots

[KMD]

I’m seriously considering now, after a brilliant Austria ( Switzerland, Bavaria, Italy) trip on my RT, that arthritis is very soon going to prohibit my continued involvement in motorcycling. I’ve put off really thinking about it until now but if I don’t look at other options, riding will be over for me. So……

I’m starting to look at step- through Scoots like the TMax and Burgman. So far I’ve seen some decent Suzukis in particular the 650. But other than small capacity (moped and 125) scoots, I have no knowledge.

Clue me in please, what do you know? Ie…are they stable at speed….can they handle bendy roads and still be fun ? Is two up riding do-able? Is a day on them rewarding, can you cover distance on them ?

 

[Pukmeister]

The 650 Burgervan is big for a scooter, especially when compared to the others.

My “daily” is a 2011 Tmax Mk3. It’s the most capable bike for daily use I’ve owned. Easy to ride, pretty rapid, plenty of weather protection and storage especially with top box added. Reliable, I do my own home servicing which is reasonable money using a few special tools for the ‘variator’ to change the big primary belt. (No rubber rear wheel drive belt on the Mk1/2/3 models, mines an enclosed duplex chain running in an oil bath, the best version IMO). Lots of quality aftermarket parts from Italy/France.

So far in 54,000 miles I’ve replaced a fork leg plus fork seals (rust chip), replaced the clutch plates, two primary drive belts and two sets of front disks/pads (all consumables), the flasher relay failed (used part from a Fazer600 fitted) and the indicator switch needed stripping and contacts cleaning/lubricating. It’s also eaten a few sets of tyres, they are hard on front tyres if you ride like me. Needs an oil change every 3250 miles and a drive belt around 10k (alleged limit is 12k but I tried that and it snapped at 11.5k)

You can really make it hustle, nothing gets away from it if riding within their limits, obviously a Rossi wannabe on an S1000RR on a straight road will disappear quickly. Nimble and great for filtering through heavy traffic though.

A few simple mods like Garmin GPS mount, DIN power socket, heated grips and heated seat pad make a world of difference.

About 130 miles of normal (spirited) riding to a tank full, pretty comfy, cruise happily above legal speeds, I’d happily tour on it. Susceptible to heavy cross winds (like all bikes) but otherwise very stable and sure footed.

Whatever big scooter you choose, you’ll soon gel with it and be riding it like you stole it !

 

[stever1]

They’re great, and dont need to be big. I had an ADV350 and did 2500 miles in Europe on it. Just using a top box and the under seat storage .
The main thing is, it requires a change in mindset, that’s all.
If I win the lotto I’m going to have an X-ADV as well. Great fun in the twisties.

 

[wessie]

if the arthritis is lower limbs then consider the big MP3 so you do not have to hold weight on legs at junctions

 

[leadfarmer]

if the arthritis is lower limbs then consider the big MP3 so you do not have to hold weight on legs at junctions

The Kymco CV3 looks a good option too in the same category

 

[er-minio]

I’d consider x-adv as well, if you want it even more enjoyable/motorbike-like.

Unless you specifically want a big scoot (bathtub) layout.

 

[Arsey]

Had a new T-Max in 2017 ish.
Took it around Alps/Vercors with wife on back .1750 miles in a week .
All day comfy and would cruise at 100 mph .



Had a Honda ADV350 for a while until wife nicked it for work .
Very capable with huge underset storage . Would do 95mph flat out and 80mph, though not at same time .
Did a long weekend to Peaks on it and ended up waiting for mates on GSs most of time rather than other way round .



Now got a new 2025 X-ADV



I tried one when they came out but found it a bit cramped at 6’1” but the latest seems much better .

I’ve now fitted a comfort seat and top box etc




I’ve only ridden it locally on Guernsey but it’s already booked in to do Pyrenees and Alps next May .
Hard to compare until I ride it for longer days at speed but I’d say I prefer the X-ADV to the T-Max as it’s more involving . The DCT box is sublime and very tweakable .

The T-Max is now stupid money and I wouldn’t want one as an only bike whereas I can see me just having an X-ADV one day .

 

[KMD]

if the arthritis is lower limbs then consider the big MP3 so you do not have to hold weight on legs at junctions

Thanks for that, it does add something to the equation

 

[richh]

The Tmax is the epitome of scoots. Best performance, handling, quality.

Any of them will do if it’s been looked after. I’d go mk3 or later, can’t go wrong.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[leadfarmer]

For town work and commuting I’d say the 300 to 400 category is spot on, I use my Forza daily and love it

To go further a field more power and comfort would be nice but for the moment the choices are a bit limited,

The 750 Hondas to me are not “real” maxi scooters in that they have gearboxes and chain drive, they are motorcycles in disguise, although I’m sure they’re great I’d prefer a CVT

The TMax is a brilliant maxiscoot, but unfortunately it is ridiculously expensive new (in my opinion) and simply not worth the price. It’s also very expensive for servicing and bonkers for insurance, there’s a stigma attached to them here too

If the Kymco AK550 or upcoming AK575 could be worth a look

 

[wessie]

Kymco

the dealer network in the UK seems a bit shit. It looks promising on the website but most of the ones near me are selling farm utility vehicles or mobility scooters!

 

[johnnyboy]

I’m seriously considering now, after a brilliant Austria ( Switzerland, Bavaria, Italy) trip on my RT, that arthritis is very soon going to prohibit my continued involvement in motorcycling. I’ve put off really thinking about it until now but if I don’t look at other options, riding will be over for me. So……

I’m starting to look at step- through Scoots like the TMax and Burgman. So far I’ve seen some decent Suzukis in particular the 650. But other than small capacity (moped and 125) scoots, I have no knowledge.

Clue me in please, what do you know? Ie…are they stable at speed….can they handle bendy roads and still be fun ? Is two up riding do-able? Is a day on them rewarding, can you cover distance on them ?

If you want to just "dip your toe"; it would be worth looking at a Honda Silverwing 600, as they are relatively cheap. Atleast going that route and find it's not for you, it won't be an expensive lesson.

 

[leadfarmer]

the dealer network in the UK seems a bit shit. It looks promising on the website but most of the ones near me are selling farm utility vehicles or mobility scooters!

I’ve got a dealer in town but I have no idea if the SAV is any good or not

 

[Arsey]

The Tmax is the epitome of scoots. Best performance, handling, quality.

Any of them will do if it’s been looked after. I’d go mk3 or later, can’t go wrong.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not sure I’d agree.
The Honda Forza 750 has 10 more bhp and 14 more NM of torque than the T-Max .Its a bit heavier so probably similar in a drag race.
Quality is definitely on a par if not better and it’s £4k cheaper .

 

[TIJ650]

For me half the attraction is the “stigma”! Lol
They’ll smoke everything in the urban jungle and carry your groceries too. They’ll also embarrass a few on the twisties too
Tbh, I think that was the reason I bought my first GS years ago.
I’ll probably hate big scoots too when everyone figures out they’re the dogs bollocks and buys one

 

[casbar]

Traded my 1250RT two months ago for a new TMax. Best decision I made, it is brilliant. I do still have another bike though, but the scoot is a revelation.

 

[TIJ650]

Think they’re like free bus passes - everyone should have one at 65!

 

[GADGET]

I’ve got a 25 reg TMax, never had one before, I have had several other big scoots over the years, including the 750 ADV, only done about 300 miles so far, so not even the first service yet, I have put the Yamaha passenger back rest on it, for the Mrs, rather than a top box and she’s happy on it, but it’s early days yet. I px’d my NT1100DCT for it and definitely prefer the TMax

 

[Toshack10]

if the arthritis is lower limbs then consider the big MP3 so you do not have to hold weight on legs at junctions

Had one since 2017 and love it - I am now on my second
Super practical (I lug all sorts on mine and it's often used as the family taxi) and fine for bombing around but less fun on the motorway - it keeps up but the 300cc single lets you know it's a 300cc single hauling a lot of weight

 

[Orinoco]

I think a mid range scoot will be next for me, love the Himalayan, but getting on and off is a bit dicy these days with my dodgy back and I would like some weather protection again!

A friend has a 350 Forza which he regularly takes to Europe. He's had Givi pannier racks adapted to fit for when camping, his is a 2024 bike with electric screen, really handy.

Just a thought - is there a UK based forum for big scooters - a UKGSER equivalent?