Been riding for over 40 years and never had a scooter, never even sat on one but last year just fancied giving it a try. Looked at the adv but they were all just preorder, found a 2 year old BMW C400GT with 400 miles on it so got that instead. Still have all my other bikes but love this one for getting around great seat for comfort and a pillion. Sits two up at 70+ think top end does about 90+mph not bad for a 350 single and gets about 80mpg. Heated seat/grips, braided brake hoses with twin discs and radial mounted callipers etc. Not bad handling either 15” front 14” back but they are the width of bike tyres at 120/150 that really helps. Just wish I’d tried one earlier👍
I've been driving motorcycles of all kind for 20 years. It didn't excite me anymore and only saw the negatives of motorcycles. But recently I rode a Forza 350 and I really was having fun again test driving it. Lightweight, good wind protection, low maintenance (I hate chains) and maintenance-costs. No heat from the engine in summer (I hated that too), no vibrations and so easy to drive. I loved it. A scooter, and probably the Forza 350 will be the reason that I start driving a 2 wheeler again. 😎
Just traded in my CB500f for SH125i and it's the best decision I've ever done. The nightmare of carrying your helmet and other stuff is finally over, I can stroll around, go to work like I'm in a car leaving all my gear in the scooter , awesome stuff 😊
@@Borderman47 ha thats cool, I think if I tried one I may want to buy one is my concern....I have a similar style SINNIS bike review coming soon ....I enjoyed that too
I think new scooters are horrendous prices. However there are some 2nd hand bargains if u watch and wait. I paid £2k for 2012 with 2000 miles on ( been on a camper). It looks and rides as new. It will cruise at 70 or nimble around town same size as sh125. Biggest bonus is belt drive if u ask me. Bloody chain maintenance. On my honda 125s I had to soak my chain in diesel every few months as rusted and seized even with chain guard. It was used 365 days. I think they have come on a mile nowadays.
i have more than 3 reasons. extremely practical, no transmission maintnance appart from belt change every 18000km (easy to do at home), very low centre of gravity making city commuting between cars easy, both brakes on the handlebar, good weather protection, instant acceleration and reprises without having to select the right gear, good space under the seat for helmet and stuff (no mine but still a lot of space under seat) and so on...disadvantages? Not so good looking as a pure naked bike, not as powerful and most not as engaging or visceral when riding.
I like that ADV350, ER, and what you said about older riders certainly rings true. I'm getting to the stage now where I seize up easily and something like this Honda with no gears and plenty of room to stretch the legs certainly hits a soft spot.
Nice and easy to pull out the garage is a major bonus as well Jim. That was something that always stuck out with me when I had the ADV....It was never a bind to pull out and go to the Chinese or shop.
I kinda fall into the second category, they're easy to ride. I'm 60 and last year I decided I wanted a motorbike. After failing my CBT twice on a manual, I passed on a 50cc scooter. I then decided to do my Mod 1 & 2 on larger automatics, probably a Honda DCT. I really cannot be bothered at my age to learn the clutch and gears. My instructor said there are more people nowadays going down the automatic route. I aim to do my Mod 1 & 2 this year. My dream is to own a Honda CMX1100 DCT.
First time on a motorcycle at 58 and passed the skills test here in the States although I almost put a foot down doing a figure-eight in the box. My wife actually scored better than I did. Anyway, finally got around to buying a bike at 60 and have been daily commuting ever since. I love riding, but I'm done with manual shifting. Killer on the grip too in stop-and-go traffic. Owning a Honda DCT is on my bucket list.
Have just got an ADV350. Brilliant piece of kit. The other advantage of a scooter is keeping it clean. My BMW 1200 GS would throw road muck and salt all over the front of the engine and exhaust. Had to wash it after every ride in the winter. In contrast, the ADV has a superbly designed and deep front mudguard which keeps the front end of the bike free from crud.
I've been riding bikes since I was 15 I'm now 76. I never had a car always small scooters for the week & a motorbike for weekends or day trips in the Alps. I moved up to the Honda ADV 350 mainly because it has a motorbike suspension. After one year of ownership, I found I was riding the Honda more than my Tracer900GT. It has all the advantages you mentioned plus It's as quick as the tracer doing legal speeds. The Tracer is a bike you want to ride fast so it's very easy to lose your points on the other hand the ADV is so much fun to ride within the legal limits most of the time.
Rode bikes continually for over 50 years before trying a scooter, now have two scooters in the stable (nmax and xmax) hardly ever ride my bikes now. Scooters are relaxing to ride plus my knackered knees do not help. Toured Spain on my xmax last year, fantastic piece of kit with plenty of storage.
Funny how in places like Italy, France, Spain etc so many people ride scooters and they’re cool. But here there is a stigma attached, so if anyone is worried about street cred, they won’t have one. By the time you need one for physical reasons, you don’t care anyway 🙂
Yeap exactly, It is quite snooty over here for scoots. the only thing that bothers me about them is the feet position and it looks like side saddling and a little nancyish...apart from that I like em.
I'd add that Scooters are just fun. I've owned four scooters and my current one is a Kymco Agility 300 with 16 inch front wheel. Yes, I also ride proper motorcycles currently a Triumph Tiger 1050. Kymco is the goto transport for around town. Easy to park and very frugal plus at my age (68) I like the fact you can move your feet around on the floorboards which is difficult on most motorcycles except the heavy cruisers. Do yourself a favour and bring joy to your life by owning a quick 300 scooter; any Brand. Cheers
We definitely need a bigger scooter presence in the US. Most dealers don't want to be bothered or just carry the low cc ones. I can understand the desire for a large cc motorcycle for long distance highway travel, but I think the majority of daily urban motorcycle commuters like me could embrace the practicality of a scooter over a motorcycle if there were more choices. My FZ6 is fun to ride, but in reality, I'm just making short bursts between traffic lights on secondary roads during my 6-mile one-way commute. The highway is usually too congested to bother with and I rarely get over 45 mph to enjoy the speed if I do take it. I'm ready to get one, but I want something larger than a PCX 150.
I'm a bit late but thought I'd mention that I have done several return trips in Thailand from Chiang Mai to Maha Sarakham. There's a great mix of flat and winding hills, on a 155cc NMax. 9.5 hrs down and 10-11 back (haven't figured that out yet). It is the limit of riding reasonably comfortable, speeds often in 100-110kph range but avge at 75. Only a weekender backpack under the seat and lone rider. 2 up would make the bike work too hard and would surely take 2 days. The 350 will take 2-up on a comfortable tour through hill and Dale. JMO
I bought a 400 Burgman last year, great transport and more fun to ride than it should be, the storage and weather protection were a revelation. It was written off 6 weeks after getting it, I found out the hard way that being a little lower than on a traditional bike, other traffic just don't see you. The elderly gentleman that knocked me off didn't see me until I was on the floor, I was off bikes 2 months with a fractured ankle and pulled shoulder, I didn't replace the Scooter with another because I now feel more visible higher up on a traditional bike.
Thats a good point DC, thats the issue with Maxis isnt it, although the ADV is very upright....I find cruisers the worst for that, certinly the 500 Rebel for example is very low albeit decent led front light.
Hi Exeter rider I've got a honda x11 and a burgman 400 I ride the scooter more than the x11 people need to not be so closed minded still its their loss .Keep up the good work 😊
your comment is spot on johnj, my pride and joy is a thruxton 900 and her stable mate is gts 300, poles apart, but love them both gts is the go to machine these days just so easy, and that's from a dyed in the wool Biker of 47 years, ride safe
Im a big guy and love the suspension and ergos of the ADV 350 here in Thailand. The handlebar is very UN-scooter like being wide like the dirt bikes we all grew up with. Wish it was sold in the USA.
Having done the London Taxi knowledge twice, once on a cg125 bike and later on a piaggio twist and go, it's got tob a scooter every time! Can't beat them in town!
i'm on my second scooter now, first was a piaggio medley 125 which i had for 6yrs and did over 50k miles (which started to struggle at that mileage) i now have a honda forza 125 (2023) and i'm loving it hopefully get the same usage maybe more as it got more power to the engine
When you're old enough to remember Mod's & Rockers, scooters and motorcycles are at opposing ends of the spectrum. That said, in my teens-twenties I was a member of a local bike gang, one of whom rode a Honda C70. Having 9 brothers and sisters it was all he could afford and each year another sibling vied for street cred.
A friend has an ADV350 and raves about it. I have a small scooter but don't like the riding position, so I'd rather have a motorcycle. Also, I like changing gear. They are no cheaper to run than the equivalent sized motorcycle. Storage is the plus point for scooters. And keeping your feet dry. Nothing else.
Good one ER actually that 350 would great as a winter hack just for those short trips out and if the weather turns to crap like it normally does then it doesn't matter maybe even more fun certainly less worry I reckon .Would be good to have one in the back of the garage for sure .Nice one 😉👌👍
Very good reasons, I know sometimes us bikers give scooters a bad name but they do serve their purpose really well, and there's a reason why all the delivery companies use them, the most practical use of 2 wheels. Great video mate, hope you're well.
I couldn't agree more. They are an excellent way into motorcycling. You can learn balance, handling and traffic awareness on something so easy to ride. Being economical and having good storage, I will keep a 125 scooter as well as a bike. You now seem able to get your leg over on a regular basis and I hope that continues for you for many years 😂😂😂😘
Very much so Lilly, I have got my leg over far more than I did in my earlier years . Im alot softer than what i was though, I mean when my beautiful soft buttocks are on the seat. They say as life goes on things get harder. I'm not finding that the case.😂 O yes and I agree with everything you said there : )
I'm open to trying but they turn me off on so many levels , let alone paying for the extra wheel set up etc. Lifes expensive enough....you never know unless you try I guess!!
I have a 300 Forza for commuting and shopping and a BMW R 1200RT for touring - works for me! The Forza is so relaxing and easy to ride, lots of torque and with after market shocks goes round corners really well. One problem with scooters are the plague of pot holes that has appeared with the rise of super heavy EV cars - some of these pot holes are very deep and can bottom out the suspension on a scooter - the front end upgrade is planned for the autumn. Apparently EVs may be banned form multi-storey car parks because they are so heavy - that green stripe on the number plate will mean more and more inconvenience for the owners I fear.
I’ve noticed that your handguards are mounted inverted (left on right and op), I had the same issue with mine ADV until I have one of them replaced, you should check it out, now upper side of hand is poorly protected from wind :)
At one time I played with an Aprilia Habana . Despite being a 50 it really was a laugh. I even managed the odd overtake on the 60mph A149. Clean, plenty of storage and half decent weather protection. I expected it to be a pain but thoroughly enjoyed it. The more modern scooters must be great ULEZ busters ( apart from London’s thieves 😢)
I'm really thinking of (eventually) getting a 125-160cc scooter for short 1-2 mile errands. Its a distance where the car is too much if you just want a loaf of bread, and the motorcycle looks silly and too much of a chore (I've tried to fit a Swiss roll on my tank before). I think scooter would be best.
Hallo i test drove one today in Greece it is extremely good scooter this except one thing. Here in Greece especially in Athens we have very bad roads and the rear suspension was hitting very hard. The dealer said that it could be fixed if you try an ohlins suspension this may reduce the problem. Do you know any solution to this problem? Thanx your videos are awesome!!
Depends on budget Danny, and is it a scooter only you want?. The old 650 burgmans were great tourers. I had one, you could get 2 full face helmets under the seat too👍
@exeterrider Have thought about burgman but only seem to find either very early ones or not in good condition, other bike can't get away from is nc750 dct, like both models of nc but which 8s the question if did go down that route. Thanks for replying, Dan
Scoots are great, I'd love the Honda X-ADV 750 if I had the funds and room, TBH, I wouldn't mind an old Vespa or Lambretta either... but that would not be for any of these reasons in this video! 😀
Yes I've always fancied a Quadrephenia style weekend away with like minded folk. How fun would that be! Bit of Northern soul and all that would be awesome!
The seat is to Highmore these old legs over it & I can't flat foot it .I wanted a x adv 750 . I'm not sure witch is the case either. I'm getting smaller, or the bikes are getting bigger
Will you be doing a full review of the ADV? I have the Forza 350 and contemplating whether to swap it for the ADV version with its better front suspension.
Do not expect huge differene. I rode both. ADV have bigger clerance. For trafic filtering or leg protection Forza is better option (I own ADV). But ADV has some great features. This is NOT offroad bike (some guys do not get marketing)! Just ADV style.
As you know Exmouth, I’m a huge fan of scooters of all sizes. I just love the practicality of them. The weather protection when you get caught in a shower, the storage capacity, the fact that you can usually find a gap to park them right next to where you are going. That ADV is very tempting but too pricey for me. Something like that would be a lovely “old man bike” when I can no longer manage motorcycles. Cheers Exmouth. I bet it’s great when you head off to the big smoke. I bet it cuts through that Exeter traffic like a hot knife through butter. Love the scoots ! El Outro and Roby 👍
Yes a lot to be said for them and if I didnt have a cat lucency then perhaps that would be the way to go. The only thing I don't like it's the over rev waiting for the cvt to bite.... But with the Hondas, that isn't a issue with the esp drive units. El outro to you both 🐕
@@exeterrider What is a "cat lucency" ? Is that an Exmouth thing ? Ruby says that anything nasty you do to cats is a good thing, she's all in favour of it ! I don't mind the CVT slip myself, all part of the fun. It is a pain in slow manoeuvres but I like the challenge ! Cheers Matey, should be off out on my Meteor in a moment 👍🏻 El Outro y Roby
Damn, sorry ER I have no idea what that had meant to say.... my phone is awful at self correcting my already crap spelling.....cat lunacy it certainly is , been drinking too much muff water me thinks!
@@exeterrider Having oiled and fired up my own personal enigma machine I have deciphered your reply. I believe that 'cat lucency' was actually intended to be 'car licence' ( so pretty close really 😂 ). So you were saying that if you didn't have a car licence, a scooter would be the way to go. Keep those encoded messages coming Exmouth, you never know who might be listening in, possibly some of those devious Exeter types ! Mum's the word ! El Outro out !
Looking at getting a adv350 or the big brother the x adv 750 not to sure what to do is the x adv is 750 worth an extra 5k please comment if you have tried both the bikes
I would happily ride a CVT machine with in built storage but I would want it in motorbike-format. This is because I am 6'4'' and do not want the higher foot-boards as I don't want my knees up round my ears (not with this type of riding anyway...ʕ ꈍᴥꈍʔ ) and I want larger wheels given the state of our roads. I fondly remember the Gilera DNA but it was far too small for me
Yes I know what you mean with the higher footboards, I think that is my only gripe with scoots is the leg postion they put you into...its almost like ladys side saddling.
They are rather like an armchair on wheels and I prefer the security of a leg each side of a motorbike but I just couldn't find one low AND light enough for me to learn to ride. Hence the scooter.
@@lilynorthover8378I've always had the habit of riding my road bike in the high end of the gauge so I quit when my son was born. I was so anti-scooter until I traveled Asia, the 'armchair' thing is exactly what hypnotized me and lit me up. Cruising the back roads with all the sounds of nature and the views, all seem so much bigger and better. I'm 70 and itching to get a m/c also, but I'm broken in places so I may get a Himalayan. Just hate to b/c they're so darn trendy.
@@RonniesRambles if you want to be untrendy, why not try a Honda CL 500. Service intervals are thousands of miles and the longest I've heard of for valve checks on a Honda is 24 years🤣 Comfort wise Exeter Rider's Honda a 750 comes as an automatic.
I dare to disagree with you regarding. I have had just normal motorcycle but sccootes due to the belt change and all the plastic ar concidered to be quite espensive to maintain.
Belt changes hardly ever need doing on scoots....some ive seen have done over 50k without a change. Belts are a very good way for next to zero maintenance in my eyes.
I know what you mean there Mick, and I had a bit of that when I owned mine but you know what F*** em😀 your the one smiling through the traffic and getting into parking spaces while they struggle and have to concentrate. Only here once buy want you want to ride, all the good bikers (95%) of people will treat you the same.
@@adrianleach1670 well said mate. Infact I just rewatched it and I was past the roadworks by the time I went over 50 so I was within then..... Anyway🙄😉😂😂
Me too, When I was loaned this scooter girls were jumping off buildings and running in the road ,chasing me down the street so it did have an effect for sure.....Or maybe it was that cat I ran over?
