Over the past four years of uploading RU-vid videos, I have been known to go through motorcycles like toilet paper. Buying, selling, trading, it’s something that I get a kick out of and has constantly brought fresh content to the channel. I mean let’s be real if I would have stayed doing the same things that I started with I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. Not only in numbers but more importantly in the experiences that I have had.From dirt bikes to Grom’s, Harley’s, Sport bikes and scooters, I’ve gotten the chance to test out a bike in pretty much every category. I still need to get my hands on a proper adventure bike.
In my early life I was quite materialistic, holding on to pointless possessions, always worried about losing things and attached so much value to objects rather than experiences. It eventually got to the point where having so much stuff was exhausting overwhelming and I slowly started to let things go. Now I completely understand family heirlooms and have some of my own but that’s not what I’m talking about. When you have kept the same pack of unused pencils from the book fair back in elementary school you know you have a problem.
Years later I am still far from a minimalist, but I am getting there and let me tell you it feels damn good. At the end of the day stuff is just stuff and most of it can be replaced, but out of all of the motorcycles I have bought and sold, there is one that I still find myself missing. And as a matter a fact, it’s not technically even a motorcycle, but a land yacht of a scooter.
That’s right, out of all the expensive toys that I have had this is one machine that I just had to get my hands on again. As you can see we are back in rural Ohio but here in another week we will be carving the beautiful mountain roads in Tennessee and while I thought about taking the Husqvarna I really wanted something more street-able. We’re headed down during the small bore rally which is a spinoff of the legendary event held by Man in the box. As the name implies minis are the subject and for these tight winding twisties, they just make sense. So in my daily routine I hopped on Facebook Marketplace and started the search, I had a few rigs in mind but always came back to the one of a kind, Honda Helix. Now I gotta give a very big shoutout to my number one supporter, my Mom. She actually went on this marketplace mission solo and sealed the deal on this 1996 barn find of a Helix. We will call it the red rocket from now on.
Also known as the Fusion, or “Spazio”, the CN250 was introduced from Honda Japan in 1986. This was one of the first of its kind. Primarily catered to the middle age market and designed for comfort and long range touring. With the disc brake in the front and obnoxiously long wheelbase it stopped on a dime and rode like a Cadillac. Overall aesthetic was a love hate but to me the Retro vibe just can’t be replicated and I find myself looking back at this thing every time I walk away.
The performance, now I’m not a huge speed guy. I’ve ridden liter bikes at triple digits, sent dirt bikes up massive hill climbs, but on the road I’ve always had more fun with less. That being said the 244cc liquid cooled 2 valve 4 stroke is no slouch and the V Matic transmission gets you up to a top speed of around 70mph with ease. Coming in at almost 350 pounds the Helix is a tank of a scooter, but the way Honda designed the steering angle and ergonomics, this boat loves to dive into the corners and eats pavement like a proper canyon carver.
Combined with the looks, and pure nostalgia, there is something about this oddly shaped land yacht that just gets me off. As with everything prices are increasing but if you are lucky you can find one of these in mint condition for around $1,500. This is by far the most fun that I’ve had on two wheels and I really hope I can bring her with me on the road next time around.
I’m going to end the video out with some raw riding clips. I know the high won’t last forever but when I tell you that this is the most fun machine I’ve ever ridden I mean it. And the looks that you get, the conversations that it brings just make it all the better. I’ve got some pretty wild plans for the ol’ Red Rocket and be sure to drop a comment and a like on this video if you are excited to have one of these back on the channel. I hope I could share a bit of this happiness with you and until the next video, live free, and Adventure Daily.
#Honda #Helix #Motorcycles
24 сен 2024
