planning on next bike/scooter

Feb 19, temp outside minus 5 F, Kymco sold, moved into brand new house, nice garage, nice workspace-----83 in May, but not dead nor planning on it. Honda dealer only good close chance----want a repeat trip to Hyder AK next summer---ride thru Canada, motels cleaner than in US.should go back to camping and taking time

Now bikes/scooters---I like Honda Super Cub 125, except no real key, small gas tank, 2022 us model comes with no luggage rack or side stand, good accessories hard to find in US, but dependable and a little slow for N America--Grom might be fun just need luggage rack, have windshield/tank bag top box in my junk collection---but bike has open chain/no center stand, so then PCX 160 scooter---performance probably near Helix, Givi rack available allowing me to use plate I already have and my E-46 box(dog likes it), mount Slipstreamer windshield from junk box--on Handlebars, close to nose, maybe comfortable buffet free ride, givi hump bag would work, nice dry under seat storage, bad=hard to remove rear wheel/15,000 mile belt.

life---ok 2.1 gallon gas tank, Honda not breaking reputation, lots of dealers. I like to ride, over 400,000 rubber band drive scooter miles since 1990, long trips best. Stay tuned. No used SilverWings for me/had 2 new ones, a little heavy for old fart.

Hmm… What about a leftover Forza NSS300? There should be a few still in a warehouse somewhere here in North America.

At giveaway price---I have test ridden us market Forza----rode like lumber wagon---Don't want something that was flop on US market

Seems to me, and by your observation as well, that all scooters are a flop in the US market. Of course we all here have a much greater appreciation of scooters.

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Hmm… What about a leftover Forza NSS300

You may not be able to get the Honda Forza 350 over the Pond, but you do have the new Honda ADV 150.

Meldrew wrote:

You may not be able to get the Honda Forza 350 over the Pond, but you do have the new Honda ADV 150.

Given the travel speeds of our North American highway systems, and Mr Grinsel’s desire to do another ride to Hyder, an ADV 150 might not be a good choice.

Adv 150 has old motor=not freeway legal. PCX 160, new motor and freeway legal.

My 2cents. I have a Liberty 150 and absolutely love it. Buying something bigger is not an issue, I just don't need anything bigger. My Liberty does everything I need it to do. Its light, simple, easy to self-service and good on fuel. I was very tempted by the new/current PCX 160 and if something were to happen to my Liberty I'd seriously consider a PCX. I didn't even consider interstate speed as I no longer ride on them anymore. But a modern 150cc sized scooter is my go to ride now.

I love the Honda Monkey bike soooo much, but I despise shifting now. But that yellow Monkey is a sexy primate! Wouldn't even care if it was a male primate! The Monkeys are just that nice looking.

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Meldrew wrote:

You may not be able to get the Honda Forza 350 over the Pond, but you do have the new Honda ADV 150.

Given the travel speeds of our North American highway systems, and Mr Grinsel’s desire to do another ride to Hyder, an ADV 150 might not be a good choice.

I don't think highway speeds in the US and Canada are that much different than in the UK and Europe. Neither can I understand this obsession to drone along long distances day after day to some obscure place in the back of beyond. With no mention of sights seen, hotels or restaurants visited, or any other travel experience. Just the bragging rights of the miles you clocked up on a maxi or motorcycle forum.

Look, I use Freeways to get someplace or riding on my job in the past, I lived/rode on Europe almost 25 years---Highway speeds in Europe are much faster than US or Canada. I have completed large miles as I used bike/scooter for all my transport needs and I have been at this since 1955. Working/riding in Japan Last time, my Toll Road bill was as high as $1500 a month. Very seldom do I just go for a ride with no purpose or destination in Mind. Right now I am enjoying the heater in my Chevrolet Spark!

I'm surprised you haven't considered using the Chevy Spark for going on long road trips with your dog now you’re an octogenarian.

As to the Forza 300, I own one and it is a sweet ride but a bit small if over 6'0" IMO. Typical Honda very nice machine and cheap to run. However I looked for months and NEVER found a new left-over unit. So used is the only way. I too wish the Forza 350 was available in the US; perhaps if the administration keeps the pipeline closed and gas keeps rising more interest in scooters will happen? Who knows.

Not much interest in long car trips, except in deep winter. A couple of years ago mid winter I took my Mitsuibishi Mirage to Mich UP and Canada---nice to pull over, sleep in my artic bag and move on when storm done

john grinsel wrote:

Not much interest in long car trips, except in deep winter.   A couple of years ago mid winter I took my Mitsuibishi Mirage to Mich UP and Canada---nice to pull over, sleep in my artic bag and move on when storm done

 Hmm. What’s wrong with this picture?

Just checked valve adjust procedure on Honda PCX scooter---due every 4,000 miles=not PCX in my future. I hate taking plastic off!!

I also look at the service procedures for transportation before purchasing. As much as I say I'll just pay the dealership I always seem to end up doing it myself. And this is great! I made an appointment to have the Liberty serviced a month in advance. When I go to pick it up they didn't change the air filter or the transmission rollers. They didn't have them! So I just do it all myself now.

Mr, grinsel, do you happen to have a KYMCO dealer nearby? They sell a People 150 that's really nice looking and has nice specifications.

I have found Kymco dealer about 60-65 miles away. Super 8X may work for me---valve adjust easy/box I already have may bolt to rear wing/dry under seat storage/ windshield from junk box should bolt to handlebars/performance ok/price out the door probably $1500-2000 less than PCX/Warranty 2 years I think/air cooled/already had one Kymco, new, XTown 300I--quality equal to Japanese---Kymco seems to lack strong N American dealer net work----cheap bike, blows up=leave it or rent van and drive home in comfort. This Kymco also cheaper and better performing than Super Cub 125, too. I guess stay tuned.

Is this the one you are looking at John?

https://kymcousa.com/scooters/super-8-150x/

If so, it looks like a good bet.

yes

If that's as good as it looks, the MSRP is great. Over $1000 cheaper than Super Cub. And you have to shift the Cub.

The Honda Trail 125 has a huge rack on the back. https://powersports.honda.com/street/standard/trail125-abs

bikehiker wrote:

The Honda Trail 125 has a huge rack on the back. https://powersports.honda.com/street/standard/trail125-abs

I love the CT125, in fact I may pick one up for myself. But a couple of problems for John's situation:

1. The CT125s are in VERY short supply and will likely take months to get one AFTER ordering it.

2. At 125cc I believe that the 125 is not freeway legal, and that will be a problem for John as he takes LONG trips.

CT has open chain---something I like to avoid. 2022 regular cub some in US with no sidestand or rack. I want turn key deal as close as I can.. Long time ago in Japan I had C-90 step thru with front basket/rear freight rack----worked well and sidestand,too.

I stand by the quality of KYMCO products but not their horrible USA support. Nearest KYMCO dealer is over 100 miles away, and they only care about mopeds/50cc.

SYM is another good one but support is terrible. The HD200 is a great scooter.

Lance is SYMs sister company. Friend had a Cabo 200i. Nice scooter.

But the Super 8 KYMCO is a solid choice. Keep us posted on your final purchase.

Slightly related I guess. I have a Bintelli dealer around the corner. My wife bought me an ADLY RT50 from them (horrible ergonomics) for my birthday. Ended up donating it to a charity. Anyways....

The shop also sells BIntelli. The owner offered to sell me a Bintelli Scorch 150cc at cost, because a scooter is my main transportation and I could advertise the brand in real world use. It was tempting, and the feel of the scooter was actually very nice and solid. But I'm a scooter snob, and passed on the offer. The other reason I passed? The owner of the shop should be riding one to work. Everyone at my local Honda shop rides to work. And my local multi-brand dealer rides as well. This guy drives a stupid big truck in, then says "Save gas and enjoy your commute! Get out and ride!". Whatever.....

A couple of things----riding around US---most bike shop employees do not seem to ride bikes/scooters to work---lots filled with trucks.And do owners ride daily?

Second---I only want bike/scooter with strong national dealer network in N America----I ride places.

Then you'd be appalled to know that the car parking lot at the fire station up the road from my house isn't full of fire engines the crew on duty drive to work in. I also noticed that the staff car park at the North Yorkshire hospital where I had an eye test a few days ago didn’t have one single ambulance on it. The cheeky buggers are all coming to work in cars.  🤭

Furthermore my daughters next door neighbour is an airline pilot, and the damn fellow has the nerve to leave his Boeing 737 at the airport and ride to and from work on a motorcycle.

I find with motorcyle/scooter problems much easier to deal with somebody who is actually riding them daily.

What about a later model Helix? Or a Big Ruckus if you could find one....

I had 4 new Helix, 175,000 miles with them. I liked Helix, but prefer new current model year under warranty---experience, over 75 new bikes/scooter since 1955---I ride mine and do not want some ones old worn out crap.---I hate walking.