Discussion
Good Afternoon,
After many years solid service the ULEZ has killed off my 2002 motorbike.
The new breed of 300cc scooters does look appealing, and offers better mpg
I do 20 miles each way into London, weigh about...... 15st, unlikely to carry a pillion.
Would 300cc upward carry me at a comfortable 50mph ?
Anybody have experience on a T max ? they make a great noise but i imagine theft is a risk parked on the street in London.
I am too old to really worry about looking cool, but it must keep up with the flow of traffic at 50mph.
Anybody commuting distance on one ?
Thanks
After many years solid service the ULEZ has killed off my 2002 motorbike.
The new breed of 300cc scooters does look appealing, and offers better mpg
I do 20 miles each way into London, weigh about...... 15st, unlikely to carry a pillion.
Would 300cc upward carry me at a comfortable 50mph ?
Anybody have experience on a T max ? they make a great noise but i imagine theft is a risk parked on the street in London.
I am too old to really worry about looking cool, but it must keep up with the flow of traffic at 50mph.
Anybody commuting distance on one ?
Thanks
Get insurance quotes before you buy.
Last time I spoke to my broker they said only two companies offered them cover for a Forza 300
The 300's will comfortably cruise at 70mph and return 80 odd Mpg.
Whatever you do don't get a C400, PM me if you get tempted by one.
Forza 300 easily keeps up with the traffic.
It's got good overtaking power for between 30 and 50mph
Above 50mph overtaking takes a bit more thinking about, it's not quite powerful enough for confident, fast, overtakes above 50mph.
Many of them are quite tall, especially the Yamaha's.
You should be ok if you're over 5' 8"
Great machines though as daily transport, free parking most places.
But as already mentioned, theft is a big problem, certainly in London.
Let us know if you get one.
Last time I spoke to my broker they said only two companies offered them cover for a Forza 300
The 300's will comfortably cruise at 70mph and return 80 odd Mpg.
Whatever you do don't get a C400, PM me if you get tempted by one.
Forza 300 easily keeps up with the traffic.
It's got good overtaking power for between 30 and 50mph
Above 50mph overtaking takes a bit more thinking about, it's not quite powerful enough for confident, fast, overtakes above 50mph.
Many of them are quite tall, especially the Yamaha's.
You should be ok if you're over 5' 8"
Great machines though as daily transport, free parking most places.
But as already mentioned, theft is a big problem, certainly in London.
Let us know if you get one.
I've commuted on a variety of scooters, usually Vespa GTS 250/300's but the occasional T-Max Forza or SH300.
I don't anymore as they get stolen on the regular when parked in central London and I can't be bothered anymore.
The last straw was when I was on my way home from work near Park Royal and two yooths without helmets on a T-Max clocked me and my Vespa, I saw them do a U-Turn in my mirror and started chasing me to scooter-jack me. It was like a high speed car chase but at low speed and on scooters. I shook them off and made it home safe but it was unsettling. The Vespa was stolen a couple of weeks later, I didn't replace it.
I don't anymore as they get stolen on the regular when parked in central London and I can't be bothered anymore.
The last straw was when I was on my way home from work near Park Royal and two yooths without helmets on a T-Max clocked me and my Vespa, I saw them do a U-Turn in my mirror and started chasing me to scooter-jack me. It was like a high speed car chase but at low speed and on scooters. I shook them off and made it home safe but it was unsettling. The Vespa was stolen a couple of weeks later, I didn't replace it.
I have a Yamaha Xmax 300 and love it. I also have a KTM 890 Duke R which is great - but for commuting it does not feel like the Yamaha is second prize.
The Xmax is actually great fun to ride (nice power delivery and good handling) and very practical (can fit 2 helmets under the seat - or one helmet plus lots of other stuff - locks / cover / different gloves etc).
I think it does about 90mph on a private runway. It is quick off the line - enough to wind up bikers who don’t seem to like the idea of a quick scooter.
I have taken it on motorways and dual carriageways and don’t have any issues cruising with other traffic at legal speeds - although acceleration does tail off as you build speed and it is obviously not like riding a 1000cc sports bike.
50mph cruising well within its comfort zone.
As above 70-80mpg is realistic. I haven’t done the detailed maths but for me, fuel costs seem meaningfully cheaper than the tube.
I was in France recently - a lot of tmaxes around and the twin cylinder 560cc(?) engines sound good with an aftermarket pipe - however, vs the Xmax 300 quite a bit more expensive, heavier, less storage space and I have been led to believe (tho did not check) harder to insure.
If you’re coming from a big bike it’s easy to think that you’ll need more power than a 300 - but I’m not sure you do.
Try one 👍
The Xmax is actually great fun to ride (nice power delivery and good handling) and very practical (can fit 2 helmets under the seat - or one helmet plus lots of other stuff - locks / cover / different gloves etc).
I think it does about 90mph on a private runway. It is quick off the line - enough to wind up bikers who don’t seem to like the idea of a quick scooter.
I have taken it on motorways and dual carriageways and don’t have any issues cruising with other traffic at legal speeds - although acceleration does tail off as you build speed and it is obviously not like riding a 1000cc sports bike.
50mph cruising well within its comfort zone.
As above 70-80mpg is realistic. I haven’t done the detailed maths but for me, fuel costs seem meaningfully cheaper than the tube.
I was in France recently - a lot of tmaxes around and the twin cylinder 560cc(?) engines sound good with an aftermarket pipe - however, vs the Xmax 300 quite a bit more expensive, heavier, less storage space and I have been led to believe (tho did not check) harder to insure.
If you’re coming from a big bike it’s easy to think that you’ll need more power than a 300 - but I’m not sure you do.
Try one 👍
I’m lucky that I get to park in a garage at work - however, because I have the space under the seat to carry it, I also travel around with a lightweight cover and a very good lock (Pragmasis). It has been fine parking with these, although I would be more careful overnight.
I got the heated grips and have a Bluetooth system in my helmet for listening to music / pod casts / sat nav - brilliant way to travel 👍
I got the heated grips and have a Bluetooth system in my helmet for listening to music / pod casts / sat nav - brilliant way to travel 👍
five50 said:
I have a Yamaha Xmax 300 and love it. I also have a KTM 890 Duke R which is great - but for commuting it does not feel like the Yamaha is second prize.
The Xmax is actually great fun to ride (nice power delivery and good handling) and very practical (can fit 2 helmets under the seat - or one helmet plus lots of other stuff - locks / cover / different gloves etc).
I think it does about 90mph on a private runway. It is quick off the line - enough to wind up bikers who don’t seem to like the idea of a quick scooter.
I have taken it on motorways and dual carriageways and don’t have any issues cruising with other traffic at legal speeds - although acceleration does tail off as you build speed and it is obviously not like riding a 1000cc sports bike.
50mph cruising well within its comfort zone.
As above 70-80mpg is realistic. I haven’t done the detailed maths but for me, fuel costs seem meaningfully cheaper than the tube.
I was in France recently - a lot of tmaxes around and the twin cylinder 560cc(?) engines sound good with an aftermarket pipe - however, vs the Xmax 300 quite a bit more expensive, heavier, less storage space and I have been led to believe (tho did not check) harder to insure.
If you’re coming from a big bike it’s easy to think that you’ll need more power than a 300 - but I’m not sure you do.
Try one ??
I would concur with all of the above. I commuted into London for 2.5 years on one and it was faultless. I had the skirt for cold/rainy days. It also didn't get nicked. On a couple of occasions I even rode out to the country on it just for fun!The Xmax is actually great fun to ride (nice power delivery and good handling) and very practical (can fit 2 helmets under the seat - or one helmet plus lots of other stuff - locks / cover / different gloves etc).
I think it does about 90mph on a private runway. It is quick off the line - enough to wind up bikers who don’t seem to like the idea of a quick scooter.
I have taken it on motorways and dual carriageways and don’t have any issues cruising with other traffic at legal speeds - although acceleration does tail off as you build speed and it is obviously not like riding a 1000cc sports bike.
50mph cruising well within its comfort zone.
As above 70-80mpg is realistic. I haven’t done the detailed maths but for me, fuel costs seem meaningfully cheaper than the tube.
I was in France recently - a lot of tmaxes around and the twin cylinder 560cc(?) engines sound good with an aftermarket pipe - however, vs the Xmax 300 quite a bit more expensive, heavier, less storage space and I have been led to believe (tho did not check) harder to insure.
If you’re coming from a big bike it’s easy to think that you’ll need more power than a 300 - but I’m not sure you do.
Try one ??
I've been commuting on a BMW 650GT for the last 5 years and it's bloody fantastic for the job. Heated seats/grips, electric screen, massive boot although side view assist is a waste of time. It's supremely comfortable with great weather protection and an easy 6k miles out of a set of tyres. Blue tooth headset on and it's not a lot different to sitting in the car
Needs replacing soon but there's not much on the market to look at. The new Forza 750 looks a contender. In reality though a 300 is all that's needed as I rarely take it over 70. But big is comfy on a miserable wet Monday morning.
Needs replacing soon but there's not much on the market to look at. The new Forza 750 looks a contender. In reality though a 300 is all that's needed as I rarely take it over 70. But big is comfy on a miserable wet Monday morning.
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