Is xmax 300 the one to go for in this cc category?

[Pablos]

Hey Guys,

Have a problem choosing my next commuter. I've been on motorbikes for years and last 5 years commuting daily on fazer 1000 2005. My commute is 15 km each way and 8 km of this is a motorway. Don't have time for weekend spins anymore and looking for something more practical, modern , with good weather protection and economical.

Was eyeing xmax 300 or sh300 and like both with sh being smaller appear to me better but lack of storage is a bummer. Also sh looks like a model from distant past with analogue clocks etc. Like flat floor of sh also better

Is xmax 300 the one to get now? I do like 7 k km a year so long term longevity is key as well. Is 50 k km a lot for 300 cc scooter or nothing to worry about?

Cheers guys for any advice
Paul

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[MrGrumpy]

Well, I'd pick an Xmax 300 over an SH300 anyway, but I'm probably alone in that! Are you talking about new or secondhand scoots? There is a brand new model Xmax which looks good.
For me, the snag with the SH was that I didn't find it comfortable - cramped and very exposed - though as your commute is short, this probably won't be an issue. It does go wonderfully well on the M-way though!! The Xmax is probably more practical - more weather protection, more space under the seat, maybe more comfortable. On the other hand, older Xmax300s were I think based on the former Majesty 250, which could be a bit crude engineering wise.
As I mentioned, everyone else on the planet loves the SH300, so no doubt you'll hear lots of people telling you to get one any moment!

[Pablos]

I am getting brand new and trading in my fa zer. That's another worry as there could be new model of sh next year to catch up with competition and don't want to be stuck with older paying top money

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[rayb]

That's another worry as there could be new model of sh next year to catch up with competition and don't want to be stuck with older paying top money

If we all followed that maxim, then nobody would be anything. I've just bought a new SH300 and love it. I didn't want anything bigger and heaview because I'm a shortarse. I've found it offers acceptable leg protection, handling is great and performance is good. It would be nice to have got my XL helmet under the seat but I have a topbox, which solves that. I don't know if it's typical of most scooters but the underseat storage gets quite warm. No good for the frozen peas but the wet towel I put in was nice dried.

The ABS brakes work very well.

[Scootypuff snr]

I think you raise a valid point with possible upgrade of an SH300 (in light of the Forza 300 being off the UK list) though it is a good bike.

Honda have recently shafted their customers with upgrades on the Africa Twin & X-ADV only recently launched.

The floorboards can be cramped with bigger feet on the SH300 but a top box is free with new bikes still I believe.

I ran an SH300 for 20K in a year.

If it's purely for commuting then my decider would be who is cutting the list price by the most and giving best PX price on the fazer

[SH125Paul]

Horses for courses...
Try to get a ride on both...
I Have an XMAX 400 '13 and a SH125 '15
The XMax400 is fat n wide for a city commute... gave up using it to commute to central London after 2 years and bought the 'lil SH125... Tool for the Job!

Either 300 would be OK on the MWay and fine for that sort of yearly mileage...
What sort of riding is the rest of the commute? Open-ish A Roads with room, or stop start bloody city traffic!
Check the Service intervals...
As mentioned the XMax would be better for weather protection, MWay Comfort - a bit more feet forward - and underseat storage, possibly a little more stable...
The SH is more agile, better on rough roads as it has larger skinnier wheels, Top box cures most of the storage, Flat Floor.
Go Sit...
Heart or Head? - Who is offering the best deal - cost to change? - Yam X Max looks loads better, Sporty (Heart)- SH is a tool, sit up n beg (Head)

Second hand, low mileage Forza 300?

[Mr Xmax]

Service intervals on the Xmax are 6000 miles or 10k km. I've just got a new one myself (well the 2017 version with slightly different seat and colour) that the dealer was trying to shift. Still too early to say how it performs as running it in, but there's definitely promise there. For me it was the storage and big chunky looks that helped sell it. Plus I thought keyless ignition was a gimmick but it's actually really useful.

[Pablos]

Rest of commute is city traffic but wide lanes so you can easily filter all the way. Its doable on motorbike so would be easier on scooter I suspect.
My only other concern is scoot width at the rear especially. I think sh300 is narrower and xmax 300 wider even wider then my motorbike I reckon which is the widest at the mirrors but narrow all the way.
I like sh better for lack of central console easier to get on and size but less for storage, looks, not as modern and potentially new model coming up next year causing drop in prices of old models. I am aware that would happen with any scoot but don't want it next year from buying.
Decisions, decisions!
I guess both have similar real life performance and fuel consumption or is xmax more frugal?

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[Symcity]

Personally I doubt that Honda will be making any changes to the sh300i in the near future - it’s a type and shape of scooter that cannot really be improved - the Xmax 300 has a 292 displacement whereas the Honda sh300i has 279cc - consequently the Yamaha produces more power - the rrp of the Yamaha is £5049 the Honda being £4799 - both can be found at discounted price on the Internet - personally I would opt for the Honda - the flat floor and sixteen inch wheels being the dealbreaker - the topbox for the Honda is an optional extra as is the screen - both have LED lighting and keyless ignition - certainly the Yamaha looks more modern compared with the Honda - I reckon that the Yamaha would be more difficult to work on with its vast array of plastics - the Honda is 10kg lighter than the Yamaha - a rear carrier for the Yamaha is an extra £141.00 - the Yamaha has traction control and the storage can accommodate two full face helmets - it maybe I am biased towards the Honda as I currently ride one - and I can say I have not encountered one problem in ten thousand miles of ownership - both brands have a good pedigree - at the end of the day its your personal choice

[StephenC]

Pablo, you mentioned fuel consumption. The Xmax 300 is astounding (to me anyway). I've no idea what the Sh300 or Forza return but my Xmax300 has been in the mid-90s mpg all the while subway new and I am now on just under 5000miles. My old J300 only did 76mpg for the same power.

Don't get too hung up on the wheel size comparison: the Sh300 is on 16" while the Xmax is on 15" front and 14" rear, so hardly a big difference.