Unicorn scooter

[Andym]

I'm loving the Forza but have started to think about what comes next.

Things I want are;

More power, real motorway cruising, 200 miles at 75mph, regardless of wind and hills. Call it 45hp.
Electric screen. Can't get over how good this is.
Cruise control.
Storage under the seat for 2 helmets.
Connectivity, ideally car play.
Don't want to go back to an open chain, would like CVT but will live with auto changer, DCT etc.

A 750 Forza seems favourite, despite the chain and tiny storage.
I'd consider a T-Max but the price is silly and they can be stolen far too easily.

Anyone have any other thoughts, I have no idea what the non-motorcyle manufacturers are offering?

Cheers

Andy

[knight2]

They are quite reasonable things to want and I would agree with nearly all of them, the exception being connectivity. Which is why I have decided to keep the Burgman as it does most of the things on your list.
It is a briiliant motorway cruiser
Yesterday I did 157 miles on a tankful and there's still a little left on every type of road from a short section of unmade to motorway. I'll know how much is left when I fill it up.
It has an eletric screen I can't believe how much I use it, before I had one I thought they were a gimmic.
Cruise control it hasn't got. Wish they had fitted it instead of the power mode thing which I never use.
Loads of storage.
Connectivity it hasn't got newer ones may have.
The CVT belt for life I like depending, of course, on how long it lasts.

The well recoded crappy suspension is a problem but I'm told and have read air suspension is the way to go. To that end I have ordered a pair of these https://www.fournales.uk/product-inform ... n-HD-Alloy As there is a long waiting list it will be a while before I find out how good they are.

[MrGrumpy]

Its tricky. As you say, the Tmax is closest, but storage is only for one helmet and yes, its stupidly expensive! There are the Tmax clones to consider - the Kymco AK550 and Sym 518TL (or whatever its called) - though the Sym has a chain. They are both very similar to the Tmax but much cheaper (especially the Sym), but dealer networks and support may or may not be as good as Yamaha's.
I have on occasion considered the Forza 750 and dealing with the chain by fitting a chain oiler, but I'm just not a fan of the Honda NC engine and not excited by the DCT, although I've only ridden these briefly. Its when you ride the Honda that you realise just why you like the TMax so much! So I end up going round in circles. I've recently downsized to the ADV350 (though I still have one Tmax), which has excellent economy,huge underseat space and surprisingly good suspension. Just about enough power, will cruise at 70 easily, though not in Tmax class of course.

[Andym]

Thank You both.

I found a nice AI generated fake of a supposed Burgervan 650, but no sign of Suzuki even updating the 400 in any meaningful way

I buy new, so choice does seem to be limited.

I've had a manual NC750. The engine is designed for DCT. Just remove the (pointless) rev counter from the display, ignore the Diesel like noise and let the gearbox do it's stuff. The manual is awful because you need to use the gearbox like it's a 1974 Scania and the rev limiter is 83 rpm before where even the shortest short shifter would shift. The chains last long enough, I wouldn't bother with an oiler, consume the consumable. I'd be putting the top box on more often.

The Burgervan is close to ideal but while spending another £3k isn't ideal it's the theft aspect that puts me off most. These things get bike-jaked here abouts. The keyless ignition might push me that way though, if you can no longer just plug in the emulator you bought off Temo the balaclava Suron scum might reduce their activity. That said, they steal anything that looks like an MT because in Tirana they don't get the same models we do.

The Sym and Kymco are great value. We have a nominal dealer too, Dyrons. I was put off when I bought the Forza because they were only interested in selling what they had on the sales floor, a stockist not a dealer. For the sake of a ride out and coffee in a plastic cup I think I'll go chat with them.

Cheers

Andy

[capitano]

Anyone have any other thoughts,

Having read what you want, I would be selling you a Forza 750.

The only issue with modern chain drive is mindset.

[mottza]

The ADV350 is great. But it drinks like a fish on the motorway. On a Cornwall and Devon trip and it's average is 63mpg. Motorway is under 60mpg.

Next bike will be a forza 750 I think.

[velocipede6295]

I'm attracted to the Forza 750, but a bike's weight is now a big consideration for me, and the Forza's 235kg kerb weight, puts me off. Is the DCT down changing, 2nd to first, any less clunky on the Forza 750, than the previous 750 DCT models? - I've had a few.

A unicorn scooter for me is, a recent model, well known main stream manufacturer, Max £8k new price, CVT smooth transmission, 40( ish ) bhp, kerb weight of under 200kg ( a must ), suspension as good, or better than ADV 350, raised handlebars, long service intervals at least 5-6K miles, not bothered about communications / music devices. I can't that see such a model exists - does anyone know one that fits the above?

Of all I can see at the moment the ADV 350 comes closest to my requirements, but I wouldn't mind a bit more power - maybe an ADV 500 with the Honda 500 twin engine, as per the CB 500X etc, if they could keep the overall weight down to an acceptable level.

[mottza]

An adv500 would be excellent

[velocipede6295]

I wonder if we could lobby for one?

[Andym]

I'd love one, but isn't going to happen from the Japanese IMHO.

The big markets, Thailand etc. are actually still getting even more draconian to try and solve their air pollution issues. Anything over 500cc is close to impossible, regulations like an annual driving licence assessment.

The US and South America, the real bastions or Internal Combustion don't do scooters. While I predict Europe is past peak insanity (my employers moved all the EV people back to conventional development 6 months ago), I'm not sure there is enough to support any real development. The only guaranteed survivor in Europe is Vespa and then at unknown size.

The Honda 750 platform is there, they'll just keep re-using it. I don't know the history of the Yamaha, but it's also there. I expect the Chinese will push up with more competition, they seem to have the big bits, just need to realise price isn't the only factor, add a few features. I have qualms about buying Chinese but would probably get over them if they made the unicorn scooter.

@capitano, totally agree on chains, only marginally more painful than belt and wouldn't stop me buying. Same goes for rev counters and twin discs, pointless race bling, but we've lived with them and will continue to.

Andy