Who's made the switch from motorbikes to scooters?

[Data]

Thanks for asking Horobags. Yeah, I'm doing quite well now but still go up and down a bit. Recovery is not linear but going in the right direction. Prognosis is good. I've not been riding with the Mottza and the guys much just yet but I have at least been out with them a couple of times. Just about to give the Vespa GTS a full service, oil & all filters, coolant, valve check, clutch clean out etc. I couldn't do that 3 months ago but now I feel as though I can, says he confidentally, sort of!!

Hope you are well Horobags. Stay cool and have you written a write up on your latest bike yet?

[2wheelover51]

I also switched from bikes to scooters because of a knee injury. I'd had mostly big bikes, with a couple of Vespas and a TMax thrown in over the years, but really I'd been a bike man - Sports tourers, mainly and some naked bikes, around 30 all told since I was 16, back in the 60s. I've had my present 400 Burger for a bit over 2 years and I love it. Far more practical than a bike, better weather protection, far more relaxing to ride and more economical to run. Maintenance is easy, everything is accessible with little effort. My Burger has been utterly reliable, fun to ride, and the only time it's failed to start was when I inadvertently left the sidelights on when turning it off. It's a great all rounder and I can't think of anything which would give me better service. I think it's a keeper.

[maxsymiser]

Think I've bought the best of both worlds, traded in an Enfield interceptor and a T Max for a Honda X-ADV750, LOVE IT

[Wingnut]

I have mostly been a Suzuki bandit 600cc rider off and on for 20 years or so until I got a go on a honda silverwing 600 and I loved it, with arthritis in my knees it's great to just sit back and stretch out and twist and go, I can't say I miss anything about geared bikes now but I am getting old and awkward

[Leadfarmer]

I actually started on scooters on the road, in the 80s

First two road bikes were a Vespa 100 Sport, then a Vespa PX200 EFL, then I moved onto bikes

For the last 10 years or so I’ve also had a second bike, since 2022 it’s a 350 Forza, it’s my go to bike for every day town work and peri urban, small, light and just enough power, mega practical with the smart top box too

I also have a 1300GS for touring and hooning about on

[Ministerofsillywalks]

Yes I did, about eighteen months ago I traded in my Honda nt 700 Deauville, which I'd owned for over eleven years, for a 650 burgman.
Why, I think I'd kind of lost interest in bikes, not riding, just didn't like modern bikes. I thought about buying a classic but I wanted some thing reliable and comfortable as I still ride quite long distances when I go out. I'd seen a Piaggio X10 500 at a dealers a couple of years ago and really liked it, so I started looking at Maxi scooters. Tried Piaggio X10 350, thought the engine was brillaint, but the bike itself a bit on the small side, having said that if they'd offered me a better deal I might have bought it. Then tried a Maxsym 600 and the Burgman and bought the Burgman, it's a 12 plate so it's the older model which I prefered then! now I'm wondering
Do I miss anything, not really, not much has changed I just ride a scooter instead of a bike. I was never a sociable biker I'd sooner be riding than sitting around drinking coffee and chatting about it. I had thought about buying an outfit but was never convinced I'd enjoy one, still like leaning over going around corners.
No regrets about buying the Burgman I think it's a brilliant bit of kit every time a ride it I look forward to the next ride.

It's good that you bought the Burgman rather than the Maxsym. At least you can get parts for it!

[knight2]

That was one of the big reasons why I bought it.

[Andym]

That's one of my frustrations. Getting the fraction more long range go that would make the Forza perfect seems to involve twice the purchase cost and going backwards on things like chain drive or dealing with brands that are barely viable in the UK. It would take a lot to get me to buy Chinese, but if the likes of Sym sort themselves out I have cash waiting.

Not sure if I actually answered the main topic. The Forza is my first scooter. The only real pattern in my motorcycle purchases is that I rarely stick to a type but generally don't get impressed by circuit racing or performance I can't use. Too many bikes to list but I've had big BMW's, big trail bikes, a Ural outfit etc. Current fleet is the 350 Forza and a SuperCub.

Next bike could be a 750 Forza, a BMW F450 (although the real one is lardy compared to what they CGI'd), or I'll get up one morning and go buy a Harley just because I've never had one.

Andy

[Bellman]

I've had maxi scooters for over 29 years and I had motorcycles for 22 years before that.

[spudwheels]

Various, Raleigh Wisp, BSA, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, BMW and Harley Davidson. In between it all I've had Various Scooters, 2 Piaggio Hexagons and a Taiwan 125 but can't remember the model.
In 2018 sold the HD and went to a new Suzuki Burgman 400 as knees and hip were getting old, before having the hip done I swapped the Burgman for a new Honda SH350i, as the "step through" design made it easier to accommodate the new hip which is now 11 weeks old and doing well - new left knee coming next January.