Downsizing from the R1250RT to Zontes 368G in UK

[Stillight]

Hi all,
Mick ( and Jue ) from Middlesbrough.
I'm 62 and currently ride a BMW R1250RT and most of the time I have my wife on pillion. We love the RT and have been all over UK and Europe on it.
I've decided to get a Zontes 368G from my local dealer to run alongside the RT. It's just come into the UK and will be prepared and registered on 1st Sept on a 76 reg. My reasoning is.....if the Zontes can do what we want when we ride in the UK and abroad, I will get rid of the RT. Ofcourse I realise that I will not have anywhere near the torque or HP of the RT, but, that doesn't bother me now, I've got nothing to prove. I just want the bike to carry us to where we want to be, without any fuss, comfortably. I intend to have a trial run with the bike loaded up with luggage that we would normally take on a week long European road trip, just somewhere local, but make the ride last all day to see how it would feel. I would take in some hills, A roads, B roads and dual carriageways. If the bike copes well, happy days.

I would be interested to hear from any others who have taken the plunge on buying a Zontes 368G maxi scooter and what kind of experiences you have had with it.

Hope to hear from a few of you soon,
Mick.

[Waldorf]

Hello and welcome!

[Stibbs]

Hi Stillight,
I ran maxi scoots alongside bigger bikes for many years. Some years ago I decided the time was right to move onto Maxi’s only.
Haven’t regretted one minute of it. I too had a 1200RT as my last bike. They are truly a wonderful motorcycle.
I had a number of Suzuki 400’s then converted to Honda Forza 350 about 4 years ago.
I can honestly say that I now do not miss the RT at all. The Forza does everything the RT did (except the torque and top end speed) and has great storage, is very light and very comfortable.
I’ve read about the Zontes and am impressed by the reviews.
Whatever you do you will not regret it.
Best of luck……

[Andym]

The Zontes will easily do what you need.

I took my Forza 350 round Germany and won't be going back to motorcycles. Clean, comfortable, easy to load.

My only issue is motorways. The 350 did 400 mile days including an hour here an hour there of motorway. It's never fun but there was that buzz simply because 8000 rpm does that.

Nothing broke, I got where I wanted to be, the fun parts were fun.

Your plan sounds fine. I honestly predict you'll get on with the Zontes and if you don't you'll want every feature it has except the single cylinder motor and will swap it for one of the 500-750cc twin scoots that are coming.

Andy