Bloody hell, thanks for the quick replies fellas. I'm a fairly experienced diy mechanic, I can rebuild an engine with a manual, weld, build gearboxes etc. I've had a few 'normal' bikes, zx7r, bandit 1200, pan euro, bmw's etc I just thought that a maxi scoot may make my life easier.

I'll open those links above now, cheers chaps

Stuntman

What about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131053032177? ... 1555.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hi, Stuntman and welcome . In answer to wether a maxi scoot will be up to the task the answer is yes .I came from bikes 18 months ago and just wish i had changed years ago to a maxi . If you wish to travel 365/.24/7 then i would suggest for the price an earlier t-max or silverwing with possibly a burgman if you can find one in your price range . Your quite handy with the spanners so servicing will be no problem and as you can weld you can fabricate some of your own special tools /locking plates etc easily for variator locking etc .M8 i have just come back from a 260 mile round trip from kings lynn to the nec on mine with a bunch of m8`s on sports tackle ,so they wernt hanging around we all got there in one piece but they were cold .cramped up had to stop for fuel every 80 miles and had no storage .In comparison i put all my gear in the scoot ,was warm ,had storage for my food and any goody bags on the return and totally dry ,no need to stop for fuel until i was virtually home . Best change i ever made on 2 wheels . Oh the nec was rubbish and well overpriced as usual ,think i will skip it for another few years .Let us know how you get on with your search .

will the 250 be as hard wearing as the 400 on the x9?

The 400 is an X8 or Xevo, I've had one and mpg was great but I never got on with the front-end, even had forks replaced under warranty but didn't feel as settled at speed. Hence my suggestion of Burgman 400 as 1st choice.

Yes a 250 will work, I have an X9 250 Evo at the moment (amongst others) but with your mileage and road use then I'd look to the X9 500 instead. However shall we say the Italian bikes have a few qwerks, such as electrics and digidash weather protection, although if you're well qualified they can be maintained relatively cheaply too.

The modern Piaggio X10 is in a different league, but so is the price because it's too new a model, hence my steer towards Jap options.

Old jap better than old Italian IMHO electrics wise anyway 400 burger is one with 385 engine shed load of used spares and aftermarket spares on ebay

pikey wrote:Old jap better than old Italian IMHO electrics wise anyway 400 burger is one with 385 engine shed load of used spares and aftermarket spares on ebay

ah the old ill formed outdated chestnut .and absolute bollox

Not really I had a 04 vespa gt 200 fuel gauge had a mind of its own read full for first 10 mins then as battery recharged it came down to proper reading just brought 1998 piaggio hexagon gauge goes up and down like a yo yo and temp gauge not working .1999 suzuki burgman had last year every thing worked nearly 40K on clock ran sweet as a nut .

how many 13 yr old italian scoots on here I wonder


Plus few had trouble with nexus wiring looms while back


I did say IMHO if yours is trouble free great you have a good one

well the HONDA FORZA NSS250 that GN2 found with ABS and one owner could well be in this mix, as should be very reliable and should be able to get for £1500 cash http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-FORZA-N ... 3f2bed8e14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Honda Forza 250

Stylish big-scooter commuter

Covered only 37,000 kms / 23,000 miles
2002 02 plate

Good condition
- as the photos show
Slight corrosion on chrome handlebar base

Owned from new
Optional Honda factory grip heaters fitted
ABS model
Underseat storage big enough for full face helmet and more
Weight rollers can adjust performance to your preference

Currently SORN'd - no tax or MOT.
Can be MOT'd on request at cost Lack of use forces sale

Hello Michael,

I 'think' I might have a punt on the aprilia, mainly due to the cheap price