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Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:37 am
by Fizzy Rascal
I'm a Brit living in France and own quite a few (classic) small bikes - and one or two newish ones. I recently bought a 125 PCX in white - I fell in love with the look of the scoot at the recent 'Bike Live' event at the NEC - so much so, that I went and found a local dealer and bought it there and then - pure impulse/lust/love at first sight.

I've literally only done about 200 miles on it - the weather here in (rural) France hasn't been great of late but I enjoyed those 200 (mostly cold) miles - although I've ordered a 'non hump' seat from the far east already, as the hump manages to push me forward rather than hold me in place.

I was then also considering a Forza 300 (as well) for longer runs. As part of my online 'research' into the Forza - google brought me here.

Nice work on the Forum(s) guys. :)

So . . . on Boxing day . . . I took this black Forza for a 20 minute run . . .

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I'm only slight (and getting on a bit in years ;) ) - I found it a *bit* heavy at slow speeds but nice and 'planted' at speeds - I have to be honest, I wasn't/am not as 'in love' as I was/am with the PCX - it really was love at first sight with the PCX. I'm not sure if the Forza is the one for me - despite after doing all my research and loving the 'look' in all of the online pics.

I found the seat a bit 'wide' too - anyone else? My thighs ended up on it as well as my bum.

I then went to another dealership and tried this baby Burgman out - it's a baby 200 'Executive' . . .

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It 'fit' me much better and was much easier (lighter) at lower speeds - but it didn't feel *that* much quicker than my PCX - obviously it IS quicker - but not torquey quick like the Forza - I was very impressed at how the Forza accelerated - but sadly not how it 'fit'. Whereas the Baby Burger 'fits' real nice, but I suspect it *might* start to feel a bit 'light' on the Autoroute/Motorway.

I've only sat on a Burgman 400 (as they didn't have a road registered one to test-ride) and while I thought it was lovely - I suspect that would be too heavy for me at slower speeds too.

So, I'm now left with more questions than answers. :)

I'd appreciate any thoughts guys?

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:35 pm
by alp231
Looking at the pic's you look a lot more comfortable on the burger, I have found over the years its how a bike fits that counts you can adjust speed and choice of roads but if its not comfortable or to heavy it takes the fun out

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:46 pm
by Fizzy Rascal
alp231 wrote:Looking at the pic's you look a lot more comfortable on the burger, I have found over the years its how a bike fits that counts you can adjust speed and choice of roads but if its not comfortable or to heavy it takes the fun out
Yeah, spot on! The Burgman fitted me like my favourite surf shoes. :D

And it's very manouvreable on the curvy French lanes where I live - my only concern is if it will be 'planted' (and quick) enough for the times I use the quicker/straighter roads here (and/or the Autoroute.) My PCX is absolutely great on the narrow twisty stuff and perfect for ragging down to the local Boulangerie or Tabac - but it feels 'light' on the quicker/longer/straighter roads.

I'm gonna go back to the Burger dealer again on Tuesday I think - and take it on a decent run on the Autoroute/Motorway - I think that's the only way I'll be sure.

:)

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:14 pm
by Normsthename
How tall are you?
Never had a problem with any scoot sizewise, including Burgman 400's, 650's & Silverwing.
I know the problems being short in the Leg, my mate is short and really struggles to find bikes he can touch the floor on!

Andy

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:28 pm
by Fizzy Rascal
Normsthename wrote:How tall are you?
Never had a problem with any scoot sizewise, including Burgman 400's, 650's & Silverwing.
I know the problems being short in the Leg, my mate is short and really struggles to find bikes he can touch the floor on!

Andy
I am short-legged . . . and not as fit/strong as I once was - on top of that, I live in a part of France that is all hills and twisty roads - I just know something like a Burgman 400 (which I found comfy to sit in/on) would tire me out at slower speeds.

The Forza 300 is low enough for me too - and just about as 'heavy' as I feel comfortable with - but the wide seat makes the riding position (for me at least) a bit weird

:)

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:36 pm
by MrGrumpy
I had a 2009 Burger 200 - the new model has been restyled, but I think the mechanicals are the same.
The Burger 200 will be quite a bit slower than the Forza - it only has 18bhp compared to the Forza's 25 (and the PCX's 12).
The Burger isn't the most rapid thing - it will get beyond 70, maybe top whack of 75-80 (on the speedo) . I never tried that hard as mine got a serious speed wobble at 73.
The suspension isn't the Burger's best bit - its quite comfortable (rather soft) on urban roads, but it can't handle bumpy rural roads at all. Handling is OK once used to - its a bit remote.

The Burger was perfect for my commute, but I had a series of gremlins affecting running and idling, and the instruments packed up costing a fortune. The running troubles seemed unfixable - even by a main dealer - so it went, so I'm rather down on Suzukis at the moment!!!!!

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:28 pm
by gn2
If the Forza doesn't fit and you don't want to be bothered modifying the seat, try a Kawasaki J300 or a Sym Joymax 300.

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:13 pm
by Fizzy Rascal
gn2 wrote:If the Forza doesn't fit and you don't want to be bothered modifying the seat, try a Kawasaki J300 or a Sym Joymax 300.
Thanks for the heads up - I'll try them out. :)

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:43 am
by Raven
Try the 400 Burgman. I bought one this year for commuting and love it it has loads of power for the open road and is also great in traffic. I'm 5'7"and can place both feet on the ground quite easily and because you're sitting low it makes it very easy to manoeuvre. Plus its very good on fuel.

Raven

Re: Forza 300 vs Burgman 200 Exec

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:24 am
by spaceprobe
I would agree with GN try the SYMJoymax, I tried one and found it light and nippy but a bit small for me (I am just under 6'3") so I guess you may fit on it well. The new one comes with stop start technology.