Hello guys.Hopefully some of you will remember me.

I'm looking for a new scooter.I'm commuting on a mighty Honda @125 at the moment and as much as I love the thing I need to do some long journeys this year.
I've looked at the XMax 250 and 400 and even though I can get a good trade deal neither get my juices flowing.The 250 engine is getting old now and with only 20 bhp I feel it will struggle.
The 400 is just too much money in my eyes.

Anyway,hands up who has a Kawasaki J300? Did I see StephenC has one on order? Is he still banging on about ABS? I didn't think the Uk were getting the ABS version?
I know it's basically a Kymco Downtown but I have zero experience with Kymco.If anyone would like to share their thoughts about theirs with regards fit and finish and reliability I would welcome that.

The only other scoot that took my fancy was a Forza 300.Anyone got one of those?

Nice to see that MM is still going strong

Hughie.

I'd find your locals dealers and see what makes they sell first, as that's where you'll be going to get it serviced/fixed etc.

Kymco is an excellent make with good reliability and support, although I'm not a fan of the J300/downtown because of the feet issues: no feet forward. The new Xciting 400i is powerful, lightweight and stylish so check that out too.

I'd have a look at the Honda Forza, Kymco and Piaggio. The (Piaggio) Vespa GTS250i and 300i are great machines with classic looks and there is the Piaggio X10 (Which I have ordered) so obviously I like that + the clutch is amazing! Suzuki obviously do the Burgman but on my test ride on a 400 I found it an extremely dull ride.

I like Yamaha stuff but the Xmax and Tmax look overpriced with cheap looking plastics to me.

BTW if you are going to do long journeys check out the aftermarket screens available for the scooter before you buy it - Givi and Isotta are pretty good for that. A decent screen makes a HUGE difference to comfort and enjoyment on the move. Also check availability for topbox racks too as a decent sized topbox can be hugely useful for travelling: lockable storage rocks for that.

Globs wrote:Kymco is an excellent make with good reliability and support, although I'm not a fan of the J300/downtown because of the feet issues: no feet forward. The new Xciting 400i is powerful, lightweight and stylish so check that out too.

Check it OUT!
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hughie!!!!!!

I've had a Forza since September and have done 6000 miles on it.
It is simply the best but only if you fit comfortably on it, not everyone does because knee room is limited.

Welcome back hughie, if you like the xmax 400, and I do think they are a bit expensive, what about a 400 majesty, wigan/chorley yamaha have some pre reg bargains, and a couple of low milege examples on biketrader, if you want a honda go get a forza, I think they are fantastic scoots.

Here we go everybody will start plugging their own scoots, I wont mention the SYM Maxsym 400 because everybody knows it and its smaller the brother the Joymax are the best scoots on the market . The latest edition of Twist and Go as a report on the kawasaki which is an interesting read. My local kawasaki dealer says it a nice bike but you are paying a lot for the kawakai badge. Dont worry by the time this thread is finished your head will be spinning and you will be none the wiser

hughie

hows things mate you still at skellerns

i have the forzas little brother and its ace but not good for long distance

but im guessing the forza would be suttons in bromsgrove have a demo or they did a few weeks ago

Ginger Phil wrote:Hughie!!!!!!

What he said above welcome back

Ginger Phil wrote:Hughie!!!!!!

Bloody hell Phil has came out of hibernation!