Hi to all - Some advice please!

[simoncrp]

I just stumbled upon this website and love it!! I would love some advice from anyone that can help. Is this the best place to ask or should I post in the general maxi forum?
I live in London and have a 10 mile commute through central London.
I have had a Sym Megalo 125 for the last 12 years. Until 2 weeks ago when a car driver very kindly 'didn't see me' when taking a fast right and wrote off my bike (and nearly myself!)
I am now in the market for a new bike. I have a full bike license but want to stick to a scooter and not a motorbike. But I want to upgrade from a 125 to a 300cc. I don't like Vespas. From looking around, I think I have narrowed my choices down to the following: Yamaha X-Max 250, Kawasaki J300, Honda Forza 300, Kymco 300 or the Sym Joymax 300i. Although my mechanic has been quite emphatic that I shouldn't touch the X-Max as he says they are very unreliable (are made in France, not Japan) and sees them in his workshop all the time, although I do like the new post 2014 X-Max 250.
Lastly, I have also seen the new Sym Symphony 200 ST - not sure about this one though.
I hope I haven't confused you all. Hoping for some helpful feedback...
Thanks in advance,

[gn2]

Kymco Downtown 300 is the cheapest ABS equipped 300, Forza 300 has by far the longest service intervals.
Kawasaki is a Kymco in a party frock.
Daelim S3 Advance 250 is only £3000 but no ABS.
Yamaha Xmax has very old hat lowest power engine of the 300s in your list.

[spaceprobe]

Welcome , yes this is a great site. You have had 12 great years from SYM so a case for sticking with what you know but at the end of the day look at a few and see what suits you. There will be plenty of advice and fun for whatever you choose

[Superscoot]

I live in London and have a 10 mile commute through central London.

I have a Daelim S3 Advance 250 and it's small and lightweight enough for town/city use, but will keep up with motorway traffic as well

Currently the price includes a matching Daelim top box

You can buy the Daelim S3 Advance 250 for £3000 through Bolton Motorcycles, and pay for delivery to your house - or buy one from any Daelim dealer for £3299

I did consider buying a Sym, but the Daelim was cheaper - but Sym would also be a good choice for you

Whatever make you buy, the warranty needs to be honored - lots of sensors on a new scooter that can go wrong - so check user forums to make sure the manufacturer doesn't try and wriggle out of free warranty repairs

[SH125Paul]

welcome...
i has the '09 XMax 250 for about 4 years and 36,000 miles - few niggles but nothing too major...

your mechanic friend may see em in his workshop all the time, as there is a lot of em out there...
if you liked your previous Sym, then this is a good place to start and by which others should be compared
how about throwing a late plate Honda SH300 in to the mix, a little skinnier than teh maxi types you have mentioned, may be just the tool...

I have the XMax400 and would be seriously considering dropping back down to 250 or maybe the SH125 as a future scoot for my commute.
maybe get down Metropolis M/Cs as they have a large stock of varied secondhand at least for a sit on and look under the seat etc, may help narrow te choices...

Enjoy the site - and who is ya spanner man and if he scooter freindly and London-ish based may be worth having his details for getting out a tight spot or breakdown...

[simoncrp]

Thanks to all for your replies. I think I will have to try some out.

My mechanic is Tom at kings Cross Scooters. He likes his SYMs! I've used him for ages and he's always happy to help out.

[kishan]

welcome

[michaelphillips]

it depends on how much you intend to spend? also dont forget with the new laws beginning 2016 all new scoots 125cc and over will have to have ABS as standard, i know i should have bought some shares in Bosch....
take your time as you will have the scoot for some time and welcome lad

[VOZZA]

Hi Simon and welcome.

[gonzo1947]

Hi simon the kawasaki j300 is a kymco 300i ,Kawasaki have put there own plastics on it and put about £300 on it,.