Hello from London! Any good shops for test rides?

[itadakimasu]

Hello!

Seems like I've stumbled upon a great little community here. So.. I'm on the cusp of making the leap in to the world of maxi scooters and am seeking suggestions on which direction to go. I'm currently riding a a Vespa GTS 250 or rather, was, until last weekend when the wiring loom suffered from an electrical fire So here I am, another maxi "noob" in search for my first foray in to this world of big scooters. So, my first question to the forum is: which scooter (300cc+) should I buy and can you suggest any good dealers in London to go for a test ride?

Things I loved from my Vespa:
- Easy maintenance. She started everytime.. until she didn't(!)
- Good balance
- Passenger comfort (not a peep from the missus from regular journeys around town and longer ones to neighbouring cities)
- Under-seat storage
- Style
- Fuel economy

Things I want from my next scooter:
- Under-seat storage for a full face helmet. Space for two helmets will sweeten the deal
- Passenger comfort
- Bit more power than the GTS 250!
- I'll do most riding on weekends and perhaps one commute a week when I don't feel like jumping on the old pedal bike. With that in mind, I'm not after a touring bike (put off by the size!)

Thanks in advance!

[SH125Paul]

Depends where in london... Dobles and check out the Forza 300 and new version SH300... a place to start... or Metropolis if central london, vauxhall, chiswick honda also get a good write up...

[poldark]

London is a big place, whereabouts are you N/S/E/W?

Lots to consider, here's a few:
Kawasaki J300
Kymco Downtown 300
Sym Citycom 300
Piaggio Beverly 350
Suzuki Burgman 400
Sym Maxsym 400

[kishan]

welcome

[itadakimasu]

I'm based in West (Ealing) but willing to travel to a decent place.

Good list of suggestions! In my research I came to liken the X-max 400 - judging by your username, XMax400Paul, you appear to be an owner. Would you recommend? Any problems that I should be aware of?

[StephenC]

Whilst I like my J300, it won't take 2 full helmets under the seat. It can hold two securely fixed to the outside of the bodywork when you park up, but that won't stop nasty types doing something horrid with them...

Downtown can probably take 2 full helmets under the seat, but I think one may have to be fairly small.

[Gerard C]

The Burgman 400 ticks every box. Well proven and good resale values. Tested by many miles by many owners. I'm a bit biased I've got 5 of varying age and engine sizes. The Son and Daughter in law have a 400 each. We travel allover including foreign parts.

[SH125Paul]

I'm based in West (Ealing) but willing to travel to a decent place.

Good list of suggestions! In my research I came to liken the X-max 400 - judging by your username, XMax400Paul, you appear to be an owner. Would you recommend? Any problems that I should be aware of?

Not really new tech - uses the 'established' majesty engine,
like a Majesty in a track suite and trainers rather than in a fleece, hiking trousers and walking boots
Was an improvement in power and particularly torque over the 250, but with it came twin air box sticky out 'zorts to what i have previously refered to as a 'Fat Arse' in previous posts...
Shim Under Bucket Valve adjust at 24k miles, oil every 3k, oil filter every other... belt at 12, although mine has done 21k on the original belt...
Got mine new in '13 just when they came out and was a dailey commuter till it was retired of this duty mid Nov 15 with the purchase of the SH (luverly commuter - tool for the job!) XMax now resides in the garage for the weekend jaunt and sunnier times, and just about to get its 21,000 service.
Nice scoot, sit up and beg rather than feet forward cruise, proper 400 rather than the large 250's billed as 300's - comfy - loads of underseat storage...
i still like it!
New one has ABS... and still a whole load cheaper than a TMax... different league granted.
Was an XMax250 owner and the 400's promise of more power and torque turned my head, so PX-ed the 250

[itadakimasu]

Wow, thanks for the detailed answer! I like your tracksuit analogy

[darren11864]

Tmax 500, only one helmet under the seat but the biggest grin on your face from any other bike/scooter off the lights/on motorways/round the twisty lanes at the weekend
I got a 2008 with 4,000 miles on it with a Yoshimura exhaust and a tail tidy for £4,000 with full service history. These deals are out there, you can pay the same for a new poor handling scooter but will regret it, and won't grin when you ride it. I've gone from 600cc sports bikes to the Tmax 500 and will never look back