Which one do I choose?!

[PoppetM]

Morning All!
After many years of wrangling with the London commute and countless hours wasted, I persuaded Hubby it was time for me to hit the road...on two wheels. Passed my CBT in October and have been weaving about on a Vespa LX125 and completed 8,000 miles already. Had a few issues with the Vepsa - it's Italian, it does not like the cold or the wet and in a previous life it wasn't treated so well, so it has a few demons in it's closet. Am looking to upgrade to something a bit more "punchy" and reliable, that can hold it's own on the motorway, slim for filtering, and something I can reach the ground comfortably (am a petite 5'3" lady). It needs to withstand a 50+ mile commute. Am booked in for the A2 licence test.

My current thoughts:
Kawasaki J300 (my twin just got the Aussie Ninja ABS 300 - bit of sibling rivalry going on)
Honda Forza 300
Honda SH300i (I am not keen on the styling on this one... but if it's superior to the others so be it!)

I appreciate that a motorbike would be an option, but it was an agreement with the husband I wouldn't get one, the training is just for "safety" purposes and to be honest I need to fit suit, heels and a weekly shop on the bike!

Can any of you provide any experiences on the above please?

Many thanks!

[kishan]

i would go for the honda forza300, great styling and great performance set up.

[SH125Paul]

Well Done for getting stuck in, 8000 miles since oct is some mileage - sure its not 8000km i.e 5000 miles - either way some mileage!..
A dilema... shame your vespa has been mistreated, otherwise it is one of the perfect tools for the job - as you have found out... Motorway use aside.
New or secondhand? - All 3 scoots listed are sound... i got an SH125 for a London Commute, and an more than happy with it - as the XMAx400 is a little ' broad about the beam' i.e has a fat arse with the twin airbox and zorst! - If i was gonna be down to 1 scoot the SH300 would be high on my agenda.
The Forza 125 and 300 are different looking animals, both having weather protection, the Forza 300 i think is a lot lower, which is were you may start running in to issue...
A little sense creapin in as well with function over form, with that in mind - Dont be afraid of the Sym and Kymko offereing s around 250cc.
Sounds like a jaunt to some dealers for a 'sit 'n see' - weight as well as how easy to get on / off the stand etc.
Good luck in your search and with the A2...

[StephenC]

Sh300 is a good all-rounder although as Elizabeth has found, you need long(ish) legs.
J300 is a fine sports scooter (as is the Downtown on which it is mostly based). Best looking IMHO
Forza has best storage of the three, I think. Lowest power though.

But since you can get a reasonable size topbox off Amazon for about £30, I thoroughly recommend the J300. Mine's on 16k miles and I'm still loving it. I'd be surprised if hubby could leave you behind on his Ninja 300.

[michaelphillips]

hi , well done on your progress, if you use http://cycle-ergo.com/ you can put your height etc into any scoot/bike and in the options when you on the specific scoot page click options and click put feet on ground, this will show how much of feet can get on ground,click add a motorcycle to compare. the kwacka j300 is not on the list so look at kymco downtown 300i (same seat height ish)
the kwacka j300 is a beauty stile wise as well, get the j300 BEFFA MODEL WITH ABS as there are quite a few AFFA models of it which does not have abs, a lot of models over 125cc which dont have abs at the moment possibly will have in 2017 as the law changes. so later on this year there should be bargains to be had, it all depends on how much money you want to use, and if its a keeper for a few years.buying new or used, cold start etc on fuel injected models now is not an issue, service wise the honda forza 300 is 8000 mile intervals and may sway you there... just ask away if needed cheers

[Scootypuff snr]

PoppetM

Congratulations on getting the 2 wheel bug and making the unpleasant task of commuting to London a little more "pleasurable"

As an ex commuter to the smoke I can see how you rack up those mileages and if its any consolation I killed a Vespa ET4 in a year courtesy of the M25 (though it doesn't take much to upset a fickle Italian rot box).

Of the three bikes you mention , I did over a year on the old style SH300 which is a classic flat floor scooter and with the then standard top box and small under seat took all of my city requirements for daily use. I think you may find it narrower as well,seated.

I'm currently considering the J300 and Kwak have narrowed the running boards for shorter riders but at 5'3"??

The Honda forza wins hands down as a commuter at present due to the 8K service intervals. Unless you or hubby are going DIY route

But best bet is to sit on a few in show rooms as demo scooters are like rocking horse poo (though the for a has appeared in the secondhand market readily now.

The other consideration depending where you park in London is the extras. Lock and chain, heated grips, urbano rain cover (lots of women who rode along commercial street had these fitted with a long shoe heel hidden below) but you don't want a dirty oily bike lock in the same box as your jimmy choo's on a wet winters ride.

Good luck with the A2 and keep us posted on your search

[smeghead]

I'd also look at the SYM Joymax 300i if you have no secure parking (garage) and you live in London I'd rule out a Vespa GTS 300 they get nicked, sad as it's a cracking vehicle.

[PoppetM]

Thank you all for your input, really appreciated! It's definitely 8,000 miles not kms. I do a 50mile round trip everyday and clock up over 250 miles a week. It is far easier on two wheels and has reduced my commute by almost 1.5 hours per day, saved me £500 a month in parking fees and £100 a month in fuel savings. Win win. Going for new just because of my anticipated mileage so hopefully can keep it for a good few years.
It's my mad twin brother on a the Ninja 300 haven't been able to persuade hubby to join me on two wheels, he thinks I am a nutter for riding.
Have been out today and perched on a Xmax400 - crazy heavy at 60kilos heavier then my current ride, it didn't feel very nimble, felt like it was going to pitch to the right.
They sat me on an R3 - which I loved - it's light, it hasn't got a great riding position for my back and can't get those Jimmy Choos on there. Hubby reminded me of my fur lined apron, which I had forgotten about, so it definitely has to be a scoot.
It's parked on a drive over night and I can shackle it up, but once at work it's in a bay where you can't shackle to anything just got to hope the disc lock puts them off.
Having compared them all side by side (got to love a spreadsheet) It's a toss up between the Forza (similar dimensions to my current ride and hadn't factored in the service intervals!) the J300 and the SH300i when it appears in June. Forza and J300 are winning in the style stakes though!
And I got the licence category wrong, I am doing the direct access to full motorcycle licence, it appears at my age I don't need to mess about with the restricted A2! eek... Once again thank you all.