What Scooter with good rear suspension?

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Russell iow
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Joined: Thu May 15, 2025 6:32 pm
Current Ride: Xmax250

What Scooter with good rear suspension?

Post by Russell iow »

Ive had a few different motorcycles over the years, big road bikes and dirt bikes of all sizes but recently ive been looking more at maxi scooters.
A 2011 xmax 250 came up for sale locally for £1700 so i thought i would give it a try.
I think its really good, I would say i love it but one thing puts me off. The rear suspension is total crap, Everything else is perfectly exceptable.
Where i live the roads are rubbish, potholes and cracks everywhere and my lower back is not happy.
What scooters have good rear suspension?
Im testing a xadv750 tomorrow but it looks like under seat luggage is limited.

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roadster
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Current Ride: Sym Joymax 125

Re: What Scooter with good rear suspension?

Post by roadster »

In short any scooter which doesn't carry the engine and transmission on the swing arm as part of the unsprung weight. From my own experience the Kymco AK550 is a good example and I'm sure there are others. Honda and Yamaha have large capacity machines that have scooter style bodywork but are motorcycles under the skin. There are also some lower capacity machines which have some minor off-road potential such as the Honda ADV. These have better quality shocks and a little more suspension travel which you might find better.
Located on UK South Coast
Honda Supercub SYM Joymax 125 and Honda CB300R. Previously Silence S01, Kymco AK550, Triumph Tiger 850, Triumph Street Twin etc...

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mottza
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Re: What Scooter with good rear suspension?

Post by mottza »

Adv350 is the best handling scooter I have had.
2023 Honda ADV350 & 2020 Honda Super Cub 125

Andym
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Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:51 am
Current Ride: Forza 350 and SuperCub

Re: What Scooter with good rear suspension?

Post by Andym »

There is a gap in the market between £10k+ small wheel motorcycles and the 400cc medi-scooters.

The small wheel motorcycle will always have the better suspension both in theory and because they might not use the cheapest components.

That said I have no problem on that score with the Forza. I've had motorcycles that were worse. I'd suspect Honda used better parts in the same way you get the electric screen, it's how they stay ahead of the lower priced competitors in reviews.

I'd say reduce your search to what's in budget and what you like, then go test ride a couple.

Andy

velocipede6295
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Re: What Scooter with good rear suspension?

Post by velocipede6295 »

Welcome to the forum Russell. I owned one a couple of years ago, I kept it for 8 months, and covered about 4,000 miles. Good points for me - the suspension and handling, good engine power, big size, bad points - not much underseat space, very heavy, DCT can be clunky changing down at low speed, very tall - doesn't inspire confidence putting a foot down on uneven ground.

How did you find the one you test rode?

Russell iow
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 15, 2025 6:32 pm
Current Ride: Xmax250

Re: What Scooter with good rear suspension?

Post by Russell iow »

To be honest I decided to cancel the test ride. Apart from a slight change of life plans and re-allocation of funds, the lack of underseat storage would, for me, miss the point and intended use of the scoot. The power of my 250 is all i need and want for now although the last mpg check i did was only 70mpg.
Do the yss shocks offer an improved ride? Do any of the upgraded shocks improve ride comfort?

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