Hi all

Following a total knee replacement I no longer have the confidence to take my R1200GSA off road. This is a bit hard to explain but I cant get my head around getting my leg caught under it when I have a slow speed fall particularly if its my good leg.

I have spent week getting on and off bikes at bike shops and what felt best was the large scooters - Burgman and C650. Given I can kind of step off it if needed.

In a few years we will be heading off to visit the world and though I doubt it will count as a RTW trip we will be including Asia, Japan, Europe and USA / Canada. We will hit lots of dirt but not crazy stuff hopefully.

The Burgman is well established around the world and has the benefit of 50L of underseat storage. I have seen a few with aftermarket cruise control fitted. A few have been used on RTW's.

The C650 is newer so is less proven and I can only seem to find reference to it having 'large underseat storage' and even that is a bit vague as it seems to have a section you push down when stopped to fit your helmet.

I figure adding a rack on the back and using Kriega type packs.

Thoughts on which of these you would consider if you were to consider one?

The BMW has about a 5% price premium over the Burg though that is not a huge issue.

Thanks.

PS> How do I post a poll. Its missing from my thread tools?

everyone some day has to think to downsize. Me I did it because I had a load of major surgeries 20 years ago.

This is not a bad news in itself but there is some work to be done because no one can face an issue like that overnight.

Like you, I look for scooters, I bought one after another because I didn't know what to look for.

Don't go out to look for the ''the best big perfect scoot'', look for something you can customize to your own liking.

When I retired 3 years ago, I bought a Kymco downtown 300. Had the seat customized, added trekker Outback side paniers and top case.

Now 3 years later, I bought a motor home, we live it it full time. We rode throughout Canada, USA and Mexico. The tandem scooter/motorhome is the way to go for us.

Have a look at the honda adx, it's a 700 + cc, it can do easy gravel road, and in my own understanding, no other scooter come close to that.

In my distress I bought a Piaggio mp3 400. It's a scooter trike. Enjoyed it very much, but underpower.

Yamaha has a new 900cc trike. I saw it a month ago, awsome. I had a look at it a month ago. $20,000 cdn.

I know the Burgman, I rode the 400 and the 650. The 400, forget it. The 650cc, is a good 2 wheels, but way too heavy to my own liking, but it's a world class.

I didn't ride the BMW. A friend has one, seems like the sales had not come along.

Thanks heaps for your thoughts.

The ADX isn't coming to australia however there are rule changes coming that lets you import from OS if it isn't imported here.

We visit Japan a lot so I may test ride the ADX over there, bike819.com has them for hire.

Thanks again

Homer

I would at least strongly consider the Honda X-ADV if you haven't already.

The other thing is... do you think you really need a 650? Will you be travelling two-up? If you and your partner are willing to do two bikes, then you certainly have options. Not the least of which is - don't ship your bike around the world at great expense! Put your luggage into drybags and onto a plane, and buy and sell scooters where you land!

Maxiscooters are great for highway commutes. For a trip around Europe that's part of a RTW and not seriously time-limited, I personally would get a big-wheel small-capacity one that's been pre-scratched and pre-dropped. Sell it at the end of the trip - or just donate it to someone; your investment is less than cost of intercontinental shipment. And that's Europe - they will be cheaper in Asia.

Nah - any big-wheel scooter will do gravel roads easily. People really underestimate how far you can go on two wheels as long as it's dry (i.e. anywhere but churned mud and wet clay). I see video reviews of new GSAs and Adventure Rs, and they're going down roads that I would feel perfectly comfortable doing on my VFR800, to get to a campsite. I would do it slowly and carefully, because I didn't have the suspension travel for quick riding over bumps, but I would get there no problem.

We would definitely do two up so the power would be good.

cheers

Kymco 550..........would give t tmax a miss as the servicing costs are shocking . Seems the main cost are related to belt change time , so that should def b a factor however i thing the burgman scores well on this .As for the x adv i Iike them but our techs hate them as they have alot of electrical issues and are a pain to work on .
Did i say kymco 550 love them

Thanks Chris

Will check it out. Also considering a NC700 Integra as well.

Cheers