Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Is a maxi scooter a bad idea for a long trip? Is a maxi scooter a bad idea for a long trip?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Feb 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lymington and Ellesemere UK
Posts: 8
Is a maxi scooter a bad idea for a long trip?
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip from England to Jordan later this year. She isn't interested in riding pillion, so the plan was to do it on two Honda Deauvilles. I've already got mine, but she only has an automatic licence because she's been riding a Burgman 125cc scooter. She has to take another test to get a proper motorbike licence, and is working towards this now. But it suddenly occurred to me that it might not be necessary. She could upgrade to a Burgman 650cc without any extra training or paperwork. But what about luggage carrying capacity? What about the comfort of the seating position? What about stability in cross winds? Any ideas? Does she really need to jump through the hoops of getting qualified to ride a motorbike when she could more easily and quickly just get a bigger scooter?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
Maxi-scooters have been used before and one particular member on here (I forget who) seemed to feel that it had performed admirably, in all sorts of terrains. If you are on tarmac I don't think you'll have any major problems. If its dirt tracks, it'll be tough, but then so would it be on a deauville. The Honda has bigger wheels, so can ride over obstacles more easily, but it is very heavy and the Suzuki is lower so easier to control... Swings and roundabouts really. Certainly can be done and is not that big a hurdle... Hopefully you'll get some first hand accounts soon that can address some of the more specific questions you had.

Good luck
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Feb 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
I have a few friends with scooters and they are always bugging me to take a ride on them. Of course they love them, most commute on them. I've ridden the 400 Burgman (C+) 650 Burgman (B+), Honda 650 ? (B) something? and Yamaha T-Max (500cc) (A+) All well over $6000. Too much, IMO.

The only one I really liked was the Yamaha T-Max (A+). Rides like a real motorcycle. Fuel economy was not that good for a scooter but it was FAST and went around corners really really well. Good suspension and good control. We had it on slippery wet roads and the Tmax was solid. The trunk could fit a 12 kgs. Turkey, or lots of on ice.

The 650 Suzuki is pretty good and I love the paddle shifting. Biggest problem is both the Suzuki's and T-Max are too expensive. (In the US at least) For the money, I'd get a Kymco. As good or better and cheaper.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Feb 2010
bikerz's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: portugal
Posts: 75
we've done thousands of - trouble free - miles on ours now.all over spain, portugal, france, italy and germany.
super comfy, very economical, no hassles at all and we can get everything we want to take safely locked under the cavernous seat!
wish id bought one ages ago!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
my mate has a burgmann650 and i would have no second thoughts about a trip on it, as long as i stayed on the road.

the luggage under the seat would almost be enough for me, a topbox as backup would be plenty, as i like hard luggage otherwise a rolltop ortleib strapped on the rear seat would be fine.
the only thing i dont like about scooters is the riding position, small ones are like sitting on a stool and big ones like the burgerking are like cruiser bikes, feet forwards and all weight on the bottom. this position seems to kill my back. on a motorcycle you can have some weight on the arms and feet to spread a bit.
__________________
dave
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 Feb 2010
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
Maxi-scooters have been used before and one particular member on here (I forget who) seemed to feel that it had performed admirably, in all sorts of terrains.
That would be me Warthog.

Hugh, I rode a Burgman 650 from Korea to Italy in 2008 and have taken it off the beaten track extensively.

I love the Burgie so much I've even bought a 2nd one, and am currently in the process of transforming one of them into a dedicated offroader with a 21" front end.

Read Across the universe for details of my travels, and just in case anyone thinks I'm new to this game (and don't know any better ) I've also done four other major international trips on regular bikes, and I still reckon the Burgman is King.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Mar 2010
trying59's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: surrey bc canada
Posts: 74
Lots of people do it. 100 plus million ride there scooters in places we could never considering doing it. It's there only transport. People take ct110 on world tours. Some true nuts take the 50cc scooters on 5000 K trips. Just finished reading about a couple whom did that in canada.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Long weekend - USA trip veerkar Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 7 Aug 2008 15:12
What checks do you do after a long trip? Sheikyabooty BMW Tech 5 3 Sep 2007 01:00
Long Way Round Scooter Style richtea Which Bike? 9 2 Jun 2006 13:25
Good idea or dumb idea? glendavidshort Trip Paperwork 0 9 Jun 2003 13:41
Long trip Preparation OXXT Yamaha Tech 2 15 Jun 2002 22:39

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top