Scooter or towed car

[Rustyspanners]

Hi going for a test ride on 125 scooter next week. We own a 821 burstner planning month long trips around Europe we'd like to hear peoples experiences of small towed car vs scooter in garage.

 

[Rustyspanners]

Thanks for all the advise and experience it's settled are going the scooter route. Will have a look at the models suggested

 

[suavecarve]

Wow those topboxes are cheap. No issues with payload tag axle but think 125 best wife could use it when at home on l plate. Think we will start with cheap topbox leave the dog off the bike for now.

If weight isnt an issue then the 125 option (allowing Mrs to ride it for a couple of years) seems a sensible option. Just check out the comfort of the seats as (if youre like me) you end up on it for quite a while some days.

 

[Nasher]

If i were buying again, i would buy the address again only with dam site nicer seats. Over an hour on the bike and you know it !

Just check out the comfort of the seats as (if youre like me) you end up on it for quite a while some days.

Have a look at gel inserts for your seat(s)

There is the option of a simple strapon one, but plenty of companies offering to fit descent gel inserts into your existing seat - for not much money

It's not that difficult as a DIY job either

 

[bigtwin]

How about something a little more ‘funky’?

102Kg

<Broken link removed>

Ian

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[Manic]

Thinking of a honda pcx125

I prefer the scooter like the Honda SH or Sym HD version without the hump in the middle. Like this example.

 

[Drum Major]

We have the sym very happy with it gets the two of us around could not do with out it

 

[EuroTrotters]

Qpod !

 

[Richard n Ann]

Bear in mind there are two SH125 models the SH125i and the SH125 mode. The mode is loads cheaper but has the same 12bhp engine.

 

[scotzsue]

Not a scooter but we carried a KTM690Duke in our Mizar garage (thanks bigtree )
Have changed van and bike, now will be taking a 790 on an easylifter, we could just get it in the garage, but taking everything out to put it in and take it out was a faff, hope the easylifter isn't.

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[bigtree]

Not a scooter but we carried a KTM690Duke in our Mizar garage (thanks bigtree )
Have changed van and bike, now will be taking a 790 on an easylifter, we could just get it in the garage, but taking everything out to put it in and take it out was a faff, hope the easylifter isn't.

Have you got rid of the crappy Maxxis tyres yet ?
I put on Bridgestone S22’s , fantastic.

 

[Rustyspanners]

I've also got a ktm1190 but it's too heavy and tall to fit. So scooter it is thinking sh125 as it has a small floor that could carry something and the pcx doesn't have that. It will be a lot slower than I'm used to and no brembo mono blocks think ahead to stop.

 

[scotzsue]

Have you got rid of the crappy Maxxis tyres yet ?
I put on Bridgestone S22’s , fantastic.

No bloomin idea I just sit on the back and pray know it has the original tyres unless he has sneaked out during lockdown to change them. Will pass on the advice.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I've also got a ktm1190 but it's too heavy and tall to fit. So scooter it is thinking sh125 as it has a small floor that could carry something and the pcx doesn't have that. It will be a lot slower than I'm used to and no brembo mono blocks think ahead to stop.

Yes very different, our Vision is only 8bhp, it's fast enough when you get going but when pulling out of a junction 2 up, you need it to get going and there is nothing there, it's frustrating and embarrassing in equal measure You'll still find it fun to ride most of the time, especially with the 12bhp 125s

After a proper bike it feels like a plastic wobbly toy but you get used to it

 

[bigtree]

No bloomin idea I just sit on the back and pray know it has the original tyres unless he has sneaked out during lockdown to change them. Will pass on the advice.

Like night and day, the originals are like wood.

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[scotzsue]

Like night and day, the originals are like wood.

Says he'll change at some point but only done 1500 due to lockdown, and he's not a boy racer anymore.

 

[PeteH]

I`ve always had reservations, about hanging in excess of 125Kg plus all the Riding Gear, behind the rear axle?. In addition to the gear that seems be be carried in "garages". I often wonder how many are over the design weight of the rear axle?.

 

[Lanerboy]

I`ve always had reservations, about hanging in excess of 125Kg plus all the Riding Gear, behind the rear axle?. In addition to the gear that seems be be carried in "garages". I often wonder how many are over the design weight of the rear axle?.

I would agree with you unless you have a tag axle
I looked into this and went on a weigh bridge etc to get the info correct, i ended up having rear air suspension fitted so my rear axle is now 2700kg which is plenty for me to carry my sh125, 2 electric mountain bikes and all the normal clobber we all seem to need, even with a full 170ltr water tank i still have over 100kg spare

 

[suavecarve]

I only have the single axle rear but have uprated, however i also have a set of reich scales so know how much weight I have left in order to purchase the wine and stack it round the motorhome appropriately

 

[PeteH]

I can see the security benefits of the Rear Garage. That is something of a Given. However if the rear axle is on the margin. And lets face it, so many especially sub 3.5t Motorhomes, already have Payload issues. Once you hit the limit for the rear axle, where do you go?. You cannot realistically retrofit a "tag", nor put in a Dual, and the cost of uprating an Alko Chassis is in excess of £2K. (I know because I researched it) Whilst I understand that many have responsibly taken this on board as witness some of the previous threads. It must be of concern that there could be a large number out there with the potential of "tail wagging the dog"?. As indeed there are many Caravan`s being towed by cars not capable, and way over the recommendation of 85%.

The American "industry", By and large, build their R-V`s on Chassis capable of taking the Extra load. Very few do not have Dual Rears. And they have a better weight distribution, from the use of "basement" lockerage, rather than just putting most behind the Rear axle. However because of the Idiotic Licence "rules" in the UK (and Europe). This is a virtual non starter. Far from being a danger, Raising the Gross mass limit for the "B" licence, for private i.e. Motorhomes use, could be a safety benefit.

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[David and Sally]

Just picked up the Yamaha Xmax 300. One, to run around on. Two to tow on my trailer. I have a Motolug that dismantles.
28hp so tons of go but way too big for a garage.

 

[138go]

We’ve found in Europe we don’t need either. Unlike the U.K. it’s so easy to find places to park your MH. We do have E-bikes.

 

[Rustyspanners]

Had a good text ride on pcx 125 think we are going to order one on monday. There a bit wobbly to start with once moving around 30 it's ok.

 

[PeteH]

Can I just point out that for many, including ourselves, the reason we have Motorhomes, is the they lend themselves best to coping with disability (of many types). And disability which make the use of bikes and scooters unrealistic. It is the primary reason why we tow the small car, it gives us the flexibility we cannot achieve by any other method. They Car/Caravan combination does not tick those boxes either.

 

[PeteH]

There a bit wobbly to start with once moving around 30 it's ok.

That is primarily, due to the high Centre of gravity, Small(er) wheels than most "true" Motorcycles. ensures that the overall C of G, of rider and machine, is greater. and per-se has a larger effect on stability.

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[Richard n Ann]

Had a good text ride on pcx 125 think we are going to order one on monday. There a bit wobbly to start with once moving around 30 it's ok.

Did you test ride the SH125?

 

[Lanerboy]

Had a good text ride on pcx 125 think we are going to order one on monday. There a bit wobbly to start with once moving around 30 it's ok.

Try the sh125 its better than the pcx and you are not climbing over that hump its a flat floor to put shopping bag etc in when 2 up

 

[Manic]

Try the sh125 its better than the pcx and you are not climbing over that hump its a flat floor to put shopping bag etc in when 2 up

That was what I said, more useful, we had a Gilera sp180 with mid hump and then changed to a Sym HD200 and that was a lot better, bigger wheels also.

 

[Lanerboy]

Had a good text ride on pcx 125 think we are going to order one on monday. There a bit wobbly to start with once moving around 30 it's ok.

Forgot to say the sh125 also has 16 inch wheels and the pcx only has 14 inch so not as stable

 

[bigtwin]

That is primarily, due to the high Centre of gravity, Small(er) wheels than most "true" Motorcycles. ensures that the overall C of G, of rider and machine, is greater. and per-se has a larger effect on stability.

The instability is due to the reduced gyroscopic (stabilising) effect from the smaller wheels not relative weights and CoG.

Ian

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[tacr2man]

If you are going to trailer a scooter you cant go far wrong with a Burgman 400 very quick even two up , masses of storage expecially with a top box and panniers, and super comfortable seating Too heavy to hang on the rear unless US RV .