Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Joined: Mar 1, 2013 15:37:33 GMT -5
|
Post by waterboysh on May 23, 2013 9:40:02 GMT -5
Just wondering what people's thoughts on this are. Personally, I'm glad that Honda has decided to reintroduce a scooter between the 150 and 500cc range again. The Forza sits at 279cc. Forza Specs. I called a few dealers around here and some had never even heard of the Forza, and a few took my information and promised to contact me when they order some. From what I can tell, they should be available late July or early August. I was originally planning on getting a Piaggio BV 350 used from a Modern Vespa member, but that has fallen through because I was told I wouldn't be able to test drive it first. I don't buy any vehicle (especially a used one) that I can't test drive first. It was a really good deal, but I had to turn it down. So now I'm eyeing getting a Forza. It would be nice to have the Honda reliability and the readily available dealer and parts network. There is a Vespa dealer here, but I just read an article about how they are trying to grow their business and because of the strict ordinances the city has in place they can't expand how they want to and are considering packing up shop and moving to another city like Jacksonville or Orlando. In a way, I'm kinda glad the Piaggio deal fell through because now I'm not even sure if I'd be able to easily get service for it. The MSRP is $5599 which is right at the same price point as the BV 350. I feel like the BV 350 is a little more technologically advanced, and also has more power (330cc vs 279cc and 33hp vs 24hp) but that the Honda would be easier and probably cheaper to maintain. I can't find the maintenance schedule of the Forza anywhere online. I hope it competes well with the BVs long maintenance intervals. I personally am excited for the Forza. I've been wanting a bigger, more reliable scooter. I thought it was going to be the BV 350, but now I'm thinking it will be the Forza. |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on May 23, 2013 10:47:01 GMT -5
About time. For a open road scooter the 150 isn't enough, and the Swing in 600 is just too much (imho)
|
|
|
|
Post by dragonsparks on May 23, 2013 11:52:52 GMT -5
DX But they should name it the Fonza and design a muffler for it that goes AAAeeeeee.  Dave |
|
|
|
Post by ridecheap on May 23, 2013 15:36:32 GMT -5
That 279cc fuel injected is perfect for gas mileage and top speed without modding it too much. Once you start getting two cylinders you start losing gas mileage alot (basically anything 300cc and over). But it looks identical to a Linhai scooter bodywise.
The price is a killer IMHO its up to you.
|
|
|
|
Post by shalomrider on May 23, 2013 22:33:06 GMT -5
howdy, well, actually most of the 500cc scooters are single cylinders and most settle in somewhere between 50 and 60 mph but have better torque than the 300cc' . my bv 350 seems to be turning fairly high rpm which is why it feels as strong as my bv500 did. the transmission is vastly changed in the new scoot with promise of longer service and belt life. i rode the bv 500 for better than 8000 miles on the same belt from new and am hoping for much better from the new scoot.
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
|
|
|
|
Post by domindart on May 23, 2013 23:20:19 GMT -5
 But they should name it the Fonza and design a muffler for it that goes AAAeeeeee.  Dave  |
|
|
|
Post by spandi on May 24, 2013 1:20:48 GMT -5
But they should name it the Fonza and design a muffler for it that goes AAAeeeeee. Dave ....and you can use it for "Jumping the Shark" |
|
New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Joined: Feb 27, 2013 5:47:24 GMT -5
|
Post by obe on May 24, 2013 3:36:14 GMT -5
I just bought a kymco downtown 300i. A 2012 leftover. The dealer knocked off $1000.oo list. You might want to take a look at one. I like it so far, just under 300 mi so far. Has plenty of pwr and handels nice. 68 mpg on 1st tank. Good luck with whatever you get.
|
|
Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Joined: Mar 1, 2013 15:37:33 GMT -5
|
Post by waterboysh on May 24, 2013 8:53:12 GMT -5
I just bought a kymco downtown 300i. A 2012 leftover. The dealer knocked off $1000.oo list. You might want to take a look at one. I like it so far, just under 300 mi so far. Has plenty of pwr and handels nice. 68 mpg on 1st tank. Good luck with whatever you get. I test drove a Kymco People GT 300i a few weeks ago. It was a nice scooter, but I really dislike how little under seat storage it has. I also don't like the way it looks. The biggest factor though is that the Kymco dealer here has a really shady reputation. |
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
Joined: Mar 3, 2013 11:46:47 GMT -5
|
Post by jwalz1 on May 24, 2013 9:09:30 GMT -5
I just bought a kymco downtown 300i. A 2012 leftover. The dealer knocked off $1000.oo list. You might want to take a look at one. I like it so far, just under 300 mi so far. Has plenty of pwr and handels nice. 68 mpg on 1st tank. Good luck with whatever you get. I got the same deal last year. Great scooter. Is it a done deal the Forza is coming to the US? I thought it was asia-europe only. At any rate, the Forza-BV decision comes down to whether you want a maxi style or not. I love Honda products and even though I am happy with my Kymco, Honda is probably better for quality. I do have to say I like the looks of my Downtown better though, the Forza is kind of boring looking to me. I also like the BV over the Forza for looks. And if the Forza will be only $100 over the Downtown list, then Kymco is going to have to drop the price to compete even though Kymco dealers move quite a bit off of list. The Downtown is 50 pounds lighter though with the same power. I also think the BV will be quicker, too. If I could have any ride in the segment Peugeot would have to bring their new 300 over. That is a nice looking machine. |
|
Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Joined: Mar 1, 2013 15:37:33 GMT -5
|
Post by waterboysh on May 24, 2013 10:53:07 GMT -5
Is it a done deal the Forza is coming to the US? I thought it was asia-europe only. At any rate, the Forza-BV decision comes down to whether you want a maxi style or not. The Forza is starting to show up on the websites of some of the dealers near me. Here is Honda of Crystal River. I'm not sure what you mean about BV vs Forza and maxi style. They both appear to be about the same size, but that's just judging from pictures I've seen. I personally like the BV better, but I'm trying to think long term with reliability and serviceability. |
|
Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
Joined: Mar 3, 2013 11:46:47 GMT -5
|
Post by jwalz1 on May 24, 2013 17:46:46 GMT -5
Is it a done deal the Forza is coming to the US? I thought it was asia-europe only. At any rate, the Forza-BV decision comes down to whether you want a maxi style or not. The Forza is starting to show up on the websites of some of the dealers near me. Here is Honda of Crystal River. I'm not sure what you mean about BV vs Forza and maxi style. They both appear to be about the same size, but that's just judging from pictures I've seen. I personally like the BV better, but I'm trying to think long term with reliability and serviceability. By maxi style I was referring to the front fairing, touring look (although the Honda has a small windshield) versus the Vespa style look if you know what I mean. Not sure if there is reall accepted terminology to distinguish between the styles but that is what I call them. I think the BV is an elegant looking scooter with some neat color combinations. |
|
|
|
Post by scooter12 on May 25, 2013 17:28:43 GMT -5
Honda's are very reliable.. I liked the Kymco Downtown 300i but now my favorite scooter is the Honda Forza 300.. The Forza goes 86 mph+ verses the Kymco at  mph.. I feel Honda is a better over all scooter, made by Japan than the Kymco made by South Korea. Honda has there 300 listed at $5600 and Kymco at $5700. Honda engine size is 279cc verses Kymco at 299cc. Both liquid cooled. But again, the 2014 Honda Forza is listed on the Honda websites. |
|
New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Joined: Mar 1, 2013 22:29:12 GMT -5
|
Post by quail on May 27, 2013 23:28:13 GMT -5
[replyingto=waterboysh]waterboysh[/replyingto]Wow what a nice scoot. Looks like a Reflex. How can you beat a Honda? Wish I had to bucks to go look at one. looks as nice as a Burgman.
|
|
Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Joined: Mar 1, 2013 15:37:33 GMT -5
|
Post by waterboysh on Jun 1, 2013 15:13:07 GMT -5
I just went to Honda's website and found the 10 closest dealers near me, went to their website, and filled out the "contact us" form requesting info about availability and pricing of the Forza. From what I've read from various sources it should be available either late July or early August. I really like the Piaggio BV 350, but I'd rather stick with Honda's superior reliability.
Also, scooter12, Kymco is not South Korean. It's made in Taiwan.
|
|
mph.. I feel Honda is a better over all scooter, made by Japan than the Kymco made by South Korea. Honda has there 300 listed at $5600 and Kymco at $5700. Honda engine size is 279cc verses Kymco at 299cc. Both liquid cooled. But again, the 2014 Honda Forza is listed on the Honda websites.