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Post by ltdhpp on Aug 17, 2013 14:27:02 GMT -5
... and starting with the comedic side, I severely embarrassed myself! No, I didn't drop it, but when I pulled into a parking lot with it to see how well it re-starts warm, I couldn't get it to crank! I wound up pushing it back, but luckily I was only a 1/4 mile away and it was mostly downhill. It turns out the brake lever safety-start switch is not also the brake light switch like other scooters I've ridden. It has a different switch that you have to absolutely mash the brake lever in order to trigger - I'm talking lock-up-the-brakes-and-crash tight.
(I didn't start it up the 1st time)
Anyways, I was very pleased with the overall power it had, I got it to 55mph on a long empty rarely-used side road, and felt like it had lots of power left at only 1/2 throttle.
A few things I was not impressed by though... on that same road, I almost got bounced off the thing by a little dip in the road. Of course, the road wasn't manicured for highway speeds, but still... no road is perfect.
Power from 0-20mph was very 'blah'...
I feel like my 150cc with bolt-ons would get a giant leap on this thing off the line... also I didn't like how the clutch engagement felt. It didn't really feel/sound horrible or broken, but it definitely did not feel as clean and smooth as either my 50cc or 150cc...
Also, throttle response in general was very 'blah'...
On a flat, my 150cc rpms will change almost directly with throttle position, the engine will respond right away to quick blips of the throttle in a very satisfying way. On this Reflex, its like you're waiting a bit for the engine to catch up to what you are telling it to do.
I know these things aren't designed to be a spunky hot-rod of a scooter, but my main concern about the above 2 things is being able to quickly accelerate out of danger from a stop, low speed, or any speed.
This is a huge deal for me, and one of the points of having a large displacement machine, so it will go exactly as fast as you want it to, as soon as you tell it to (like any motorcycle). Do I need 400cc or better to get this?
Essentially the way this Reflex responds (except for having more grunt power once you are already going), it reminds me of how my 150cc ran when I first got it!
Is this just how all scooters are when they are stock??? Boring?
I'm worried I'd be tempted to modify it, and I'm sure this would wind up blowing up my budget. My goal is to get something I won't even have to think about modifying!
Anyone that has one of these, or even a clone of one, is this how yours acts?
It only has about 7,000 miles on it, it's a 2006, it's in excellent shape (navy blue) and they want $2,500 for it...
Thoughts?? Need input!!
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Post by spandi on Aug 17, 2013 14:43:24 GMT -5
Hmmm, a "Brand Name" not perfect, how can that be? That might well be where a Chinese scoot has the edge. They are a lot easier (and cheaper) to modify and improve. At least with them you won't have to worry about overpriced proprietary parts of some models. ;D
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Post by JR on Aug 17, 2013 14:43:36 GMT -5
First of all $2500 too much with 7k on it. Actually looked at one today a 04 with 900 miles on it and not a scratch for $1700. Not interested, just looked. I have the 250B clone and it runs well and I'm not interested, just saw this one for sale and looked.
I see you've modded the 150 so it'll be quicker off the line but the 250 water cooled dependable reflex will run the 150 air cooled GY-6 in the dirt and be running long after it quits especially if you're running it in hot conditions like I do in the south. At 7k the 250 is just broke in good. You can change the CVT on the Reflex with minimum cost and make it just as quick as the 150 so it depends on what you want, speed, low MPG, harder engine wear or MPG, longevity and at a little less get up and go?
If you can get it down a little think Reflex = run as long as I want with good maintenance and buy it.
JR
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Post by ltdhpp on Aug 17, 2013 15:05:23 GMT -5
I thought 2,500 seemed a little high... this is from a dealership though, who supposedly gave it a once-over and a 'tune-up'...
I've seen a few other reflexes on Craigslist near me, they all want $2-2,500 and have closer to 10-20,000 miles on them.
It does have some quirks that remind me of my Chinese scooters... the glove box door doesn't line up 100% when closed and the latch feels cheap. It's got your standard Chinese dash-rattle too... only at certain rpms.
I do like how the feet-forward position is sooo comfortable as well as the backrest. I'm no stranger to knee and backaches so this is pretty awesome. I know the clones would be the same, but there isn't any comparable clone to be found around me. And no-way am I going to shell out cash for a new Chinese 250 from a crate, I'd just as soon buy the Reflex.
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Post by spandi on Aug 17, 2013 15:08:10 GMT -5
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Post by ltdhpp on Aug 17, 2013 15:21:39 GMT -5
yowzers! I looked at a few of those parts... at least from that site, everything is about 3x the price of the same part for a 150!!!
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Post by SylvreKat on Aug 17, 2013 15:32:20 GMT -5
I know these things aren't designed to be a spunky hot-rod of a scooter, ...one of the points of having a large displacement machine, so it will go exactly as fast as you want it to, as soon as you tell it to (like any motorcycle). Do I need 400cc or better to get this? Is this just how all scooters are when they are stock??? Boring? Not sure mine counts as "large displacement" but he is stock. And I don't notice hesitation when I roll on the throttle. Even going up the BIG hill on College--he accelerates up it! And the motorcycle shop guy who did my oil/tune up commented that he was impressed with my scoot's get up 'n' go. >'Kat |
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Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
2005 Honda Reflex and 2006 Yamaha Majesty
Posts: 61
Likes: 3
Joined: Mar 3, 2013 17:56:59 GMT -5
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Post by bobshaw on Aug 17, 2013 15:44:16 GMT -5
I've got a 2005 Reflex Sport, and while it doesn't seem to take off like a rocket, it keeps winding until well past 70mph (I haven't gone any faster than 75, but it feels like it would). My glove box lines-up fine and doesn't rattle, and it's been dropped twice, once by me. This scoot is so smooth, and comfortable to ride, I really feel much more secure on it than I do my 150. I noticed when taking off, it only goes to about 4,500 rpm until it gets to 45-50 mph, while my 150 seems to rev a lot higher. I think that's what's keeping it from being a real screamer at take-off. Other than that, it has plenty of power. I would have no issues riding it on the interstate, where I would never consider doing that with my 150.
Oh, did I say, I love my Reflex?
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Post by kevinharrell on Aug 17, 2013 17:54:04 GMT -5
Go to a Honda Reflex forum and ask about (or look up) the "K mod." It is a simple free way to improve the bikes performance.
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Post by spandi on Aug 17, 2013 18:40:50 GMT -5
yowzers! I looked at a few of those parts... at least from that site, everything is about 3x the price of the same part for a 150!!! Like I said, modifying the brand name stuff ain't cheap. |
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Post by ltdhpp on Aug 17, 2013 19:01:48 GMT -5
Go to a Honda Reflex forum and ask about (or look up) the "K mod." It is a simple free way to improve the bikes performance. Why didn't i think to search... lol I found lots of good info without even going deep... evidently the low rpm lack of spunk and shuddery sensation is typical and fixable! It seems they 'numbed' the take-off for safety reasons, so it doesn't 'get away from you'... what fun is that??? lol I'm going to do some homework... |
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Post by spandi on Aug 17, 2013 19:09:55 GMT -5
So does this improve your chances of getting a Reflex?
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Post by scootnwinn on Aug 17, 2013 20:50:34 GMT -5
A lot of times bikes at dealerships sit for months. Ask them how long its been there. Not having fresh fuel hurts performance too. Is the rear shock adjustable? The Burgman was and when I got mine it was way to tight...
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Post by JR on Aug 17, 2013 21:52:24 GMT -5
I thought 2,500 seemed a little high... this is from a dealership though, who supposedly gave it a once-over and a 'tune-up'... I've seen a few other reflexes on Craigslist near me, they all want $2-2,500 and have closer to 10-20,000 miles on them. It does have some quirks that remind me of my Chinese scooters... the glove box door doesn't line up 100% when closed and the latch feels cheap. It's got your standard Chinese dash-rattle too... only at certain rpms. I do like how the feet-forward position is sooo comfortable as well as the backrest. I'm no stranger to knee and backaches so this is pretty awesome. I know the clones would be the same, but there isn't any comparable clone to be found around me. And no-way am I going to shell out cash for a new Chinese 250 from a crate, I'd just as soon buy the Reflex. All four scooters I own all from online buy and delivered to my front door. Two of the 250 clones the JCL 250A for my wife and the Roketa 250B for me both identical even same color except the name is different. Both with the 250 linhai horizontal clones, both trouble free and run like a scalded ape. Mods are went from 14 gram rollers to 12g sliders and adjusted the needle on the carb. Added extra cooling for hot Arkansas weather. My 250B has over 12k and I've rode it to Dallas Texas five times over the last two years which is 408 miles one way. last time it was in July and 106F in Dallas when I arrived to bumper to bumper 6 p.m traffic. With the sliders I have better take off more pulling power up the Ozark mountains and she'll purr down the highway at 65 mph all day long yes even in over 100F weather. I also put larger tires on and again bought it in a crate. Buying a scooter online = one thing. Don't expect to open the crate, put the battery in and gas and haul butt. tear it down, go through it top to bottom and then have a reliable scooter. After all your 150 wasn't what you wanted until you made it that way. I wouldn't be afraid to get on mine fill her up with gas and go anywhere in this country I wanted but that's me. I have done good PM on this scooter but I haven't babied it either, I ride the snot out of it.  JR |
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Post by spandi on Aug 17, 2013 23:12:19 GMT -5
JR, 408 miles one way?!!!! (now that is a good long Cruise) I did the same "heat treatment" to my scoot. Out here is the SoCal desert it is routinely hot as the blazes. (today 110 as usual) Put in a larger SPAL fan with the sickle shaped blades, Samco silicone coolant tubing, and Evans waterless coolant (which has a boiling point of about 3 kahchillion degrees) Which gives the scoot the agreeable habit of returning you from wherever it is you went.  |
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