Which Scooters Have Larger Wheels and What is the Biggest Engine Size For City Traffic?

[Texsinbad]

I have been riding motorcycles/scooters for over 50 years with over 5 years in the Philippines where traffic laws basically don't exist, and 30 days in Pattaya back in 2008 where at each light, I felt like I was in a race, and I always had to keep reminding myself to drive on the left.

 

That said, I plan to go to Pattaya as soon as normal travel resumes, and will be buying a scooter.  I would like one with bigger wheels to handle rough roads, and with a bigger motor to travel around Thailand, BUT, I don't want it too big for riding in city traffic.  

 

Any suggestions/comments appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

Around town and on the local highway, 125 or 150cc would be fine, and cheap enough.  Long distance, depends how many hours on it you can tolerate and comfort level you want & wallet of course.  

 

If I was going to use for inter-province travel, I'd want at least a 750cc, and pricing on that, might as well get a car.

[scubascuba3]

You don't need bigger wheels, i ride around on a Click 80\90 14, 90\90 14, plus i cycle on 25mm tyres.

 

The Click 125i is excellent around town and for travel between Sattahip and Pattaya. It can go 100kph, most bikes do around 80

[LarrySR]

Vespa makes a 300cc model that is more compact that the Yamaha or Honda 300cc scoots. Good handling for the city and some stable highway sorties.

Small wheels I know, but owners of these bikes don't seem concerned. 

[Neilly]

8 hours ago, Texsinbad said:

I would like one with bigger wheels to handle rough roads, and with a bigger motor to travel around Thailand, BUT, I don't want it too big for riding in city traffic.  

 

Any suggestions/comments appreciated.

Honda ADV150 sounds like what you're looking for...

 

https://powersports.honda.com/street/scooter/adv150/specifications

 

 

[Kwasaki]

Wave 125.

[Agusts]

Anything less than 150cc won't really be comfortable for inter-city travel, in my opinion...

 

Honda PCX 150 , Yamaha Nmax 155 will be okay....or for bigger and more power Forza 300/350 and Xmax 300 ....

 

Now if you are on the heavy side (lol !) and like more long distance travel and have money to burn, get the XADV 750.... ????

 

[richard_smith237]

4 hours ago, Neilly said:

Honda ADV150 sounds like what you're looking for...

 

https://powersports.honda.com/street/scooter/adv150/specifications

 

+1 on the Honda ADV....    I rented one in Phuket for 2 weeks and found it to be excellent, I like the styling.

But... I felt it needed a little more ‘grunt’ - a 300cc would have been excellent. 

 

Thus: Forza 350cc - But you get double the engine, double the price - you are into ‘real bike’ territory.

 

 

I have the BMW G310GS.... it kind of splits the scooter / big bike thing...  its small enough to flick through traffic in Bangkok... and ‘can’ handle highways...  But, ideally, I’d go for something like a Honda ADV for around town and something larger for highway riding (i.e. F850GS, Tenere) and a Thurxton RS for fun. 

 

Anyone want to buy a BMW G310GS ?? ????

 

 

[scubascuba3]

52 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I have the BMW G310GS.... it kind of splits the scooter / big bike thing...  its small enough to flick through traffic in Bangkok... and ‘can’ handle highways...  But, ideally, I’d go for something like a Honda ADV for around town and something larger for highway riding (i.e. F850GS, Tenere) and a Thurxton RS for fun. 

 

Anyone want to buy a BMW G310GS ?? ????

 

 

One of these in my condo car park, reminds me of an anorexic version of my BMW F800GS

[RafPinto]

I bought one of them.

Brilliant to cruise on Sukhumvit.

[Neilly]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

But... I felt it needed a little more ‘grunt’ - a 300cc would have been excellent. 

They do a 750 version...and allegedly a 300cc version is on it's way

 

This is the 750, The Honda X-ADV...

 

 

[richard_smith237]

27 minutes ago, Neilly said:

They do a 750 version...and allegedly a 300cc version is on it's way

 

This is the 750, The Honda X-ADV...

Yep, I’ve been looking at them -  Its 425,000 baht new.... 

 

.... If taking the X-ADV route I’d be more interested in the Africa-Twin *(not the Thai lowered pygmy version !) or the F850GS (575,000 baht new).

 

A 300cc ADV would be spot on..... Great around town and can handle highways and cruse at 120 kmh if needed. 

[richard_smith237]

46 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

One of these in my condo car park, reminds me of an anorexic version of my BMW F800GS

Thats exactly what it is.....  a cheaper, lighter, skinnier 310cc version of BMW's G Machine... 

 

A step up from a Scooter (with less storage !) - Bit wheels for poor roads, not quite a full step up to a full on big bike - can thread traffic (*handlebars not too wide).

 

Perfect for those new to riding, can handle traffic, very comfortable upright seating position.

Its almost a ‘cross over’ motorcycle....    doesn’t have a great deal of power so is not dangerous when too throttle friendly.

 

IF the Honda ADV were 300cc it would be an excellent competitor...  just the other side of the ‘cross over’ divide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tony125]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

+1 on the Honda ADV....    I rented one in Phuket for 2 weeks and found it to be excellent, I like the styling.

But... I felt it needed a little more ‘grunt’ - a 300cc would have been excellent. 

 

Thus: Forza 350cc - But you get double the engine, double the price - you are into ‘real bike’ territory.

 

 

I have the BMW G310GS.... it kind of splits the scooter / big bike thing...  its small enough to flick through traffic in Bangkok... and ‘can’ handle highways...  But, ideally, I’d go for something like a Honda ADV for around town and something larger for highway riding (i.e. F850GS, Tenere) and a Thurxton RS for fun. 

 

Anyone want to buy a BMW G310GS ?? ????

 

 

Honda is coming out with an ADV 350 by the end of the year.  More  power , looks like the ADV 150 but a little larger  Cost about 185,000 baht,

https://www.greatbiker.com/all-new-honda-adv/

[CLW]

Honda ADV 150. I've rented it for two weeks in Phuket and was totally happy. Much better suspension and comfortable driving than the PCX. Could have a little more power for acceleration but I'm not a fast driver anyways. Cruising between 80 and 100 is fine. It even has a nice sound I think. If I wouldn't be driving manual bikes over automatic, I would buy the ADV. 

[DefaultName]

I would look at the Honda Forza.  A lot depends though on your size and physical condition; don't buy one that doesn't feel comfortable to sit on and get on & off the centre stand.  Could you pick it up if you dropped it?

[Moonlover]

There is a little known one around by Suzuki known as the Burman. That comes with a choice of 200 or 400cc engines. These are quite popular in Europe.

 

I was considering the smaller of the 2 when I bought my Aerox 2 years ago. It seems a bit dated on styling, but it might suit you.

 

 

[toofarnorth]

16 minutes ago, DefaultName said:

I would look at the Honda Forza.  A lot depends though on your size and physical condition; don't buy one that doesn't feel comfortable to sit on and get on & off the centre stand.  Could you pick it up if you dropped it?

I have a Forza , brilliant , lots of grunt , twist and go . At 74 yo and in this heat I don't need to adjust/oil any chains .  Took it in to GWH  this very morning for a 50,000k service. 

Something cost 210 B something else 10 something else was 120., oh and 1 more thing was 20 B. Total 360.

Next service in 3.000 K.  Great fun .

[lesmac]

My Honda Forza is good around and comfortable for long distance, the new one is 350cc. There is the Suzuki Burgman available in 400 and 650cc. Yamaha have a good range as well 

[thailand49]

I'm going to chime in based on your question?  But first try to narrow down and clarify your question right now the reason in my opinion you are getting a lot of different suggestion.

 

What you do want a scooter or a big bike?  You aren't going to get around traffic with a big bike.  Where are you majority going to use the bike in the Pattaya area I ask this because you also stated " Thailand " unless you are transporting from province to province you aren't going to be able to take example a Honda Click to Bangkok even with bigger tires you can but it isn't going to very comfortable.  Basically scooters are for use between 0-50 KM, and that is my opinion.

 

My first bike was a Honda Click 110, still got it until you actually try it with bigger tires I know first hand it does make a difference. I put a bit wider rims 3.25 that allowed me to put 90/90 as large as 120 with a gas shock in the back and it does ride much steady and smoother that is why my next bike I wanted one that came with wider tires.  At higher speeds with the click and tires it felt much more secured when I took it on Hwy 7, prior to all the toll booths. My longest trip on this scooter was to the end of Chon Buri and I return back on Hwy 7, on the side average 80 KM/H I felt a bit sorry for the bike although water cool when it is 40 C I feel that is a killer but I'm old school.

 

My next bike turn out to be a 150 PCX wider tires now some would say still not enough of a comfortable ride I disagree when right out the showroom I took it down the road and replace the original shock with a 3500 set of Gas and it handles like a car the weight is better distributed with the gas tank in the middle and the frame and suspension is better compare to the click at high speed with more weight in the front you don't feel the front start to float and lift. If you aren't going to travel far I find one really don't need anything over 150 to kill yourself. I heard PCX is coming out with a 160 CC,  I'm not a Yamaha guy but N-Max 155 is a good bike I heard although the rims are 13 inch but do have wider tires than the PCX, in test run it has out performed all the other bikes in that range, Aerox, ADV, I believe the AEROX at 155 CC has the largest and widest tires of them all the back tires I believe is 140/?  it is also the cheapest starting at 66-68,000.

 

I've consider moving up to a 300CC really like the looks of the new Yamaha X-Max and the new Honda 350 Scooter if you plan to travel to BKK and further give those a look they run 185,000 but being a middle size guy and not getting younger If it falls over and it will even if not riding.  I purchased my PCX in 2012, December of 2020 I had turn the clock 100,000 KM plus right after that it started to smoke I took it to a particular shop had everything rebuilt 4000 baht today I have an addition 20,000 on the rebuilt thereafter I purchased 2000 baht worth of paint including clear coat took all the panels off and repainted all the panels best bike in my opinion.

 

Good luck whatever you decide!

[mikebike]

Suzuki Burgman 650cc stepthrus can be found...

[Pungdo]

I have a Yamaha Aerox the wife and stepson bought me for my birthday this year, 155cc Fuel injected, goes like a cut snake, fantastic bike. I rode a Suzuki Hayate for 14 years before that and thought that was pretty good, but the Yammie is a cut above.

[Freddy42OZ]

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thats exactly what it is.....  a cheaper, lighter, skinnier 310cc version of BMW's G Machine... 

 

A step up from a Scooter (with less storage !) - Bit wheels for poor roads, not quite a full step up to a full on big bike - can thread traffic (*handlebars not too wide).

 

Perfect for those new to riding, can handle traffic, very comfortable upright seating position.

Its almost a ‘cross over’ motorcycle....    doesn’t have a great deal of power so is not dangerous when too throttle friendly.

 

IF the Honda ADV were 300cc it would be an excellent competitor...  just the other side of the ‘cross over’ divide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do these things require gear changes or are they all automatic? 

I don't want to have to change gears.

 

[arithai12]

4 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

Do these things require gear changes or are they all automatic? 

I don't want to have to change gears.

 

Those are motorbikes with gears.

 

In a city environment, a Honda/Yamaha scooter around 150 is probably the best choice. Easy to maneuver, enough power, can be fitted with boxes for extra storage, relatively economical and easy to maintain. There are 300cc versions, considerably more pricey, they could be better for longer range.

 

How often are you going to "travel around Thailand"? If not often, maybe rent a car? Rain and heat are not always fun on a 2-wheeler, and you may appreciate the extra storage.

[seedy]

Forza, Bergman, XMax - the larger what is called maxi scooters, and all of the smaller ones, are twist and go. No manual gear changes.

Honda Wave are semi auto - no clutch but you need to shift gears.

Anything else is a motorcycle - with a manual clutch and foot operated shifter.

[Texsinbad]

Thanks for all the suggestions/comments.  Here in the States, I ride a Suzuki 250, which is perfect for me.  It goes as fast as I want to go, gets 74 mpg, and is not that heavy.

 

I am not into long trips, but enjoy riding around seeing new places.  So, most of my riding will be in the city, which is why I didn't want a big bike.

 

I use to have a Kymco 150 scooter (about 11 Hp), but I felt like it was a little underpowered with 2 people outside of city riding.

 

So, something a little more powerful than that, but probably not much larger than 200.

 

I will try to rent some different sizes when I get there before I buy.

 

Thanks again.

[Kinnock]

On 10/7/2021 at 12:50 PM, richard_smith237 said:

+1 on the Honda ADV....    I rented one in Phuket for 2 weeks and found it to be excellent, I like the styling.

But... I felt it needed a little more ‘grunt’ - a 300cc would have been excellent. 

 

Thus: Forza 350cc - But you get double the engine, double the price - you are into ‘real bike’ territory.

 

 

Anyone want to buy a BMW G310GS ?? ????

 

 

Yep ....... I wanted to buy the latest version with LED lights and improved fueling, but not available in Thailand yet.  So not wanting to buy a new 'old' model, I'm looking at second hand.

 

For the OP's question - I agree that the motorcycles around 300cc are ideal for a do-it-all one bike solution.  BMW 310, Honda CBR300 (if you're small) or CRF300 (if you're taller) or probably the best, the Kaeasaki Z400.  Twin cylinder, quick, compact, but not too small.

 

The bigger 300cc scooters from Honda and Yamaha are also good options, but they are a bit fat for threading through traffic.  

[seedy]

5 hours ago, Kinnock said:

The bigger 300cc scooters from Honda and Yamaha are also good options, but they are a bit fat for threading through traffic.  

My Forza is the same width as the Wave and PCX at the handlebars/mirrors (the widest part).

Only 10cm longer - 4 inches.

Hardly a deal breaker

[Kinnock]

12 hours ago, seedy said:

My Forza is the same width as the Wave and PCX at the handlebars/mirrors (the widest part).

Only 10cm longer - 4 inches.

Hardly a deal breaker

Yes, although bars can be threaded over/under car mirrors and bike mirrors folded, but the fat back end of the 300cc+ scooters is a problem in dense city traffic.

 

When riding my Supercub in central Bangkok, and all the scooters and Waves stop lane splitting - it's a Forza or Xmax 75% of the time causing the hold up.  (The 25% is White Fortuna's stopped at an angle to stop the bikes).

[seedy]

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

 but the fat back end of the 300cc+ scooters is a problem in dense city traffic.

If the bars/mirrors fit - the widest part - the rest will too