At 46,000 k on our 2018 Grand Filano Hybrid. Seems to be struggling to get up into the mountains lately. I wouldn't take my wife on a trip like that. I've kept the maintenance up on it very well, but I admit to driving it pretty hard - running up to 80-90 on the highways and driving like I'm still in Bangkok in town.

 

I'd LOVE to have a motorscooter (not motorcycle - shoulder issues, have to sit upright) between a 200-250cc. The X-Max might be too big and heavy for my shoulders and I have the idea that a 155 N-Max is not enought improvement in speed or power to justify upgrading. Not interested in Honda, though. Maybe another brand? Lifetime Yamaha guy - for better or worse.

 

Is an overhaul feasible for the Grand Filano, maybe boring out a bit bigger in the process? I know that it's done.

 

Or are there internal parts, gearing, etc. that could bring the power back? Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

COULD it be that I've used the Grand Filano as a truck too often???

 

 

Have you changed the air filter? that can effect performance 80-90

Reboring a single cylinder doesn't get you much plus the added stress to already time-worn components like the crank shaft and bearings may be too much.  If the rest of the bike is in very good shape, I wonder how much a brand new engine would be?

Pricy, but doesn't Vespa and some of the other Italian scooter manufacturers make higher displacement scooters with a configuration similar to the Filano?

1 hour ago, LAtoBangkok said:

 

 

 

I am not sure which is worse, that you use that thing like a truck or that you publish the pictures doing that.

I'm surprised with your shoulder you can carry so much stuff, never even seen Thais carry so much... 😜 👍🏻

 

Forget doing any upgrade to Filano, even an easy lighter rollers change won't make it much better. Nmax surely gives more power, I have seen Aerox on same 155cc engine race me on Forza...! Although at lower speeds... 

 

Xmax is the answer to all your issues, can carry a lot more load on that too, and up the hills with ease..., but to make sure the shoulder can cope rent one for a few days and try.

 

A used 2 or 3 years old with 10-15k km mileage will be cheaper than new and still under warranty, rides like new ..., I think Yamaha gives 5 years warranty unlike stingy Honda...!? 

This would be easy to adapt.

 

Not sure if  re-boring Nicalsil is a thing.

 

The NMax sould be fine. at 14.9 HP

vs, 8.2 HP for Filano.

For the same price (THB100K) as Nmax / PCX you can get a 300cc scooter: GPX DZ3.

GPX DZ3

For THB45K more, you can get a Zontes 350cc (more powerful and much cheaper than a Forza, Xmax etc.)

Zontes 350D

 

BTW, the Zontes 368 series were released, with an interesting 368G...

Zontes 368G

On 10/19/2024 at 12:22 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

 

I am not sure which is worse, that you use that thing like a truck or that you publish the pictures doing that.

No. Those pictures are perfect. This is why some of us love the little Grand Filano. The last time I moved it was on a Grand Filano. 

On 10/19/2024 at 12:35 PM, Agusts said:

I'm surprised with your shoulder you can carry so much stuff, never even seen Thais carry so much... 😜 👍🏻

 

Forget doing any upgrade to Filano, even an easy lighter rollers change won't make it much better. Nmax surely gives more power, I have seen Aerox on same 155cc engine race me on Forza...! Although at lower speeds... 

 

Xmax is the answer to all your issues, can carry a lot more load on that too, and up the hills with ease..., but to make sure the shoulder can cope rent one for a few days and try.

 

A used 2 or 3 years old with 10-15k km mileage will be cheaper than new and still under warranty, rides like new ..., I think Yamaha gives 5 years warranty unlike stingy Honda...!? 

Thanks.  I like the idea of an Xmax, but I'm concerned about the weight and manueverability. My shoulders may not take it. Getting a shoulder replacement next year - maybe after that. I still ride in the city daily and the Filano really cuts through the traffic like butter. I put the mirrors up and I can go as tight as the bike is wide. I tell my wife, "Toes In!". I learned to do the lane splitting and going between tight buses in Bangkok for 3 years first. So I'd like to keep that option. Maybe it just comes down to using the Filano in town and taking an Nmax our of town.

 

 

On 10/19/2024 at 12:41 PM, Ralf001 said:

This would be easy to adapt.

 

This looks interesting. I will check it out.

Oh! I needed more payload capability, so I did this. I built a Grand Filano Trailer Hitch and Cart! Can carry way more stuff. Have taken it on the highway as well with my keyboard rig and gear. Next up, I want to widen the cart wheelbase to be even more stable. I get a lot of looks!

 

 

On 10/20/2024 at 6:39 PM, Fab5BKK said:

For the same price (THB100K) as Nmax / PCX you can get a 300cc scooter: GPX DZ3.

GPX DZ3

For THB45K more, you can get a Zontes 350cc (more powerful and much cheaper than a Forza, Xmax etc.)

Zontes 350D

 

BTW, the Zontes 368 series were released, with an interesting 368G...

Zontes 368G

My concern with a GPX or Zontes is getting it serviced or repaired. I can pretty much go anywhere for a Yamaha.

On 11/3/2024 at 8:28 PM, LAtoBangkok said:

Oh! I needed more payload capability, so I did this. I built a Grand Filano Trailer Hitch and Cart! Can carry way more stuff. Have taken it on the highway as well with my keyboard rig and gear. Next up, I want to widen the cart wheelbase to be even more stable. I get a lot of looks!

 

Yes, papa has a question:

With the ball hitch,

why do you need the  caster/swivel thingy.?

On 10/20/2024 at 6:39 PM, Fab5BKK said:

For the same price (THB100K) as Nmax / PCX you can get a 300cc scooter: GPX DZ3.

GPX DZ3

For THB45K more, you can get a Zontes 350cc (more powerful and much cheaper than a Forza, Xmax etc.)

Zontes 350D

 

BTW, the Zontes 368 series were released, with an interesting 368G...

Zontes 368G

yeah the ZONTES 350E is the top scooter right now.. i change my forza to the new zontes 350E for xmas..lil pressi

It is your choice. But you just limit yourself. 

Numbers not much difference 125 vs 155 up.

Yamaha you got NMax or Arex 155 but from looks you like a drop front

Im mainly Honda, a 160 Click drop front I believe would fit your needs or PCX 160, it isnt just power it is also suspension. I have a 2012 150 PCX, 140,000 KM it still flies at 100 KM/H 

And stable.

8 hours ago, Zapitapi said:

yeah the ZONTES 350E is the top scooter right now.. i change my forza to the new zontes 350E for xmas..lil pressi

 

Let us know how does it go, handling, power, underseat, and other comparison to Forza 350, I will be interested too..., although service and parts will be hard outside of big cities... 

 

Maybe do a detailed Zontes vs Forza article... 👌🏻

On 10/20/2024 at 6:39 PM, Fab5BKK said:

For the same price (THB100K) as Nmax / PCX you can get a 300cc scooter: GPX DZ3.

GPX DZ3

For THB45K more, you can get a Zontes 350cc (more powerful and much cheaper than a Forza, Xmax etc.)

Zontes 350D

 

BTW, the Zontes 368 series were released, with an interesting 368G...

Zontes 368G

The problem with the GPX is spares are very expensive.

 

A friend of mine at a GPX dealer was quoted 3000 baht for the rear light assembly, looked online and couldn't see anything less than 4000.

On 10/19/2024 at 11:08 AM, LAtoBangkok said:

 

 

Thanks for the pics 😂

 

I also have a Filano 2018 model which has done 36000 Kms.

 

I've had no power issues at all with it but then I don't use it as a pickup truck and don't thrash it at 90 Kms and hour everywhere I go.

Stick with the Filano, you obviously one of them guys (Square Peg Round Hole)

On 11/5/2024 at 7:05 AM, papa al said:

Yes, papa has a question:

With the ball hitch,

why do you need the  caster/swivel thingy.?

The swing caster allows the cart to stay level and stable as I turn because the bike will lean. Cart stays w both wheels on the ground. 

On 11/5/2024 at 7:39 PM, thailand49 said:

It is your choice. But you just limit yourself. 

Numbers not much difference 125 vs 155 up.

Yamaha you got NMax or Arex 155 but from looks you like a drop front

Im mainly Honda, a 160 Click drop front I believe would fit your needs or PCX 160, it isnt just power it is also suspension. I have a 2012 150 PCX, 140,000 KM it still flies at 100 KM/H 

And stable.

I’m thinking I will see if I can rent the NMax and Xmax. Try them out. And maybe the click 160. If Yamaha only made a Filano 160…

4 hours ago, LAtoBangkok said:

The swing caster allows the cart to stay level and stable as I turn because the bike will lean. Cart stays w both wheels on the ground. 

A ball hitch alone allows plenty freedom of movement.

Caster is unnecessarily redundant.