Grand Filano UpGrade, Overhaul, or New Model? Need More Power after 46k

[LAtoBangkok]

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???

 

 

[scubascuba3]

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

[dddave]

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?

[OneMoreFarang]

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.

[Agusts]

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...!? 

[Ralf001]

This would be easy to adapt.

 

[papa al]

Not sure if  re-boring Nicalsil is a thing.

 

The NMax sould be fine. at 14.9 HP

vs, 8.2 HP for Filano.

[Fab5BKK]

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

[geminiman]

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. 

[LAtoBangkok]

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.

 

 

[LAtoBangkok]

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

This would be easy to adapt.

 

This looks interesting. I will check it out.

[LAtoBangkok]

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!

 

 

[LAtoBangkok]

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.

[papa al]

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.?

[Zapitapi]

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

[thailand49]

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.

[Agusts]

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... 👌🏻

[Andycoops]

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.

[SAFETY FIRST]

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

 

 

Thanks for the pics 😂

 

[Andycoops]

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.

[Lokie]

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

[LAtoBangkok]

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. 

[LAtoBangkok]

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…

[papa al]

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.