DT 300i vs Forza 300

[eakins]

Considering both of these for my wife's bigger scoot.
She has a Yager 200i now for around town, but need something that she can stay with my 650 Vstrom when we multi-day tour.

Also considering a BV350 for the upright motorcycle ergos, but like the wind protection on these bikes.

How do they compare for long tours reliability wise?
The Forza is made in Thailand and the DT Taiwan.
Worried the DT seat is too low/uncomfortable for all day touring.

What are the know DT issues that must be addressed?
The early Forzas had waterpump and fuel pump issues.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Regarding the Honda FORZA, which seems to be out of USA distribution following the 2016 models:

Honda issued recalls on a couple of things on the Forza - but only a tiny % of us owners ever had these parts actually fail. Honda, like all manufacturers, issue recalls for that small number of models that will have a part-batch fail. I don't know the figures - but I can tell you that a lot of Forza owners have not returned their scoots to the dealer for the recall work.

Hondas are Hondas....and they have plants all over the world. (BMW offers one made in India - but is still a quality built BMW by some accounts)

Taiwanese scooters have a good reputation, as well, with some owners (but have heard a few SYM owners complain of quality issues)

I have a Japanese made maxi scooter - and it seems to be well made, with no recalls whatsoever - but if a Vietnamese made Forza was sitting next to it .....I know which one I'd be waxing and riding.

I also have a Chinese made Kymco that is smooth and a blast to ride and service for 4 yrs!

Stig

[kneeslider]

To keep up with your Vstrome.... maybe the Honda X-ADV or Yamaha T-Max?

[Tromper]

As chance would have it, I was just looking at this today.

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/midsize-motoscooter-melee-video

[eakins]

Regarding the Honda FORZA, which seems to be out of USA distribution following the 2016 models:

Honda issued recalls on a couple of things on the Forza - but only a tiny % of us owners ever had these parts actually fail. Honda, like all manufacturers, issue recalls for that small number of models that will have a part-batch fail. I don't know the figures - but I can tell you that a lot of Forza owners have not returned their scoots to the dealer for the recall work.

Hondas are Hondas....and they have plants all over the world. (BMW offers one made in India - but is still a quality built BMW by some accounts)

Taiwanese scooters have a good reputation, as well, with some owners (but have heard a few SYM owners complain of quality issues)

I have a Japanese made maxi scooter - and it seems to be well made, with no recalls whatsoever - but if a Vietnamese made Forza was sitting next to it .....I know which one I'd be waxing and riding.

I also have a Chinese made Kymco that is smooth and a blast to ride and service for 4 yrs!

Stig

Thanks.
I've been reading on the Forzas (14-16 for the US so far) and the 14s had an issue where the waterpump was slighly oversized and the Thai assemblers just hammered it in...with issues of course.
The 3rd fuel pump was finally a good version.

[eakins]

To keep up with your Vstrome.... maybe the Honda X-ADV or Yamaha T-Max?

No X-adv in US & T-max is alot more heavy.
My daughter rides with me and we will only tour at 65-70 mph anyway so 300cc is ideal for my wife.

[eakins]

As chance would have it, I was just looking at this today.

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/midsize-motoscooter-melee-video

Perfect thanks.
CityCom is kinda in the mix but i'm getting mixed messages to it's quality.
Engine is great but many other parts are sub par.
Bummer because it's the best touring package; upright tall wheel with wind protection and touring comfort.

[eakins]

Is a DT tall seat option legit?
My wife has 30" inseam and I keep hearing the DT is tight and the forward cruiser touring foot placement is too high up, stirrups high. The Xciting is a better design here but heavier. The Forza is like the XC in this regard.

[AMAC1680]

Is a DT tall seat option legit?
My wife has 30" inseam and I keep hearing the DT is tight and the forward cruiser touring foot placement is too high up, stirrups high. The Xciting is a better design here but heavier. The Forza is like the XC in this regard.

I also have a 30' inseam and i use the foot forward.
Yes they are two high but i use them 1 leg at a time. Done 2500 miles that way and not as problem.
Both up and its exam time....

Here's what it comes down to.
The forza has less power more weight. To me the ride was about the same as the DT but the Honda motor is smoother. You also get ABS and i wont start that discussion.

The DT. No recall no issues.

The honda is a honda and you'll pay honda prices.
Or scroll to the bottom of link.

http://www.heinenmotorsports.com/kymco.html

Just sayn

Amac

[Tromper]

Perfect thanks.
CityCom is kinda in the mix but i'm getting mixed messages to it's quality.
Engine is great but many other parts are sub par.
Bummer because it's the best touring package; upright tall wheel with wind protection and touring comfort.

Do bear in mind that the 2016+ Citycom 300I is pretty much the same body but different engine that has much better power, & from what I can find similar or slightly better MPG.
It's a bike I'd like to see in the flesh, maybe test ride, but so far nogo on that around here.  I'm debating downsizing my B650.  A nice bike, but I've been enjoying lighter bikes more of late.  Perhaps the summer riding season will convince me to keep it.

[AMAC1680]

Do bear in mind that the 2016+ Citycom 300I is pretty much the same body but different engine that has much better power, & from what I can find similar or slightly better MPG.
It's a bike I'd like to see in the flesh, maybe test ride, but so far nogo on that around here.  I'm debating downsizing my B650.  A nice bike, but I've been enjoying lighter bikes more of late.  Perhaps the summer riding season will convince me to keep it.

It's a nice scooter but one SYM never seemed to push on the dealers. Few if any on the floor.
That's if you can find a dealer.

I've loved my SYMs but now three years after their effort to build dealer network I'm not so sure.
Great bikes crappy dealer network.

AMAC

[eakins]

I also have a 30' inseam and i use the foot forward.
Yes they are two high but i use them 1 leg at a time. Done 2500 miles that way and not as problem.
Both up and its exam time....

Here's what it comes down to.
The forza has less power more weight. To me the ride was about the same as the DT but the Honda motor is smoother. You also get ABS and i wont start that discussion.

The DT. No recall no issues.

The honda is a honda and you'll pay honda prices.
Or scroll to the bottom of link.

http://www.heinenmotorsports.com/kymco.html

Just sayn

Amac

Great price on that DT for sure. Thanks.

[eakins]

Do bear in mind that the 2016+ Citycom 300I is pretty much the same body but different engine that has much better power, & from what I can find similar or slightly better MPG.
It's a bike I'd like to see in the flesh, maybe test ride, but so far nogo on that around here.  I'm debating downsizing my B650.  A nice bike, but I've been enjoying lighter bikes more of late.  Perhaps the summer riding season will convince me to keep it.

I've seen on the website they went with the larger motor that was found for years in other markets.
Not sure if it's a bore or stroke difference, but not really a new motor per say.
More power is always key in the mountains.
I sat on 1 last year and it was comfy for sure.
Many say the motor is solid but switches etc on SYM are junk.

[eakins]

It's a nice scooter but one SYM never seemed to push on the dealers. Few if any on the floor.
That's if you can find a dealer.

I've loved my SYMs but now three years after their effort to build dealer network I'm not so sure.
Great bikes crappy dealer network.

AMAC

Yeah it's almost like they are non-existant.
I've heard parts are hard to come by and $$$.
True?

[AMAC1680]

Yeah it's almost like they are non-existant.
I've heard parts are hard to come by and $$$.
True?

The legend of SYM parts, lol.

I put 40,000 miles on two SYMs and a Lance. Never had a parts issue but I never needed anything other than consumables. I also had one of the few big, stocking SYM dealers nearby. They had parts on hand.

Great scoots tough as nails but I'm a little warrry about the overall picture.

As much as I don't like to pay a premium my next scoot would be the Honda adv if it ever gets here.
I'll pay for the novelty done with Honda quality.

AMAC