Advice DT300 or Exciting 500

[novaboy]

Hey Folks,

I'm new here, just registered, however I have been lurking for a couple of days and have read test after test, and watched video after video of both machines and cannot decide which is better suited for me.

I'm 42 years old, been riding bikes since I had a Honda Z50 when I was 10. My first road bike was an Elite 125 in the 80's. Since then I've had CBR600's, CBR125, BMW G650, and now a Ninja 400R. Lately I have been thinking of going back to a scooter for commuting to work and running around town, plus doing some weekend trips. I also want something that my wife can ride. Her only riding experience is on 50cc scooters.

My commute to work is a mixture of rural road and 110kph highway, so I want something that will cruise easily at 120kph. Plus I will want to do some light touring on it, 3-4 day trips.

I really like both the DT300 and Exciting 500, however I was wondering if the 300 is really all I need. I don't see much two up riding, except with the kids around town. I'm 6ft and 180lbs.

Unfortunately the closet dealer is an hours drive from me and I don't think they stock much. I travel a lot and will try to find a dealer somewhere that has the two bikes so I can sit on them and compare.

Look forward to hearing your comments and/or suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[juanpauk]

You are a couple of inches taller than me and 10 lbs heavier than me, I use my Downtown for the same description you are giving us, everyday in town riding and weekend trips outside the city. The DT can do it all without hesitation, as far as I know the DT is more fuel efficient and costs less than the Xciting, two very good reasons for choosing the DT. But I would recommend you to go and look at them, feel them, sit on them for a while, go for a test ride if you can and then make up your mind.

As a Downtown owner for almost a year (11,000km on the odometer) I can tell you that I enjoy riding it and feel safe, there are certain areas that could be better/improved but I guess there isn't a perfect bike out there. Overall I am really happy with it and I am not considering changing it for the near future.

[TANWare]

The DT300i is the minimum you want for sustained 75MPH. I am not sure how long you would be doing that run but mine with the 14gr sliders runs about 6,700 RPM at a steady cruise. Acceleration wise with stock rollers and 1 up they both have the same relative amount of punch.

The 300i of course is alot lighter so this may be better for your wife coming from only a 50cc. Also it will be a bit more nimble. I'd suggest if you can both at least sitting on the two bikes. What is comfortable for one may not be for another.

If you plan on 2 up riding consider the load of the two of you. If it is 325 LBS or more go with the bigger bike as it will handle that better. At 325 or more be sure to put in the sliders for the extra umph on the DT300i if you decide to go that route.

I do very little 2 up riding so the 300i is the best bike for me. Now I am retired and do little 75MPH runs but still do occasional 65-70 MPH runs. With the sliders it is a very comfortable ride knowing there is plenty of extra punch when needed.

Now for the 3-4 day excursions, I am guessing the wife will want to come along. The extra size of the 500 will become very welcome there. Especially if you plan another extended 75MPH run.

In the end it counts on alot of things you hadn't mentioned. There is no way to give you a definative answer and in the end you know yourself, and wife, best. Being as you are considering the two bikes apparently there are compromises between the two and have to figure the best fit for your overall needs. Again not to overstress this but you both need to see and sit on the bikes, maybe play around with moving it etc to be sure they fit......................

[roboscoot]

i would concur with tanware on all points made.....if you are planning multi-day trips and will be up and about highway riding ....i would go for the bigger scooter......if doubling up is in the cards...above all you need to do a good preview ....meaning check it out ergonomically speaking...is the fit and feel right for you?...so a little speed dating...is in order.....as once you purchase you are pretty much married to it.....good luck....ps...i know what you mean re dealer location....mine is over an hour from my house.....such are the trade offs.....

[JustWantToRide]

The Downtown is going to be cheaper with initial cost, fuel usage and insurance.  The 500 has 1 inch larger wheels, which will give a slightly smoother ride, and slightly more stability for higher speeds.  The 300 is lighter and easier to maneuver at slow speeds, the 500 is heavier and more stable at higher speeds.  The XCiting has twin front dics, the Downtown has a single.  The Downtown is a much newer model, and less likely to be discontinued before the XCiting which has been around a long time.  The power isn't as different as you might think - 29 vs 36 horsepower from the engines, but the power to weight ratios are even closer.

I would have bought the Downtown - but I'm 6 foot 3 and didn't fit it as well as the 500.  Plus - they had a 500Ri backmodel on sale for $600 less than the 300i.

Either will perform well for you.  The 500Ri will perform better for high speed 2 up riding, the 300i will perform better for lower speed solo riding.  Try to sit on both - because it might sway you one way or the other.

[ScooterNoob]

This is what I heard from the dealer as I was purchasing my 300i. The 500's seat is not as comfortable as the 300. The 2012 300i is like a cushion for the seat and its about the same size as the seat on the 500. I would go with the 300 with the upgraded sliders. Im a bigger guy of 6'0ft 260 lbs and i feel comfortable on it without any problems

[JustWantToRide]

This is what I heard from the dealer as I was purchasing my 300i. The 500's seat is not as comfortable as the 300. The 2012 300i is like a cushion for the seat and its about the same size as the seat on the 500. I would go with the 300 with the upgraded sliders. Im a bigger guy of 6'0ft 260 lbs and i feel comfortable on it without any problems

Did you sit on the 500 or just go with what the dealer told you?  Different seat shapes, different floorboard placements, and different leg cutouts are going to fit different people differently.   

Lots of people are very comfortable on a Buell Blast but I hated having to ride my ex-wifes around because it forced my leg into an unnatural and painful position.

It's best to sit on both yourself to know which you fit best.

[racewalker]

I have the 300i. I am 6'2" 212 lbs. I am planning a 6000k trip this summer with it. I have put a lot of milage on it already and find it very comfortable. I also have a People S 125. I rode it for 3 years to work and as soon as I heard about the DT I started watching it form Australia, then usa. I monitored both it and the exciting 500 as my local dealer was trying to sell me the 500. I was worried about the people having trouble with the 500. water pumps, variators, carb problems etc. There were people travelling with the dt300 and having good luck. I decided the 300 was the one for me. So far no problems.

[ChandlerScoot]

My 2cents are towards the 500 in terms of highway stability. I regularly cruise at or above 80 as our speed limits are 75. I never feel unsafe on the XC500. I will agree that the seat gets tiresome after an hour or so, but that is an easy fix that hasn't been too big of a deal to make a priority.  I also personally like the wider stance and more motorcycle weight of the bike. After having ridden trouble free for the last 6 months, the weight alone is comparatively light. On the issue of your wife riding an XC500, well, it is a tall bike at 30.5" seat height. My wife will be forever a passenger on any scooter since she is only 5'. Her legs are about 10" too short to even touch the pavement. Make sure you and your wife sit on both bikes for comfort and fit. Regarding 2 up riding, the XC500 pulls our combined weight effortlessly. I personally would never think about going with a smaller engine in our environment with 2 up.

[Hoolander2]

I think your wife will be happier on the DT 300. 

[novaboy]

Thanks for all the replies, gotta say I didn't expect that many. Well you all bring some compelling arguements to the table.

I am leaning towards the 300, since I won't be doing too much two up riding except in town and only with the kids. My wife is not a bike touring person, so I'll be solo on those trips. If she does get the bug, well knowing her she'll want her own ride, which isn't bad. My stretches of highway riding will be limited, as I hate cruising for extended periods on freeway. Really the purpose of touring is to take backroads, and secondary highways to see things.

My wife is 5'3, but has a long set of legs, and I'm 6' with short legs, so seat height shouldn't be too much of an issue, however the added bulk and weight of the 500 might be a factor initially for her.

Sitting on the different scooters and hopefully test riding them will be the ultimate decider.

Thanks again folks, and I will keep you posted in my endeavor.

Cheers

[sissy mary]

I have a shad box with backrest on my X500. My wife loves it. Most comfortable bike she has ever been on.  We have done 500 mile days. 2 up? The X500 is the only way to go. That's my 2 cent's worth.

[wheels]

The best mod that I have made is shaving off the butt stop and I am only 5'6" with a 29" inseam.

The 300i seat with the butt stop is too restrictive.

If your spouse is inseam challenged the 500 is too tall and the seat too wide.  My 650 Burgman seat was much closer to the ground than the 500.  You may want to look at a Burgman 400.

[sissy mary]

The Yamaha Majesty 400 would make a good choice for someone with a shorter inseam also. 

[duesouth]

The best mod that I have made is shaving off the butt stop and I am only 5'6" with a 29" inseam.

Do you have photos? I've been thinking about doing this, but have been unsure and don't want to mess it up.

For what it's worth, my wife can drive my DT. It's very light, and she can plant her feet, anything bigger is out of the question. We ride 2 up often, even some runs at 75 with no problem though slight elevation gains, we also had no luggage. I weigh 200 and she about 120. The 14gr sliders are a must in my opinion. The only other scoot that gets me excited over the DT is the up coming BMW C600 (OR TMAX refresh if it ever hits the US). I hope to bump the wife to the DT and me to the BMW. My only hang up with bigger scoots is the drop in MPG. I fairly consistently get 68MPG and the mpg difference means something to me. I debated the 500 long and hard before the DT. I think I would've been happy with it too, not many things with 2 wheels I don't like. I'd sit on both.