Back in the wind.

[anaconda]

The weight difference is not much at all between the two, and the 300cc engine is a single cylinder. I'm not fond of the characteristics of a single, they're naturally unbalanced and tend to vibrate the bike at certain RPMs, particularly at constant speeds like commuting. The two cylinder 500 will be much smoother and overall friendlier to ride, plus the additional torque will be a godsend in traffic.

There's a number of very favorable reviews on Youtube already by major motorcycle outlets. I'd check 'em out.

Great comments. Thanks. Much to consider.

 

[Origanalist]

Too big for me as a starter. I'm gonna need to push whatever I buy around some obstacles in the small garage I'll be sharing with a car. The older Honda Reflex is about the biggest I would want to try for if I go the "maxi-scooter" route. But yes, these are great I believe. Thanks for mentioning it. This beemer is 575 lbs. The Honda Reflex (shown above in post #134) is 375 lbs.

Just my opinion, but unless your a really timid sort you will end up wanting to do modifications on the Reflex after a week or two. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth. If you're going to be on the highway you need to be able to get out of your own way just for safety's sake.

 

[Origanalist]

CBR300R with same motor goes 100 MPH. Why would 90 MPH a bad estimate?

Well, maybe downhill with a backwind.

 

[Origanalist]

Great comments. Thanks. Much to consider.

Again, just my 2 cents but I'm in agreement with TheCount here.

 

[Anti Federalist]

It is my understanding that water-cooled engines can be constructed with more precision tolerances since they don't contract and expand as much with temperature variances. So, presumably, for a given displacement, you will get more horsepower, better fuel economy, less overheating on hot days, and a longer engine life.

No question about it, all of that is true.

Presumably one could water cool a chainsaw as well, and derive all those benefits, but it would be unwieldy and impractical to do so.

My love affair with motorcycles started with, partly, their relative simplicity. The cleaner and simpler and less complex a motorcycle is, the more it pleases me.

Even with water cooling and relatively modern Japanese design, the Vulcan I own has a standard carburetor, non computerized ignition (it is electronic however) and chain drive.

Water cooling adds a whole new level of complexity that is not, for my uses and tastes, needed or wanted.

 

[anaconda]

Just my opinion, but unless your a really timid sort you will end up wanting to do modifications on the Reflex after a week or two. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth. If you're going to be on the highway you need to be able to get out of your own way just for safety's sake.

Reflex does 80 MPH max.

 

[anaconda]

No question about it, all of that is true.

Presumably one could water cool a chainsaw as well, and derive all those benefits, but it would be unwieldy and impractical to do so.

My love affair with motorcycles started with, partly, their relative simplicity. The cleaner and simpler and less complex a motorcycle is, the more it pleases me.

Even with water cooling and relatively modern Japanese design, the Vulcan I own has a standard carburetor, non computerized ignition (it is electronic however) and chain drive.

Water cooling adds a whole new level of complexity that is not, for my uses and tastes, needed or wanted.

I can certainly respect that.

 

[tod evans]

Reflex does 80 MPH max.

The 'advertised' speed means nothing about the cycle being safe or steady at that velocity.

Seriously...........Find some old farts in your area who ride and pick their brains.

Listening to other youngsters or advertising isn't going to give you real-world perspective...

 

[anaconda]

Well, maybe downhill with a backwind.

This dude has his up to about 110 MPH:



This guy about 105 MPH:

 

[anaconda]

The 'advertised' speed means nothing about the cycle being safe or steady at that velocity.

Seriously...........Find some old farts in your area who ride and pick their brains.

Listening to other youngsters or advertising isn't going to give you real-world perspective...

The Reflex is a highly rated scooter. User reviews are great. And I don't think many youngsters ride them.

 

[tod evans]

The Reflex is a highly rated scooter. User reviews are great. And I don't think many youngsters ride them.

I suppose I should have been more specific.....

Old farts (over 60) with 20+ years of riding experience, the kind of people who are capable of giving you an educated opinion....

 

[Origanalist]

This dude has his up to about 110 MPH:



This guy about 105 MPH:

I see I was wrong after reading up on the 300. It sounds like Honda has a pretty good entry level bike there. I'm a guy that doesn't care for high rpm's on the highway but it sounds like the 300 is built to handle it.

Whatever you decide on it still a great way to commute, wish I didn't have to haul equipment every day.

 

[tod evans]

I see I was wrong after reading up on the 300. It sounds like Honda has a pretty good entry level bike there. I'm a guy that doesn't care for high rpm's on the highway but it sounds like the 300 is built to handle it.

Whatever you decide on it still a great way to commute, wish I didn't have to haul equipment every day.

Would you feel comfortable riding a 'scooter' or even an entry level bike during rush hour in any city?

Obviously anaconda can do as he pleases but my kid won't get my permission to ride anything smaller than a sportster as long as I'm in charge

 

[Origanalist]

Would you feel comfortable riding a 'scooter' or even an entry level bike during rush hour in any city?

Obviously anaconda can do as he pleases but my kid won't get my permission to ride anything smaller than a sportster as long as I'm in charge

I really have no idea having never been on one, but truthfully during rush hour a lite, easy to handle bike like that is preferable. Much better in stop and go traffic than a bigger bike, my DR350 dual sport was great in traffic compared to the gold wing. But once you're out of traffic......

 

[tod evans]

I really have no idea having never been on one, but truthfully during rush hour a lite, easy to handle bike like that is preferable. Much better in stop and go traffic than a bigger bike, my DR350 dual sport was great in traffic compared to the gold wing. But once you're out of traffic......

I'm picturing 75mph, 4-6 lanes fighting for position....The ability to drop a gear, or two, and open it up has always been my favorite way to avoid idiots.

But in town you're 100% correct.....Hell a 10 speed is better than cars or full sized scoots in town....

 

[Origanalist]

I'm picturing 75mph, 4-6 lanes fighting for position....The ability to drop a gear, or two, and open it up has always been my favorite way to avoid idiots.

But in town you're 100% correct.....Hell a 10 speed is better than cars or full sized scoots in town....

I'm in agreement there, out on the open highway the ability to accelerate out of danger is a much needed safety feature.

 

[tod evans]

I'm in agreement there, out on the open highway the ability to accelerate out of danger is a much needed safety feature.

45mph secondary streets are a completely different animal than interstates....

Way back when, when I tried city life, I'd stick to the interstates/toll roads and limit my exposure to stop-n-go lights as much as possible...

 

[Origanalist]

Lol, if I dropped down 2 gears on the shadow I would end up on the pavement. It's a 4 speed.

 

[tod evans]

I knew a drywaller who rode one of these, 6'-2" 200+# ripping around town...


Yamaha RZ350 - Best Used Bikes

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/12/17/yamaha-rz350-best-used-motorcycles-standard-streetbikes-review

BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE: $4300
BASIC SPECS: A two-stroke, power-valve-equipped 347cc parallel twin with 26mm slide-valve Mikuni carbs, oil injection and six-speed transmission. A steel-tube frame with an aluminum swingarm rolls on 18-inch wheels with triple disc brakes. Its simplicity allowed it to be a light 371 pounds with the 5.2-gallon (!) gas tank half full.
WHY IT’S DESIRABLE: The RZ350 is the most modern and last legal street-going two-stroke sold in the US. In the first full test, we said our July 1984 cover bike rated a “perfect 10” on the fun scale. On Jerry Branch’s dyno, the stock RZ350 made 42.7 hp at 9,000 rpm; redline is 9,500. Below 6,000 rpm, the engine “doesn’t make enough power to pull the skin off a bowl of rice pudding,” read the test, but power came on strong after 6K. Hey, welcome to the fun zone! The RZ350 turned in an impressive quarter-mile time of 13.19 seconds at 99.22 mph, and that was with the OE catalyst exhausts. Fun and nimble handling are improved with fitment of modern tires on those classic ’80s wheels. A surprising number of these bikes come up for sale at reasonable cost, but original, low-mileage examples in excellent condition can go for double blue book. Aftermarket parts support remains very good.
THE COMPETITION: Not really. Yamaha’s own RZ500 V-4 two-stroke was sold in Canada, and many made the gray-market journey south, but prices are quite a bit higher. Kawasaki’s Ninja 600R was the most high-performance middleweight of the time, but it was significantly heavier.

 

[Origanalist]

I knew a drywaller who rode one of these, 6'-2" 200+# ripping around town...


Yamaha RZ350 - Best Used Bikes

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/12/17/yamaha-rz350-best-used-motorcycles-standard-streetbikes-review

BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE: $4300
BASIC SPECS: A two-stroke, power-valve-equipped 347cc parallel twin with 26mm slide-valve Mikuni carbs, oil injection and six-speed transmission. A steel-tube frame with an aluminum swingarm rolls on 18-inch wheels with triple disc brakes. Its simplicity allowed it to be a light 371 pounds with the 5.2-gallon (!) gas tank half full.
WHY IT’S DESIRABLE: The RZ350 is the most modern and last legal street-going two-stroke sold in the US. In the first full test, we said our July 1984 cover bike rated a “perfect 10” on the fun scale. On Jerry Branch’s dyno, the stock RZ350 made 42.7 hp at 9,000 rpm; redline is 9,500. Below 6,000 rpm, the engine “doesn’t make enough power to pull the skin off a bowl of rice pudding,” read the test, but power came on strong after 6K. Hey, welcome to the fun zone! The RZ350 turned in an impressive quarter-mile time of 13.19 seconds at 99.22 mph, and that was with the OE catalyst exhausts. Fun and nimble handling are improved with fitment of modern tires on those classic ’80s wheels. A surprising number of these bikes come up for sale at reasonable cost, but original, low-mileage examples in excellent condition can go for double blue book. Aftermarket parts support remains very good.
THE COMPETITION: Not really. Yamaha’s own RZ500 V-4 two-stroke was sold in Canada, and many made the gray-market journey south, but prices are quite a bit higher. Kawasaki’s Ninja 600R was the most high-performance middleweight of the time, but it was significantly heavier.

Where did he put his equipment??