Just a few thoughts on the lil beastie on the ride home yesterday (I'll add pics this weekend)
The conditions for the ride had given me pause, as the wind was 20 gusting over 35 - It was blowing the cage all over the road on the way to the dealership. But while discretion is the better part of valor, eschewing discretion is certainly the bestest part (>.0 ).
Plenty of room under that seat! Looks like there is not as much as there is. Until it swallowed my entire full face (Vega Altrua) - I did have to face it backwards to get it to fit well. That left me with another helmet-sized cavern to fill in front of it. Given that my former bike (crotch rocket) had enough room to stow a small wallet at best, this is a welcome change.
Getting off the center stand was a breeze, I'm 5/7 ~160 (Not the biggest lad, but it took no significant effort. I was able to almost totally flatfoot at rest on both sides, and duckwalking the scoot backwards was no problem - In fact the body seems to be designed to aid in this (Feels thinner somehow the midpoint).
Throttle is responsive and strong, but the clutch engagement is just plain smooth. Nicely balanced. The engine is definitely a thumper. It is not the sewing machine that the crotch rocket is, but smoother than my Vespa 150LX. Standing still, you can vaguely feel the engine, at speed, it is just hums along.
For a single disk on each wheel, the brakes are MORE than enough. I can't see any benefit a dual disc would bring. The odd part is - The front brakes are good. The rear binders are INCREDIBLE. I have never had rear brakes work so well. You can DROP ANCHOR in a major way. The braking is smooth and predictable - AND they have taken the time to add adjustable handles, AND plastic coated, braided steel brake lines (NOICE!). I didn't notice this until I got home, but it is a nice touch.
Remember that wind? I was fairly on-edge for the first 10 miles, pretty sure I'd be riding at a miserable list to compensate. The wind was DEAD west, and I was heading south. To my amazement, it was a total non-issue. So was riding next to big rigs (which were weaving mightily). I don't understand it, but it just plowed through the wind without much notice.
Handling was something I had to get used to - It rides like a big scooter (^.^ ). At speed, very little bar pressure is required to initiate a turn. After the lean, there is a slight hesitation as the suspension sets and the turn begins. It handles like a Burgman 650, on a 200lb diet. High speed turns revealed no bad habits - No wallowing, no drifting. Pressure on bars, set suspension , roll on throttle - Smooth and predictable. It did make driving quite easy.
Straight line was STABLE. At highway speeds, I jolted the bars, looking for oscillation. Nothing. Immediately settled. I rode over smooth highway, and crappy, torn-up city streets. The suspension soaked up imperfections, rain grooves, and uneven lane without issue. The suspension was set at '3' for me.
The seat was comfy for the hour ride - The wife LOVES the passenger accommodations. The scoot is big, but the bars, mirror placement and instrument cluster position make everything feel within reach. I'm used to having to look a bit ahead to see my mirrors, on the Downtown, they are RIGHT THERE. Riding position is comfy, and there are plenty. I put my feet straight down, behind me, AND , if you slide your bum forward you can actually use the forward rests and roll like it is a lounge chair.
2-up is not problem. The engine revs a little higher on take off. Not much else. if you adjust the suspension accordingly, I can honestly say 2-up is not just doable. It is easy and comfy. The scoot handles it with ease and grace.
All in all, It is a great scoot and cruises like a dream. As a bonus, I got upward of 70mpg on the trip, and my insurance has dropped by 75% (with lowered deductables!!!).
Of course there are things I didn't like - Here are the cons:
- The User's manual is rubbish. I remember when these used to take more than 15 minutes to put together. Why would it not include how to change the oil or belt? Why doesn't it have actual size numbers for the bulbs? Why wouldn't it tell me how to adjust the throttle takeup. Boooooo!
LUCKILY, the service manual is on scribd - along with the parts list. The service manual is quite good. It also tells you how to run the internal diagnostic mode. I'll be buying that.
- The instrument cluster. I love it! The LED backlights are sharp, and the fisheye glass over the needles is perfect to avoid glare. However, resetting the trip requires a 2second-button hold. It is a little much. Would also like a little more granularity than the 4-bar gas gauge and temp gauge. Just nitpicking.
- The ignition key functions are unintelligible. The ring around they key has a multitude of arrows and hieroglyphics, on many separate levels. A simple dot with a word next to it would be great.
- The Downtown has a STOCK rear tire hugger. If you have a bike without one, you can appreciate their value - The hugger prevents the tire from slinging crap yp, under your bike. HOWEVER, they decided to hide that behind a giant, hideous mudflap/giant chunk of plastic to hold the license plate. Fabricating a 'tail tidy' will be a priority. Why does every manufacturer seem to put thses on their bikes?
- No LED turnsignals in the rear? No LED taillight? The rest of the bike is sooooo slick and modern - why would we not include this? I'll be fixing this oversight immediately.
- No Downtown 300i forum here! Seriously. They are going to sell quite a few of these things this year. May want to get that going.
All in all, the value you get for the price on this scoot is incredible. It is a very fun ride and cuises like a dream. The styling cannot be beat (It looks like it was actually designed this decade) - It really catches the eye. Faster than my Vespa, less of a rolling pig than my Burgman, WAY more practical than my crotch rocket. Can't go wrong with this scoot IMHO.
P.S. I'll edit the post to add pics later
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