Honda puts the Forza on a diet.

[AMAC1680]

http://www.motorcycle.com/mini-features/2018-honda-forza-300-scooter-announced-for-europe.html

Call weight watchers it lost 25 plus lbs.
Of course it begs the question. Why did Honda make the first wave of Forzas get so porky ?

AMAC

[boo]

in the power to weight ratio. This is a good move on Honda s part. With small engines like in the 300cc class, every added pound degrades performance.

[Stig / Major Tom]

http://www.motorcycle.com/mini-features/2018-honda-forza-300-scooter-announced-for-europe.html

Call weight watchers it lost 25 plus lbs.
Of course it begs the question. Why did Honda make the first wave of Forzas get so porky ?

AMAC

Well, they shortened the new one - not something I want to see when buying a maxi, and raised the seat a couple of inches. Short & tall do not seem ideal for feeling stable at speed?

But then Honda was never all about being on the cutting edge of performance....never.
It was something else.., it is something else - which inspires Honda sales down thru the decades, 2 wheels and 4.
A package deal.

A pair of classics now.....since it appears the 2018 won't be coming to the USA.


And, old smoothy...



I rode the red one home, while the blue one was still in ICU. The seat height, smoothness of the drive-train, and low center of gravity made my first ride off the lot and into heavy city traffic much more relaxing than I'd imagined it could be.


Me? I'd snatch up a 2016 ABS model while you can. Ride your Kymco 6 days a week, and the Forza on Sundays.


Stig

[Tromper]

Not sure how much I'm for this since it looks like it's losing all storage as well.  I'd guess it'd definitely need a top box to be useful.
It also wouldn't hurt if they'd add a few ponies/torque as well since:
vs. the Xmax & People 300 (still out there just not here) it's still giving up ~3 ponies, & some torque (albeit at higher revs)
Vs. the Downtown 350, & Citycom 300i it's 4-5 HP.
The BV350 has it spanked; although with the weight loss it's arguably a different class.

So far I think I'm with Stig on this one though I think I'd be looking at an XMAX 300 if I could find one (0 for 1 on dealers so far).

[forkintheroad]

Actually did see an Xmax at nearby dealer last week. I think they had just finished readying it for the show room floor when i got there. I wasn't looking to buy one, came for a different bike so I didn't test it. But it looks comfortable. Bigger than I was expecting.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Actually did see an Xmax at nearby dealer last week. I think they had just finished readying it for the show room floor when i got there. I wasn't looking to buy one, came for a different bike so I didn't test it. But it looks comfortable. Bigger than I was expecting.

I agree, the Xmax is bigger than I expected. Looked at one this morning.
Sticker price was $5,599

Two rows over, I looked at another 2018 300.
But this one is one thousand dollars less than the Xmax.

Off-brand 'mainland' manufacturer?
Nope.




Plus, it's red.

Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

I REALLY like that instrument panel on that new Honda! Also the LED lighting on that and the Yamaha XMAX 300. Anyone know the lamps they use? Anyone see the light patterns?

[PaulF]

The Xmax looks good and has heaps of features and storage but over here we only get the bronze and grey models where I would prefer a more stand out color like white or red.  Price here is ride away $7,700 AUD.

The new BMW 400 will be out in the middle of the year and it has the looks you will either love or hate but I like it.

https://newatlas.com/bmw-c400x-scooter/52196/

[forkintheroad]

Two rows over, I looked at another 2018 300.
But this one is one thousand dollars less than the Xmax.

Off-brand 'mainland' manufacturer?
Nope.

I saw one of those. it was tempting. The new Rebel 300 doesn't cost much more, maybe a $200, and it looks great too.
I ended up getting a Yamaha VX250. I'd been looking at the SMAX but it just won me over. the only Kymco dealer left in my area has nothing but an Like 200i, so I never bothered to stop by.