Contemplating a questionable scooter run.

Cameron

Cameron

Member
Gday all, I have my eyes set on a long term goal of saddlesores on small bikes. Currently completed multiple on my 300, one on a 250 and have hopes for some 125 rides in future.

As I am finishing my silver mile eater program I have plenty of time researching and finding the perfect bike for the job in the interim.

Scooters have always been on my radar, honda's forza 250 or suzuki's burgman 250 would be stunning long term bikes for many rides. But my insanity is pushing me towards sub 10hp bikes.

Honda's new navi 110cc, at 100kg and 7.8hp looks to be a winner for a ludicrous ride series. I imagine with some extra fuel on board it'd do the distance at a somewhat reasonable speed.

Having experienced long rides (non IBA) on my cb125e the navi seems to be a good winner.

I reckon a faster 125 would be cheating :'D being horribly slow sounds like an absolutely dreadfull hoot.

for now i'll continue pushing the Deau on bigger and bigger rides.
 
EricV said:
It's called a scooter insanity ride for a reason! @Cameron - Do the math mate. Having done a Scooter SS1K ride in the states on a 150cc with 14 Hp in 22 hours, WOT, the Navi is questionable. Even with a fuel cell and flat terrain, you may simply not have enough time on a 125.
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Cheers for the advice it looks to be a real challenge and a really difficult one to pull off, have an alternative scoot in the honda adv150 (potential heaven to hell?) That makes a good 14hp, and with a large subtank i'd surely be able to make something work.
 
Cameron said:
Cheers for the advice it looks to be a real challenge and a really difficult one to pull off, have an alternative scoot in the honda adv150 (potential heaven to hell?) That makes a good 14hp, and with a large subtank i'd surely be able to make something work.
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I own a ADV150, it's a nice scooter. I finished a SS2000K recently with it. Tops out at around 100km/h GPS, a bit more with a fresh belt and rollers. It's motorway fuel range is "workable" at 200km (4L/100km).

The main issue with small engine scooters is the transmission. You fight against headwinds and uphills, which is to be expected, but you also cannot reap the tail winds or down hills as the CVT is geared rather low causing you to hit the rev limiter. It's happened to both the small scooters I have taken on the motorways (Suzuki Address / Honda ADV150).

Biggest positive of scooters is all the different riding positions available for on the road yoga. With step through scooters, you could ride them cross legged if you wanted.

Doing rides on small, slow and range challenged bikes is different, but wholly satisfying. I feel like it is also a good way to practice and experience what some of the longer aspirational rides may be like on a bigger bike. For example, if it takes you 24 hours to complete a SS1600K on a slow bike, how much different would it be to attempt a SS2000K or BB2500K in 24 hours on a more capable bike?

I entirely support your <150cc ambitions. We need more people to normalise it ;)
 
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I did my Scooter Insanity on a Honda ADV150. I've also crossed North America East to West on it over 10 days doing 800+ km days several times. Personally, riding a little scooter for 24 hours does not compare with riding a full size motorcycle for 24 hours. Bigger bikes are easier to make ergonomically comfortable. There is little you can do to a scooter. You can improve things, but there comes a point where you only have so much space to work with and every kilo you add slows you down. My motorcycles became the most comfortable place to be. Far better than a car. The scooter will never get to that place.

Pay attention to elevation changes on your route. Carry a fuel jug if you don't use a fuel cell to help minimize re-fuel times.

The advantage to the CT is being able to shift down for hills. The Navi is 105cc and CVT so none of that. You can manage your stopped time, but you can't manage your hills and wind once the route has been chosen. Top speed is claimed at 90 kph. You won't average that even w/o factoring in stopped time. And fuel economy won't even be close to the claimed when you are running wide open throttle all the time.

No windscreen on the Navi either. Adding one would be a good idea. Both for economy and to reduce fatigue.
 
I did a SS on a Vespa (my first… and second SS actually). It was great! Both were inside of Texas where the average speeds were 75-80 mph (128 kph)! It was nuts to be surrounded by big trucks and trailers for the last stretch in a major freeway, but I held up ok. It was a great experience.
 
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