MCDMA: PCX 150 vs Forza 300 vs Burgman 650
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 3:06 pm
So in a previous post I did a comparison of a whole range of scooters in the 250-400cc range. I concluded that, on the balance of mostly objective criteria, the NSS300 Forza was a winner. See: http://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1946
However, I also wanted a way to compare requirements for different people, to help decide what scooter suited you best. It's pretty obvious that if you spend the majority of your time cruising on the Highways, then a maxi-scooter like a Burgman 650 is a good choice. Whereas if you are around town almost exclusively, then the PCX150 is pretty much a no-brainer. If you want to mix it up a bit, then maybe something in the middle -- Forza -- is the best way to go. But is there a way to make this a bit more, well, scientific?
Here is one possible way -- it uses a method called "multi-criteria decision-making analysis" (MCDMA) that I use a bit in my work as a researcher. I've compared the PCX150, Forza 300 and Burgman 650 here as I think they're among the best of their respective small/medium/large scooter classes, but the method would basically work the same irrespective of your particular choice. Okay, here goes.
First, let's look at the comparative specs (in metric - sorry, see the above quoted post for definitions of the columns):
This is fine -- but what do people actually care about (in terms of 'service'). I defined the following categories, and then ranked the scooters against these:
The columns definitions are obvious, but some things are difficult to quantify and I might need feedback (e.g. is the average service cost of a PCX150 higher or lower than a Burgman, given that the former needs regular value checking and the latter is just a more complex machine?). Safety is also a bit arbitrary, based on a combination of factors including handling, acceleration, visibility, braking, etc. Cost $ is purchase price, Manoeuv is manoeuvrability and might include ability to turn quickly, bursts of low-speed acceleration etc. Anyway, you get the idea.
Based on the above table, if you average these ranks, you get the following result:
PCX150 = 2.13, Forza = 1.5, Burgman = 2.0 (lower number is better)
However, where MCDMA shines is in allowing for weights, to reflect relative preferences. So I came up with the following weights table:
The first analysis used no weights. For the others, I used the rules that 3 criteria could be given double weight (x2), 2 could be given half weight (x0.5), and the other 3 given no weight (x1). Applying each of these weighting schemes in turn gives the following table:
Overall, I guess you'd have to conclude that the Forza come out as the best 'go-to, do-everything' scooter. But, better still, you can do a final weighting, where you use the 'Town', 'Highway' and 'Economy' schemes in combination, and give them a relative preference.
For instance, if you weighted Town = 0.8, Highway = 0.05 and Economy = 0.15 (in terms of what aspects matter most to you) then you get the following:
PCX150 = 2.19, Forza = 2.28, Burgman = 2.89 -- PCX150 wins
Whereas if your weights were instead Town = 0.2, Highway = 0.7 and Economy = 0.1 then you get this result:
PCX150 = 2.84, Forza = 2.16, Burgman = 2.36 -- Forza wins
etc.
It all comes down to personal preference as to what weights you apply -- there is no perfect answer. But tools like this certainly can help in making an objective purchasing decision when deciding on your next scooter -- whether it be an upgrade, downgrade or replacement!
However, I also wanted a way to compare requirements for different people, to help decide what scooter suited you best. It's pretty obvious that if you spend the majority of your time cruising on the Highways, then a maxi-scooter like a Burgman 650 is a good choice. Whereas if you are around town almost exclusively, then the PCX150 is pretty much a no-brainer. If you want to mix it up a bit, then maybe something in the middle -- Forza -- is the best way to go. But is there a way to make this a bit more, well, scientific?
Here is one possible way -- it uses a method called "multi-criteria decision-making analysis" (MCDMA) that I use a bit in my work as a researcher. I've compared the PCX150, Forza 300 and Burgman 650 here as I think they're among the best of their respective small/medium/large scooter classes, but the method would basically work the same irrespective of your particular choice. Okay, here goes.
First, let's look at the comparative specs (in metric - sorry, see the above quoted post for definitions of the columns):
This is fine -- but what do people actually care about (in terms of 'service'). I defined the following categories, and then ranked the scooters against these:
The columns definitions are obvious, but some things are difficult to quantify and I might need feedback (e.g. is the average service cost of a PCX150 higher or lower than a Burgman, given that the former needs regular value checking and the latter is just a more complex machine?). Safety is also a bit arbitrary, based on a combination of factors including handling, acceleration, visibility, braking, etc. Cost $ is purchase price, Manoeuv is manoeuvrability and might include ability to turn quickly, bursts of low-speed acceleration etc. Anyway, you get the idea.
Based on the above table, if you average these ranks, you get the following result:
PCX150 = 2.13, Forza = 1.5, Burgman = 2.0 (lower number is better)
However, where MCDMA shines is in allowing for weights, to reflect relative preferences. So I came up with the following weights table:
The first analysis used no weights. For the others, I used the rules that 3 criteria could be given double weight (x2), 2 could be given half weight (x0.5), and the other 3 given no weight (x1). Applying each of these weighting schemes in turn gives the following table:
Overall, I guess you'd have to conclude that the Forza come out as the best 'go-to, do-everything' scooter. But, better still, you can do a final weighting, where you use the 'Town', 'Highway' and 'Economy' schemes in combination, and give them a relative preference.
For instance, if you weighted Town = 0.8, Highway = 0.05 and Economy = 0.15 (in terms of what aspects matter most to you) then you get the following:
PCX150 = 2.19, Forza = 2.28, Burgman = 2.89 -- PCX150 wins
Whereas if your weights were instead Town = 0.2, Highway = 0.7 and Economy = 0.1 then you get this result:
PCX150 = 2.84, Forza = 2.16, Burgman = 2.36 -- Forza wins
etc.
It all comes down to personal preference as to what weights you apply -- there is no perfect answer. But tools like this certainly can help in making an objective purchasing decision when deciding on your next scooter -- whether it be an upgrade, downgrade or replacement!
The only Honda-made maxi-scooter is the 2012 NC700D Integra: