The Honda PCX / Forza / ADV150 / SH Forums

Hi everyone,
I have recently moved interstate from Melbourne to Canberra. I have been a Vespa kind of person for about 15 years, having owned 4 of them, but sold my scoot when we moved. I lasted 4 months before I started to pine for a ride.
In 2010 we had probably the best holiday ever in Vietnam, riding old Vespas around the southern part of the country. If your Vespa 'failed to proceed' you were given a Honda Airblade (?) to ride until your bike was fixed. I managed to destroy the rear shock absorber on my 1960's 150, so was compelled to ride the Honda. What a revelation! Lovely thing to ride!

So, far better to buy something technologically advanced and better built, at half the price of a Vespa, albeit a 150 against the 300 I last owned, but what a lovely handling thing the 2019 PCX is! Only issue for me is I feel it's a bit underpowered for the insanity that is riding in the ACT, Australia. I'm sure this is an issue around the fact that the roads in Canberra are so good and there isn't much traffic, but what do others think, a bit more grunt, a PCX 250 perhaps?

Best wishes,
Marco

If anticipating high speed roads . hills, and wind, I would suggest stepping up to a Forza 300 or Kymco .

If anticipating high speed roads . hills, and wind, I would suggest stepping up to a Forza 300 or Kymco .

X2.

Additionally, a Yamaha XMax or Suzuki Burgman 400 would be worth a look and test ride. As you probably already know ergonomics and $$ have a lot to do with the ultimate choice of what you will ride home. Good luck!

If you haven't already, you will soon find out that the PCX is far more nimble than a Vespa. It is the kind of city bike that everyone loves, and with some modifications to suspension the ride comfort is outstanding.

However, with all of that in mind, it is not meant as a long distance riding machine. I have ridden mine for long stretches on back roads and was quite happy with it, though my average speed was 45 mph. If you plan on riding longer distances at higher speeds you might be better off to trade up to a more powerful scooter. When I rode the freeways a lot I owned a Suzuki Burgman 400 and it was wonderful. I could have cruised all day at 75 mph. Yes, my PCX 150 has been modified to run at 75 mph now, but the ride is nothing like that of the Burgman at that speed.

The point is that your choice of scooter should be based on what your planned riding will be. If most of it is in town, the PCX can't be beat. Out on the open roads at high speeds, invest in a bike that has more power AND comfort. Even a Vespa 300 is not as comfortable as a Forza 300 or a Burgman 400, though it may have the power.

I test ride a Vespa 300 once. Really enjoyed how spacious it felt. I could stretch out or have my legs right underneath me just like a Forza. However no front end feel compared to a bigger wheeled scooter. Vespa just seems to not make anything new with bigger wheels. Even 14s would make a big handling difference.

I own a 2019 PCX 150 and I'm planning on relocating to Canberra mid-2019.
I have noticed an increase in performance now that the motor is run-in and loosened up, i have also lost 10kg recently so that may help the power to weight ratio.
Most of the major divided roads in Canberra have an 80kp\h speed limit which shouldn't be an issue with a PCX, however i would probably avoid the Majura Parkway which has a 100kp\h limit.