Scooter
Community

I wonder if we will ever see this scooter in Australia ?

It looks good and I would buy one - BUT .....

Cheers

....'BUT'.... ?  There's been some professional comment about how big this unit appears. And what would be the weight.

Having owned a Tricity 155 for nearly two years I can relate to early industry reviews that identify this configuration as ...'intelligent design'.

I drool over other rides, but that's my way being an enthusiast.

My ideal Tricity would be:

-- a 200cc with same flat floor configuration - a top shopping trolley

-- much improved suspension

-- quality compliant tires (not so much for further required grip, but for ride quality enhancement

-- more room in the saddle to move back (40mm)

Except for a 10c recall part replacement the scooter has been faultless - I paid $5650 ride away, at the time, and I feel I received a lot of R&D value for my money ......

BUT !   .... By the time someone at Yamaha wakes up the Tricity300  will probably be superceded by a revised model, and be outdated when it arrives.  I like the idea of owning a Tricity 300 but will probably choose another brand when my current X Max 300 needs replacing.

Cheers Aspro Boy

I've always admired your willingness to give something else a try, Tony. I have read, and been confronted with, the question of - why? If you have to ask the question, then your comprehension of physics, or experience, relating to biking is limited. It doesn't render the traditional format obsolete in the absolute sense, but offers design/use embellishment. As confirmed by a response gleaned from someone having just test ridden a Niken at the Wollongong motorcycle show, there is no enjoyment loss or 'other' sensation attributed to riding this configuation. But the Niken, to me, appears visually - otherworldly. The now two smaller versions not so.

Change comes hard to some. The 2020 Piaggio Yourban 300 HPE Sport also looks the goods, but I sincerely doubt that we will see a reappearance on our shores of this ride. 

None of this discounts my interest or willingness to purchase a traditional format compact GT inspired scooter, but the longer I spend with the Tricity format the more considered will be the alternative

Aspro Boy . . .

My purchase of a second X Max 300 is the first time ever that I have repeated buying any item twice as I like to add to experience even at my age.

I always change makes and models etc ( I did this with sailing boats/cars/mototcycles/musical instruments  etc).

Alas we are at the mercy of the "market" mentality which, today is a game of copying others. Can Am looks to be trying to be inovative but most, like Piaggion think conplexity is the answer to everything (note the difference in front suspension design between a Yourban and a Tricity).

Never mind - something always pops up from somewhere. I may have to resort to a 'Grey import' to get something new. 

Merry Christma by the way. . .

Cheers

It's now a year later, and I finally own a Tricity 300 - only to be disappointed.

The front suspension lock is a pain in the bum ( not very secure). This causes anxiety when wheeling around (leans side to side to easily).

My main concern however is with the tendancy for the front suspension to 'dive' at low speeds (so mush so that the bike can, and, has fallen over).

Summary so fat? OK for long sweeping bends on main roads, but not for me.

It's not the first mistake in my life - move on!

Cheers

Good to hear from you, Tony. I have always admired your willingness to experiment your rides - but there will always be winners & losers.

I wasn't aware that the Tricity 300 had landed on our shores. And your 300 experience is not too dissimilar to that of my 155: cornering, at speed, was confidence inspiring, but the reverse was true 'walking' this scoot or wheeling it about at very low speeds. The steering mechanism, once having passed a certain cornering point, just wanted to 'flop in'. Suddenly. Made worse by the fact that weight is held high. This scooter has been historically pitched at new, less experinced riders. But I always felt that its class weight penalty, and the steering anomoly at vey low speeds, was anything but what a novice rider might find comfortable.

So, on to the a new Honda Forza 350 (330), perhaps? When they do arrive at our shores.

I traded my Tricity 155 for a Vespa GTS 300 Supertech. Without having ever ridden a Vespa, or test ridden the GTS. Most people find that amazing, especially the dealer when I was taking off for the first time. But I have been delighted with my purchase - against my intended use.

Let me know what you do - I'm genuinely interested ...... Mark

Mark . . .

I have just noticed that Kymco have a couple of new models about to be released.

The DT X360 seems a likely candidate for me -  after I rid myself of theTricity 300.

Cheers

So which way are you leaning, Tony. Do you have a short list of replacement rides in mind?

Hello Mark. . .

I do have a short list of three bikes to replace the Tricity 300 :-

There is a new Yamaha on the block (don't hold your breath) - XMax 300 Tech Max. It looks to have a good number of improvements (not that the old model was bad). Euro 5 engine - lighter (9kg/180kgs) - Longer wheelbase - alloy foot pads - new seat (better back rest and fancy stitching) - modified  ignition switch - new screen (not sure whether it is electric) - slightly higher seat - lighter wheels.The dealer selling the Tricity may be a bit keener to do a trade.

The second/third choices are the new Kymco DTX 360 or the new version of theKymco Downtown 350 (both are 321cc).

The DTX 360 is aimed at a new market designated  "light off road" which would suit me as I like to use the gravel roads in the Adelaide hills.It has 'chunky' tyres - higher seating position - wider handle bars - good seat - keyless ignition - new navigation setup (via a smartphone app not that I will need that).I am a bit disappointed the that the wheel size has not increased ( still 14" front / 13" rear v XMax 15"/14").

The Downtown 350 has the same gear as the DTX 360 except that it's slightly heaviier / longer.

So there you have it - a bit of a mouthful, but I'm not counting the chickens just yet.

There is always the secondhand market worth considering, but at this stage I'm moving towards the Tech Max 300.

Cheers

Thanks for sharing. It's hard to see the X in the Kymco from any photos viewed. I'm guessing any decision might be generated by availability - what comes first. I was aware of the Tech Max.

The secondhand market has seen a surge through Covid. Short supply of new bikes and scooters meant that used units were in greater demand. Even the dealer from whom I purchased my Tricity 155 emailed me asking if I was interested in selling it back to him. Never had that happen before. At one stage before Covid you could see more than 30 Groms for sale on Bikesales - but this dropped to only about 4-5 available bikes. I read new motorbikes sales up 23% last year.

I really felt your disappointment with the Tricity 300. I was using my Tricity as a tool mostly, whilst caring for my elderly mother. And a cpable tool it was - but not refined. So my overall disappointment was contained by it's support of my duties.

Hi Mark . . .

I am starting to consider buying a smaller bike - maybe a Yamaha NMax 155.

The new NMax Tech Max won't be here until 2022.

The Honda ADV 150 is $1K dearer - and has a drum brake at the rear (yes, really!)

The newly announced Kymco KRV 175 looks a better bike, but will not be here until 2022

So - it may come down to second hand - (after all these years) or a "sit-up-and-beg" model.

Keep well - cheers

Hi, of the Japanese brands I'm a Honda guy. I have two in my garage, the last purchase being my eleventh Honda. But that's over more than 5 decades. 

Having said that I have owned the other major Japanese brands. Successfully.

My pick on your list would be the Yamaha NMax 155. Yes, really. They have out-sold the PCX 150 over the last year - and visual evidence of that is about me in my general area. They have proven popular, with extended service intervals over their rivals possibly playing a part in this popularity. Also, having swapped sitting on the NMax 155 and PCX 150 at the SMCS numerous times a few years back, the Nmax 155 offers more room for the rider - a definite attraction for me. And I'm not a big guy. The best scooter in the world wears thin if it is uncomfortable for you within a short time of riding. But I detect you're a seasoned rider.

The ADV 150 holds great appeal for me - it looks stylish in the flesh, but I am satisfied with current choices. Delighted even. I'm not sure you are right about a rear drum brake for this bike. The ADV feels good when you sit on it. The exposed handlebar, like the CT125, give it a street tracker feel, which I love. Takes me back ....

If I wanted only one twist-n-go ride to supplement my area lifestyle it would be the NMax 155. And then I might consider an NMax Tech Max when they finally arrive.

I enjoy the smaller rides now. My age, and location, has much to do with this. They're nimble, easy to park and store. With speed limits only heading in one direction they are becoming more relevant. The GTS 300hpe is the largest scooter/bike going forward I will ever now own.

The second hand market might be making a comeback with new scooter/bike deliveries now filtering through. But it was very thin pickings through Covid. Let me know  

Any progress, Tony?