When given a forum to voice their opinions, we can always count on MD’s readers to take the time to let us know how they really feel about a given subject. Printed below are the remaining email we received in response to our October 20, 2003 article regarding the Honda Griffon, Suzuki G-Strider and Yamaha Mabris. As always, these responses are unedited. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.
- What a great idea for all of the cagers caught in heavy SoCal traffic. Now if only the manufacturers can remove the fear factor that cagers suffer (air bags?) maybe we’ll see a huge new market develop.
There is also the youth market. I remember (fuzzy as it may be) growing up with a Lambretta TV175 scooter. It was the perfect urban assault vehicle, mobile and economical enough to get you anywhere (locally) and stylish enough to keep you in with the crowd.
I wish the manufacturers great success.
- I love the new styling and the idea of automatic transmissions. I am in favor of anything that promotes two wheeled riding, and bringing in automatic transmissions (and styling) opens the door to many persons who otherwise would have never even thought about riding a motorcycle.
My wife and parents come to mind. They are simply to intimidated to learn how to ride a ‘real’ motorcycle. This new styling is a perfect fit for them. All though they love riding on the back of my bike, in no way are they able to appreciate the truly awesome experience of riding solo. There is nothing quite like the feeling you get as you make your way through the twists and turns of your favorite road, a feeling that bonds man and machine to a point in which you both seem to get equal satisfaction and joy – a symbiotic relationship of sorts.
This new class of motorcycles will enable them to experience this first hand. I look forward to the day when we are ALL able to go out on awesome Sunday morning rides. The best part? We will be able to talk about our rides TOGETHER, instead of them having to listen to me ALONE!
- I like the Honda Griffon concept very much, and were it or something much like it available now or in the near future, I would very seriously consider making a purchase.
Thanks for a great website,
- The Honda Griffon is beautiful!! The Suzuki Gstrider is awesome (I’d buy one)!! And, the Yamaha Mabris is… acceptable.
I’ve been waiting for a LONG time to see the manufacturers to build motorcycles styled like the bikes seen in the Japanese animated movie AKIRA!! It’s about time!! I really like what I’m seeing in the Griffon and the Gstrider!!
- Anything to get more of the world off of four wheels and on to two.
- A point a veiw from a young demographic.
Hi there I am 24 years old and have been riding on the Street since I was 18. And in the dirt since – well I don’t remember but I was a little brat thats for sure – . I am from a greneration that seems to love change I meen people my age don’t even know what a crab is or looks like…They think it’s somthing you eat. Not all of course and I’d say that the motorcycle loving people of my or any age group have a much great understanding of technical principals, then the average joe. I love concepts and pushing the limmits of engineering, eg: When Bimota tried that whole link suspension up front, Or when Yamaha build that concept 2 wheel drive R1. I mean these bikes are just different then the norm and Well 2 wheel drive is just cool it will never see production or I doubt that it would. But to say that these automatic bike/scooters are going into production robs us of a little of what it is to ride a bike. Okay I learned to ride on a 50 cc honda some bought for Sears in th 60’s (it was auto) and the Tomahawk concept is cool even as an Auto. To put into mass production a motorcycle that is trying to bring new riders to our sport or make it easyer for the average new comer, I think is great. But I hate that some bikes have ABS, “I like fule injection” , so I guess that I am a bit of a snob…
If I wanted a scooter I would drive a scooter. I don’t think that they should be put together, I don’t mind cross over concepts as long as it is a bike and bike combo. Not a “Pig and and Elephant”.
I hope that this is just an idea and that any production would be small because I would hate to see motorcycles move the way of the muscle car.
- Scooters are popping up all over. The concept is great, especially if they
have enough power, handling and braking to be safe.
The little Vespas, etc, are too damn small to be safe on the streets. I see
the riders going 20mph up a hill in a 40mph zone with no protection- and
especially no lighting as on a motorcycle. And when they get whacked- whose fault is it?
So the manufacturers are definitely on the right track with the bigger, better
machines.
- I like it. I like it a lot. I would buy one of these bikes over a cruiser any day. I am still going to have a sport bike and a dirt bike, but know I will have a scooter instead of a cruiser. I’ll have fun,fun,fun, ’til my spouse takes my scooter away:-)
- I think that automatic transmissions in road bikes and scooters are a damned good idea. Actually the Scooter has a wider range of usage than the bike and requires far less care to maintain. A larger displacement engine than the 250ccs usually found in scooters would be welcome as well.
- The new big scooters will be a good thing because it will bring new users into the market. That will give the whole two wheeled world more political clout. If the “standard” motorcycle population shuns this new segment rather than embracing it they will have missed a great opportunity in the fight against all those who think we should be “caged”.
- I’ve always been a fan of the Feet Forward concept and am even contemplating
the purchase of a Honda Silverwing. But, if I lived in an area that had lots
of swervery, I’d stick with the pure motorcycle. As it is, I live in Lubbock,
Texas where the only corners are at intersections. So scooters make a lot of
sense–especially with back support.
- I absolutely love the looks of the Honda Griffon!!! I’m a petite female and I currently ride a Honda Reflex after riding numerous motorcycles that were too heavy and never fit me. I’d buy it in a minute.
- Nice idea if the manufacturers actually bring these
motor-scooters to market. Honda and Suzuki have the
best-looking bikes, but the real test will be how well
they handle.
- When scooters are as big and costly to buy, operate, insure and maintain as a motorcycle, it begs the question, “why not buy a real motorcycle?” does it not?
I would not even consider one.
- As a cruiser rider who also likes Monsters & Hayabusas, I do like the looks of the Suzuki G-Strider and Honda Griffon. I welcome the trend of morphed scooters & motorycles, provided that:
- they don’t replace our beloved existing machines,
- they keep the wet weight to the barest minimum,
- they offer a choice of manual or automatic transmissions (perhaps also a tiptronic/autostick?).
Anything that gets more people onto two wheels is a good thing. Keep up the great work on your site!
- Suzuki G-Strider, That thing is cool, if it has at least a 100 HP, a 6
Gal or more gas tank, and a good set of hard bags for it.
That would be the perfect bike for us short people. Looks Good, about time.
- The day I would buy or ride a scooter or hybrid is the same day I will become a drag queen and put a big white wicker basket with flowers on the front of my mountain bike.
- The trend to merge motorcycles and scooters is a good thing. It’s been a
slow process (remember Honda introduced the Pacific Coast in 1989) and it
won’t take over the industry (there will always be “pure” motorcycles and
“pure” scooters), but it will expand the variety of offerings available from
the motorcycle industry. Making scooters bigger, as Honda has done with the
Silverwing 600 and Suzuki has done with the Burgman 650, recognizes two
important facts: 1) Scooters, while theoretically being more practical than
motorcycles, have historically been too small to be as useful and fun as
they could be, and 2) many riders don’t want to have to choose between the
practicality of scooters (weather protection, automatic transmission,
storage capacity without having to resort to saddlebags) and performance.
Honda led this movement with the Pacific Coast, a bike that had large
integrated saddlebags and good weather protection but which kept the
traditional motorcycle seating position and transmission. The fact that this
bike did not sell well was a disappointment to riders like me who want the
best of both worlds that bikes like the Pacific Coast and some of the new
big scooters offer.
- bring on that g-strider. I’m a buyer.
- It seems the small, light, small displacement, scooter may be a thing of the past with this concept. Will the low cost, around town scooter still be available, these must be the high end scooters. Coming from a short person point of view, motorcycles are so heavy and tall. Now are scooters going to be 750’s?
I don’t have a problem with the fully automatic transmission. I could ride a street bike that way too. Although that snowmobile type transmission used in a quad, I did not like. The automatic would be simple for around town and areas with many hills. I could grow to prefer it, at least I am willing to give up the standard clutch and give it a try.
These new vehicles look so hard to work on.
Overall for me, they are missing the mark with this trend. I was hoping to see bolder moves towards vehicles like the Suzuki 650 V-strom or the BMW F650GS. A smaller bike with upright seating, with some ability to drive down a gravel road. The scooters don’t seem to have the off pavement ability. I don’t think I will be very interested in the new vehicles that come from a scooter/motorcycle blend.
- I think it’s a natural progression to have automatic transmissions in
motorcycles. The best way to broaden the appeal of motorcycles —
especially in this country, where 90% of all automobiles are sold with
automatics — is to make them more accessible to more potential buyers.
Any way you look at it, more motorcycles on the road is nothing but a
good thing.
But what really strikes me is how more ideas of who I believe are the
two most innovative men in the motorcycle industry — Eric Buell and Dan
Gurney — are starting to show up on other company’s bikes.
I’ll start with the obvious — the Suzuki G-Strider looks a lot like the
Gurney Alligator. I was wondering when someone else would use his design
philosophies. I wish they wouldn’t have used an auto tranny, but the
bike does have a lot of interesting features, like the hub-centric
steering and control-arm suspension.
The Griffon has a rim-mounted front disc, just like the new Buells.
Hmm… I wonder if it stands up under braking, too?
- The new trend toward automatic motorcycle/scooter hybrids is a reflection
of customer demands, rather than some creativity exercise on the part of
manufacturers.
Today in Europe and Japan the urban landscape covers a great deal of the
land. The perfect mount for such a landscape will be small and agile, but
also freeway worthy, since commuting distances continue to increase. Their
ability to park in small spaces, fuel economy and ease of use will also
attract many neophytes to the motorcycle world.
Here in America, where common sense is notorious for its absence (note as
evidence the proliferation of horribly overpriced, ridiculously
impractical, dangerous and inefficient SUV’s), the trend will take longer
to catch on.
I certainly will continue to prefer sportsbikes or UJM’s over scooters or
the like, but I’d much rather ride surrounded by these machines than by
SUV’s any day, so I welcome this evolution.
- the scooter / street bike style looks like fun……and that is what riding is all about
the low seat may open the door to even more ridders that cant handel the seat of a full size bike but need a little more power than a scooter….looks like a great idea if the price is right
- One step closer to being a car. Put this together with the Viper engined 4 wheeler and you have a narrow sports car. Not saying this aint cool but a motorcycle it is not.
I foresee a time when motorcycles will be underground basement built odditys put together by wierd old men who prefer the pure & simple control of riding ON a motorcycle instead driving IN a scootercycle pod thing.
- Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I am disabled but only a limited disability. I have looked and looked for an automatic cycle much like what you have featured but to no avail. I would say that there are quite a number of people with disabilities that would like to ride or have ridden in the past and cannot due to the design of current cycles. I have spent hundreds of dollars on after market parts and gizmo’s to make my cycle automatic, none of which worked or they worked but you have to modify the bike so that it devalues it. I finally gave up and realized that the cycle must go. Very disappointing to say the lease. This is ridiculous for the time we live.
Thanks again for bringing this news to light. Tell whoever that the sales will fly when they make these available, not only to the disabled but to the elderly set who want to feel the wind in their hair once again after all, the after market parts sales to make a cycle automatic should tell the story. If anyone wants to send one my way to try and critique I would be more than willing. : ) I know that will not happen but what a thought, to ride again, wow!
- please pardon my nerdom, but i have a comment in reference to your article
about the merge of motorcycles and scooters: japanese anime sci-fi is
coming true!
“Akira” was a japanese animation release in 1989 and is considered to be
one of the greatest films of the genre. combined with “Robotech”, Akira
really help initiate western interest in anime.
one of the lead characters of Akira was Kaneda, who rode a bike very,
very, very similar to the Suzuki G-Strider.
hmm…1989 was 14 years ago, which would mean that the films target
audience, at the time, is probably in their late 20’s, today. this is
also the average age of many budding product designers. i think it is
quite possible that the todays product design is display the influences of
pop culture seeded in young minds long ago.
i wonder how many 15 year-old are out there today, heavily influenced by
The Matrix, Terminator 3, Star Wars Rehash, who will become industrial
designers in 2017. perhaps the Terminator ‘Will Be Back’.
- Not for me…..!
- If gasoline prices continue to rise, more people may switch to
two-wheelers. Just hope they ride safe.
- One of my bikes is a Honda Pacific Coast, an earlier development of
the motorcycle/scooter/car idea. Based on my experience with the
Pacific Coast, I think that the concept is valid. The Suzuki is the
most interesting because it could affect the future of motorcycle
design. The Alligator won’t do that at over $30,000.
- Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I am disabled but only a limited disability. I have looked and looked for an automatic cycle much like what you have featured but to no avail. I would say that there are quite a number of people with disabilities that would like to ride or have ridden in the past and cannot due to the design of current cycles. I have spent hundreds of dollars on after market parts and gizmo’s to make my cycle automatic, none of which worked or they worked but you have to modify the bike so that it devalues it. I finally gave up and realized that the cycle must go. Very disappointing to say the lease. This is ridiculous for the time we live.
Thanks again for bringing this news to light. Tell whoever that the sales will fly when they make these available, not only to the disabled but to the elderly set who want to feel the wind in their hair once again after all, the after market parts sales to make a cycle automatic should tell the story. If anyone wants to send one my way to try and critique I would be more than willing. : ) I know that will not happen but what a thought, to ride again, wow!
- When even the first large scooters appeared (Suzi Bergman etc) I thought “you’ve got be kidding”…..
However as traffic builds up in density I think more and more car drivers will be looking for “something” that offers more mobility while retaining a reasonable level of comfort greater than that available with traditional motorcycles.
I also believe that the automatic transmission will be a deciding factor as many of todays drivers would not be happy with a manual transmission in their car, let alone find it reasonable to learn the finer points of a traditional motorcycle gearbox / clutch arrangement.
I also think style will be almost as important as function for these machines, as car drivers are certainly in general less knowledgeable than motorcyclists about the mechanical specification of their vehicles and most buy the one which “looks” and “feels” right to them on a test drive.
For this reason alone I would give both the G-Strider and the Griffon a far higher chance of success than the rather ordinary Mabris.
The former both really look like “21st century techno bikes” while the latter looks like something I would half expect to see in a current Yamaha line up and really fails to excite.
Would I, as a motorcyclist of some thirty years experience including bikes ranging from single cylinder two strokes to six cylinder fourstrokes and heavy V-twin touring bikes consider one?
Well, maybe the G-Strider……
- I have owned several scooter-type bikes over the past 20 years. Two mopeds (a black 1976 Maxi and a red1980 Super) have carried me many miles. I was younger then, and have had about 20 total bikes in the last three decades. I currently keep a 1993 Helix driven almost daily, I just sold a 1986 Elite 250, and I ride a vtec vfr and drz400s (at your suggestion) for kicks. Scooters are definitely an acquired taste. One must not worry about the perceptions of lookers-on whilst riding these contraptions. Most cool people admire them, and most pure motorcylists with some sort of attitude ignore or revile them as a gender-threatening. Get over it, these things rock! My kids can’t get enough of short rides around the neighborhood, and I get over 55 mpg from, the Helix with room for groceries. I also regularly ride it to work. I am considering an upgrade to a Burgman 400, but have heard nothing about it in the press (in contrast to the 650 model).
Please tell us something about the 400, and other models to come.
- Just had a look at this and said “COOL!” out loud. This looks like a bike right out of Akira. I want one!
- I can see the strong scooter resemblance in the Honda, and the Yamaha, but proportion-wise, that Suzi looks an awful lot like a cruiser in sportbike clothing.
Suzuki, how ‘bout showing us what it might look like without the fairing (or at least with a minimized and integrated one)? A naked, modernized, street-fighter/sportbike/cruiser thing. Shed that scooter image that the fairing brings, and you could have one suh-weet lookin’ bike.
- I think I’ll get one when I get old.
- This year I bought a new Suzuki Burgman 650. I test-rode a Honda Silverwing and the Suzuki at different dealerships on the same day. Between the two it was an easy choice for me. I already owned a BMW R1150GS, ’00, and a Boxer Cup Prep model 1100S. I have spoken with Justin Gurney and Buddy Stubbs, Jr. about the Alligator. I am serious about the concept, both in frame geometry and in transmission choices.
I really really enjoy this scooter. I’ve remarked to several friends, all bikers, that what it really needs is another cylinder. That’s just to be lazy. In the real world in traffic I have no problems whatsoever, and when riding with friends on “real” bikes I have no problems keeping up, although I do lose out in acceleration.
If this concept were given serious review more bikers would enjoy the way it all works. I like the concepts shown by Honda and Suzuki. The one shown by Yamaha is just horribly dated- and typically wide-hipped as are so many oriental designs. I admit that the Burgman won’t win any beauty contests, but it really works, and designs such as Honda’s, which take into account real world tire diameters and the need for a slimmer design than used on most scooters, will sell.
Not having to concentrate on which gear I’m in gives me more energy to expend on other details of riding. Don’t misunderstand. I like to shift, most of the time. Both of my cars are stick shifters (a ’79 911SC and a ’98 M3 Sedan), and I was a successful autocrosser for 13 years, a licensed Solo Safety Steward, and an instructor in my local SCCA chapter.
The ease of riding and ease of storage are huge selling points for scooters in general; that the Burgman can also spend all day at extra-legal speeds make it an easy choice.
- That concept bike [G-Strider] looks cool fo sho. I’m a proud owner of
a ’01 Honda F4i, but that G-Strider would look good in my garage also.
- RE BIG FF scooters and bikes; it can’t happen soon enough! I been riding a
home-made FF 125cc machine for 3 years (65mph, 100 mpg, great comfort and
cargo capacity) and all it lacks is more power, better brakes and handling.
Ergonomics must be correct and quickly adjustable for rider size, however,
as comfort is the main reason to buy; if they give us a Kruiser C-clamp
riding position, the whole thing will die and they’ll wonder what happened
to this wonderful idea? I’ll also be looking a real backrest with cargo
trunk – which also does good things for minimising aero drag, so why not?
BTW, the lower seat section is sprung with a mountain bike shock, tilts
back & down to align with the backrest. Plenty fast for city and urban
traffic, carries 4 bags of groceries, 3 cases of beer, or all the drums,
rotors, brake pads & shoes and wheel cylinders for a full Ford brake job,
just lash it on the rack.
- With the tightning of speed restrictions here in Australia and I guess other parts of the world these morphcycles may the way to go. I have not ridden the big Suzuki Burgman scooter but it and these seem to be in the same vein.
I wonder how they are to ride?
- I agree with you it is only natural that the scooter and motorcycle technologies and stylings bleed into one another – especially where the engine displacements are similar. However, there is somewhat of a cultural conflict that concerns me. On Miami Beach one sees a lot of scooters. The streets are two lane – built in the 1920’s and 30’s – average speed 25 mph – lots of stop signs – and parking is at a premium. Many people just jump on their scooter in shorts & sandals to zip up the island a few blocks. However, now I am seeing these scooters spread over to Miami – zipping down US1 – three lanes of traffic in both directions – average speed 45 mph – and here come the kids on scooters with no helmets or even long pants. That is scary. Most riders on “motorcycles” still employ helmets and jackets even after Florida repealed it’s mandatory helmet law. As the scooter horsepower increases and their usage spreads, will these scooter riders still think they are just jumping on a little zoom zoom – or will they develop a healthy respect for the dangers they face?
- I believe the scooter market will become the next big niche, especially for 2 types of customers.
The older rider who prefers the easy ride of of a Gold Wing type bike, but is physically unable to safely maneuver it. In my town I spoke to 2 riders of Silver Wings who traded in their Gold Wings for the ease of the Silver wing…their comments were similar. The Silver wing was easy to handle around town with good storage area for quick shopping trips, they could keep up with traffic easily outside of town, and the ease of mounting/dismounting was important. One guy said he used the scooter far more than his Gold Wing (and his car) for short trips around town, nearly every day. One spouse felt the Silver Wing was more comfortable on longer trips. They recently traveled from Southeast Pa to S Carolina and they were pleased with the performance and comfort of the scooter, being able to keep up with traffic at 75-80 mph, good wind protection and ergonomics.
Also, I think women will be drawn to these scooters, they answer the common complaint of seat height and the automatic transmission, storage areas, floorboards, automotive type dash and conveniences, cushy seating and car-like fuel refilling that comes on the Suzuki Burgman means it will be a less dramatic change from their 4-wheeled vehicle. I know my wife, who rarely considered her own bike, is now looking at this scooter for her use.
There’s my .02, since you asked. I read your daily regularly, thanks for the great work.
- Cool photos! Once again, life is starting to imitate art: Specifically the motorcycles depicted in the Japanese animated film (“anime”) called Akira (1988!).
- I think that this trend, if it turns the direction of the G-strider,
could be a great thing for guys like me. I am not interested in a traditional
cruiser for long distance highway travel, I’m certainly not in the
Goldwing crowd, and I get a little tired of the lack of comfort from sport and even
sport touring bikes. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t give up my rocket for
the twisties and commuting but to be able to sit back relax and hit the
highway (and of course some turns) in relative comfort/style, I’m in. I just hope
that they offer a manual transmission option.
- It’s the future, and more power to them. I don’t see any downside. More people on scooters means more people (eventually) on bikes, less traffic congestion, less fuel imported from the Middle East, and cool-looking Jetson-look rigs on the road. I’d roll around on that G-Strider any day.
- I’ve always likes the small motorcycle/scooter (first
motorcycle MB5) but riding then in the city/highways
was not safe. But now with the Bergman(sp) and the
Silverwing the scooter(needs a better name)class is
changing. Now with the concept scooters with 750cc and
up motors this could bring the American motorcycle
public to view these as viable transportation. It
could also start a new racing class in WERA,CCS etc.
The big thing will be keeping the price within
reason. They will need to keep the prices within the
current midsize cruser/sportbike range. That if the
big four bring them to the states at all.
- I think this convergence might be better understood as a filling of a
market niche that has been left open in the United States for many years: small
and midsize displacement road bikes. Smaller motorcycles do not sell well
in the U.S. for a variety of reasons. I think the manufacturers are
trying to find a way to fill that gap. I wish them the best of luck.
- Wow. For years the women’s market has been clamoring for an ACTUAL motorcycle with a low seat height and cool styling. Looks like they’re about to get their wish in a model that will appeal to many men who like futuristic design and comfort as well! I need a third bike like a hole in the head but I can still see a G-Strider in my future if they become available – or maybe a Griffon. I’d have to ride both to see (drool) … hope the future is closer then I think!
- I agree. It’s only a matter of time. When 80% of new cars are sold
with automatic transmissions, are cycle-scooters far behind? Well, only
if they start looking better & Honda seem on the right track. Thanks
for a great site.
- Looks scary. Will ‘normal’ motorcycles disapear? How about 70’s classics. They were the best looking stuff ever.
- I don¹t mind the scooter-motorcycle style-morph…because we will always
know the difference at the stoplight.
How in the world can we convince Suzuki to put the G-Strider in production
for the USA?
That is the worst thing about these concept shows…they get our mouth
watering..then they never deliver anything close to the concepts.
I would put money down today If I knew they were in production.
So…what is your best advice?
- I like the idea of a scooter with sufficient power to ride outside of the cities, and into the mountains – in other words – something that is versatile. I think that they should be designed for comfort – similar perhaps to the Suzuki Burgman or the new Honda Silverwing.
The bikes should also have lots of storage room, like the Burgman, for helmets, etc., but forget the radio or CD – I ride my bike to get away form that.
I don’t like the idea of a low seat height, unless the seating position is adjustable to accommodate taller riders. There are also enough sport bikes on the market. I see no purpose in the Honda Griffon prototype – it doesn’t look comfortable, I see no storage space, and it seems to lack protection from the elements similar to that offered by a traditional scooter.
To me the most important consideration is the seating height – I do not want a low position that focuses my body weight on my spine – as does almost all of today’s cruiser type bikes. So why not make the height adjustable, or offer the bikes in two different models – one for taller riders and another for shorter persons. Next consideration is easy maintenance – shaft drive or enclosed belt/chain – definitely not something that needs maintenance weekly or even monthly.
Another thing is the color – I don’t like the current crop of silver colored bikes – regardless of the make or model. In fact, I have wanted to purchase the Honda ST1300 but will not do so until a color other than silver is available. You would think that it would be simple for motorcycle manufacturers to figure what color is most favored with the public ( I suspect it would be red or blue) and offer the bike in such color.
If the above is not feasible – could you see what you can do to get Honda to bring back the 1984-85 Honda Nighthawk – this time with shaft drive, or bring back the Yamaha FJ 900 or an FJ750 with shaft drive.
- I dont like the Honda or Yamaha but I think the G-Strder could grow on me quikley especialy if Suzuki would cram a GSXR 1000 engine in the thing.
- I like this trend, however many motorcyclists are close minded i.e sportbike, cruiser, Harley etc. I thought your review of the Honda Silverwing was very open – minded, enough so that it had me consider buying one. I’ve done the cruiser thing (ended up riding it like a sportbike) and then the sportbike thing (finally hanging with and even beating my friends). Now what? Racing around on the road would eventually lead to a nice stay in a hospital or jail. The track can get very expensive and lets face it there are no factory scouts interested in me or 99% of you out there no matter how fast you think you are. I now own a Honda Silverwing and am amazed every time I ride it. I don’t know how Honda did it! I can do 90% of the things that I could do on my ’02 ZX6R. The biggest downside is finding people to ride with because nobody likes being beat by a scooter! I’m not bragging, it really is that good. If more manufacturers start building bigger and better examples the trend could really take off. Just keep an open -mind!!!! Oh the 10% that I can’t do (wheelies, stoppies, carrying the same speed through an apex) the savings on insurance more than makes up for. $128 a yr. full coverage.
- Of the three, the Yamaha looks like the most believable production model. Overall, the Yamaha seems to convey a “sit on” concept, the Suzuki a “sit in” concept, with the Honda somewhere in between. I wouldn’t expect to see the Suzuki in anything but concept form.
- Here’s my thoughts on the feet-forward movement:
Manufacturer’s should ‘test the waters’ and start
making these hybrid bikes! There’s been a growing
underground of these kinds of machines for some years
now (30-100 yrs, depending on how you look at it!) and
it’s a wonder that the big bike manufacturer’s haven’t
gone this route yet! Especially with growing
publicity of Gurney’s Alligator, Wagner’s Ecomobile,
occasional one-offs displayed in magazines, and
Captain America feet-forward toys at Wal-Mart.
They type of machine that I am interested in
purchasing is very similar to the Suzuki G-Strider.
The low seat height, wind protection, feet-forward
layout, and liter class engine are VERY appealing.
Something like that from Honda would be great!
Ideally, the machine would be motivated by a 1000cc
twin, use a CVT or a conventional 6-speed sequential
transmission, and look like the manga (cartoon)
“Akira” Kenda’s bike! That’d make me proud!! I bet
it’d make countless others proud too, including Dan
Gurney, Malcolm Newell, Royce Creasey, and countless
feet-forward backyard/garage-type-engineers!
An amazing possibility of these hybrid machines is
rapid growth of consumer interest in two wheeled
vehicles. A bike/scoot merger machine just may spark
the interest of people who now would not consider
using a motorcycle or a scooter – both for various
reasons. Industry growth will lead to more choices
for everyone!!!
I think there’s an opportunity to be experienced with
the future of feet-forwards. This leads me to the
question – What is stopping me from organizing and
leading the future of these kinds of machines?
This opinion is coming from a 28-year-old with 18 yrs
riding experience, a daily rider (mostly on a
sportbike), and a moto-industry professional.
- these motorcycle/scooter hybrid concepts show some merit and a whole lot of insight into what could possibly become the next big boom in the two wheel segment. scooters make a heck of a lot more sense in the day to day, real world motorcycle world. suzuki and honda both offer excellent large displacement/auto tranny scooters,with one glaring fault, they look like a scooter. no self respecting biker is going to be caught dead one one of the current offerings in the scooter world, no matter how sensable they may be. i mean, really, do we need the now standard fare of ass-in-the-air, knees-under-the-arm-pits, hyper bike torture racks that we are now using as our daily commuters due to peer pressure from our fellow riders. i for one really like the look of the suzuki g-strider, as a scooter/motorcycle i see a lot of performance/comfort potential in this concept. i would love to see this concept developed further before all of our favorite meeting spots change from the local watering hole at the end of the canyon road to our closest chiropractors waiting room.
- I’m writing again about scooters. I was trolling through the Motorcycle Daily website and read your editorial dated Nov.5, 2001. I was back into biking then and riding large-displacement bikes. As you might remember from my last email, I’ve bought a 2003 Burgman 650, and now I’ve resolved to sell my 2000 BMW R1150GS (but I’m keeping the Boxer Cup Prep).
In short, you were right when you wrote of the allure of scooters because of all that they do well. I’m a former racer, but you know, there are practical limits to how much horsepower is needed, even with extra thrown in for foolishness.
I’d like to see a long-term test of that Burgman; I think living with it would open many rider’s minds to the options available.
- I’m writing again about scooters. I was trolling through the Motorcycle Daily website and read your editorial dated Nov.5, 2001. I was back into biking then and riding large-displacement bikes. As you might remember from my last email, I’ve bought a 2003 Burgman 650, and now I’ve resolved to sell my 2000 BMW R1150GS (but I’m keeping the Boxer Cup Prep).
In short, you were right when you wrote of the allure of scooters because of all that they do well. I’m a former racer, but you know, there are practical limits to how much horsepower is needed, even with extra thrown in for foolishness.
I’d like to see a long-term test of that Burgman; I think living with it would open many rider’s minds to the options available.
- Shortly after reading your article on the Honda Silverwing scooter (2002)
I purchased one (3/02). As an older returning rider I couldn’t be happier
with the combination of comfort/convienence/performance. I have 8800 summer
miles on it(live in Oregon), much of it two up. The combined weight of my wife
and myself is 360 lbs and power to pass at higher speeds is a little wanting.
Do you have any idea how soon the 750cc Honda scooter will be available? I’m ready to place an order!! Thanks–Robert
