gregsfc
New Member
I've had a Piaggio BV350 scooter for ten months. It's my first ride. It's really a great scooter performance, features, and practicality wise; brand new engine design; 330 cc; 33 hp; 23 peak foot lbs of torque @ 6000 RPM; huge storage for its class; sized like a 300 (think Kymco People 300i but much better looking); oil change service every 6000 miles, and belt change every 12.4K, which is unprecedented for a scooter. However, I'm not liking the service schedule related to belt drives combined with CVTs and the how CVT components wear out pretty quickly for a highway commuter like myself. Also, not doing enough research before buying, scooter tires, especially the rears, just don't hang in there for many miles. I wore the first rear out already @ 7300 miles being very meticulous with keeping pressure right and not riding too progressively, and from what I've read, I did really well to go that far.
I'm also in love with the 700 power train after I learned about it, which was after I got the scooter. When shopping last June, I saw the 700 as just another over-displaced-engine motorcycle for my needs and assumed it was just another MC that would return mpg in the 40s. I didn't give it a hard enough look to realize how efficient it is.
So I joined this forum to help me make a decision as to whether or not to trade up to either the NC700X or one of the two CTX700s coming out in a couple of months. If I decide to make a trade, I'm going to do it this summer while my BV350 still has some value. There is a dealer near me that is a Piaggio and Honda dealer, and the BV350 is a hot item in the scooter world, so I may be able to get a good deal in a trade.
I need to learn more about chain-driven MCs.
What sort of maintenance and aggravation can I expect?
How much availability is out there for after-market storage solutions and wind protection?
I've got a 30 inch inseam. I don't know if the NC700X would work for me with a 32.7 seat height. The BV350 has a 31.5 and I can tip toe the street.
When the CTXs show up in showrooms, I'm going to give all three a look.
I was originally interested in the new 500s, but after looking a little harder, I think the better low-end grunt and better efficiency of the 700 would make me much happier in the long run.
Any advice or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks for allowing me on your board.
I'm also in love with the 700 power train after I learned about it, which was after I got the scooter. When shopping last June, I saw the 700 as just another over-displaced-engine motorcycle for my needs and assumed it was just another MC that would return mpg in the 40s. I didn't give it a hard enough look to realize how efficient it is.
So I joined this forum to help me make a decision as to whether or not to trade up to either the NC700X or one of the two CTX700s coming out in a couple of months. If I decide to make a trade, I'm going to do it this summer while my BV350 still has some value. There is a dealer near me that is a Piaggio and Honda dealer, and the BV350 is a hot item in the scooter world, so I may be able to get a good deal in a trade.
I need to learn more about chain-driven MCs.
What sort of maintenance and aggravation can I expect?
How much availability is out there for after-market storage solutions and wind protection?
I've got a 30 inch inseam. I don't know if the NC700X would work for me with a 32.7 seat height. The BV350 has a 31.5 and I can tip toe the street.
When the CTXs show up in showrooms, I'm going to give all three a look.
I was originally interested in the new 500s, but after looking a little harder, I think the better low-end grunt and better efficiency of the 700 would make me much happier in the long run.
Any advice or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks for allowing me on your board.