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The Best Bike Racks For Camping On A Budget

Last however definitely not least is Haul-Master’s Two Bike Hitch Mount bike rack, which is definitely essentially the most budget-friendly possibility on our record, boasting a price ticket of simply $45. If you’re unfamiliar with the Haul-Master title, it is a Harbor Freight Tools model that makes all the things from cargo carriers and off-road vehicle ramps to folding trailers and truck bed accessories. Yes, in addition they make a trailer hitch bike rack you should purchase on-line or at your native Harbor Freight retailer.

For $45, you’re, in fact, getting much less flash within the design division. But you aren’t sacrificing high quality, with Bicycling just lately together with Haul-Master’s hitch rack on their latest Best Of record and on a regular basis customers giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars on Harbor Freight’s web site. The barebones construct apart, the design workforce did equip the rack with a tilt-back characteristic that makes it straightforward to entry a trunk, tailgate, or hatchback. So, in the event you’re in search of an inexpensive, purely useful solution to take a mountain bike or two alongside in your subsequent tenting enterprise, this rack could be very a lot in your wheelhouse.

The Two Bike Hitch Mount rack does have a few drawbacks, one in every of which is that it maxes out at carrying 100 kilos. So, you may should be cautious when loading up a pair of full-size mountain bikes. Some customers additionally complained in regards to the rack’s toughness and a too-loose match of their trailer hitch. Even nonetheless, at $45, this rack could also be well worth the danger.

Check Out The Honda Monkey King Special Custom Edition From Cub House

The Honda Monkey is well one of the crucial iconic mini-bikes round. Ever since its debut in 1961, it is achieved world acclaim and is a favourite amongst fans and commuters alike, because the Monkey doesn’t take itself too severely, and has all the time been about enjoyable and freedom of expression.

Because of that world fandom, the Monkey has additionally turn into a favourite amongst customized bike builders seeking to make an announcement. And over in Thailand, Cub House, a store specializing in all issues Honda Mini-Moto, has unveiled a particular version mannequin dubbed the “Monkey King Special Custom Edition” that appears wonderful.

Essentially a customized construct straight off the showroom ground, this particular two-wheeler has an emphasis on magnificence and class and is bound to catch the attention of parents seeking to stand out from the group.

 
Card suits adorn the swingarm.

Card fits adorn the swingarm.

This charming mini-bike is decked out in a black and gold livery, together with “Monkey Edition” painted in a basic carnival-esque font on the tank, whereas matching gold pinstripes add a contact of retro. The entire factor is completed off with a Monkey King emblem and a bunch of decals depicting card fits on the swing arm.

Only 300 of those examples shall be produced with a price ticket of 112,900 baht, or about $3,138 USD. For reference, within the US, the Honda Monkey carries a barely dearer retail worth beginning at $4,299 USD.

Unfortunately for Honda Monkey followers in different components of the world, it appears as if that the Monkey King Special Custom Edition shall be bought solely in Thailand. Nevertheless, in case you’re into this type of aesthetic, it may function an inspiration to your personal customized Monkey construct. After all, the Monkey is likely one of the most custom-made bikes on this planet, and there are tons of aftermarket parts so that you can select from–a variety of which we’ve talked about up to now.

The Monkey's side covers display a royalty-inspired design.

The Monkey’s facet covers show a royalty-inspired design.

It gets unique gold styling elements atop a black motif.

It will get distinctive gold styling parts atop a black motif.

It’s clear that there’ll all the time be a spot for tiny bikes just like the Monkey. As somebody who grew up round all types of strange small-displacement two-wheelers, I do know for a incontrovertible fact that a few of the greatest enjoyable could be had aboard the smallest of bikes.

2024 HONDA TRANSALP 700 RIDING IMPRESSION

Grand adventures come simply to the rich. These are the individuals who can afford the Himalayan journey of a lifetime with chase vans and caravans each single summer time. They don’t blink at $30,000 bikes and satellite tv for pc telephones. We do, although. Luckily, there are adventures that aren’t restricted to the elite and their checkbooks, and so they come aboard bikes like the brand new Honda XL750 Transalp.

The Transalp is a motorcycle designed with the solitary purpose of opening up modest journey rides to individuals who work for a residing. It’s all concerning the value; the Transalp has a producer’s steered retail value of $9,999. That’s really lower than the CRF450RL dual-sport bike. It’s nonetheless a 749cc parallel twin that places out round 80 horsepower and presents plenty of digital driving aides. It’s the kind of bike that you simply experience to your journey after which experience dwelling afterwards.

ADVENTURE THEN AND NOW
The Transalp identify is recycled from a really comparable bike that was provided in 1987. That was a 600cc V-twin with an idea that baffled most Americans. We noticed it as a tribute to an obscure stage race that began in Paris, France, and completed in Dakar, Senegal. No one knew it was an journey bike—that time period hadn’t been coined but. That bike quietly disappeared within the U.S. however remained in Europe, morphing by a number of configurations. Now, it’s a special world. Honda estimates that the marketplace for journey bikes grew 400 p.c within the final 5 years. It isn’t essentially as a result of avenue riders discovered a brand new love for driving within the filth. Most of the ADV bikes in the true world current riders with a snug means for touring and commuting. They purchase into the picture and the maybe-one-day chance of journey rides.

Today’s Transalp is designed to attraction to that rider, after which if and when maybe-one-day arrives, it will probably ship on the promise. It has an inline two-cylinder motor with a single overhead cam utilizing Honda’s Unicam configuration. The crank pins are offset at 270 levels for the aim of offering an uneven pulse, just like that of a V-twin. The suspension is Showa with adjustable preload and slightly below 8 inches of journey. What actually units the Transalp aside from different journey bikes on this value vary is its digital portfolio. The bike has 4 predetermined “ride modes.” A handlebar change lets you cycle by Standard, Sport, Rain and Gravel settings. Each has its personal ranges of energy output, traction management, engine braking and antilock braking. In addition to these user-defined place the place you set your individual values. The energy setting doesn’t really regulate peak energy as a lot as throttle sensitivity. Traction management has 5 ranges to select from, engine braking has 4, and there are 3 ways to set ABS: street, off-road and off. Even when turned off, entrance wheel anti-lock stays energetic.

Honda gave the Transalp a reasonably refined electronics portfolio. The motor has a candy nature, even with none digital intervention.
PA WILDS
Honda’s press division launched the Transalp in a very blue-collar method. They deliberate out a Backroads Discovery Route in rural Pennsylvania referred to as the “PA Wilds BDR-X.” In case you don’t already find out about Backroads Discovery Routes, that is the right means to make epic rides accessible to nearly anybody. BDR is a non-profit group that posts monitor logs and sources for filth rides throughout America. There are over a dozen point-to-point rides posted with gasoline stops and mileages all found out. There are additionally just a few loops that start and finish in the identical location. These are referred to as “BDR-X” routes, and PA Wilds is a type of. It wasn’t fairly the alps, however we did it in October and bought the easiest that autumn in Pennsylvania has to supply.

If something defines an journey bike, it’s the rider place. The Transalp positions you kind of upright, together with your knees simply previous 90 levels and your heels effectively in entrance of your hips. You sit in a pocket to maintain the seat peak down, however that limits mobility for off-road driving. Very typical of the breed, and all of the extra motive to face up whenever you get into the filth. Once you get your butt off the seat, the format feels about excellent. The bars are moderately excessive, and the foot controls are all positioned effectively (when you take away the usual footpeg rubbers).

As you may count on, Honda will likely be completely satisfied to equip the Transalp with plenty of equipment. This one has the journey circumstances. Our check bike had engine guards and a skid plate. We additionally put in full knobby tires earlier than we rode.

The filth roads on PA Wilds vary from completely easy and degree to sections of two-track with rocks and hills that will be difficult for a full-fledged filth bike. Even with none of the digital aides in play, the Transalp has a easy energy supply that begins simply above idle. At superlow velocity, the bike doesn’t chug or stall. It has glorious torque and is completely completely satisfied operating at low rpm for lengthy stretches. Then, when the street straightens out, it has loads of energy all the way in which as much as over 10,000 rpm. To filth bike guys, the Transalp may as effectively be a top-fuel dragster. It has all the facility that you’d ever want off-road. By avenue bike requirements, although, it’s really fairly modest. A 750 sport bike has a peak output round 40 horsepower larger and revs a great 3,000 rpm greater. No one needs that within the filth.

With such a fair, easy energy supply, the necessity for any digital means to regulate it, frankly, isn’t that large of a deal for even an intermediate rider. If you have got a good quantity of expertise, then the very best setting for many conditions is to enter the user-defined settings and switch energy up, traction management down and antilock braking off. Toning down the throttle sensitivity is just helpful in rolling, free rocks, however the Honda has such a nice nature that you simply won’t even discover. Traction management is a extra sophisticated topic. It’s primarily designed to maintain inexperienced riders out of bother. In its most aggressive state, it makes the motor stumble any time it senses wheelspin. That’s helpful on moist pavement, however can really trigger you to lose invaluable momentum off-road. If you flip it all the way down to one-third energy, it’s more practical. In that setting it can really allow you to drift the rear finish barely. Still, it’s not efficient at low speeds the place you’re merely attempting to keep up ahead motion. For that, the very best setting is to show all of it the way in which off. You can solely do that within the user-defined settings, and even then, it resets when you flip off the important thing. It must be arrange once more each time you begin. Same goes for turning off the rear-wheel anti-lock.

The Transalp takes its identify from a 600cc V-twin within the ’80s. No one was prepared for it then.

Of the 4 predetermined maps, the very best for off-road driving is Sport. That turns down traction management and engine braking, turns up throttle response, and leaves anti-lock in full avenue mode. Gravel mode has an excessive amount of traction management and never sufficient throttle response. Rain mode is just for the very worst climate. Our recommendation in that state of affairs is to discover a McDonald’s and wait it out.

One digital function that Honda couldn’t provide on this value vary was suspension adjustability. The Showa suspension is what it’s with solely preload adjustment. It’s really superb for low-speed rock sections. It’s comfortable and doesn’t do something bizarre. When you get on quick roads round 40 mph, you must preserve your eyes open. If there’s an enormous ditch or a rut, the Honda will take it, however it’s not fairly.

ADVENTURE
Most of the darkish journey that comes on journey rides is pointless and the results of poor planning and arrange. If you’ll go on actual off-road journeys, you’ll have to get plenty of equipment. Our bike was outfitted with non-stock tires—Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross entrance and rear. It additionally had Honda’s accent skid plate and engine guards. To are available at this value, the Transalp is principally stripped, and you must make it just a little extra dirt-worthy by yourself. That’s acceptable, however Honda will promote a ton of those to these weekenders who’re ready for that maybe-some-day experience. Whether or not that day comes, the Transalp is completely prepared and succesful.

How To Change Your Apple Watch Face: A Step-By-Step Guide

You can simply change your watch face utilizing your Apple Watch, however the iPhone gives a bigger display and extra intuitive UI for it. Before altering the Apple Watch face on an iPhone, you have to first add watch faces from the Face Gallery. Here’s the way to do it:

  1. Launch the Watch app in your iPhone.
  2. Go to Face Gallery by tapping it on the underside menu.
  3. Scroll via the Face Gallery and faucet which face you want.
  4. Optional: You can change the watch face’s colour within the Color part.
  5. Tap Add above the Watch Face’s description

After tapping add, you may see an animation of the watch face shifting away. You now have the watch face within the My Faces part. Now, here is the way to make the face your present watch face:

  1. Go to My Watch from the underside menu.
  2. Scroll via My Faces, discover the watch face you need, and faucet it.
  3. Scroll down the outline and faucet Set as present Watch Face.

It will not provide you with any apparent signal from the Watch app, however it would turn into your present watch face. You can even customise the watch face anytime you need. Just return to the My Faces part, faucet the watch face you need to customise, and fiddle with the Complications part.

Accidental Repost On TikTookay? Here’s How To Undo It

You can simply undo an unintended repost by accessing the video itself by the cell app. If you continue to have the TikTookay video taking part in onscreen, that is the simplest technique to make use of. If not, you may simply use the app’s search perform to lookup the video that you simply mistakenly reposted and do the next:

  1. Open the video you did not imply to repost.
  2. Tap the Share icon. It’s the right-pointing arrow in the proper navigation panel.
  3. Tap “Remove repost.”

The repost will mechanically be undone, with out the necessity to verify the motion once more. A short “Your repost has been removed” message ought to then seem on the highest of the TikTookay video.

Similarly, you can even entry all of your reposts and take away those you now not need by your individual TikTookay profile web page. Provided that you have up to date to the newest model of the TikTookay cell app, here is what you do:

  1. Launch TikTookay.
  2. From the underside navigation menu, faucet Profile.
  3. Navigate to your profile’s Repost tab. It’s the icon with the 2 arrows forming a circle.
  4. Select the TikTookay video you need to disassociate your account from.
  5. Tap the Share icon.
  6. Hit “Remove repost.”

Again, a fast notification ought to seem onscreen informing you that the repost has been eliminated. Different from a earlier model of the TikTookay app, a affirmation pop-up will now not seem afterward.

Triumph’s Oset Bikes Has Two New E-Dirtbikes For Young Riders

Introducing our little ones to the world of two wheels is easily one of the most exciting parts of being a motorcycle enthusiast. These days, kids have it easy as multiple manufacturers engineer and develop motorcycles specifically to help kids learn the ropes much more effectively. The newest of which comes from Oset Bikes, a UK-based electric dirtbike specialist that was recently acquired by Triumph.

Oset Bikes has unveiled a duo of electric off-road motorcycles that are all about versatility. The TXP-20 and TXP-24, with TXP standing for Trials, Xplore, and Play, can be configured to be both trials bikes and traditional-style enduro or trail bikes. The way they do this is with a swappable seat. The Trials seat is low, giving riders ample leg room to shift their weight around. Meanwhile, the Xplore seat is taller, akin to that of a traditional dirtbike saddle, ideal for longer rides when exploring the trails.

When it comes to the performance of the new bikes, the 2024 TXP models are equipped with a newly developed electric brushless motor. According to Oset, the new motor delivers increased power and torque, with the TXP-20 producing 1,400 watts of power and the TXP-24 producing 1,600 watts. The bikes are powered by a lithium battery pack that provides up to four hours of runtime under normal conditions. Likewise, it takes just 90 minutes to charge them up to 90 percent – just enough time for a quick lunch break for the kiddos.

Being designed for kids, it goes without saying that the new Oset TXP range comes with security features such as parental controls when it comes to speed, power, and response. The bikes also get fully adjustable air suspension, allowing you to dial in precise suspension settings for your young riders. Oset says that the TXP-20 is meant for kids aged seven to 10 years, and has a weight limit of 132 pounds. Meanwhile, the TXP-24 is for pre-teens, and has a weight limit of 198.4 pounds.

When it comes to pricing and availability, the Oset TXP-20 carries an MSRP of $3,995 USD. The TXP-24, meanwhile, is slightly pricier at $4,495 USD. The new kid-focused electric dirtbikes are expected to make their way to global dealerships at the start of 2024.

Modified Porsche 911 Turbo S with 888 HP Takes on Stock 887-HP Porsche 918 Spyder in Drag Race

Modern cars are incredibly powerful, offering high levels of horsepower that can be easily accessed. The latest iteration of the Porsche 911 Turbo S is a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack, and aftermarket tuners have taken it upon themselves to extract even more power from this model. In a new video, a tuned version of the 911 Turbo S goes head-to-head in a series of drag races against a stock Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar, showcasing how the performance gap between the two has diminished.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is equipped with a hybrid powertrain. The German automaker combined a 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with two electric motors—one for each axle. This setup generates a total output of 887 horsepower and 944 pound-feet (1,280 Newton-meters) of torque.

TikTok Head Dent Debunked: Why You Don’t Have To Worry About Your Headphones

The myth of the headphone dent can be easily debunked, but the online uproar surrounding it brings attention to a larger problem. With the rise of various social networks and different levels of content moderation, spreading misinformation online has become easier than ever before.

A recent study from the University of Southern California found that network algorithms are more responsible for promoting inaccurate news or facts on social media platforms than actual users. While the exact reasons for this phenomenon are still uncertain, the study discovered that platforms often encourage users to develop habits of sharing information in order to gain more attention to their profiles. On the other hand, the moderation and fact-checking systems are not as appealing, resulting in a greater incentivization of misinformation.

Although this issue appears to be prevalent across social media in general, some researchers are particularly concerned about TikTok’s role in spreading misinformation. An investigation by NewsGuard revealed that over 20 percent of news-related TikTok videos, ranging from five seconds to ten minutes in length, contain some level of misinformation. Another study from the University of Illinois outlines the tactics used to spread false information, such as misspelled hashtags. It also suggests that the fast-paced video format of TikTok allows users to consume more content within a short period of time, potentially leading to an algorithm filled with misinformation. While the panic surrounding the permanent headphone dent is relatively minor as a case of misinformation, it raises broader questions about the current state of information distribution online.

10 Of The Best Maxi Scooters Ever Made

A scooter is brilliant for getting around town easily and cheaply: super nimble, park anywhere, easy to ride, sips gas and extremely practical. But, take them out of town, and they are simply too slow to be any good at covering longer distances.

That’s where the maxi scooter comes into its own: all the practicality of a scooter but with more power and comfort, better chassis and suspension dynamics, better rider aids, excellent weather protection, under seat storage, and longer wheelbases for added stability. They also have twist-and-go automatic transmissions that can have some of the larger-engined models give sports bike a good run for their money in the light-to-light drag races. Some even have three wheels for even more confidence-inspiring grip on wet or loose surfaces. Here’s our pick of the ten best maxi scooters.

Updated August 2023: Scooter manufacturers continue to strive to bring us one option after the other that is comfortable for everyday use as well as have some of the latest tech and features on board. Each year, there are significant improvements made to the existing models. To keep you up to speed on all the latest developments, this article has been updated with new information and a comprehensive list of pros and cons for each scooter.

Related: Five Touring Bikes We Love (And Five Adventure Bikes We’d Rather Buy)

10 Suzuki Burgman 650

Suzuki Burgman 650 Studio shot
Suzuki

With a parallel twin engine producing a healthy 55 horsepower, coupled to a CVT transmission, the Suzuki Burgman 650 has all the performance you could need with a whole dose of luxury tech: ABS, electric folding mirrors and adjustable screen, heated grips and seat, an immobiliser, not to mention two power modes.

It’s big, but that means excellent comfort for two (there are even grab rails for the pillion) and equally good weather protection, combined with a cavernous under seat storage area which can be supplemented by a top box. It’s not especially light at 610 pounds but as that weight is worn low down, it’s not too much of a problem. 59 MPG is also excellent, and with a gas tank capacity of nearly four gallons, it’s great for touring.

Pros

  • Comfortable riding ergonomics
  • 10+ gals of under seat storage
  • Low seat height

Cons

  • May feel a bit too heavy
  • Comes with a hefty price tag
  • It’s tough to get one these days

9 Yamaha TMAX

Yamaha TMAX Tech Max
Yamaha

Perhaps the best-known of all the maxi scooters, the Yamaha TMAX was the model that first convinced a lot of people that such a motorcycle could combine practicality with performance and fun. The 530cc parallel twin engine pushes out 45 horsepower which might be less than the Suzuki Burgman but, then again, it does weigh 170 pounds less, which is not to be sniffed at.

The chassis frame is aluminum which helps with the weight reduction and also adds stiffness, although the design does reduce rider floorboard size slightly. There’s cruise control, heated seating grips, traction control and an electrically adjustable screen. The center stand can be locked in the ‘open’ position which is a great theft deterrent and storage is adequate, although a top box can be fitted. Your pillion passenger will never complain about comfort, and as a way of adding sportiness to practicality, the TMAX is hard to beat.

Pros

  • Oozes of comfort
  • Significantly lighter than most maxi scooters
  • Great wind protection

Cons

  • Limited storage space
  • Expensive
  • Rider floorboard is a tad bit narrow

8 Honda X-ADV

Honda X-ADV studio shot
Honda

Take one Honda NC750X motorcycle in maxi-scooter form, and equip it with wire wheels, taller suspension and dual-purpose tires and here you have something totally unique: The Honda X-ADV, an off-road capable maxi scooter and that’s pretty unique. Another unique feature is Honda’s well-developed dual clutch transmission which is a step up from the CVT transmissions of every other scooter on this list. The 745cc parallel twin produces 58 horsepower and a 520 pound all-in weight is pretty much par for the course. Traction control, ABS, a TFT dash, excellent storage and power modes make this one o the more interesting choices in the maxi scooter class.

Pros

  • Great, modern styling
  • Off-road capable
  • Honda’s DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission)

Cons

  • Not the most affordable option
  • Its niche appeal will only attract a select few
  • The upside-down forks may feel a bit soft

Related: 2022 Honda ADV350: Performance, Price, and Photos

7 Piaggio MP3 500

Piaggio MP3 500 static shot
Piaggio

The Piaggio MP3 is by no means the only three-wheeler maxi scooter, but it is one of the better examples of leaning three-wheeler technology. While adding an extra wheel, hub, disc brake and caliper, not to mention all the sophisticated suspension components that allow the wheels to remain in contact with the road while allowing the bike to lean in corners, adds weight. It also increases safety by an appreciable amount by increasing front end grip, braking power and stability.

The suspension can be locked in the upright position, meaning you don’t have to put your feet down when stopped or worry about the side stand when you park it. Comfort and wind protection is on a par with the rest although the 492cc single cylinder engine, with 40 horsepower, does have to work quite hard to push along 538 pounds.

Pros

  • Adjustable, lockable suspension
  • Safer than a convention two-wheeler
  • The presence of a reverse gear

Cons

  • You do feel its 538-pound weight
  • The lighting is not fully LED
  • High maintenance costs

6 BMW C 650 GT

BMW C650GT studio shot
BMW

Typical for BMW, when they do something, they do it extremely well, if not extremely cheaply! The 647 twin-cylinder engine produces a class-leading 60 horsepower, while the chassis is a mixture of steel tubing and cast aluminum sections, making an extremely stiff structure while being light, although the overall weight is still 575 pounds. This is reflected in BMW’s typically excellent build quality, and the use of high-grade materials and the C 650 GT still manages to return 61 MPG from its 4.2 gallon gas tank.

ABS, traction control, twin front discs, power sockets in the front cubbyhole, and illuminated under seat storage which is large enough for a short weekend away or two full-face helmets. As is common with BMW, the accessories range is huge, but you’ll bump up the price significantly equipping it to the standard of other bikes on this list.

Pros

  • A good range of after-sales accessories
  • Great, functional side-view mirrors
  • Premium build quality

Cons

  • Expensive
  • High maintenance cost
  • There’s a considerable CVT “wind-up” until the 45 mph mark

5 BMW C 400 X

BMW C400X static shot
BMW

While we’re with BMW, we can’t ignore the C 400 X, a smaller-engined version of the C650, which is trying to ape the Honda X-ADV in having slightly chunkier, go-anywhere looks. The 400cc single-cylinder engine produces 34 horsepower, which seems a little breathless for the 450-pound weight, but the upside is a claimed 80 MPG, with a tank capacity of 3.4 gallons.

There are a few 400cc maxi scooters around but the C 400 X stands out by having ABS and traction control, LED lighting, phone connectivity and a charging socket in the glove box. Under seat storage is expandable to take a helmet, which has to be clipped back up to ride away, with a locking system that prevents the bike from being ridden while it is down.

Pros

  • Comfortable, plush seat
  • Forward-mounted foot pegs
  • ABS and traction control for a sub-400cc scooter is a rarity

Cons

  • Power to weight ratio isn’t great
  • High maintenance cost
  • For a 400cc, it sure is pricey

4 Yamaha Tricity 300

All the benefits of three wheels, as with the Piaggio MP3 500, but giving greater gas mileage. The 292cc single cylinder engine of the Tricity 300 produces 28 horsepower, which isn’t great for the 527 pound weight, but it does achieve 75 MPG and has a top speed of 90 mph. Practicality, weather protection and riding security are the main features, although it does lose out on the rider aids that mark out the larger-engined models on this list. It’s on the borderline of being able to tackle longer journeys and would be a bit breathless two-up, but it is a practical and safe scooter, that is larger than most small-displacement scooters.

Pros

  • The reliability of Yamaha
  • Delivers a good mileage per gallon
  • Safer than a convention two-wheeler

Cons

  • Only 28 horses for a 500+ pound scooter!
  • A lack of modern tech
  • The paint quality lacks a premium touch

Related: 2021 – 2022 Yamaha Tricity 300 – Performance, Price, and Photos

3 Kymco AK550

Kymco AK 550 static shot
Kymco

Kymco is largely known for its small-displacement scooters but the AK550 will force people to think again. The 550cc parallel-twin engine produces 53 horsepower, the chassis is aluminum and the suspension and braking components wouldn’t be out of place on a sports bike: upside-down forks and Brembo four-piston calipers.

At nearly 500 pounds it’s not overly light but that just adds to the secure, planted feel of the bike. Handling is dynamic and fun, and the weather protection from the slick bodywork slightly less than on, say, the Suzuki Burgman, as is the under seat storage, but the compensation comes in the form of a full-color dash with extensive connectivity options. Great quality abounds and the performance more than makes up for inferior storage.

Pros

  • Offers great handling
  • Comes with an appreciable infotainment kit
  • Comfortable rider ergonomics

Cons

  • The storage space isn’t the greatest
  • A lack of adequate wind protection
  • You need spanners to adjust the position of the adjustable screen

2 Yamaha XMAX

2023-Yamaha-XMAX300-EU-Icon_Blue-Actionfront
Yamaha

Baby brother to the TMAX, the XMAX has a 292cc single-cylinder engine producing 33 horsepower, in a package that weighs a mere 397 pounds, with gas mileage of 76 MPG. ABS and traction control are valuable additions and both the screen and handlebars are adjustable to enable the perfect riding position to be dialed in.

Under seat storage is good enough to fit two full-face helmets and LED lighting is a classy touch. If it looks like a slightly scaled-down TMAX, that is no bad thing, and it certainly doesn’t lack in rider and passenger comfort, even if the engine might be a little small for longer touring journeys. Twin discs up front give all the stopping power you could need.

Pros

  • The ride quality is really, really good
  • Funky design language
  • A peppy, economical engine

Cons

  • It is a little pricey considering its segment
  • Shorter riders may not like the tall seat height
  • Not suited for long trips

1 Honda Silver Wing

Honda Silver Wing studio shot
Honda

Officially called the FJS600, it was aimed directly at the Suzuki Burgman and Yamaha TMAX, and being lighter than the Suzuki and offering more comfort than the Yamaha, it was a good middle-ground maxi-scooter. The 582cc parallel twin engine produces 50 horsepower and typical Honda engineering integrity and build quality means that, with regular servicing, it will last for years. Comfort is excellent, weather protection is great and single discs front and back are perfectly good enough. If your budget is limited, this is an excellent choice.

Pros

  • One of the most comfortable scooters out there
  • The Honda reliability
  • Lighter than most maxi scooters of its segment

Cons

  • It weaves a little at high speeds
  • Fuel economy will drop drastically if you push it
  • The rear suspension may feel a tad bit stiff