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[NBR] All things considered, which would you choose?
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 2:16 am
by Syd
I'm looking for a second scoot, and to be honest a well priced GT or GTS would be first choice, followed by an Elite 250. But. I see quite a few Helices and Reflexes but few Elites. So here's my question:
All other things equal, which would you prefer, a Helix or a Reflex?
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 3:02 am
by sc00ter
Personally, Helix. I have a weak spot for them so my opinion is biased. So fugly they are cool looking-if that makes any sense!
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 3:05 am
by avescoots1134
Reflex. The Helix is great but it really is like riding inside of an industrial refrigerator. I hope to add a Reflex to my stable one of these days
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 3:08 am
by avescoots1134
To the OP, the Elite 250 is a dying breed. Great bikes but they are getting very old and take quite a bit to keep them on the road. Same goes for the Vespa GT. Luckily for me that Vespa was easy to sell

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 3:47 am
by Syd
Thanks for the replies, folks! There's a '04 Reflex nearby. I may have to see how my 34" inseam fits.
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 4:08 am
by jrsjr
Syd wrote:Thanks for the replies, folks! There's a '04 Reflex nearby. I may have to see how my 34" inseam fits.
Let us know how that goes. Before you buy, you might want to go read
this article over on Motor Scooter Guide. I was not aware that Honda beefed up the alternator with the 2004 model. Does the example you are looking at have ABS brakes?
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 4:26 am
by Syd
Thanks, jrsjr, I'll look at that. I don't know anything except that it's a 2004. There is a 2002 also nearby, too. 2004 over the 2002?
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 4:30 am
by jrsjr
Syd wrote:Thanks, jrsjr, I'll look at that. I don't know anything except that it's a 2004. There is a 2002 also nearby, too. 2004 over the 2002?
It would depend on miles, condition, price and so on, but all other things being equal, I would want the heftier alternator in case I decided to add heated grips or an accessory outlet for a heated vest or something. Just my $0.02 worth.
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 1:59 pm
by BuddyRaton
Helix.not based on much but several have made the CBR without much problem. One was over 100k. Blew a rear bearing and the local dealer had one is stock.
Re: [NBR] All things considered, which would you choose?
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 4:50 pm
by skipper20
Syd wrote:I'm looking for a second scoot, and to be honest a well priced GT or GTS would be first choice, followed by an Elite 250. But. I see quite a few Helices and Reflexes but few Elites. So here's my question:
All other things equal, which would you prefer, a Helix or a Reflex?
I've owned both and because of their different styling, it's basically an apples and oranges question. The Helix is decidedly old school but it does have that unique funky look that appeals to a lot of folks. The Reflex is more motorcycle than scooter and for me it was a slightly better more comfortable fit (I have a 32" inseam). But the bottom line is they're both carbureted engines. And, in spite of using additives such as Seafoam and Stabil when storing them during the winter plus keeping the fuel tanks full, I had carburetor problems with both. As such, I'm now a firm believer in fuel injected engines. As such, I'll stick with my fuel injected Hooligan 170i and Buddy 170i. No, they're not Interstate or Freeway capable but IMHO neither is the Helix or Reflex.
Bill in Seattle
'12 170i Italia
'14 170i Hooligan (AZ scoot)
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:49 pm
by still shifting
I am really hopelessly entraced withmy 87 elite which is very rough in apperance. But damn those old hondas are tough! R
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:54 pm
by charlie55
Due to my obvious bias, and also my lack of comparative experience, I'm recusing myself from this discussion. Both being Hondas, Either is Likely Implicitly eXcellent.
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 4:41 pm
by JohnKiniston
I'd go Reflex for the larger rear tire.
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:49 pm
by Syd
JohnKiniston wrote:I'd go Reflex for the larger rear tire.
With luck someone will ride a Helix/Reflex to Coolidge this Saturday and I can sneak a sit.

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:50 pm
by JohnKiniston
Howard won't be making it but I'll be going up possibly with some riders. Waiting to hear from Dixie as to when y'all plan to be at Tags.
I'll have my Vespa GT, You can give it a go.
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 1:58 pm
by skully93
I The helix is it's own funky animal. I guess I don't really like the Reflex, because, if I wanted a ninja 250, I can just get one

.
The reflex is a good bike, and more stable/better suspension. the Helix eats rear tires, but it's so low and you can customize it easily.
Re: [NBR] All things considered, which would you choose?
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 3:37 pm
by Dooglas
Syd wrote:I'm looking for a second scoot, and to be honest a well priced GT or GTS would be first choice, followed by an Elite 250.
Yes, there is the large frame Vespa. Who doesn't like that look? I've always felt the GT200 was the real bargain on the used market. A well built carbed scooter with plenty of power, and can often be found in the $2000-$2500 range with low to moderate mileage. It has now been 5 years since the GTS250ie was replaced by the 300 which means that there are more bargains in used GTS all the time. The 250 engine has the same horsepower rating as the 300 engine, and has the same top speed. I'd say it gave away nothing to it's newer sister, until the ABS/ASR version of the 300 came out this year. You could certainly do a lot worse than a GT/GTS.
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:03 pm
by ericalm
Curious, did you pull the trigger on one of these? Still considering?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:45 pm
by Syd
Still looking. I'm not in any rush, so biding my time. there are the occasional GT / GTSs on CL, but in year-round riding Phoenix, the prices are above my comfort level. For Example, $3200 for an '05 GT seems tooo high.
Or maybe I'm cheap.

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:14 pm
by JohnKiniston
Are you on Facebook? I saw Dean offering a GT and a GTS for fairly cheap on the Phoenix United scooter club group recently.
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:44 am
by Syd
JohnKiniston wrote:Are you on Facebook? I saw Dean offering a GT and a GTS for fairly cheap on the Phoenix United scooter club group recently.
I have an account that I rarely use, but I'll take a look. Thanks!
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 3:30 pm
by Dooglas
Syd wrote:there are the occasional GT / GTSs on CL, but in year-round riding Phoenix, the prices are above my comfort level. For Example, $3200 for an '05 GT seems tooo high.
The Kelly Bluebook average retail (excellent condition) for an '05 GT200 in the Phoenix area is $2460. That doesn't mean that is what you will see as an asking price on the next CL listing of course, but it does mean that $3200 is outside the ballpark. Don't hesitate to look a little further afield if you don't see what you want in town. It isn't difficult to pick up a bike using a rental trailer or whatever.
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 4:56 pm
by Syd
Dooglas wrote:Syd wrote:there are the occasional GT / GTSs on CL, but in year-round riding Phoenix, the prices are above my comfort level. For Example, $3200 for an '05 GT seems tooo high.
The Kelly Bluebook average retail (excellent condition) for an '05 GT200 in the Phoenix area is $2460. That doesn't mean that is what you will see as an asking price on the next CL listing of course, but it does mean that $3200 is outside the ballpark. Don't hesitate to look a little further afield if you don't see what you want in town. It isn't difficult to pick up a bike using a rental trailer or whatever.
Agreed. I'm even watching SDG's I've got too many scoots thread on MV!
Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:47 am
by ericalm
Syd wrote:Dooglas wrote:Syd wrote:there are the occasional GT / GTSs on CL, but in year-round riding Phoenix, the prices are above my comfort level. For Example, $3200 for an '05 GT seems tooo high.
The Kelly Bluebook average retail (excellent condition) for an '05 GT200 in the Phoenix area is $2460. That doesn't mean that is what you will see as an asking price on the next CL listing of course, but it does mean that $3200 is outside the ballpark. Don't hesitate to look a little further afield if you don't see what you want in town. It isn't difficult to pick up a bike using a rental trailer or whatever.
Agreed. I'm even watching SDG's I've got too many scoots thread on MV!
Oh, is he clearing out scooters?
Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2015 4:37 am
by Syd
ericalm wrote:Syd wrote:Dooglas wrote:
The Kelly Bluebook average retail (excellent condition) for an '05 GT200 in the Phoenix area is $2460. That doesn't mean that is what you will see as an asking price on the next CL listing of course, but it does mean that $3200 is outside the ballpark. Don't hesitate to look a little further afield if you don't see what you want in town. It isn't difficult to pick up a bike using a rental trailer or whatever.
Agreed. I'm even watching SDG's I've got too many scoots thread on MV!
Oh, is he clearing out scooters?
He mentioned that with 20 scoots he couldn't fit a vintage car in the garage!
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 12:45 am
by ericalm
Syd wrote:ericalm wrote:Syd wrote:Agreed. I'm even watching SDG's I've got too many scoots thread on MV!
Oh, is he clearing out scooters?
He mentioned that with 20 scoots he couldn't fit a vintage car in the garage!
Ah, the fine and subtle art of the humblebrag.
