first 20 miles...riding impressions.

[killbilly]

It's been an interesting adjustment for me to go from traditional motorcycles to riding scooters. I have to say, I am definitely a convert.

The Blur220 is my first scooter, so I don't have anything really to compare it to...rode a Piaggio 150 and a Zuma 125 before buying this one. Here are my thoughts....

1) My giant head wears a Nolan flip-up, and it fits in the pet carrier. For someone who comes from motorcycles, you have no idea what a marvelous novelty this is. Seriously. It's the greatest thing ever.

1a) Power and torque are instantly available. Need more grunt? Give it more gas. It pulls much harder than I expected it to. Here in Austin, where all the cagers are stoned and/or drunk (especially when UT wins) having that extra grunt to better position in traffic is nice. I've driven in all 50 states and I've never seen such hesitant, inattentive drivers as in Austin, TX.

2) Handling is razor sharp and blinky-quick. It feels so well-balanced and nimble, but planted. The ride reminds me a lot of the CBR I used to ride...a bit stiff on the craptastic pavement we have here, but effortless to pick a line and hold it. You just have to think it where you want it in the lane and it complies. Very, very easy to ride. Low-speed in the parking garage is predictable and easy to put the bike exactly where you want it.

3) Brakes are....interesting. They have plenty of bite but they're not terribly progressive. It's strange that there is a lot more throw in the front lever than in the rear lever. I don't know if that will change over time. I'd like something with a little more feel, but we'll see how that goes. I was thinking it would benefit from braided steel lines, and then I looked and noticed that it already has them. Hmmm.

I'm overall thoroughly pleased with it. I'm looking forward to putting a different pipe on it when they come out, and also doing something with the ridiculous giant rear fender. I need to fab a bracket for the license plate - Texas LEOs are very particular about seeing your plate.

A windshield may be in my future. Dunno yet. I've not gotten it going fast enough where the wind was a problem, and I do like the cool night breezes coming through the mesh jacket, but come winter (or what passes for it down here) it may be an option.

Cosmetically, I think I'm going to do like Dave did and get rid of the amber lenses. I also may take the Blur badges off the fairing. I'm thinking an offset pinstripe that goes the length of the bike in black, shifting to white on the black parts, would look cool. Not sure yet.

Final thought: The Blur 220 is a bit spendy as far as scooters go, but the fun factor and capability make it a bargain. Seriously. Throw a windshield, some saddlebags and a top case on it, and maybe re-sculpt the seat a BIT, and you've got a capable touring machine.

Love this thing. Can't wait to put more miles on it.

[lipcrkr]

It's been an interesting adjustment for me to go from traditional motorcycles to riding scooters. I have to say, I am definitely a convert.

The Blur220 is my first scooter, so I don't have anything really to compare it to...rode a Piaggio 150 and a Zuma 125 before buying this one. Here are my thoughts....

1) My giant head wears a Nolan flip-up, and it fits in the pet carrier. For someone who comes from motorcycles, you have no idea what a marvelous novelty this is. Seriously. It's the greatest thing ever.

1a) Power and torque are instantly available. Need more grunt? Give it more gas. It pulls much harder than I expected it to. Here in Austin, where all the cagers are stoned and/or drunk (especially when UT wins) having that extra grunt to better position in traffic is nice. I've driven in all 50 states and I've never seen such hesitant, inattentive drivers as in Austin, TX.

2) Handling is razor sharp and blinky-quick. It feels so well-balanced and nimble, but planted. The ride reminds me a lot of the CBR I used to ride...a bit stiff on the craptastic pavement we have here, but effortless to pick a line and hold it. You just have to think it where you want it in the lane and it complies. Very, very easy to ride. Low-speed in the parking garage is predictable and easy to put the bike exactly where you want it.

3) Brakes are....interesting. They have plenty of bite but they're not terribly progressive. It's strange that there is a lot more throw in the front lever than in the rear lever. I don't know if that will change over time. I'd like something with a little more feel, but we'll see how that goes. I was thinking it would benefit from braided steel lines, and then I looked and noticed that it already has them. Hmmm.

I'm overall thoroughly pleased with it. I'm looking forward to putting a different pipe on it when they come out, and also doing something with the ridiculous giant rear fender. I need to fab a bracket for the license plate - Texas LEOs are very particular about seeing your plate.

A windshield may be in my future. Dunno yet. I've not gotten it going fast enough where the wind was a problem, and I do like the cool night breezes coming through the mesh jacket, but come winter (or what passes for it down here) it may be an option.

Cosmetically, I think I'm going to do like Dave did and get rid of the amber lenses. I also may take the Blur badges off the fairing. I'm thinking an offset pinstripe that goes the length of the bike in black, shifting to white on the black parts, would look cool. Not sure yet.

Final thought: The Blur 220 is a bit spendy as far as scooters go, but the fun factor and capability make it a bargain. Seriously. Throw a windshield, some saddlebags and a top case on it, and maybe re-sculpt the seat a BIT, and you've got a capable touring machine.

Love this thing. Can't wait to put more miles on it.

Thanks for the review. Was hoping the brakes were like the Honda PCX which are combined, but i'm sure they'll get better. Still waiting in Calif. to see one in person.

[davelhunter]

Make sure you have the dealer check your brakes at the first service. Coming from a CBR 600RR and an 08' Ninja 250, my brakes on my Blur 220 feel better than my old sportbikes in every way. That is one of the things that impressed me so much with my old Blur 150. Both brakes should have the same amount of travel. Both of my levers move the same distance as far as I can tell. Maybe the brakes need bleeding. You might have an air bubble in the line.

[killbilly]

Make sure you have the dealer check your brakes at the first service. Coming from a CBR 600RR and an 08' Ninja 250, my brakes on my Blur 220 feel better than my old sportbikes in every way. That is one of the things that impressed me so much with my old Blur 150. Both brakes should have the same amount of travel. Both of my levers move the same distance as far as I can tell. Maybe the brakes need bleeding. You might have an air bubble in the line.

It's possible. I'll mention it to them.

This is the first Blur 220 my dealer has sold and I'm just a little bit worried that they don't "know" the bike real well yet. I'm pretty flexible, but I'm afraid I'm going to be the resident guinea pig, you know?