Vehicles & Servicing Best Posts in Thread: Choosing motorcycle

The XR150 is really an agricultural targeted bike, Honda reliability but its carburetor and not fuel injected. If you can afford the step up to the CRF150 it has fuel injection and still has great service intervals. I have the Honda CRF300 and love it, super reliable, great service intervals for a dual sport, enough power on road (for Negros) and reasonable off road capability to go most places on the island. Just did a great ride through Ayungon to Mabinay (excellent mountain road) then to Siaton and back to Dumaguete and would not do that on a scooter unless its perhaps a larger one, then I would just be disappointed having a scooter with the other bikes on the ride.

Also did some great riding on the north side of Canlaon Mountain via Don Salvador Benedicto, a scooter would just be a let down on those roads, maybe the XRM150 would be as low as I would want as it has a clutchless 4 speed.

Scooters are practical. I am not yet retirement age or mentality so practical can wait another 20 years but if you can properly ride then a bigger manual bike is always more fun and tight traffic doesn't bother me one bit on the CRF300 and having the power to get ahead of a Ceres bus beats any scooter any day of the week. I still crave some 1100cc power and torque but its a happy middle ground.

 

Honda ADV would be my choice, I rented one in northern Thailand earlier this year with the view of buying on for the Phils. Was good on the light off road and handled well with the bride on the back. Had it at 100kph two up comfortably.

I recently sold my 2020 Nmax with 7,000km for 100k in Duma was a great bike, very comfy and the wife and I did a round trip of Negros and rode it all over Cebu. Better handling than the Honda ADV in coners due to lower center of gravity but the ADV you site higher and more upright making it better on longer rides. The ADV also has longer travel suspension so better for light off road and the conditions of the local roads.
Both good bikes, Nmax is better for shorter riders that want to put around town, ADV for a taller rider or someone that wants to go bush a bit.

 

Goi

Good info, thanks. I was looking at a CRF 300 as well. May have to break the bank and splash out. I kind of know I'll regret getting the XR over a CRF.

 

Honda XR is definitely a very good bike. I was thinking as well to get one, but for me and my preferences under seat storage is very important. That's why I prefer scooter.

Maybe it would be an option to spend one day in Cebu. You find all dealerships of all brands and can check various models on the spot.

Not sure whether seating comfort would be better on a XR than on a Honda PCX. Just give it a check before you buy.