Having been impressed with Honda’s ADV350 ‘crossover’ scooter when we tried it a few years back, we thought it would be rude not to try out the closely related Forza for size too.
Forza is Honda’s Grand Touring style scooter and currently comes in three flavours. There’s a learner legal 125 version, which we tested in our big scooter group test a couple of years ago, and the 750 maxi-scooter, which is based on the NC750 motorcycle platform and is another we’ve reviewed on the site.
Where the 750 is a completely different proposition, the 350 is very closely related to the 125. It needs a full licence to be ridden, of course, but as with all of these ‘midis’ there are plenty of benefits, especially if you plan on doing much riding on the open road.
So while the Forza 125 is power limited and lumbered with a top speed that struggles to top 65mph, the 29bhp 350 (which is actually a 330cc single cylinder unit) will happily sit at the motorway speed limit and have a decent bit in reserve. This is, in my opinion at least, something of a safety feature because, by having a higher top speed, it means you won’t be struggling up hills and sharing the slow lane with HGVs.
At £5849 (€8,099 in Ireland, both at the time of writing) the Forza 350 isn’t the cheapest scooter on the market, but you do get a lot for your money. It undercuts Yamaha’s XMAX 300 on price and actually feels better value in many ways. Although the Yamaha lacks a little engine capacity on the Honda, they feel very similar in performance.
The saddle is a very comfortable place to be and the large car style dashboard is easy to read and has a premium feel to it. Where the similar ADV350, which shares the same engine and chassis platform, has an adventure bike vibe to it with its ally bars and LCD dash, the Forza 350 is a real Grand Tourer.
And while it’s not really a full on touring motorcycle, I can see no reason why you couldn’t ride one from one end of the country to the other. It’s got the performance and it’s extremely comfortable. The saddle is well appointed and, being a scooter, the all encompassing bodywork protects the rider from the worst of the elements.
You also get a very good windscreen which is electrically adjustable. This is a very nice feature, and one which exceeds what you’d expect from a mid-range scooter. The ADV350, for example, has four height settings which are manually adjustable. That’s a set-up you’d say is the kind you’d expect on one of these scoots, while the XMAX can have a high or low setting – albeit requiring tools to change.
So the Forza’s fully adjustable set-up is pretty posh. In most cases it is overkill, as I suspect many people set the screen once and leave it be, but I like the fact that the electric adjustment allows me to change it on the go, lowering it right down around town and putting it up to the highest setting for maximum protection on dual carriageways. There’s 180mm of adjustment in total. It’s a really nice feature and, for me, something that would influence my buying decision.
Build quality is what you’d expect from Honda. It’s well finished and nicely detailed. Riding feels familiar after our time with the ADV, the engine picks up well and isn’t as laggy as some twist and go automatics can be.
There’s not a huge amount to report, to be honest. In terms of handling and braking it does everything you can ask of it and more, while the motor feels just perfect for modern traffic. I never once felt I couldn’t keep up with traffic, and never once felt vulnerable in a way you can when riding a restricted learner bike.
But it is the practicality which makes these scooters stand out. There’s a huge underseat storage space, where you can keep your helmet and riding jacket when parked up, or where you can stick a couple of bags of shopping on the way home. Honda also have a 45 litre top box as part of the accessory range.
At £761 (plus £59 if you want the 25-litre inner bag, it really isn’t cheap but it does add massively to an already very practical vehicle, and it can be coded to the Forza’s keyless ignition system – meaning it becomes part of the scoot’s central locking system. Heated grips are another accessory option, a £300 upgrade which is also integrated into the Forza’s standard equipment dashboard. You also get smartphone connectivity, with Honda’s RoadSync app giving access to navigation, music and messaging on the go.
Middle capacity scooters like the Forza have come a long way in recent years and they really are very popular on the continent, although they’ve never really caught on over here. It’s a great shame, because they are very versatile and able to do lots of things for lots of riders. With over 80mpg, they’re pretty cheap to run too.
As a commuter, the Forza really comes into its own but it’s a form of transport which can do so much more than that. From young riders wanting a classy form of personal mobility, to veterans looking for an easy to ride machine that can keep them on two wheels into their elder years, it’s a ‘motorcycle’ which our European cousins have really cottoned on to. It’s a shame we’ve yet to truly embrace them here, because we really don’t know what we’re missing out on.
Honda Forza 350 specification
Price: £5,849 (UK) / €8,099 (Ireland)
Engine: 330cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, single cylinder four-valves
Power: 21.5kW (28.8bhp) @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 31.5Nm @ 5,250rpm
Frame: Steel underbone frame
Wheels: 15” front and 14” rear
Tyres: Tubeless, front 120/70-15, rear 140/70-14
Weight: 186kg wet
Seat height: 780mm
Fuel tank: 11.7 litres
Fuel economy: 83mpg
Contact: honda.co.uk
