Can anyone tell me anything about Hondas Reflex.

[Reptile]

Im geting ready to buy my first bike could any of you tell me anything about Hondas Reflex scooter. I was going to get one then after i got some experiance rideing i was going to over hall it and make it fast. I wanted to (if posible) double it's power to around 500cc. if any of you could help with info on the bike (like reviews or any thing at all) or a good websit or two that will help me up grade it at a latter date i would really be in your debt. Thank you.:frog:

[R1-rider]

buy an older 500cc bike

my first bike was a 1980 suzuki gs550, it was perfect to learn on. Try and find something that size and that year, you can find them all day for under a grand. Because trust me, you WILL drop the bike sooner or later.

make sure you get a helmet and WEAR it.

[Reptile]

thank you for that bit of onfo i had already planed on geting and useing a good helmet. However ive looked around and the only bikes that i really like are the Honda Reflex and the Goldwing. I know better than to even try the Goldwing so that leaves me with just the Reflex. I realize the bike is a little under powered but you see i have several sever handicaps and im afraid it may be the only one out on the market that i really stand a chance at being able to ride with out catching holy hell from my doctors and relatives. My piont is that my options are limited and if i by a bike i intend to by it for life. Thats why i will start out small and upgrade the bike as I gain experience. Also that way i may be able to hide its true power from my doctors and over protective family as well. If i were to try and get something like a Harley (which i wouldnt becuase they only make one single model that even halfway interest me) they would easily find out and then they would preasure me to get rid of it which is something i absolutly do not want to do. Besides i am one of those kind of people that would purchase a vehicle that has moderate performace capabilities and then upgrade it to something lethal. It's more fun that way. I said in time id like to get it to about the power of a 500cc bike i said that becuase i know that nomater what i wouldnt be able to handle anything much bigger than that. Thats why i want the 250cc Reflex i can ride and train on it for the first 10 or 15 thousand miles then start with the upgradeing. My problem is i just have to start at a low end of the ladder and work my way up, that's the only way i stand a chance at pulling it off. You guys may think that 500cc isnt really super powerful but for me it would be totally uncontrolable unless i had some experience and even then it might cause a problem or 2. Thank you for posting a reply however i will definitly take your advice into concideration. But i was wondering if you could posably elaborat a little more on it like why are you so certain i would dump the bike latter on? Isn't one of the greatest part of owning your own bike is the many different ways you can customise almost anything. There are even more possabilities open to bikes than with customiseing a car in some respects and since few bikes can hold more than 2 people it's an individualistic thing as well. Above all else I want something i can ride (and believe me i do intend on useing it ALOT) and customise to my taste i think that the Reflex is my best choice open to me considering my limitations. Thank you again.:alien: :frog:

[R1-rider]

I don't mean to be intrusive, but what handicaps do you have? If you don't feel comfortable talking on a forum maybe carry on using email?
[email protected]
I ask because I hope to be able to give you some more ideas and better pointers as to just shooting blanks in the dark.

One of the best things about owning a bike is that it is your baby, cars and women don't even compare to how obsessive you can grow over a bike. So yes, customization is always fun and one of the first things you always try to do to your bike to set it apart or maybe just more to your liking.

An older 500cc has probably just a few more hp then todays 250ccs. You can always customize your bike, but when it comes to getting more performace it is VERY hard because bike engines are speced out almost as far as they can go, without adding turbo or a bottle.



This was my first bike, Suzuki GS550 with straightaways. Even though it was a 500cc inline-4 it was nothing fast or not controlable. The hardest part about riding a bike is having the right instructor.

If you would like to shoot some more ideas back and forth please feel free too.

[Reptile]

Its ok I was born with my disabilities so they don’t really control me as much as you’re about to think they do. I will give you the short version to save time because it’s late and I'm tired. I was born with 9 things wrong with my heart, my lungs are half the normal size (say of someone else built like me, 5-9 150lbs.) and all the blood circulation to my right lung is artificial it was created using an old BT shunt. That is basically where they remove some of the veins and arteries and move them to a different area of the body. To this day I can still fell most of the lower half of my right lung that’s dead tissue. It can actually become VERY painful if I am driving thus I prefer to drive 3Gs Honda Accords because they are low to the ground and thus it doesn’t bother me as much (it also helps that they are very fast but that’s not the point here) If I get in any kind of pick up or anything that’s even somewhat high off the ground it will only take it a few minutes for me to notice the pain and then there’s nothing I can do about it. This is the main reason I don’t drive my dads Chevy chyann pick up because if I’m in it and it starts going much over 35 or 40 mph it can become very painful for me. It's even worse if I’m the one driving the vehicle. Even in my accord the absolute best I can manage with out pain is about an hour of driving. I also have little physical tolerance for extreme cold and any kind of high heat or humidity can flat out nock me down. In say a 90-degree day with little humidity it would take me between 5 to 10 minutes to go from perfectly fine to nearly being bedridden. If there’s allot of humidity to help the process it can lay me up for in a matter of at most 3 minutes. Once this occurs I’m little more than a vegetable for as long as it takes me to cool back down again, a process that’s been known to take several hours from time to time. It rarely takes less than 30mins. Other restrictions include a low salt no added salt diet, a 25lb weight restriction and absolutely no sports of any kind. I do however fish when I get the time as well as swim, but nothing like Olympic swimming I prefer to go to my grandmothers lake and dive underwater and chase bluegill (those little bastards can be fast when they want to be). Also the less rest I get the worst all these other symptoms become. I WILL NOT, however let this stop me from riding a motorcycle. I race my accord from time to time and I've been known to also take 2-4 hour car trips before too. Now maybe you understand a little why I have focused on the reflex. I think it fits my life style well and it’s made by Honda a company I have an extreme amount of faith in. Besides if I’m going to do this I’m going to do it right I’m going to save up and go out and get a new bike and then keep it for as long as I can keep it running. Honda was building bikes long before they built cars and my accord has 212+k miles on it and it still runs like new. I know it is a machine that wont fail me because of that reason right there and that is why I am leery of trying other companies bikes, new or old, because I know who I like the best and I would prefer to stick with them. How ever I am open to other possibilities I try not to be closed minded in anything I do because that’s how many of our races problems get started two people thinking only they know the right way to do things and every one else is wrong. Then you get fighting and wars and all this build a better bomb but don’t feed the hungry thing. Also as a side note I am also attracted to the reflex because I like it’s styling. Don’t ask my why I don’t know, all I do know is that I like the way it looks. Thank you for the info on bike engines though I didn’t know that they were made like that fresh from the box. Also I like the pic it looks like it was a really reliable and sturdy machine. I think I can see why some one would pick one of those as a starter bike. Thanks again and now for the customary
you know they really should put like a lizard or a snake as a smile as well.

[Reptile]

oh and i forgot to tell you ive had 4 open heart surguries as well the first being when i was just 2 days old. Would you belive im only 19. Im going to be 20 this june.:frog:

[Reptile]

I'm still looking for info on the Reflex. Can you guys tell me something, is it worth the extra $500 to get ABS on the Reflex? What's the big deal with ABS anyway, why is it so important on a bike?:frog:

[speediva]

Originally posted by Reptile
I'm still looking for info on the Reflex. Can you guys tell me something, is it worth the extra $500 to get ABS on the Reflex? What's the big deal with ABS anyway, why is it so important on a bike?:frog:

I personally have never experienced ABS on a motorcycle. I don't know that I'd really want to. Motorcycles really are NOT made to be used in inclement weather. Granted, you can't help the few times you'll get caught out no matter what, but it's best to have the proper learning on how to brake behind you.

I think the Reflex sounds like a good machine for you. It's quite an attractive scooter. I'm actually trying to talk my roommate into getting a Honda scooter of some sort. She likes the Reflex the best. Good for you for persisting. Just remember that riding is mostly about mental strength. Sure, some muscle is required for balance and such, but a large part of is it keeping your mind sharp, and being able to read other driver's intentions. It's keeping your mind from psyching you out. The rest is what you need incase your mind doesn't do its job.

Also, try to take an MSF Safety course. In PA it is free, and if you pass you walk away after 2 weeks with your license.

[Reptile]

Don't worry, I'm going to take the MSF course within a week of getting a bike. Thanks for the posts.

[Reptile]

Ok, I have a better question. What is it that ABS brakes do that regular brakes don't? What makes then so special in the first place?:frog:

[Reptile]

For anyone besides myself who may be interested, here are the specs of the 2003 Honda Reflex without ABS.

ENGINE


Engine Type 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Bore and Stroke 72.7mm x 60.0mm

Compression Ratio 10.5:1

Valve Train SOHC; two valves per cylinder

Carburetion 30mm CV with auto-enricher

Ignition Fully transitorized


DRIVE TRAIN


Transmission Automatic V-Matic


CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES


Front Suspension 33mm hydraulic fork; 3.9-inch travel

Rear Suspension Single-side swingarm with dual hydraulic shocks with seven-position spring-preload adjustability; 4.7-inch travel

Front Brake Single 240mm disc with CBS three-piston caliper

Rear Brake Single 220mm disc with CBS single-piston caliper

Front Tire 110/90-13

Rear Tire 130/70-12


DIMENSIONS


Wheelbase 60.8 inches

Seat Height 28.3 inches

Dry Weight 351.0 pounds

Fuel Capacity 3.2 gallons


OTHER


Emissions California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.

Available Colors Yellow

Model ID NSS250

Enjoy!:frog:

[Reptile]

Hi again guys, I'm back. I finally had the chance to sit on a Reflex earlier today and it was better than I could have hoped for. I didn't realize that it was designed so that you could even stretch your legs out a little while you were riding it on long trips. The seat was so comfortable I hardly even realized it was there. It also has as much storage as the ET4 and then another little stash for change and things that I never considered but like a lot. Its dimensions were perfect, it felt like it was an extension of myself not just a bike. About the only thing I didn't like was the color, my local dealer said they only come in yellow now and I want black. It's no big deal though; I have at least a year before I'm getting one so maybe Honda will offer it in black by 2004/5. :frog:

[speediva]

I"m so excited for you!!!! Yesterday was BEAUTIFUL (read 60*f) in Pittsburgh, and I tried to go out and enjoy the weather... Unfortunately I took a nasty spill while ice skating on Thursday, and I can't bend my knee right now. :o At least I got to cruise my cage, right?

[Reptile]

Yes it was an absolutly wonderful day here as well. I cruised a little bit in the old accord and I know I saw at least two dozen bikes out and about. It made me want one even more. I'm so looking forward to getting a Reflex after I save up $6000 (I'm geting the $5000 bike and I'll lightly customise it a little as well, plus get the best warenty and insurance possable). I'm graduating this semester with my two year degree and I'm looking at a few things I might be able to do to make a good deal of money this summer. On my way back home from cruiseing I got stuck behind 2 H-D touring bikes, I'm pretty sure the white one was either a Road King (the only H-D I would even consider owning) or the next level up tourer, I don't know what they are called. I'm not sure what the other one was either but it looked like a light blue cruiser, probably a Fat Boy or Softail. With the exception of the all the noise I was very content to just follow along behind them for about 15 miles wishing I was with them on my Reflex. Hope your injury heals so you can go out and ride again soon.:frog:

[HPA]

I just wanted to chime in on the Reflex. I too have a disabilty from birth, neurological in nature that affects the use of my legs. I wanted to own a bike since my partner owns one and goes everywhere, I wanted to be able to do the same. I have researched the Reflex and have found it to be the best. Actually, the salesman at the Honda dealership had a leg problem also and said that he was unable to ride the big bikes anymore and he purchased a silverwing and loves it. I am with you on the comfort of the Reflex and the way it feels. I just purchased mine today and am going to get it Tuesday, can't wait.

Hope you enjoy yours as I know I am going to mine.

Oh ya, I did purchase the one with ABS, don't really know what it will do for me, other than locking up the front brakes, don't know, I am new to this also. Couldn't hurt I wouldn't think. I would think I need all the help I can get, comforting for the other motorist on the road, huh?