Honda Integra Maxiscooter 2012

Meet the wife, meet the Honda Intedgra. Part ONE.
When you look at it, especially for the first time, you think, err, what’s this? Made me think of my old Honda 90, well sort of. Apart from a classic name, nothing much else about it holds a strong identity. As mentioned before by others, it’s very hard to find a slot to fit it into. Anyway, more about that later for sure.
Curiosity killed the cat so they say. Double clutch technology, 6 speed gearbox, automatic? Hmm, what is Honda up to? I’ve driven a lot of bikes in the past 40 years (ouch, I’m old) & am well used to CVTransmission. Examples are, the Daf 66 (heee-heee), the T’Max, Burgman & recent Silver Shadow. True twist & go & before you say it, you have to be twisted to drive a Daf 66. CVT?, Up goes the revs, meets peak power, engine stays on same RPM & off you go, faster & faster. It works, makes loads of noise and……?, well, nothing really. As said, it works.
Actually a bit boring, :-< I can’t fault the system, but really it sort of leaves you cold. (Sorry T’Max Lovers, but…)
The sales person at Honda Amsterdam was giving me some pretty heavy sales pitch. Yes, they do that over here too! I’m not moved that fast & my dirty Burgman 650 is giving me that sort of ‘look’ a wife gives you when you chat up a nice young blonde with large cylinders. “You wouldn’t? oh yes, I would!”
First reaction to the Integra. Styling. What is this? I think the looks grow on you a bit. First time I saw it I nearly had my fingers down my throat, but after a while, I softened a bit. Remember the first time you saw a Ford Sierra, Shocking. Climbing on, seating was comfortable, all be it a bit short in the leg. You sit chopper style, i.e, feet forward, very Tmax/Scooter, but with more in the middle for your knees. I’m 5’10 (1.78) & was instantly feeling a tad cramped. Anyway, put the key in the slot, pushed that recognisable button called start and away went the engine. All very 2 cylinder, sounding just like a big Yamaha Tdm, thumpi but smooth. There’s a button just above the starter that says N-D-S. A sort of toggle switch. I pressed it & there was a rather disconcerting clonk & jolt, like you half forgot to fully pull the clutch in. Grabbing the front (combined) brake held the bike steady. Now I know!
I let go of the brake (s) & tickled the throttle, go, stop, go, stop. OK, got the idea of the auto clutch. Very smooth, picked up at very low revs, worked perfectly. So far, so good. Found the brakes fore & aft, (right and left levers), checked out the array of switches and took a good look at the LED Dashboard. No expense here, it’s basic, very!, but also neat. I love my old clocks & call me old fashioned, this is the modern trend. Anyway, all the information I needed for sure. So, I’ve found my way around very easily, twist the throttle again & off I go.
Second reaction. This is NOT a scooter. She handles like a true motor bike, no doubt about that. Those bigger wheels & tight frame do their job beautifully. Still feeling a bit cramped, but if I were 2 inches shorter, I’d be in perfect harmony with this machine. (same problem with the T’Max). I spend the next 5 minutes playing with the gear shift patterns, stopping & starting, just to get the feel of what is going on. Those brakes are superb!, ABS as well. The clutching & gearbox are without doubt ‘revolutionary’. I think I need to explain, because it is at this point, the Integra really ‘comes’ into it’s own.

First: read the owner's manual.

Second: ask Honda why the chain is exposed to road grit, rain, pebbles etc. and why it is not running in a sealed oilbath enclosure.

Third: ask Honda why onboard storage is so inferior to the scooters mention in Part 1 above.

 

On Board isstorage is not a problem. You can do away with the standard 40 Ltrs Box, and repalce it with 45 Ltrs + Box from Givi and other manufacturers. Similalrly there are several matching Pannier Box sets that'll fit on it.

Its a superb machine. Yes, does handle like a Motorcycle, has good torque, smooth at low revs, would make a good tourer, and Fuel economy, is 80 mpg comfortably.

In short, its a winner

Yes indeed, you can bolt on all sorts of extra storage. My gripe is that Honda advertise helmet space under the tank flap. But in all truth, you can only fit a single special type flying helmet. My Standard Open face won't fit!....

As for that chain drive?.... this is rediculous. Minimum should be a belt drive (enclosed), or shaft. Chains are errrrr, so old fashioned! Even HD uses belt and I have to say, belt drive is really great. Totally different from greasy, oily, probomatic chains. Bike designers... wake up!.... no white collar worker wants to deal with this sort of filth. 

And my last open question is..... re-sale price. Here in Amsterdam, the Integra isn't selling much. Actually, only a couple have left our main showroom so far. What about when you trade it in in three years time. Anyone remember the L cassette? Sony have had some serious failures, Honda can do the same. NOT, on my money thank you.

I stick with my initial reports....., great bike idea (sorry scooter, or bike, err whatever), but it has an identity crisis., which means those who invest in it, might find out that when it comes to chopping it in for another idea, they are faced with shaking heads.

I 'just' don't know....... BGMark.