Best scooter for NYC?
This is the bike you're looking for. Cheap to run, easy to park, and built to make short city hops effortless — pure urban mobility, with storage and weather cover thrown in.
Made for Austin · Los Angeles · Miami Beach / Miami
2018–2020 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Forza 300 (NSS300 MF13)
City Easy, Highway Capable
The Machine's Character
The Forza 300 is Honda's premium maxi-scooter, built around a 279cc liquid-cooled single that makes 25 hp and runs through a twist-and-go automatic — nothing to think about, just go. What sets this generation apart is how much real equipment Honda folded in: keyless ignition, full LED lighting, an electrically adjustable windscreen, and traction control, which is rare on a scooter this size. Under the seat there's 53.5 liters of storage, enough to swallow two full-face helmets. In its class it lands as the sensible, fully-equipped choice rather than the flashy one, and it wears that role honestly.
On the road it does exactly what a good scooter should: starts every morning, asks nothing of you, and makes the daily grind genuinely easy. At 401 lb it feels planted and stable, and the upright seating gives you a clear read of what's ahead. It'll keep up with highway traffic when you need it, though 80 mph is its ceiling, so sustained motorway slogs aren't its happy place. The honest caveat: leave it parked for weeks and the battery can go flat, so a tender is worth having. For city-first riders, it ages quietly and reliably, which is the whole point.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 25 hp (18 kW) @ 7,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) @ 5,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 279 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Bore × stroke | 72 × 68.5 mm |
| Compression | 10.5:1 |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection |
| Frame | Steel tube |
| Front tire | 120/70-15 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-14 |
| Seat height | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
| Wet weight | 401 lb (182 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.0 gal (11.5 L) |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
Equipment check
Comfort
- Heated Grips Optional
- Adjustable Windscreen Standard
Connectivity
- USB Charging Port Standard
- Keyless System Standard
Lighting
- LED Headlight Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
- Traction Control Standard
The Voice of Experience
The test ride
Throw a leg over and the 30.7-inch seat puts you upright and commanding, eyes well over the traffic, with a wide floorboard and bars that fall naturally to hand. The single thrums with a low, steady hum rather than any harshness, and at a standstill the 401 lb feels reassuringly grounded under you. Thumb the windscreen up and the buffeting drops away; drop it back down in town and you get welcome airflow on warm days. Where it really shines is the slow stuff — filtering between cars, U-turns, tight parking — where it feels far lighter than the scales suggest and responds to the smallest input. The mirrors are clear, every control sits where your thumbs expect it, and after an hour in the saddle nothing aches. It's the kind of machine you stop thinking about and just ride.
The Truth on the Street
Over the years I've read the YouTube comments, followed the forum threads, talked with owners in the paddock, and answered the emails and messages riders send me directly about this bike. Pull all that chatter together and a steady pattern emerges: the Forza 300 wins people over on everyday usability, and the few gripes that surface are minor and easily managed.
Where the owners agree
Riders consistently describe handling that feels light and agile, making low-speed moves and filtering easy. Just as often they praise the fuel-injected single for pulling smoothly and holding highway speeds without fuss, and the upright seating position for keeping them comfortable around town and on longer commutes. Beyond that core, owners regularly point to the cavernous underseat storage that takes two full-face helmets, the strong real-world fuel range that cuts down fill-ups, and the traction control that steadies them on wet or greasy roads.
The few gripes that surface
The complaints are few and modest. The one that comes up most is the seat: some owners find the foam firms up over longer journeys and fit an aftermarket cushion. A handful also mention the battery wanting a trickle charger to start reliably after the bike has been left sitting.
Known issues
Battery drain when unused
Several reports indicate that the battery may lose charge if the scooter isn't ridden regularly, requiring a battery tender to guarantee starting.
Jerky take‑off from a stop
Some owners experience a jerking symptom when accelerating from a standstill, often starting around 3,000 km. The dealer typically addresses it by removing or adjusting the clutch assembly.
Smart key system malfunction
If the battery in the smart key is low or the system is not properly set, the scooter may fail to start. Correct key setting resolves the issue.
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Honda Forza 300 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class
Head-to-head: Honda Forza 300 vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
The 'Should I Buy It?' Score
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Forza 300 is actually built for.
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Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant