There are many concerns and considerations when preparing for the 2014 Scooter Cannonball Run, but at the highest of my list was obtaining a scooter to finish the ride. While there are many capable scoots out there, I wanted one that includes a high degree of reliability, low maintenance needs and an engine that may tackle high altitudes and inclines while not exceeding the 250cc maximum for the event. Also, as this endeavor will already require a large budget, I wanted to urge the most effective scoot I could find for very cheap price.
That left few options. At the highest of my list, something I’d never owned or perhaps ridden, an ’80s Honda Helix. Last week, I spent many hours on trains and buses to urge to La Jolla, CA and purchased a 1987 with only 5800 miles. After putting air within the tires and draining a number of the surplus oil the owner had overfilled it with, I hopped on and rode it for about 150 miles back to l. a. , stopping one time for a fuel up.
The trip was a touch of a leap of religion. Such low mileage on a second user scooter often means a foul battery, a clogged carb from buildup, dirty filters, bad tires. But I knew this Helix was running, had seen pics, and it did well on the test ride. And, well, it’s a Helix. I’ve seen some that have sat unridden for over decade resurrected with no quite a replacement battery, sparking plug and fresh gas.
The model’s legendary reliability may be a big contributor to its reputation and cult status within the scooter world. It’s the predecessor of each contemporary maxiscooter but has never been matched in some ways. The model was so enduringly popular it absolutely was dropped from Honda’s USA lineup twice, only to be revived due partially to popular demand. The replacement model, 2002’s Reflex, was a solid effort but didn't convince riders because the Helix had.
Still, there’s no getting round the obvious: it’s a somewhat ridiculous scooter. It’s big, long, aesthetically challenged. there's no thanks to look cool riding this thing. it's a trunk. It’s so unapologetically nerdy that unlike Hondas like the SuperCub or CT90 or perhaps Elite 150, it'll never become an object of two wheel trendiness.
Embracing the Ridiculous
The appeal of the Helix becomes apparent when riding it.
A friend and former Helix owner (now a Burgman 650 rider) congratulated me on my purchase by welcoming me to “The Barcalounger Club.” The Helix saddle is cushy. Not in the least a butt buster. Almost embarrassingly comfortable.
Before the Cannonball, I’ll be taking the Helix up into the mountains and canyons surrounding la and getting more accustomed to iota handling in additional challenging terrain. It’s performed well up to now as a commuter in city traffic, on the freeway and on a pair of short canyon runs. It’s smooth for an oversized, carbureted scoot. The handling is easy; it takes sharp curves and hard leans better than I expected. in contrast, its dizygotic twin, the ’80s Honda Elite 250, is downright bouncy. Unlike the Elite, the Helix sports a disk brake up front for extra stopping power. Even the Helix’s pedal-operated rear hydraulic brake is stronger than many other scooters.
Performance-wise, well, in its current state, it’s strong but not fast or quick. Top speed, at around 75 indicated, is a smaller amount than my kitted Vespa LX, but it takes hills better and accelerates better at high speeds. a radical transmission service and some tweaks should provides it some pep.
My preference for the kind of urban commuting I do a day remains smaller, lighter, more “flickable” scooters. one among my issues with some maxiscoots and even the larger modern Vespas is that they’re so smooth and rideable that they take a number of the fun out of riding on behalf of me. The Helix is squarely in between thereon measure. Its quirks — the rear foot pedal, low seat height, riding position, even the rake of the handlebars — provides it a small amount more personality than some others in its size range or larger.
I’ve little doubt, though, that when doing the long-standing time for Cannonball, I’ll appreciate many of the Helix’s advantages.
And I must admit, the large trunk is reasonably nice. Not as convenient as underseat storage, but it holds far more.
Prepping the Scooter for the Cannonball
Though it’s in fine condition, the Helix remains a 27-year-old scooter and can need some maintenance and a pair upgrades before it’s ready for a protracted endurance ride. I’ve changed the engine oil, which may be tired some minutes on the Helix — much faster than the other scoot I’ve worked on. Over the subsequent several weeks and months, here’s a number of what’s future for the scooter:
Transmission service, gear car care (very interested in what I’ll find in there)
12v outlet installed in dash to power/charge GPS, iPhone, etc.
New battery
RAM mounts added for GPS and iPhone or camera
Replace fuel and coolant hoses (just in case)
Replace exhaust
Acquiring alittle stockpile of spare parts (already underway)
I’ll be documenting the Helix’s progress also as other preparations for the ride because the date nears. 228 days to travel.
Please do not Plagiarize.