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honda pcx125

The new Honda PCX125 scooter is the first ever two-wheeler to feature a fuel-saving idle stop system. Whether you think it’s a gimmick or a revolution, fact is the PCX125 is a brilliant little scooter in its own right and ticks all the boxes in terms of style, performance and practicality.

Engine

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The Honda PCX125 has a liquid-cooled 4-stroke 125cc motor that’s good for 70mph on the clocks, which is pretty quick for a 125 scoot. It zips away from the lights and benefits from a slick and direct throttle response not always found on scooters. Then there’s the stop-start system - pull up to some traffic lights and after three seconds of idling, the engine cuts out. A blinking orange light marked ‘stand by’ (like a DVD player) lets you know that you’re in idle stop mode. A simple twist of the throttle will fire it back up again with next-to no delay, but it can be turned off via a switch on the bars if you’re not into it.
Honda says the system improves fuel efficiency by up to 5%. On a scooter that they claim is capable of 130mpg anyway, that’s hardly going to change the world, but if you are environmentally (or wallet) conscious there’s a warm glow that comes from knowing you’re saving fuel where possible. 

Ride and Handling

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At just 124kg wet the PCX125 is very easy to manoeuvre and the handling is stable and reassuring. It’s fitted with 14inch wheels, which are a nice compromise between the 12” wheels of standard scoots and the 16inchers of big-wheelers. Lack of wind protection from the low-slung bodywork limits comfort on the open road, but it’s clearly intended to be a practical commuter for the stylish and city-bound and in urban areas it excels. Like a lot of modern Hondas the PCX features combined brakes, which do a great job of keeping things balanced under braking and they’re very novice-friendly (at the cost of a little bite).

Equipment

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You could be forgiven for thinking the PCX125 looks like it’s more about style than substance, but it does boast practicalities like an underseat storage bay big enough for a full-face lid, rider backrest and a decent-sized cubbyhole on the dash. Despite its small size there’s loads of leg-room too.

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In terms of build quality and overall presentation the PCX125 is in a different league to some other scooters on the market - to be fair you’d expect no less from Honda. Reliability shouldn’t be an issue and you have the benefit of an established dealer network to fall back on.

Value

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At £2,270, the PCX is competitively priced – Honda’s own PS125i is £2,570, the Yamaha BW’s 125 is £2,499 and neither of those have coffeehouse-kudos stop-start tech. You can get a 125 scooter for cheaper, but the PCX offers something unique in a very solid package.

Top speed	70mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	11.1bhp
Torque	8.5ftlb
Weight	124kg
Seat height	761mm
Fuel capacity	6.2 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	125cc
Engine specification	liquid-cooled 4-stroke 2v single
Frame	tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	220mm disc, 3-piston caliper
Rear brake	130mm drum
Front tyre size	90/90-14
Rear tyre size	100/90-14

peugeot v-click 50

The V-Clic 50 is exactly how it looks – a basic, no frills moped that will get you about town if you’re 16. It’s a bargain, but if you’re a teenager it’s unlikely to impress any of your mates outside the chip shop and anyone over 17 should opt for a 125.

Engine

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The 4-stroke 50cc engine in the V-Clic is only good for a top speed of about 30mph and it takes it’s time getting there. But it’s unfair to criticise a moped engine for being a bit slow – the point is to be reliable and deliver good fuel economy. The V-Clic’s motor is a proven unit and they claim it gives anywhere from 70-100mpg.

Ride and Handling

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The light weight V-Clic 50 handles perfectly adequately for a scooter that’s all about getting from A to B. Its 79kg weight makes it very easy to live with - practically anyone could hoist it on and off the centre stand with ease and u-turns are effortless, but the brakes are weak.

Equipment

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There’s an underseat storage bay but it’s relatively small and couldn’t take my full-face helmet. There’s an open non-lockable glove box under the bars and a shopping hook, plus a matching rack and 32-litre top box are available as extras.

Quality and Reliability

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The V-Clic looks a little budget all over, but build quality is better than a lot of the similarly-priced competition.

Value

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The styling is starting to look a little dated, but what do you expect for £999? That's a bargain considering you get a 2-year warranty and the reassurance of a big brand badge on the front.

Top speed	31mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	2.6bhp
Torque	ftlb
Weight	79kg
Seat height	715mm
Fuel capacity	8 litres
Average fuel consumption	85mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	49cc
Engine specification	4-stroke single
Frame	Tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	155mm disc
Rear brake	3.5/10-10”
Front tyre size	3.5/10-10”
Rear tyre size	3.5/10-10”

Kymco KRsport125

A very decent sporty 125 with great equipment and good handling that’s let down by an inflated price tag. Those that need a cheap runaround will opt for a Chinese-made budget equivalent, while performance obsessed young ‘uns will go for the pricier CBR125R or a YZF-R125. If you find yourself in possession of a KR Sport or can nab a good example for second-hand prices then you’ll be the owner of a perfectly acceptable learner sports bike.

Engine

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The air-cooled four-stroke is perfectly acceptable for a 125 and will have you coasting along at 55mph with no problems, even getting up to an indicated 68mph with a long, flat straight. The power is quite flat, however, with very even power and noise output throughout the rev range. Change gear without nearly redlining the engine and you’ll find yourself in an underpowered dead zone without much in the way of acceleration. Not untypical for a 125, but slightly conflicting with the bike’s sporty appearance. 

Ride and Handling

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The KR Sport may have a circuit-bike appearance, but the riding position is much more upright than you’d expect, making the front faring largely aesthetic as your head and shoulders are far above any wind-bubble it might create. On the plus side you’re unlikely to get up to speeds where wind resistance is a problem and the comfortable up-high ride affords a good view of the road. Steering is light and easy, and the low-weight of the bike inspires effortless U-turns. The clip-on bars can feel a little obvious and restricted – like a mini GPZ500 – but it’s no big problem. The Kymco-made brakes are adequate, you won’t be stopping on a pin-head and you’ll generally have to grab a handful, but for a 125 they’re pretty standard.

Equipment

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The digital dash and nicely obvious analogue tacho are excellent and really give the bike a touch of class. Digital fuel gauge, clock… there are many larger and far more expensive bikes that forgo such touches. Pillion provision is good, with a decent grab rail and good pegs which double up as bungee points. Well angled mirrors and both kick and electric start round off a very pleasing package.

Quality and Reliability

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The bike’s easy to red-line as the engine noise doesn’t alter much in pitch throughout the rev range. Banging against the limiter can’t be good for any engine, so keep an eye on it if you don’t want to prematurely age the moving parts. The gear selector can be a tad clunky as well, so may need replacing if used too aggressively over time. The fairing and exhaust are fine for the price, but are keep any eye for age and wear on relatively low-budget components. Kymco offer a 2-yr warranty, which offers real peace of mind.

Value

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The competition has undercut Kymco considerably. Lexmoto offer the similar XTR S for just £1199.99. In terms of price as well as quality, the Kymco lies in-between the Lexmoto and pricier Japanese options such as the Honda CBR125R (£3120). What’s debateable is whether it’s worth the £2599. It’s not £1400 better than the Lexmoto, but it is £520 worse than the Honda. A little bit more competitiveness in the pricing would see this much more at home in the market   

Top speed	68mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	13bhp
Torque	7.2ftlb
Weight	140kg
Seat height	800mm
Fuel capacity	litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	124cc
Engine specification	4-stroke, air-cooled
Frame	Lightweight steel
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	single disc
Rear brake	single disc
Front tyre size	110/80 x 17
Rear tyre size	140/70 x 17

 

 

 

 

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Aprilia rs4 125

At £3999 OTR there are cheaper 125s but then none of those rivals have the same heritage or kudos. Despite making only 15bhp it’s great fun to ride - the fact the new four-stroke engine thrives on revs keeps the old RS spirit alive. It handles well, stops well, and most importantly looks the part. What more could a 17-year-old want?

Engine

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Pulling away requires a good twist of the wrist to get the new four-valve, four-stroke engine spinning and keep up the momentum. Compared to some 125s the RS4 needs to be revved and ideally kept above 8000rpm. Even som the Aprilia accelerates briskly upto 40mph before starting to level off.

Ride and Handling

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Due to the light weight the RS4 handles brilliantly. Flicking it from right to left is a doddle and should you need to change your line during a corner, a slight push on either bar will suffice. The launch bikes were shod with super-sticky Pirelli SC1s which really showed off the full handling potential of the RS4. It's surprisingly roomy and, compared to the old RS125, feels slightly less sporty which is a big plus.

Equipment

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Radial brakes, braced swingarm, max speed function and braided hoses are all standard on the RS4 125. One of the accessories which will beavailable is a quickshifter. It only really works weel if changing up right before the rev limiter at 11,000rpm, changing anywhere else results in a very clunky and crude sounding gear change. But a quickshifter will give you major bragging rights over your mates.

Quality and Reliability

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The new four-stroke 125cc engine should be much more reliable than the highly-strung two-stroke engine of the onld RS - which was often neglected by teenagers. The bikes never missed a beat being held at full throttle virtually all day in 30°C plus heat.

Value

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£3999 on the road sounds like a lot for a 15bhp bike, but when you consider the Yamaha YZFR-125, arguably its closest rival, costs £4,249 it doesn't seem so bad. Yes, there are cheaper 125s out there, but none of them are as cool as the Aprilia