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.
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 |
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