honda s-wing 125

The Honda S-Wing is a well-equipped and competitively priced executive scooter that performs a lot better than its functional looks might suggest. Honda is pitching the S-Wing as an up-market urban commuter and in that environment it's a cut above the direct competition.

Engine

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It’s hard not to compare the S-Wing to Suzuki’s Burgman 125 – both are maxi-style scooters, both weigh in at 156kg and both cost around £3,400. Thankfully for Honda, the S-Wing has a much nicer and more direct throttle response, feels quicker off the lights and has a little bit of an edge on top speed.  

Ride and Handling

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The S-Wing is stable all the way up to its 70-ish top speed and supremely comfortable thanks to a huge seat and big footboards. Despite its bulky appearance it’s easy to manoeuvre at slow speed. The combined brakes are very good which makes the S-Wing very reassuring to ride in a busy urban environment - the back brake is almost too strong, because a sharp pull on the lever will easily lock the rear.

Equipment

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The long side-opening underseat storage bay on the S-Wing is large enough for a full-face helmet with room to spare, but it’s a little shallow. There’s a handy mobile-phone/sunglasses cubby hole in the dash, a 12v power socket and a top-box is available as an optional extra. Riders will find the footwell-mounted filler cap handy and pillions will appreciate the optional backrest. Stainless floor panels pictured are extra. 

Quality and Reliability

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It’s a Honda, so build quality is good and there should be no issues with reliability. However the dash looks a little dated and the leather-effect plastic surround on the cockpit looks a bit naff.

Value

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At £3,395 the S-Wing is bang in line with the competition in terms of price – the Suzuki Burgman is £3,399. But the S-Wing has the edge slightly on quality and performance.

Insurance

Insurance group: n/a

Model History

Introduced 2007
2011: Top-box optional extra introduced [£50]

Other Versions

Specifications

Top speed	68mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	13bhp
Torque	7.9ftlb
Weight	156kg
Seat height	776mm
Fuel capacity	9.4 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	125cc
Engine specification	Liquid-cooled 4-stroke single
Frame	Tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	240mm disc with Combined three-piston caliper
Rear brake	220mm disc with single-piston calliper, Combined Brake system
Front tyre size	110/90-13
Rear tyre size	130/70-12