Honda commute-scoot does it in style

PCX 125 combines compact 125cc agility with smooth styling of the big leisure scooters.

PCX 125 combines compact 125cc agility with smooth styling of the big leisure scooters.

Published May 10, 2012

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As South Africans commuters, impelled no doubt by the cost of running even a small car with petrol hovering around at R12, buy into the scooter lifestyle in increasing numbers, more 'mainstream' bikemakers are introducing stylish small-capacity scoots to compete with the basic Chinese offerings.

Honda says the PCX is intended to combine the compactness and agility of a 125cc urban runabout with the smooth styling of the big Japanese 'leisure scooters' - and a decent amount of luggage space.

The distinctive front styling has a dual-headlight cluster with sleek, uptilted indicators below a dark-tinted screen, and an up-to-date, motorcycle style instrument panel with a speedometer needle that sweeps its dial on ignition, as if to say, “Let's go!”, as well as warning light for the idle-stop function (there first we've heard of on a two-wheeler), a fuel gauge and all the usual idiot lights.

The seat is low, with a distinct step lending support to the rider's hips and elevation to the pillion seat - and the storage box under will take a full face helmet with room to spare. There's also a glove compartment in the leg shield for the gadgets and gizmos that urban living is heir to.

NUTS AND BOLTS

The fuel-injected 124.9cc SOHC single is tuned for a wide spread of torque to keep you ahead of the pack in the Urban Sprint - Honda quote 8.33kW at 8000rpm and 11.56Nm at 6000, good enough to dispose of the first 50 metres - which is where it matters - in 5.5 seconds.

Honda's PGM-FI electronic fuel-injection and idle stop keep consumption down to a quoted 2.2 litres per 100km, which should give you about 280km on a 6.2-litre thankful.

A brushless starter motor - Honda's first on a 125, although the system has been used on 50's - acts as an alternator once the engine is going, making the engine more compact, reducing fuel consumption and noise on start-up.

The chassis is based on a classic 'underbone' frame with a 1305mm wheelbase, 31mm conventional forks and simple 'in-unit' rear suspension, running on 14” cast-alloy rims at both ends.

And being Honda - the company that never uses one component where three will do - they have gone out of their way to make the brakes as complex as possible, and a combined system linking a 220mm front disc to a 130mm single leading-shoe rear drum brake.

BOTTOM LINE

The Honda PCX 125 costs R18 500 and is available in black, metallic silver or pearl white.

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