Honda SH125i Review

Overall Rating

Just remember it's only 125cc, and in that context, the Honda SH125i is really very impressive. I tested it well on a 1,300 mile trip around Scotland. You cruise at 55/60 mph and therefore average 35 mph on ordinary roads, allowing brief stops for petrol and map reading. It's a scooter, so sitting space is a bit limited but not bad and there are more options for putting feet than on a bike, so you can travel with reasonably straight legs for a change. When loaded up with touring kit, you're not going to fall over with it. It averaged 115mpg, there's no chain for anyone to complain about oil from, and with 16" wheels it handles remarkably. The suspension is limited travel so avoid big holes (keeps the concentration up and gives following drivers something to ponder over). Tank holds 7.5 litres and if you trust the 115mpg I got, then 175 miles leaves half a litre (12.5 miles) for misjudging something. Not a bad range. I was very impressed when bought new and now, 12 months and 6,500 miles later, still am.

Members' Comments onrcoffin's Review

• Mysterysong on 29th Oct 2006

  Hi, is the Honda SH125i the first scooter you've owned? I'm looking to buy an SH as it suits my needs, having previously owned motorbikes, so I wondered how it is with the larger wheels compared to most small wheeled scooters. How is reliability, and also servicing costs? Any other advice or tips would be much appreciated - Thanks, Dean

• rcoffin on 30th Oct 2006

  Hi
  Yes, the Honda SH125i is my first scooter. After 15 months ownership from new, the only problems were the speedo not working and the backrest fell off the top box, which were fixed under guarantee. All other reliability is excellent. Servicing is every 2,500 miles and costs just over £100 sterling, but at 15,000 miles you have the drive belt replaced, which will cost more (I don't yet know how much).

• Mysterysong on 20th Jan 2007

  I've pretty much decided to go for the Honda SH over quite a few scooters I've looked at, and your review has definitely helped that decision. Pretty stunned you went touring on the SH, but it goes to show what a good machine it is. Any further reports or comments on the bike worth noting to date?
  
  Thanks - Dean

• rcoffin on 23rd Jan 2007

  Me again. I have done a few thousand miles on my Honda SH125i since my last review. I still much admire it, considering it's only 125cc and costs so little. I went to the bike show in Birmingham and back in the day (260 miles), then the boat show in Dockland E. London, so with a little patience at 55 - 60mph, it's fine for such journeys. I've got heated gloves, and together with the screen and natural scooter weather protection, it's pretty good for a long winter ride. It's not much good for a pillion, as despite there being enough space, they complain about the hard ride. If you get one, just keep reminding yourself it's only 125 and keep counting how much money you save. How tall are you? I'm 5"10'. Much more than that and it will feel cramped.
  
  Honda are about to sell an SH300i version, which looks almost identical (just a tad longer), which sounds excellent, BUT it's in another tax and insurance bracket, and I doubt we'll get >100mpg.

• Mysterysong on 24th Jan 2007

  I'm 5" 10' as well, and having sat on the SH it feels fine - the Dylan has better leg room, but I prefer the bigger wheels of the SH, especially as I'll be commuting in London. I've also looked at the PS125i, but I didn't find this as comfortable, and awful colour schemes too. Whichever way I look at it, coming down from a Fazer 1000 is going to be a shock, but a scooter is so much more practical - and cost effective - for now.
  
  As for the 300cc, I've been waiting for that, but having seen it price (£3500 approx), I think I'll be giving it a miss. The 125 seems to retail for around £2200, but I'm hopeful that my local Honda dealer will give me a deal at around £1900 - £2000, and that's including the top box now. Still like the Aprilia Sport City, but Italian build and reliability??

• Interested on 23rd Jul 2007

  Can you clarify service interval period?
  
  Is there a need for a change of oil between services?
  
  What are the costs running at in repsect of the above.
  
  Many Thanks

• rcoffin on 25th Jul 2007

  Service interval is 2,500 miles (according to book and very trusted local Honda dealer) and though I've NEVER let a small bike go that long without an extra oil change. I thought I'd just follow the book this time and watch the oil colour. It seems absolutely fine (but must depend on whether you do loads of small journeys or not - mine are all 22 miles almost every day). Mileage now is 12,000. Only extra cost above the £100 service was a rear tyre at 10,000 miles (£95 fitted by local shop - bit steep) and my estimate is that front will need replacing at 15,000 miles. As mentioned previously, the drive belt is due for replacement at 15,000 but don't know what that will cost.

• flynn222 on 25th Nov 2008

  I found this review helpful because...mpg/range/tank size.

• Mysterysong on 27th Nov 2008

  In line with the above, I too never let mine go the full 2500 miles between services without an oil change and do an interim change myself at every 1250 miles - cost is negligable at just a bottle of oil at around £5. My average service at Honda main dealer is working out around £75-85 mark so far.
  My average commute to work through London is 17 miles one way and I replaced both my tyres at just under 8k - total cost for both, plus fitting, £100.
  I was looking at replacing my SH next year as it would be 2 years old but given it's running so well still I don't really see the point - I think I may change at around the 15000 miles mark, I'm currently averaging what will work out to be 5000 miles a year.
  I have to confess to absolutely loving the SH and still use it when ever I can over my car, even through the winter. Given the cost of motoring, and traffic in town, owning a scooter just makes great sense in so many ways.