HONDA SH125 i (2020 - on) Review

In the current climate where many commuters are wishing to avoid crowded public transport due to health concerns, it is inconceivable that the Honda SH125i shouldn’t continue to sell like hotcakes (it was Europe’s best-selling scooter in 2018, shifting nearly 19,000 units).

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The ease of use, inbuilt safety assists and storage capacity of this excellent scooter make it ideal for newer riders and at less than £100 a month on PCP or HP it is well within reach of any budget. To be honest, it should be a no brainer for any urban commuter.

For 2020, the SH 125 has been updated, promising improved performance, greater practicality and Honda Selectable Torque Control as standard.

Part of Honda’s line-up since 2005, the latest iteration of the L-plate-friendly big-wheeled scoot comes in five versions, ranging from a standard SH without accessories to one complete with a top box, knuckle guards and a windscreen.

The engine is a Euro5-compliant 124.5cc liquid-cooled four-valve eSP+ engine, which comes equipped with a fuel-saving ‘stop-start’ system, as well as Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), which helps prevent rear wheel slip in poor conditions.

Alongside greater efficiency, the new engine also promises improved performance, with the bike now producing a peak power of 12.3bhp at 8250rpm; a whole 0.4bhp more than the outgoing two-valve model, at 250rpm lower in the revs. Peak torque is also reached at 500rpm lower than the previous model (at 6500rpm) however is down by around 0.1ftlb.

Housing the revised engine is a new tubular steel underbone frame. As well as helping to save 400g, its inclusion has also allowed Honda to gain an additional 10 litres of under seat storage by moving the fuel tank from under the pillion perch to beneath the rider’s feet.

Geometry has also been altered - now 13mm longer at 1.353 meters. The seat height remains the same though, at a manageable 799mm.

Providing stopping power are ABS-equipped disc brakes, with both the front three-piston and rear one-piston calipers biting onto single 240mm discs. The aluminium 16in wheels are also shod with Michelin City Grip tubeless tyres, with the rear shocks also getting five-stage adjustable preload.

Thanks to its 'big' 16-inch wheels the SH 125 i is stable at speed and in town it is light and agile with a very tight turning circle, making U-turns a breeze.

If you are over six-feet it feels a touch compact and the accessory screen (£160) is very close to your chin, but the trade-off is lots of weather protection as you look through it. The suspension is a bit basic over harsh bumps but more than adequate for urban use.

New for 2020, the four-valve eSP+ motor replaces the older model’s two-valve eSP engine (enhanced Smart Power) and makes more power and torque, with the claimed 12.9bhp (up from 11.9bhp) and 8.9ftlb of torque (up from 8.5ftlb) delivered lower in the rev range thanks to a new bigger bore/shorter stroke design.

Idling Stop technology is included (which can be deactivated via a bar-mounted switch) and so is Honda Selectable Torque Control (traction control), which can be deactivated. While the motor does feel a bit sprightlier than before, it’s not a dramatic performance increase and only very loose gravel sees the HSTC activate.

On a level road, the SH 125 top speed is around 65mph, with this dropping to the high-50s uphill and increasing to just over 70mph on a downhill stretch, which is acceptable for a scooter. Overall it does all that is asked of it and is smooth, vibe-free and pleasant to use.

The Honda SH 125 i has been around in some way, shape or form since 2001 and has a proven track record for reliability. Yes, the engine has an all-new four-valve head and altered bore and stroke but this is unlikely to be the cause of any reliability downfalls.

You get a two year warranty included as standard, which is reassuring, as well as two-years European breakdown cover and Honda’s spare parts supply is hardly a concern. Overall, you can buy with total confidence.

Our Honda SH 125 i owners' reviews show happy buyers, with the only negative comments about the lack of glovebox and slightly firmer ride than exepected.

Although not as cheap to buy as some Far Eastern brands' offerings, at £3459 (2020 pricing) the SH 125 i represents excellent value for money considering its spec list and the fact it is a Honda-branded product (it is also built in Italy, not China).

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A three-year PCP plan sees you paying in the region of £69 a month (under £100 on an HP deal) after a small deposit of a few hundred quid.

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Honda claim thanks to the eSP+ motor with Idling Stop you can get between 122 and 129mpg, which is very impressive economy figures, however the reality is it averages 90mpg on open roads with only urban use approaching the claimed figures.

Considering it is a 'budget' scooter the fact you get proper ABS and not combined brakes like some 125s feature, not to mention Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), Idling Stop, LED lights, a USB charger, LCD display and a Honda Smart Key, which is a keyless ignition system, is very impressive.

In the UK we also get a topbox included in the price, which increases the SH 125 i’s already extended, and rather enormous, 28 litres of storage – although disappointingly MCN’s Arai didn’t fit it the under seat storage despite Honda claiming a full face helmet will.

The only things really missing is any form of connectivity to a smartphone, but that is hardly a glaring oversight, and self-cancelling indicators. A Datatool GPS tracker is free with the bike but there are extra fitting and subscription costs associated.

Pleasingly, a button on the key fob flashes the bike’s indicators, helping you locate it in a packed scooter bay. Honda sell a keyless top box (there is a hidden button on the underside of the luggage rack) but it costs £545 as you need a complete new box and not just a lock change, which is annoying.