HONDA SH125 i (2020 - on) Review

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).

• Related: Best 125 motorcycles of 2020

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.

• Related: Honda SH 125 vs Kymco Agility City

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.