Comparison test: cheap 125cc

Comparison test: cheap 125cc

125cc hybrid bikes

Designed as a packhorse for the third world, find 125cc hybrid bikes ?? a mixture of motorcycle and scooter ?? more and more fans in this country. What good is the cheap goods from Thailand?

Would you remove the manufacturer logos? identification would be difficult. At first glance they are twins, place of birth: Thailand. And from a technical point of view, Honda Innova and Suzuki Address come up with almost identical features: Both have an air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a forward-tilted cylinder, which enables a low step-through. The power transmission takes place via a semi-automatic? switch without coupling? with four gears each and a chain running in a closed box. The gears must have a reverse shift pattern ?? all four down ?? be knocked in. Takes getting used to, but it works flawlessly. The Suzuki shifts slightly better, the Honda clutch made a more stable, more precise impression. Why not fully automatic? Well, it is more complex, more susceptible, more wear-resistant and more expensive? Criteria that are in stark contrast to the alignment of both machines. Because it is clearly defined: inexpensive, reliable, durable, economical, simple. They should be puristic, undemanding means of transportation.

The driver also has to be undemanding when stepping from a fully grown motorcycle to this 125cc. Both weigh just over two hundred pounds, offer absolutely low-tech in terms of chassis and are fitted with tires that are barely wider than common mountain bikes. The good news: easy turning, parking, pushing and turning are guaranteed. Even the brakes are stable, easy to adjust and very effective despite the rear drum brake. Everything works so foolproof that you hardly need any driving experience. The Honda always looks a bit more grown-up: its seat is slightly wider and more tightly padded, the handlebar ends are a bit higher, the footrests a touch further forward. It can also be steered noticeably more precisely and remains more stable in corners than the Suzuki. Although the Address has longer spring travel, its 26-inch fork works as if you had forgotten the oil for the damping. The Innova offers a little more reserves with its 31 stanchions. The same applies to the stereo struts at the rear and the tires. The Dunlops mounted on the Honda are more grippy than the Suzuki’s IRC, both in the wet and on bitumen patches.

Fun society

Artist

These two single cylinders are fun for everyone.

A comparison of the acceleration values ​​and performance curves is in favor of the Suzuki. The address motor is designed with a shorter stroke and has a shorter gear ratio than that of the Honda; mathematically the Innova reaches 130 km / h. In practice it has been shown that both machines accelerate relatively quickly to 80 km / h, but then move very relaxed towards 100 km / h. Only those who squeeze the engine to the extreme will be able to implement the Suzuki’s advantage in terms of translation. In normal driving, the two 125cc give each other absolutely nothing. The Honda can even be shifted more lazily because it already provides its maximum torque of 10.6 Nm at 2500 tours (Suzuki: 10.1 Nm at 5600 rpm). The extremely long fourth gear acts as overdrive, which is ultimately also reflected in fuel consumption: the Innova is satisfied with just 1.8 liters of regular gasoline per 100 kilometers. The Address has 2.4 liters.

In the rain or on a city tour, real scooters certainly offer more advantages than these hermaphrodites. Because neither a helmet fits into the spartan storage compartments under the bench seats, nor do the narrow leg shields effectively protect against moisture. But that outweighs the driving pleasure. Both machines are a serious alternative to bicycles, trains and cars due to their low acquisition and maintenance costs. And maybe even to the motorcycle. Why? Seldom has cycling been so enjoyable, lighthearted and carefree. Seldom has there been so much fun for so little money.

Fazti

You can’t really go wrong with either of them. The Honda looks more dignified, is more stable, consumes less and is technically fully developed (60 million units sold since 1958). On the other hand, the Suzuki has a little more power, optically more pep and some clever details. Which dealer is closer to you?

Data Honda Innova

Single-cylinder four-stroke engine, centrifugal clutch, 9 HP at 7500 / min, 10 Nm at 3000 / min, tubular steel frame, wheelbase 1240 mm, seat height * 770 mm, spring travel f / h 81/82 mm, weight with a full tank * 106 kg, tank capacity 3.7 Liters, price: 1850 euros without additional costs.

Data Suzuki address

Single-cylinder four-stroke engine, centrifugal clutch, 10 HP at 8000 / min, 9 Nm at 6500 / min, tubular steel frame, wheelbase 1220 mm, seat height * 780 mm, spring travel f / h 90/77 mm, weight with a full tank * 113 kg, tank capacity 4.3 Liter, price: 1990 euros without additional costs.

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