Honda Forza 125 test

Menus

• Forza Francia !
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Contact
• In the city
• Highway
• Departmental
• Braking
• Comfort
• Convenient
• Consumption
• Accessories
• Conclusion

Forza Francia !

The 125cc market is hypercompetitive with a multitude of models, from vintage models to sport and cheap models. Some models hardly exceed a few hundred sales units per year while others string together thousands of sales year after year and in particular the Yamaha XMax 125. In the same way that the three-wheel Piaggio made people envious, the XMax arouses all the envy to reach the same sales figures. But when Yamaha released the Tricity to compete with the MP3, Honda unveiled the Forza 125 in October 2014 to compete with the XMax. But Honda wants to go beyond the simple concept of a sports scooter by offering a scooter that is both sporty and GT, aiming at the main flaw of the XMax, that is to say its comfort, while offering a modern model with the latest technical developments. And the ambitions are there, since the winged brand even aims to exceed sales of XMax and has already stocked up on models in dealerships with several thousand scooters planned for sale, in order not to repeat the error of the PCX which it was so successful that the dealers no longer had any available! And nothing worse than missing sales, just because the model isn’t in dealership. So, challenge met? Test on the Croisette to see if the bling bling is up to the claims.

Discovery

With its SH, PCX and other S-Wing, one could have imagined in the new Forza a mixture of genres or in any case a clearly identified Honda model by the line. But in the same way that Honda history is full of Wave, Splender (sold over a million copies worldwide), Scoopy, PS, or even Solo, Honda has often gone in very different directions to propose new models. And the models cited are not by chance, since the Forza project manager was involved in all the models mentioned. The brand’s ambition is also measured by the experience of the engineers chosen, but with a major difference here. Because in a world where we often think more of emerging countries for 125cc than old Europe, the Forza was designed for Europe and more specifically for France. The model was therefore designed, thought out, recommended by France with the support of Japan and not the other way around as usual. We are thus witnessing an almost specific model for the French market and in particular with a rather sporty line. And to this effect we feel an inspiration also coming from the competition from certain angles, in particular with the taut lines of the profile or the shape of the rear part..

At the front, instead of a very sharp face, there is an imposing curved face, almost more GT than sport except for the breaks in the line reinforced by the signature LED daytime running lights. We also find the LED lights at the rear with a perfect integration of the indicators in a single almost horizontal line except for the two ends with sharp teeth..

Above all, there is an adjustable screen at the front in 6 positions, with 12cm gaps between each position. And when some trails require the tool kit, here it only takes one hand to lower or raise the windshield, even while driving.

With its goal of also offering a GT model, Honda has designed a real 48-liter trunk under the saddle. As a result, you can stay there without forcing two full-face helmets, a laptop and an anti-theft device, or even rain pants..

The quality of the plastics and the finish is just excellent, as are the colors of the fairing. We are largely in Honda standards and a good cut above what we can see in terms of scooters, even larger displacement elsewhere.

In the saddle

With a saddle at 780 mm, the rider of 1.70 puts just the tips of the feet on the ground. It’s a little better than the XMax but hardly. The hands fall naturally on the handlebars, the legs are bent without going up, for a just ideal overall position. And with a full weight of only 159 kilos, the weight felt is very low, even when stationary.

Under the eyes, we discover a double analog screen (speed on the left and tachometer on the right) which frames a small digital screen with additional information and in particular: clock, fuel gauge, partial double trip, totalizer, engine temperature, instantaneous consumption, average consumption of each trip and maintenance indicator. Very readable at night, it is just as readable during the day, including information from the on-board computer, on the trip or the digital consumption, in particular thanks to an excellent backlighting.

The mirrors are very easy to adjust, even when driving. It suffices to press appreciably on it to move the angle of the mirror, mounted on a ball joint. On the other hand, placed on the fairing and rather close, they offer a reduced rear vision..

The kickstand is easily released when stationary. Placed substantially backwards, you have to go and catch it a little with your foot to unfold it, but without exaggerated effort. Advantage, it does not interfere with the driver when he dismounts.

Contact

The Forza snorts quietly. We recognize the discretion of the 4-valve single cylinder from the PCX. Accelerator and the scooter reacts instantly to the request of the throttle.

In the city

The first turns of the Forza are instinctive. While the imposing size for a 125 suggests a little overweight, it is not and the handling is really there, almost surprising compared to other 125. With an excellent turning radius, turn almost in slow motion is done in a pocket square and effortlessly. Even maneuvering with your toes while stationary to move forward or backward is easy.

Narrow, the Forza slips through traffic all the more easily. It tilts easily and especially as the position is lower than on an XMax. With a lower center of gravity, it also does not give the impression of swaying the competitor model or the fact of being perched high. The light weight is undeniably an added advantage for handling, especially at low speeds.

Without being a thunderbolt of war, the acceleration is good in town and makes it easy to get out of traffic. The rev counter rarely rises above 7,000 rpm and leaves room to deliver maximum power.

And at the next traffic light, the Stop and GO stops the engine automatically. With a simple light push on the throttle grip, the engine starts up again instantly, with no latency. It is efficient, practical, pleasant for silence when stationary and it significantly contributes to reducing consumption.

Highway

The Forza sets off dynamically then linearly on the motorway to reach 110km / h then gradually scrape the kilometers hours to reach 130 km / h (counter, or 121 km / h real), at the switch. It is therefore particularly stable, even with side winds and when overtaking trucks. On the other hand, on the flat, in a straight line and even well launched, it is better to count on a real 110-115 km / h. Note, however, that the test model was barely broken in with just 500 km2 an odometer and that the mono should be released a little with a little more mileage, especially since the Honda engineer assured that the engine was able to deliver a little more power.

The protection provided by the screen is excellent regardless of the height chosen. Even at its highest level, it remains just below the chin and the helmet is then perfectly in the overall dynamic flow, aided by the gills under the bubble which avoid ebb and turbulence. Suddenly, whatever the speed, there is no noise or parasitic vibrations as we can know it on certain scooters or motorcycles equipped with high bubbles. Finally, the fairing, wide and well designed, deflects turbulence very well to such an extent that you do not feel the wind on your legs.

Departmental

The Forza regains its ease on departmental roads, where we find the maneuverability already observed in town which is fully expressed in the small virolos between Nice and Monaco. Braking is there and you are never surprised by a turn that closes more than expected, to recover the blow instinctively by swinging it naturally. The scooter always fits perfectly on a curve and simply goes where its pilot wants it without ever reacting in a surprising way. In short, it’s a real Honda with all the ease on a daily basis. He drives himself without thinking about it.

It will just find its limits in the times in odds, capping at 90 km / h (counter) same handle in the corner. You must therefore avoid decelerating too much upstream of a bend so as not to lose any momentum or momentum, otherwise you will find yourself struggling to follow the next bend … in arsouille mode. Because in normal use, there is more than enough fun to enjoy the road and the countryside..

Braking

If we regret the Honda dual Abs which was a treat to use, Honda has equipped the Forza with ABS at the front and at the rear which controls two discs, 256 mm at the front and more standard 240 mm at the back. The whole thing offers an excellent feeling and all the necessary power, so much so that it only takes two fingers to brake quickly and well, with an immediate response. You just need to take the rear brake with your left hand to trigger the ABS, even in the dry. On the other hand, in the dry, it is impossible to trigger the ABS at the front. Above all, we can see that the Forza almost does not plan on very strong braking from the front. And if the front and rear are used naturally at the same time under normal conditions, the ABS does not intervene. It is therefore not intrusive to intervene only when necessary, reinforcing the overall security offered by the model.

Comfort

Light and easy to handle, everyday comfort relies primarily on ease of handling. The saddle is wide and firm, for both rider and passenger. But the double side suspensions, quite vertical, above all offer good suspension comfort on setting 2 and very good on setting 1 (the most flexible). As a result, the Forza is very good at erasing road defects. And this is its main strength compared to direct competition, much steeper on degraded pavement..

Convenient

The Forza offers a huge space under the saddle with its 48 liters of storage space, particularly well designed and roomable. Suddenly, we place without any difficulty two full-face or modular helmets, plus a small laptop and an anti-theft device, or even a pair of gloves and rain pants. Well thought out, the trunk has detachable plastic dividers that can be used to separate the contents. Thus the anti-theft device does not necessarily fall on clothing or shopping. A very simple idea but very practical on a daily basis. The tool kit is cleverly stored on the left side, noticeably inside. It is not very rich but precisely offers the key to adjust the rear suspensions. And with the key, this is done really simply, easily and in a few seconds.

Next to the trunk, there is a real glove box at the front, or rather bottle box, deep, since you can accommodate a 50cl bottle of water. Above all, you can find a 12v socket to charge a smartphone or to which you can connect a GPS.

Consumption

With the Start and Stop system, but above all an engine from the PCX, economical and a large 11.5-liter tank, Honda announces an official consumption of 2.3 liters per hundred kilometers and a range of over 500 kilometers! And the reality is very close to the theory since at certain times the average consumption was indeed at 2.3 even if it could have risen above 2.9 liters with an average between 2.5 and 2.6 but with aggressive driving and on the highway. Even the on-board computer gives an instantaneous consumption varying between 0.9 liters and more than 5 liters, but regularly displaying a number around 2, x liters. And the first bar of the eight-stick fuel gauge does not descend until after 75 kilometers. It is therefore quite possible during daily use to be close to 2.4 liters to flirt with 500 kilometers at best and exceed 400 kilometers at worst, which is quite simply a record of range for the car. category facing many 125 who often consume twice as much.

Accessories

Honda offers some accessories to customize the Forza: 35-liter top case with its plate (279 euros), alarm, heated grips (175 euros), Akrapovic silencer, handlebar cover (35 euros), two-tone saddle (145 euros) , rim trims in several colors (45 euros), passenger backrest, inner top case bag (55 euros), phone holder…

Conclusion

The Forza 125 is arguably the most successful of the Honda 125 scooters. With quality at the rendezvous, a modern line, real boarding capabilities, braking well above what is necessary, the model is also instinctively taken in hand with easy handling and real comfort on a daily basis. . If the line is sporty, especially compared to the old Forza which have become ordinary, the engine is rather GT and will suit the frame which seeks an excellent scooter, qualitative, comfortable and practical and which does not seek sporting inclinations. It remains its price. At 4,599 euros (with ABS and 2 years warranty), the Forza is 300 euros cheaper than its direct competitor but remains in the upper range of prices for 125 cm3 scooters. Fortunately, Honda has also developed credit, LOA and LLD solutions which allow the Forza to be acquired with packages of around 100 euros per month (89 euros per month in LOA, 103 euros with a credit over 36 months and 20 % contribution and 128 euros per month in LLD), without forgetting financing offers with rates of only 0.9%. All you have to do is choose between the five available colors, from black to white (white and blue or white and black), via brown and gray..

Strong points

• Start & Stop engine
• Grip and maneuverability
• Comfort
• Consumption
• Braking
• Protection: screen and fairing
• Practical: trunk capacity
• Finishing

Weak points

• .

Honda Forza 125 technical sheet

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